Looking For A New Car.

[Caran]

My car died last week. It's a smal saloon MG, limited issue. The cam belt shattered and broke valves and other damage. The garage quoted at least £1200 to repair it. Just not worth it. We virtually gave it to garage instead of final bill as it would have cost money to tow it back home to sell for spares or repair.
Been looking at small used cars, so little locally. Found one I like, no reply at garage for two days. We drove over to see it today, still there but no staff on site, only answerphone available. Are businesses closing due to covid?

[tonyav]

Does the garage have a web site, Caran ?. If it does try sending them an email to arrange a viewing / test drive.

[brainiac]

If it's just you and your husband, Caran, I would look into a VW Up - I know two people with them who love them, and I've never read anything negative about them in the press or online. Good build quality, and cheap to run and insure. Some good info here:

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/up

[Caran]

That looks nice brainiac but well out of my price range.
The car is just for me as OH has his own car. I don't want to spend more than £1000.

[lady-janine]

I've got a 2 seater mini that cost a lot less than that. Easy to drive.
Worth considering.

[douglas9401]

Nissan or Honda at that money, shop local.

[teacake44]

I'm afraid that a £1000 for any car will more than likely just buy you a whole heap of trouble and further expense.

[ladybirder]

The Honda Jazz seems to go on forever Caran and you'd get one in your price range. Honest John rates them highly.

[SlackAlice]

At the price range your considering always take a mechanically minded friend with you for impartial advice.

[ToraToraTora]

go to ebay, search by category, cars, then put £1000 in as max, refine for further desires using options on the left. Then sort in order of distance. You now have a list of cars near you that fit your parameters. I did it and some potentially very good stuff came up. You must be thorough when viewing though a lot of them will have problems but in among the dross there will be some gems.

[ToraToraTora]

eg: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-C3-1-1-Desire-2005-132-000-miles/233711529108?hash=item366a4aec94:g:Eb8AAOSwog1fKFUv

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Astra-SXi-TwinPort/143677774069?hash=item2173dcd8f5:g:TbIAAOSwTrdfNrWZ
just examples you need to do the search so the distance is based on your post code.

[bednobs]

I sense, you are not asking for advice on which new car to get, but as to whether your local garage will open soon.
Some businesses will not re-open because they have gone under and that might well be the case for this garage. There is nothing stopping garages opening though, so you might need to look elsewhere if they aren't open by next week. What does the answerphone say?

[bednobs]

Also TTTs idea is good - traders post on ebay too, so it wont be just individuals

[nescio]

I have had a couple of superb cars for less than £1000.
In 2007, I bought a P reg (1996) Honda Accord Aerodeck with 90K on the clock for £990. I got rid of it in 2013, with 240K on the clock. Had no problems with it at all and it was running perfectly when I got rid of it.

[ToraToraTora]

bednobs: "Also TTTs idea is good " - I need a lie down!

[bednobs]

don't be mean - I may disagree with you on a lot of things, but I don't disagree with "you"

[Dagman]

Do a search here
www.motors.co.uk
Set price range and distance away from home you're willing to go. Worth a look!