would you.....

[wol]

Before I start - I know I'm using a car as an example but its not really a motoring question, so I'm sticking it in here.
If you were a bit strapped for cash and didnt like to owe anyone anything, but you needed a car, would you get a brand new one one from a dealership and pay for it monthly on one of these good deals they advertise on the tv. Or would you save up and get a second-hand one? So its all yours and nothing to pay every month?

[Reverandfunk]

Save up

[Pippa68]

I have done both in the past. In fact I have only just bought a brand spanking new car for the first time ever!

It was a good deal, though ~ I made sure of that.

pros and cons to both, I guess.

[paulos66]

Hot wire

[4getmenot]

get a 2nd hand one on finance, then like saving money just you get a car to start with rather than at end

[Reverandfunk]

Pippa where do you park it?

Only so I can pour paint stripper on yr bonnet lol

[DJerba]

I'd get 1 on a HP aggreement thats what I do.

I pay �105 a month for a brand new Fiat Punto any probs (touch wood there haven't been any so far) you can take it straight back. If you need a car whats the point in saving up? You're still going to need it whilst you're saving so it kinda defeats the object of saving for it.

Vaxuhall and FIAT usually do 0% deals especially coming upto Christmas so wait for one of them dont do the TV adverts options the interest rates are usually 30% or more!

[snapdarlich]

Only thing to watch out for with O% deals is you may have to find quite a substantial deposit, plus a lot of these deals have an optional final payment that can run into many thousands. So after three years you're faced with a bill for four grand, what do you do? Refinance.

[Wix]

I hate having to pay monthly bills and stuff, i prefer to pay things all in one go. Therefore i would save up and buy the new car. One way i make money is by selling crap on ebay.

[DJerba]

Get a new one. if you look at it like you're hiring the car you'll always have a new car that works is reliable and if you do have to make the big down payment you sell it privately and give them the cash...sorted. I;'ve been on a HP agreement with FIAT (through Ancaster garage) for 6 years and its always worked for us.

[Hellyon]

I've never had a car on HP. I've always bought 'pre owned' cars and paid cash, I actually put �100 month into a savings account and I use that money when I need a new car (so in effect I make myself an interest free loan). I have never paid more than �4000 for a car but if you know what you are doing you can get some great buys. Currently driving a 5 year old Rover 75 Connoiseur with absolutely everything on it (apart from sat nav).

[4getmenot]

I just went on some car exchange thing where you out in your reg number and they send you a price of how much they will give you for your car. �125.00 :-( Pah