The search for a Shitroen replacement continues.

"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
09/21/2015 at 14:29 • Filed to: None

I’m told this example is rust free (these cars would be near invincible is it wasn’t for rust) but I’ll believe it when I’ve seen it on a ramp. If it is it’s perfect for commuting. Cheap to run, reliable and it’s even the top spec one that has such luxury features as electric windows and central locking. It even has a spoiler so it’s a racecar.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

DISCUSSION (42)

deprecated account > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:30

what’s your budget?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > deprecated account
09/21/2015 at 14:31

As close to Ł500 as possible, definitely not over Ł800.

RWS Motorsport > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:32

looks pretty good, the little glimpse you can see inside the wheel arch is black not rust coloured which is a good sign. Hopefully get more car for your money if its slightly older like this K11 vs the K12 from earlier.

deprecated account > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:34

I’m surprised at how cheap used cars are in Britain. That’s like $750 to $1,750 USD. Are you not looking at anything that’s not a supermini or would that just be out of your price range?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RWS Motorsport
09/21/2015 at 14:34

Yeah that K12 was a bit ratty, but I’m working with a really tight budget. This car supposedly has service history too which is important. It’ll be getting a real inspection before any money changes hands though.

PS9 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:36

Sure you don’t want a Poogeot instead?

RWS Motorsport > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:37

Very good shout, regardless of how much money is being spent. Atleast with a Micra you have a chance of finding a car where the previous elderly owner has serviced it every year without fail and loved it, they must lend themselves to that kind of owner. Good time of year to buy too, with lots of students offloading cars as they head to Uni. theres like 4 clearly ex student cars very close to my house for sale right now.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > deprecated account
09/21/2015 at 14:38

I’m not looking at anything bigger due to insurance, tax and fuel costs. Bigger cars are actually a great value here and often cheaper than superminis of the same age since they have high running costs.

Example:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

Leon711 > deprecated account
09/21/2015 at 14:39

My guess is associated costs. Whilst you can buy an enormous jag within budget, it won’t be as cheap on fuel, parts etc. Easy to park no one wants to steal it.....

deprecated account > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:40

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

Alfa GT for 1k, but if associated costs are the issue, I guess this doesn’t have a chance

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > PS9
09/21/2015 at 14:41

No we’ve had enough French turds for one lifetime.

deprecated account > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:43

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

9-5 wagon? That wouldn’t be too expensive would it?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > deprecated account
09/21/2015 at 14:43

Na no chance, tax alone is way too high. If I get one of the jobs I have interviews for I’ll be buying a cheap impractical car though.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RWS Motorsport
09/21/2015 at 14:45

Yeah Micras often seem to be ex old lady cars. There are tons of cheap superminis around here but the majority of them have cheap halfords wheels and are likely to have been thrashed.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > deprecated account
09/21/2015 at 14:46

Fuel costs would be insane and tax is about Ł500 a year.

deprecated account > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:47

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

Clio?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > deprecated account
09/21/2015 at 14:48

I really like clios (my car is based on the Clio) but they have timing belts which cost a few hundred to change (mine cost Ł420). My parents arent the type to keep up with servicing so I want a car with a chain.

deprecated account > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:50

DAYUM!

deprecated account > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:52

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

Mondeo? This is a rather handsome example. I dunno if the 2.0 TDCi has a chain though.

MultiplaOrgasms > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:53

Hilux

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > deprecated account
09/21/2015 at 14:54

We actually used to have a Mondeo (lower spec though) and it blew a turbo at 90’000 miles... We already have a big car (1.9 diesel Laguna Estate) and parking is tight so we have to stick to small stuff. I’d like to get a nicer car in the family but we literally just need a cheap box on wheels. I hate driving Micras but it’s looking like the smart choice right now.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > MultiplaOrgasms
09/21/2015 at 14:56

As much as I’d love a big dirty truck we can neither afford to run it, nor do we have anywhere to park it.

deprecated account > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 14:58

Snap. I feel for ya man. I wish I were driving something else right now, but I can’t do much about it so I guess we’re sorta in the same boat.

Schaefft > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 15:01

Kinja'd!!!

Drop fucking everything and get this. Tavarish said its a no-brainer so just do it! I’ll even help you get it back on the road :)

https://www.gumtree.com/p/mercedes-ben…

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Schaefft
09/21/2015 at 15:04

Well if Tavarish said it’s fine...

Schaefft > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 15:05

Excellent, when are you going to view the car?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Schaefft
09/21/2015 at 15:07

When I become significantly more drunk/ insane.

Schaefft > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 15:08

Also, if you need something thats practically maintenance-free:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/lexus/lexus-…

They do come with timing belts though.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Schaefft
09/21/2015 at 15:10

I genuinely want that Lexus. Still my parents are useless at maintaining vehicles and have a tiny amount of money, so terrible Micra it is...

Schaefft > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 15:18

The good things is that an LS probably is as much maintenance free as it’ll get. If your parents really don’t care about their cars at all, you can buy whatever you want, it’ll be ruined in no time.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Schaefft
09/21/2015 at 15:28

Yeah it irritates me that they don’t consider servicing or anything like that. When I tell them it’s time for an oil change they treat it like an unexpected cost. They’re lucky I’m about to tell them.

Cé hé sin > Schaefft
09/21/2015 at 15:39

But then again fuel, parking, insurance, fuel, road tax, fuel...

Laurence > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 16:00

If it is solid underneath, go for it. I remember when k11s were considered ‘granny cars’ but since they got cheap, I’ve mostly heard praise for them; They apparently even use an aluminium blocked version of the a series mini engine, which is cool too.

Otherwise, I’d look at getting a fiesta; mk6s have fallen into that price bracket, and based on my families’ massive experience with them, they aren't bad cars if you can live with a plasticy interior

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Laurence
09/21/2015 at 16:03

Reasonable condition Fiestas are a little out of range at the moment, plus the 1.25s need timing belt changes which I’d like to avoid.

Laurence > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 16:13

I suppose if you don’t want to edge your bets with private sellers, they probably are a little expensive. For Ł500 or so, micros are likely the best car to get; the only other choices are unreliable, expensive to keep or just not worth the hassle; I'd hop onto autotrader and have a look for you anyway though :)

Laurence > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 16:17

Dude, get a blue turd :P

Link

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Laurence
09/21/2015 at 16:17

Haha thanks but I’m so irritatingly fussy there’s probably no point. I’d be more open to other cars if my parents were better at looking after stuff but I’m reduced to looking at a car that can survive the apocalypse. They don’t thrash them or anything, but they just do not consider servicing at all. I’ve settled on Micras (despite hating driving them) just because of their toughness.

I don’t like car shopping for people...

Laurence > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 16:21

Nah, don't worry, it's fine. Never any any harm in asking

Schaefft > Cé hé sin
09/21/2015 at 16:22

Insurance can’t be that much more for your parents as long as they have a decent no claims bonus, an old Lexus LS can’t be very expensive to insure for drivers in their 40s/50s. Considering how often they need a new car, the 150 bucks or so in additional roadtax wouldn’t exactly be a problem either. Fuel I can understand if the car is being used regularly, I don’t see parking as an issue.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Laurence
09/21/2015 at 16:22

Haha I would if there were any close enough.

Laurence > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/21/2015 at 16:28

Yeah, kinda sucks there’s so few; was actually surprised at how cheap the one I linked was though

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Laurence
09/21/2015 at 16:49

Yeah it seems like a pretty good deal.