Thetownend.com

Any places that are good? Any to avoid. I already know about the pile of shit over Dorcan that I think arriba has experience of.

Anything specifically you're after Chalks?

Swindon Motor Park, Avoid like the plague.

Used car deals have a bad rep and its a case of a few dodgy ones giving them all a bad name. With used cars, dependent on age there may be wear and tear that sometimes a dealer might not be aware of.

If you're looking at a 10 year old car with 150,000 miles on the clock and then its definitely worth checking if its still got its original clutch and gear box.

The best thing to do is when looking for a used car is check its MOT history here
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
It will show what's failed and any advisories and its always prudent to ask to see proof that if something has failed that the works been carried out properly.

As long as you have a solid idea of what you want and are not too easily persuaded the car shop is worth a look. they've cleaned up their act and I know a few people who have come out of there happy. Be aware their will do their up most best to make sure you walk out of there with a car so don't let yourself be talked into something you don't really want.

A car for my daughter. Small car, will do low mileage, local runs. So nothing more than 1200cc as she's 21 and insurance bloody stupid. Don't want to pay more than £3k.

Think of a brand you want, then have a look for a specialist forum. Most will have a for sale part, and are usually enthusiasts so cars are generally well looked after.

Recently bought a new car for the wife that was advertised on Gumtree. You have to wade through a lot of crap, but we ended up with a bargain at around £1,000 less than the price dealers were advertising for.

I've recently bought the Mrs a Hyundai i10 as she passed her test in june. Superb little car(check out the reviews for them) and group one insurance.
Anyway, I shopped around for used(12plates at round 4k),put in the miles viewing them and for this or that reason didn't commit to one.
Went for new in the end and got it for a cracking price.
I went on a site called car wow where you put in the car you're after and dealers then come back with prices.
I then emailed pebley beach asking if they'd match the best offer I got. They came up trumps. Pleasure to deal with to be honest.
For a bit more outlay I've got a new car with warranty etc so maybe Consider that route?

Its worth looking at a new car, some dealers have offers aimed at young drivers which includes insurance. Fiat do it, and I think Toyota do it too. As an example, Fiat's deal is A fiat 500 1.2 for 3 years all servicing and insurance included at a flat rate of £239 over 3 years that's 8.5k give or take. Seems a lot, and I think, if they still do it, Toyotas was cheaper but when you consider you will pay 3k on a car, probably another 3k on insurance over the next 3 years mot's, servicing, and then repairs that may be needed you are looking at not much less than what a new car would get you. If she has a job, get her to chip in with payments.

Peugeot do a just add fuel deal which includes everything, apart from fuel with a 108 1.0l for £186 a month.

Look around.

PLenty of Fiat Panda enthusiasts on this forum if my memory serves correctly.


Not Swindon but avoid Highbury Motors in Bristol like the plague

There's a 2010 plate Hyundai i20 at SR Motors in Blunsdon, at £2,995. 1.2, 83k and FSH. 12 months mot

Just taken a drive around some places in Swindon. It just reinforced the fact j haven't got a fucking clue. Going down the new route seems a good idea to explore

Kia have always appealed to me for their 7 year warranty. Never owned one, but it's a big draw.

You'll always pay more buying from a dealer but you'll have some recompense (in law) if things go wrong.  As far as independent motor traders go, MD Motors in Marshgate has been trading for a long time with a decent reputation within Trading Standards circles.  Similarly T James motors in Cricklade.

The online MOT checker is now a useful tool if you know the reg mark.  It will show how the car has faired in its MOTS over the last few years and gives a general indication of how well the car has been serviced.  If it had lots of advisories at its last MOT, worth checking they have been remedied or you could be facing a big repair bill in the future eg things like worn bushes or even just tyres are often advisories that will require fairly expensive costs within the next 12 months.

But expect the hassle of actually taking them to court if they're especially cunty.

I'm looking at the Niro for my next car.


http://www.richmondmotorgroup.com/citroen/new-cars/c1/

Solid cars, Quite fancy the new Sportage GT

I used Cross street Garage, didn't have any problems at all and blokes in there were happy with me going out 5/6 times in the car on my own as I couldn't choose. Last time I drove last they had some decent cars on the forecourt