Thetownend.com

I know I'm setting myself up for a load of really unhelpful flak with this, but the missus' ancient Fiesta has finally turned up its tyres and we're looking to get another - she's pretty insistent it be a Fiesta (be fair, she's better than the "I want a red one" category) as she's used to them, likes them etc. She only uses it for running round town, so looking for something around 2.5k. Which rules out all the main dealers etc - anyone recommend used car places in Swindon that swim in the lower shallows?

i'd look for a private sale bargain with that sort of fundage.

Yeah, I know that would make more sense. Problem is I don't have enough confidence in my ability to spot a stinker to risk not having someone to go back and shout at

Yep, look on eBay. As long as it has a full service history, low/average mileage for the year and you HPI check it you should get a good deal.

My eldest daughter spent ages looking for a newish Corsa in local dealers, so I found her one in Franchise land that was a grand less and a much better car. You might have to travel a bit, but it will pay off.

as long as it's got proper service history(not just a stamped book)you should be able to get something decent.
i'm no expert, but have found some very good motors that way.
you just have to be patient and check around the car, and the service history when looking.

I will help you out with this if you like Paul. PM me what you are after (budget, spec, rough idea of year), happy to pop out and look at wheels as well. All that I ask is you don't call me comrade.

Cheers, may well take you up on that. First I've got to work out how I'm going to pay for the sodding thing :(

If she wants the car, put her out on Manchester Road for a couple of weeks. Sorted.

























For gawd's sake don't let her read this, she will rip my head off the next time she sees me  :headhurts:

I was looking for a cheapish first car around this time last year and it was a nightmare around Swindon, I would recommend Oldland Motor Company in Bristol. I got a little Corsa from there than about 3 months later my sister got a brilliant little fiesta for around £1,500 I think.

Let me see if I've got this straight - a scouser wanting to BUY a car ? :)

There's a really pretty purple one in the garage in Melksham it smiles at me every morning but I think it's more money than that as it's newer than my car

:D

I think we'd raise the money quicker with a paper round
With me making comments like the above, you think I let her anywhere near TEF?

Can you not put one on bricks and then "acquire it" as it has been dumped  ;D

There's a few 'car showrooms' on and off Shrivvy Road at the Stratton end. I've got a couple of decent cars from them before and although they are a bit shady the cars seem in good condition.

PaulD, what about this little beauty?!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201012355456081/sort/priceasc/usedcars/make/volkswagen/quicksearch/true/page/1/postcode/sn252aj/radius/1?logcode=p

Personally: Woof!
Missus: I want a Fiesta, I know about Fiestas, I can drive Fiestas, I want a Fiesta, you're getting me a Fiesta.

I saw one today in Trowbridge but it wasn't a very nice colour

Well that rules that one out then. Cheers JFW

It was Ming dark green and S reg is that too old?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201014356156230/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/3000/price-from/2000/model/fiesta/make/ford/radius/30/postcode/sn58ld/page/1?logcode=p

Im looking for a new motor myself not a fiesta but i thought i would have a nosy for you.

Came up with this, looks interesting, low mileage FSH and nice colour (JFW)

No.

That looks almost identical to my old fiesta but one year older. Mine was very reliable and did 90,000 miles with no problems.

bit pricey for an 11 year old car innit?

About double whats its worth.

FORD Fiesta 1.25 Ghia 16v , 5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 1998 , 53,000 miles, White, 2 Owners. Service History, Low Tax, POWER STEERING, Rear wiper, Front head restraints, Front electric windows, Drivers airbag, Body coloured bumpers, Immobiliser, Radio/Cassette, Rear headrests, Full size spare wheel, Front fog lights. Insurance Group:6E, £1,690

http://www.oldlandmotorcompany.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=26314&pageid=1

another one worth about a grand

Mileage is good but bit older than I was hoping for tbh. But cheers folks, keep em coming (and the responses, cos that also helps me gauge the stuff I'm looking at). TBH finding a private seller in the area is proving harder than I'd hoped (mainly due to the quite tight parameters the missus has set) so we may end up having to go trade just to get what she's after

i've had a look, and there's not alot about if you restrict yourself to a fiesta.
corsa's are decent, and punto's are alright for a similar sized car.

Tell me about it, that's what I've been finding out all day :) It's not my restriction it's the missus and in fairness she's got to drive the thing so it's important she feels comfortable with it. But a few more barren days may wear down the resistance to the "Look, love, just take a Corsa for a test drive, can't hurt can it?"

Tell the lazy bitch to look for one herself :)

2000 (X reg) Hatchback 50,866 miles Manual 1.3L Petrol 5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 50,866 miles, White, 2 Registered Keepers, Power Steering, Drivers Airbag, Immobiliser,Low Insurance Group,2 Yr AA Warranty Dealer Care Extended Guarantee Available. £1,795

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201014356187341/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/2000/model/fiesta/make/ford/radius/10/page/2/quicksearch/true/postcode/bs305nj?logcode=p

5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 45,000 miles, Metallic Blue. Full Main Dealer Service History, Full Service History, LOW TAX AND INSURANCE GROUPS, Alloy wheels, Radio/CD, Computer, Locking wheel nuts, Immobiliser, Multi Airbags, Colour coding - Interior, Colour coding - Body, Excellent Condition Throughout, Alarm, Anti theft system, ABS, Power assisted steering, Central locking, Driver airbag, Passenger airbag, Traction control, Please Ring Prior To Leaving Due To, Stock Changing Daily. FULL FORD SERVICE HISTORY, JUST FULLY SERVICED, GREAT FIRST TIME CAR, £1,995

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201011354915758/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/price-to/2000/model/fiesta/make/ford/page/1/postcode/bs305nj/radius/20?logcode=p

I know they're not in Swindon, but I am convinced you will get the best deal in Bristol, like for like cars in my experience are atleast £500 more in Swindon compared to Bristol.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200815307643908/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/db9/make/aston_martin/postcode/sn58ld/page/1/radius/1500/quicksearch/true?logcode=p

What about 1 for yourself.

10 years old, but 1 owner from new with FSH and just 19,000 miles. £1,650.

Get them down a couple of hundred quid and that's a bargain.

http://www.trade-it.co.uk/cars-ford-fiesta/region-w-uk-bristol-south-west-wiltshire-devizes/fordfiestaghiazetecs-8107994.html?impression=normal_impression

Well Mr D - did you get sorted?

Yes, we did thanks. 04 reg 1.4 Zetec, decent condition, 60k, £2900 (awaits deluge of "you wuz robbed" replies). And, most importantly, not red. She's well chuffed. Sorry, I should have bumped this when we did the deal. Cheers for all the help and advice folks.

You wuz robbed.  Sorry for the delay.

Cheers donkey. A late taunting is better than no taunting at all - at least I know you care :)

Of course. :)

 :-*

did you get it at car shop?

Christ no, even I know that much

my old fella got a great deal from there a couple of years ago.a year old punto with 7,000 miles on the clock for £5,000.
 i dunno what you've heard?

Carshop are pretty good IMO. 90% of their stock is ex-fleet/company vehicles which can be relatively high mileage for their age but will have been well serviced and maintained.

Not sure about the one in Swindon but they have a reputation of being pushy and outright lying to get a sale.

Blimey, fair play to your Dad. I'd heard bad stuff from several different people (including our mechanic) about folks buying cars that were overpriced/turned out to have a lot of issues. In the event, it wasn't relevant as when we looked they had nothing that fitted the missus' criteria anyway.

trouble is places like that have a high turnover of cars, and unless you notice things with it,it wont get addressed before you take it home.
it was the same with the one in newport(cannot remember what it's called)some people loved the place and got some bargains,other got some right stinkers.
i reckon peoples experiences with carshop are the same.
my old fella got lucky,as they had loads of 06 plate puntos come in at once.i see loads of them around the town.