Cars are not worth the dosh unless your rich. I would not mind a newish sporty Golf in white but they are a rip-off.

Can you not buy one from all your betting winnings?

Wife used to have a Golf Gti Turbo. Nice cars. Hold their value well as well. Go for it.

I don't think they are either, even if I was on 120k a week I'd drive a 1litre fuel efficient car...no point in spending 80-100 a week on petrol

IMO there is no point in spending more than 3k on a car.

You don't really get much extra for your money once you go past 3k priced cars its only until you get to the 10k+ prices of new cars that you are getting something possibly worth spending the money on because new trendy cars make you feel a lot better than second hand, out of date cars.

I think cars are generally pretty bland looking unless you go for the sporty versions, so if you are going to spend a lot of money on a car make sure you get the sport body kit and sweet ass wheels otherwise theres no point IMO.

Why would anyone buy a bland dull new car for over 10k instead of a bland second hand car for 3k, there ain't much difference. I guess old people with money that drive at the speed limit do this.

I was looking at maybe a Seat Ibiza as they look quite sporty and start from 10k, but do I really want to spend 10k on a car. Not really. 8k is as far as I'd like to go for that type of car.

All you can get for 8k ish is 1litre Kia's or Fiat Panda's, I'd rather spend 8k on a decent 2nd hand car than spend 8k on those pieces of crap.

Right I am liking the look of this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Thoughts?

looks alright, but maybe a boy racer owner?

66K on the clock is a lot for a car that value and age though.

Parkers say £5k dealer price, £4.5k private, with 70k miles.

Its probably £500 overpriced - sounds like you'd need to haggle.

Been looking since beginning of Jan and Vauxhall Astra Diesel 2005 plates are going for around £4k-£5.5k.

Mileage is good for that year, less than 10k per year.

Ideally want the SXI version, but first one I have seen that is close to what I want.

Do you have a link for that?

Little bit up on the mileage,no mention of service history and too many aftermarket bits for my liking.Would give it a miss if it was me

How about a ford ka you could get one for under 1K
cheap to insure and run

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

This is a nice one, boy racer stripes as well

Check out the astras at carcraft website.

Other three I have seen are:

Seems dodgy this one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Sold as seen always scares me:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

I am tempted towards this one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

None in my price range

Spoke to owner and the car has a full service history.

pick model year and model from this link

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/prices/us ... back-2004/

Alternative valuation site (for cross reference)
http://www.whatcar.com/valuations

bought one yet Ashers?

Nope, but just seen this?

Thoughts:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Looks smart, not sure if the old rules still apply about motorway miles being best - but they probably still are!

I don't have a problem with ex-fleet cars myself. Of course, need to check no outstanding finance on it....

wish I had that engine in my (old) Astra...

Looks good value.

I am very tempted by this car and will probably view on Saturday.

Need to drop him down to around £4,300 though

I like your inspection technique Ash