Advice on car for daughter

Ebenezer

Member
Messages
4,445
We spend alot of time chewing the cud on Masers and so I feel I have rudimentory grasp of this "market". However, I'm a a loss when it comes to normal volume cars.

Following a mishap yesterday, where thankfully there does not seem to be any significant injury, my daughter is in need of a replacement car to replace her Fiesta which has been totalled.

She likes Fiestas and following some Autotrading we like the look of this


It's a higher miler for the year compared to other cars which I think is reflected in the price. What are the maintenance ietms (eg cambelt milage/age) which we would need to be wary of?
It's right at the top of her budget so looking to knock it down - Is that realistic?

What thoughts from the collective?

Thanks
Eb
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
Messages
7,309
I know zero about the market and values but had a Fiesta hire car for the weekend a couple of weeks ago. What a fantastic car.
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
Got to be a small engined car for sure, you have Polo, Fiesta, Yaris, Clio and Civic's to chose from I guess. AS Dicky says Ford's Fiesta is a class leader.
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,757
Another thumbs up for the Fiesta. Bought one for my mother-in-law a few years ago and it’s been perfect and very reliable.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,013
Disappointing. I read the thread title and thought that could be a fair swap, but photos of both would be needed before offering an informed opinion.

I know nothing about Fiestas.
 

Phil H

Member
Messages
4,107
I think any caring father would say

"Here, have mine, I've done the QP thing and it's time to move on."
:)

PH
 

hunta

Member
Messages
405
We bought a Fiesta a few years ago for the school run having heard from a number of sources that you couldn't go wrong with them. Fantastic cars.

Sounds like you know that already if she's had one before.

In terms of the particular example you're looking at, usual rules apply - service history etc. I'd expect to be able to put another 60k miles on there without too much trouble. In terms of pricing, not sure what that market's doing but a bit of legwork with Google and you should get a feel fairly quickly.
 

linescanner

Member
Messages
299
I went for Yaris in the end for mine. Great little thing. 5 doors, cheap to service and not a bad drive at all.
 

tokyomb

Member
Messages
264
Can't comment on petrol Fiestas, but my wife had two diesels in succession (2010-2018) prior to us changing our cars. Both proved completely reliable, and we would probably still be running the first one had it not ended up wrapped around a tree following a rear wheel blow out at motorway speed. An accident from which my wife walked away completely unharmed.
 

Ebenezer

Member
Messages
4,445
Hi all
Thanks for the feedback so far. We like the particular car in the link above. Just want to know:
  • is there is any pressure on a dealer to sell at this point in the year - hence room for bargaining
  • given the mileage (45K) and age (63 plate - 6 years?) what maintenance things should have been done
  • Is there any advantage in funding part of the cost using their finance rather than buying it outright vs. or in addition to funding part or all via credit card (if they accept them)
  • The deal says he's signed the AA deal promise. Is this worth anything - Doesn't say that a 128 point check has been carries out or anything like that
  • Should I get the AA to to a PPI? or is the 6 month warranty worth the paper it's written on
  • MOT history looks OK
  • Trader's Autotrader feedback seems good

This will be funded entirely by my daughter so for the first time she's taking the financial risk on something large which is a bit of a learning experience for her.....

Eb
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
Ford have got lots of things wrong over the years but the last few Fiestas have been superb, we nearly pushed the button on one late last year for Sarah to runaround in for all those short kiddie runs but then we started planning the move to Ireland so took a cheap banger option from one of these strange SM guys I know.

As we settle hear we might be back looking in the New year and it will be a Fiesta they still are the car to beat in this class.
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
Give your local Ford dealer a ring and ask what service intervals are .... or I have always found with a quick Google.

Fiestas are pretty much bullet proof and it is good you have narrowed down your searches.

My kids have Yaris and Suzuki Swift - both cheaper than the Fiesta which has strong residuals.
 

Doohickey

Velociraptor
Messages
2,496
My son has a 64 plate Fiesta which he loves; great little car. One thing to note is that his is the 999cc Ecoboost engine which is much better than the 1.25l on this car - faster and more economical. His has done c. 30,000miles.

I've just made the final payment on the PCP at £3500 which suggest this is on the expensive side.
 

Bladerunner

Member
Messages
435
My outlaws have had fiestas for the past few years and never had any issues.

If you/your daughter can then put a minimum £100 on a credit card (and clear balance within a month to avoid interest) to get increased buyer protection...other option is funding part/entirely via a 0% credit card depending on credit score if they accept them.

Personally I wouldn’t PCP as the rates are rubbish vs a personal loan if needed.

6 month warranty is good peace of mind but always depends who it’s with as to feedback-you’d have to look up the specific provider to see reviews.