buying dilemma

[andyboy]

ok this is my problem, have found two cars and cannot decide between them.
it's a 2nd vehicle for me and won't do 5k miles a year, mainly running the kids to school.
1st car 01/y 57k miles fsh app £4k(4 owners)
2nd car 03/53 68k miles fsh app £5.5k(1 owner)
both se models in silver, have viewed neither but all hpi and mot checks come up positive.
i rekon both are good value particularly the older car, but which to buy for my limited use, is the 03 car worth the extra?

 

[andyboy]

forgot to say both are petrols.

 

[martings]

dificult one without knowing the price differential, but rule of thumb for me is always go for the 1 owner vehicle irrespective of age.
Also 70k newer vehicle has probably had longer journeys, fewer stop starts and generally considered to create less wear on engine.
Likely also that the 03 model will have had a few mods factory built in.
overall later model for me
good luck
Glen

 

[Ballacraine]

To be honest....

I would suggest finding a diesel. It willtend to be a little more expensive to buy, like for like. It should hold its value better and be more economical & torquier.

Nige.

 

[andyboy]

agreed i'd prefer the diesel, my other cars are oil burners, but this is not going to get a lot of use, under 5k miles per year, plus the 1.4 petrol looks fairly economical.
i did decide against the older car, as mentioned by martings the 1 owner newer car is ultimately a better buy, i'm viewing it on saturday(with an envelope of cash!)