im really baffled about what to do...

i could buy a fab vrs with 70k on clocks, general wear and tear, all up and running in good nick for 5500-5800.

or do i keep looking and get one with about 30-50k on the clocks for 6300-7000?

i know each car is different however what are the cars like at the 70 mark compared to the 50, as eitherway the cars will both need cambelt water pump tentioner etc done, as the car has come to the 4 year mark.

thanks in advance for any replys.

It's got to be down to buying the best you can for the money you have to spend. It might not be the first car you find but take your time, read the market and something will turn up.

Personally, if finance was not an issue, I'd prefer to get a lower mileage car for the sake of a few hundred quid - but its not my money!

well i have a 7k limit, but i would like some $$$ left to play with . one i was going to see saturday got sold today. gutted. Im not to worried about resale, im more concerned with mechanical problems. I have a mechanic who does all my work, but i dont want to buy something with 'higher' milage that will be prone to all sorts of problems. I know this could happen with a model that has 30k. how strong are the fabias under the hood? especially if i was to tune?

I think as long as the car has been well looked after and you also intend to do the same... you should be fine.

I personally would go for the cheaper higher mileage then use the left over money for a full service and cambelt change etc.... then if theres still money left over maybe stuff like a re-map etc hehe.

Didn't realise you could pick them up that cheap!!!

If the car has done 70k, it should have had the cambelt done (irrespective of age). If it hasn't, I'd walk away.

If you can afford a low miler (with warranty) then that is always going to be a better deal imho because if anything breaks it's not going to cost you. Cambelt service is a biggie, but if you shop around you should be able to get it done for a more reasonable price (I think JKM quote around the £350 mark rather than the £450-£600 most dealers quote).

If you're wanting to mod, then it makes sense to buy one outside warranty and then you can do what you like to it

Chris

well i had the cambelt pump etc done on my astra, i respect its a different car however my mechanic only charged me 50 plus parts so thats no problem .