Reliable car wanted

I need to find a relatively low cost, but hopefully reliable car for my son who goes to uni next year. Does anyone know of anyone selling something half decent?

Cosmetic imperfections, bumps and scrapes not an issue as long as its mechanically sound as it has to get him to Shropshire. Modest budget, so an older car that has been well looked after service wise is what we're hoping for. He's 18 with 1 years no claims so something that isn't in the upper tiers insurance wise would be preferable.

PM if you know someone who might have something to fit the bill.

Thanks in advance, Damian.

My two kids (and number 3 in September) would have had no benefit from a car at uni. Not much good at getting g from one vodka bar to another lol

Does he actually need a car?, uni guarantees a hall of residence for the first year and often close or there are hopper busses

I hear you loud and clear. He has a choice of where to base himself for the course. Keele or an agricultural college (now a Uni in it's own right). The course is split 50/50 across the 2 campuses.

He's absolutely adamant that he wants to be in the ag college campus, but it is very remote and lacking in facilities, certainly compared to a more conventional campus such as Keele.

When I was at Uni (in Brighton) no one had cars due to affordability and lack of necessity. I could barely afford to feed myself let alone run a car.

I've tried explaining this and he's not for turning. Credit to him, he's been working hard in a part time job alongside his A Level studies and has some savings and plans to work full time through the long summer and get a weekend job at Uni to help make a car a reality. His choice. It wouldn't be mine.

The facts remain, he's going to buy a car so I'd rather help him find one that isn't a total lemon.

My parents might be near to selling their forum favourite Honda Jazz.

My Dad want rid, my Mum wants to keep.

It’s 2 owner, FSH and relatively low mileage (I’d have to ask).

It was given to my folks by a woman my mum has known her entire life, who finally gave up driving aged 92. Needless to say every panel has a dent, scratch or both. And my parents have used it for getting their dog around. So will need a good clean and deodorise.

Could fit the bill perfectly.

If you’re interested, I’ll chase them about if/when they’re selling

Could be ideal. Yeah if you could find out a bit more I'd appreciate it.

He works on a dairy farm and usually comes home covered in cow shit, so a little doge mustiness isn't a huge issue either as he'll soon trump* any existing smells.

*excuse the pun

They’re away for the weekend but will speak to them tomorrow probably.

Keep looking though as like I said my mum wants to keep it.

Understood fella. The search is very much still alive. And thanks again.

May I express an interest in this please, if it doesn’t work out for @yetidamo

Sadly for you and as I expected, my Mum pulls the strings so they're keeping the Jazz for now.

Hope something turns up

Not sure if it fits the bill for a student car, but we might be getting rid of a 2007 VW Touran in a month or 2. Got 207k on the clock, but a very detailed service history and passed the last two MOTs with advisorys. Can send more details if needed.

(P.S. I was also keen on the no longer available Honda Jazz!)

Daughter spent 3yrs at Keele 2019-2022 (right through Covid). Car was a complete waste of time 1st year, both in terms of excess parking costs on campus and the fact pretty much everything was on-site or a bus ride to and from SOT supermarkets

No worries. Thanks for making the enquiries anyway. Sounds like there was a virtual queue forming!

Hi. Thanks, but I think he has something a little smaller in mind. I'm away with work at the mo but I'll discuss with him when I'm home.

He's staying at Harper Adams (hopefully, if he gets the required grades). Totally agree a car would be utterly unnecessary at Keele, but he's insistent that it's needed at HA. I remain unconvinced.