Car for retirement,little money,and just one candidate...

[dee]

I will need a last car to see me out.
It should be a compact/inexpensive [£10,000-£12,000] model, but nothing would feel good on the drive following the Alfa Romeo 147.

I went to Motorpoint [car supermarket] and literally nothing worked for me.

Frankly, a restored Morris Minor would be great, but is not acceptable in the real world [i.e. the boss] and would not be too good on the M25 etc.
The Fiat Panda is OK, but a bit too narrow.
The MG3 is neat and cheap,but anonymous.

I 'need' an Alfa Romeo Guillietta, but it would not be inexpensive and hardly suitable for an ageing driver,neither can I justify the outlay from our savings.
They even demand extra money for white/red etc-the sole budget option being black!!!

Another possibility is the now-you-see-it-now you-don't Chrysler, nee Lancia Delta, which would be around £10,000 @ 30.000 miles but I am directed towards new or ex-rem
My second car was a Lancia Beta, the first, a Citroen Dyane which lives on as our 2cv Dolly.
I tend not to do the obvious!!

It's a dee'lemma!

[mickeyobe]

I know my English is deficient so would you please translate "see me out"? Then I may be able to shower you with my sage advice.

I hope it is not what I think it is.

Mickey

[herron]

Oh my! I'm afraid I understand all too well ... this will be the "last" vehicle ... at least the last one you intend to drive. Not sure I know what to advise. I'm fresh out of sage advice ... or any other spice. 

[dee]

At 67, I reckon until late 70s when I will be a liability on the roads!

I reckon to buy the Alfa and at least spend a decade or so with a smile rather that stuck in a standard tin can!!!
i would go low mileage because Alfas don't have the best resale, but the boss won't hear of it.

[truls]

Well, my wife and I have an old Volvo, 22 yrs old. Soon drived 450K km (280K miles). Never fail, cheap service/repair/parts. I think I stick with it 20 more years.

[hansz]

Here also Volvo, 11 years, 335K km, and still going strong.

[dee]

Maybe I fix up the Alfa 147 a bit !!

[mickeyobe]

I was going to talk about my 2005 low mileage (90,000 km) Toyota Matrix in perfect condition but you folks have me outclassed.
It starts at +40 C when it is hot as --- yes, and when it is -26 C when it is cold as -- Carmen's heart.

But I will not say a word.

MIckey

[dee]

look Guys- Alfas are designed to self destruct !

[philbirch]

Get a moggy minor. no road tax and low insurance. A child could service it. The deluxe model has a heater. Perfect for those Canada winters.

[Deleted]

If I was getting my "last" car my choice would be a fully restored Sunbeam Tiger. Unfortunately I don't have $80,000 to $100,000 lying around. Can remember when you could buy one new for about $5,000. Back in the '60s we used to say the problems with British cars could be summed up in two words: "Lucas Electrics."

[dee]

I've been to see the Guilietta in the blue which I expected to enthuse me.
No luck-the interior is dull black and the seats seem to be awful nylon,the 147 seats are velour.

So, I decided upon a dark green Fiat Panda with all the kit either 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive...

Guess what-just discontinued !!!

I have just spent £600 plus on tyres/brakes/wipers.service etc., getting the Alfa 147 through the MOT test here in Uk, so I am just going to get my money's worth for another year or so.
[It has an air bag light which is on all the time,the mechanic helped it to switch off for the test, but now it's back so it will cost money to fix it next time]
This time it's Italian electrics!!

i would love a Morris Minor, but it's not allowed.