Should I get a new car?

[z-layrex]

I've been driving my first car for 4 and a half years now, a 1.1 Saxo, I still love it but I hate the colour (green), it's done 91k miles now and it just feels really slow. 1.1 engine sucks, i'm tired of it taking me all day to accelerate on the motorway. Also had to shell out for a new cam belt, break drum and 4 tires a couple of months ago so I think it must be coming towards the end of it's sensible life.

Do you think its worth trying to sell it at this many miles and look for a new one? I have not much clue about cars so don't even know what to get. I know I want another 3 door for city parking, but would also like something fast, used for under 4k would be good.

I have to leave it in a pretty dodgy area of Brighton during work so I don't want an expensive new car tbh.

[act smiley]

cambelt , brake shoes and tyres are all wear and tear items that will need replacing on any car, there's nothing unreliable about that in the slightest.

If you want something with a bit more go, then get one, but there's no need to invent excuses

What's your definition of "fast" though, something a bit nippier, or actually quick?

A Ford Fiesta Zetec S would seem to be a very good compromise, or the Renault Clio 172 / 182 is meant to be a good proper hot-hatch.

An MG ZR is also actually a really good car to drive, but if the cooling system goes wrong then it tends to cause a lot of damage - the 1.4 (105) is only 'nippy' but drives nicely, and the 1.8 (160) is actually quick.

Avoid Corsas, the only ones in your budget are the old ones which aren't very nice to drive.

[Tommeh]

Yeah get it gone. Should still be good for a few hundred quid , 17 year old rudeboiz just starting out can't get enough of them.

Plenty around for 4k. Used car market isn't exactly buzzing due to that ridiculous labour scrappage scheme but it's a very decent budget for what your after. I'd probably reccomend checking out a Golf, very easy to find a 5-6 year old 1.6 mark 5 or for something a bit warner and more like 10 years old, a 1.8 or 2.0 GTI Mark 4.