You have 20k, what would you buy...

01-04-2006 10:12am #1

Was thinking of updating the Audi A4, it's showing its 10 years after a small bit of hard driving.

Have about 20-23k and want a second hand vehicle. Was going to update to another Audi A4 or maybe A6, but seems I have to go back to 2002.

Then was half thinking of getting a 4x4, can get something nice like a 2004 or 2005 Ssangyong for that price. Probably would hang on to the 1996 Audi.

Live in a rural area, so don't want something small and nippy. Not too concerned about the tax or fuel. Just want something biggish and comfortable and decent looking, without being too flash or sporty like a Celica. Don't like BMWs or Mercs, suspect again I would have to go back a few years.

Any ideas?

junkyard · 01-04-2006 10:34am

What about a Subaru Legacy 4x4 estate... they're lovely to drive, its 4x4, its fast, its ultra reliable and if you buy a Jap. import one it would have loads of spec.

exactiv · 01-04-2006 10:37am

Ssangyong suck. Don't waste your money on them. And they're ugly as sin too.

Legacy is a very good suggestion. I'd buy one if I had the money.

01-04-2006 10:57am

Wouldn't have thought of a Subaru. The only ones you see around here (Kerry) are the Impreza, and that's a bit 'flash' for a fellow like me in his 30s. Not too sure about an estate - there's only me and the wife. I know I said 4x4, but while plenty of young fellows around here have 4x4 very few have estates unless they have kids.

junkyard · 01-04-2006 11:00am

You can get them as saloons too and they don't look as flash as the Impreza, great car though.

01-04-2006 11:04am

Any opinion on the Subaru Forester? Can get 2003 2.0 with alloys 31,000 miles for 23k on autotrader.ie.

junkyard · 01-04-2006 11:07am

Yeah they're good too but I though you didn't want an estate, personally I'd prefer a Legacy but thats only me.

01-04-2006 11:26am

Sorry, my vocab may be wrong. By estate I mean the classic stationwagon shape, which I wasn't looking for - it seems like a family vehicle. However I wouldn't mind the more 'jeep' shaped vehicle - every fellow in South Kerry seems to have one at the moment.

exactiv · 01-04-2006 1:10pm

the forrester is a very good car. fast, decent enough (for what it is) in the mud.

but it's a bit on the ugly duckling end of the subaru family.

legacy saloon (especially the new one) is savage.

exactiv · 01-04-2006 1:16pm

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=382351

That's a bit more than you want to spend, but it's a nice car. Find one with a few miles and the price would drop to your budget.

01-04-2006 1:42pm

exactiv wrote:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=382351

That IS a nice looking car actually. Thanks for that.

Never heard of Ryan Car Sales in Ballincollig. They seem to have some nice stuff...including a 2004 Ssangyong for 19k...

exactiv · 01-04-2006 1:52pm

I was out at ryan cars last week. Very nice to deal with. Small setup, but not so small you'd be worried if they'll still exist next week.

The ssangyong will be total rubbish! They handle like a big bag of sheeps wool after a pint or two of vodka! If you insist on buying one though, get the diesel, it's an old mercedes engine and it's quite reliable (at least it was in the mercs). Buy a korean car and it will depreciate like crazy.

01-04-2006 2:33pm

exactiv wrote:

They handle like a big bag of sheeps wool after a pint or two of vodka!

Oh the old sheep and alcohol insults. Is it cos I is from Kerry?

Think there is some jeeps import place down in Blackrock or near Pairc Ui Caoimh that I might check out too.

exactiv · 01-04-2006 2:50pm

Deleted User wrote:

Oh the old sheep and alcohol insults. Is it cos I is from Kerry?

I'm from that direction too

Jap imports are very expensive for what they are (jeeps anyway).

Near Ryans there's a jap import garage. Don't know the story with them, but 1 stone two birds and all that.

elexes · 01-04-2006 3:12pm

toyota altezza rs 200

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=391606

m_stan · 01-04-2006 3:19pm

I would have backed up your plan to get another a4. Yes you'd probably have to go back to 2002. I've been doing some research and it seems you could import a 2003 from the UK for around 23k all in if you are patient and wait for the right one to pop up. That would be for a 1.9TDI 130bhp, which would be my model of choice. Lovely car.

You rule out a bimmer. That would be my other choice. Going back to a similar vintage as far as I can work out.

Good luck with it whatever you do.

Mickk · 01-04-2006 3:20pm

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=394890&ID=655494&NumPics=1&Make=Honda&Model=Accord%20SR&frmFilter=Year

Always liked them, especially if you get a light colour with black leather or a dark one with beige leather...

bazz26 · 01-04-2006 3:49pm

How about one of these:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=374217
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=360394

01-04-2006 4:10pm

Thanks for all the ideas folks.

Just spotted another one that looks the business. Always thought 4x4's were just an urban vanity thing but now I'm the wrong side of 30 I must be getting vain. Completely impractical - though roads around here not great. But neat.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=273097

Lex Luthor · 01-04-2006 4:56pm

throwing the Nissan X-Trail in the hat

colm_mcm · 01-04-2006 4:57pm

Deleted User wrote:

Thanks for all the ideas folks.

Just spotted another one that looks the business. Always thought 4x4's were just an urban vanity thing but now I'm the wrong side of 30 I must be getting vain. Completely impractical - though roads around here not great. But neat.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=273097

what a pile of scrap!

exactiv · 01-04-2006 5:00pm

ahh jeesusssss..... you can't buy that......... It looks like a front loading CD player from the front!.......... Feels cheap inside too...........

If you're gonna buy a land rover you should get a propper one...
or even better (and cheaper) one of these http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=330405

I quite like the Honda Accord as well...

RobAMerc · 02-04-2006 1:52am

If that was a picture of an Alfa there would be a hundred post here telling you it was crap, but that will break down twice as often as any Alfa.

Do the right thing buy a Forester, most won't notice but feel confident that those who know will respect you for it.

Also you'll be able to give it to your grand kids coz it will still be going and driving tight as a new car.

matt cork · 02-04-2006 2:17am

i found the forester the poor relation to the legacy - which i think is fantastis in b-spec form (although there is then the tax to consider)

how about a saab 9-3? 2.2 tid, will never go wrong, great build quality

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=208578

2.0l T

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=111056

for bullet proof build quality theres volvo

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=377941

or

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=347477

Squirrel · 02-04-2006 10:39am

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=392114

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=392114

We've had one of the earlier models (the second one) from new for 3 years and around 40,000 trouble free miles.

04-04-2006 1:49pm

Not a Hyundai - main dealer near here and everyone has the Accent or Santa Fe or Sonata.

Not a Saab either. Have been told by a few people that roads in South Kerry turn a good Saab bad.

On closer inspection the Forester looks too like a family car for me. Can't make up my mind about the Nissan XTrail - kind looks half way between a jeep and a stationwagon without being either. This one isn't bad looking, but again going back to 2002.

el tel · 04-04-2006 4:57pm

In response to the thread title my answer would be that 20Gs would get a nice Maserati Ghibli 2.0 GT twin-turbo sex machine

but reading your post I'd say stick with the A4 (or get a 5 y.o. TDi A4/A6 if it's a petrol you've already got) and don't waste all your dough on a car.

heggie · 04-04-2006 5:07pm

20K? toyota supra.

beyondrapid · 04-04-2006 5:23pm

how about a discovery?
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=343847

04-04-2006 5:47pm

Discovery is a fine looking machine alright, but again it goes back to 2000 and that's just a bit too far back for me.

Toyota Supra and Maserati, though nice on the eye, just not executive enough. Too sporty.

Remember, I'm looking for a bloody big executive car that's stylish and relatively new and will satisfy my vanity but is also extremely cheap. Is that too much to expect?

Maybe I will just update the A4 and go for something around 2003.

bazz26 · 04-04-2006 7:37pm

Deleted User wrote:

Discovery is a fine looking machine alright, but again it goes back to 2000 and that's just a bit too far back for me.

Toyota Supra and Maserati, though nice on the eye, just not executive enough. Too sporty.

Remember, I'm looking for a bloody big executive car that's stylish and relatively new and will satisfy my vanity but is also extremely cheap. Is that too much to expect?

Maybe I will just update the A4 and go for something around 2003.

Skoda Superb?
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=356994
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=376188
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=388813

It uses the same diesel engines found in the A4 and VW Passat.

Or a Passat:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=393002
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=398053
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=260462

You have 20k, what would you buy...

Comments