Buying a car, have'nt a clue. Please help

kali.mist

Folks,
At 35 I have given up and I have to buy a car. Need it to transport my son about and increase my job prospects.
In the running....
1.4L 2003
Megane
Focus
Leon
307

What do you reckon?
Cheers
Mick

peasant

Can I be the first to say it this time?

Can I?

OCTAVIA !

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=529839

tacklemore

Personally, I'd go for a japenese make, Toyota would be my first choice, Nissan and Honda as well. The Japs are very reliable, and don't need alot of maintainance. It might cost you a bit more, but it's worth it for the peace of mind. A mate of mine has a Toyota Corolla, with 250,000 miles on the clock, and she's still going strong. Thats my tip anyway. Best of luck with whatever you go with!!

vengeance52

ill go with the Mondeo

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=443032

techie

How about a 2005 Fiat Stilo 1.4 , still with 2 years warranty and lots of extras for a great price?

http://adverts.ie/14074

kali.mist

peasant wrote:

Can I be the first to say it this time?

Can I?

OCTAVIA !

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=529839

Feck, Didnt kow I'd get an octavia for less than 10 grand.
10k is my limit

kali.mist

modea wrote:

Personally, I'd go for a japenese make, Toyota would be my first choice, Nissan and Honda as well. The Japs are very reliable, and don't need alot of maintainance. It might cost you a bit more, but it's worth it for the peace of mind. A mate of mine has a Toyota Corolla, with 250,000 miles on the clock, and she's still going strong. Thats my tip anyway. Best of luck with whatever you go with!!

Yeah, I would like a 2004 corolla, but I could'nt afford it

techie

Would you consider my Stilo if I was willing to do a deal with you on it?

colm_mcm

As the OP doesn't know much about cars, may I add that Stilos are pretty poor in lots of areas. The only possible reason for buying one is if it's a ridiculously low price. With the introduction of the new Bravo, these prices should fall even lower.

techie

With respect the newer Stilo from 2003/4 is a rock solid car with no faults whatsoever, and my car is at a great price already considering it still has 2 yrs warranty left and lots of std extras.

colm_mcm

it would appear though, that you're trying to specifically sell your car rather than make an objective reccomendation.

Also, reliability on Stilos isn't anywhere near some other competitors, even the admittedly improved later models.

eamon234

Feck the Corolla it's the most boring car in the universe - go for the Octavia it's a crackin' car for the money and just as reliable as any jap and a much better drive plus you could fit a hippo in the boot- take a test drive of both from a garage and you'll see

techie

Of course I am trying to sell my car!

To be objective, all the cars the op mentions above all have their own problems, no car out there at the moment is fault free.

colm_mcm

eamon234 wrote:

Feck the Corolla it's the most boring car in the universe - go for the Octavia

DO you realise how funny that looks?

also, the Corolla has an extra 20bhp over the Octavia in 1.4

eamon234

colm_mcm wrote:

DO you realise how funny that looks?

also, the Corolla has an extra 20bhp over the Octavia in 1.4

It's still as bland as Lidl Weetabix I would recommend the 1.6 Octavia though!

techie

eamon234 wrote:

It's still as bland as Lidl Weetabix

Hence they are replacing it with the Auris in hatchback, so far!!

colm_mcm

An Octavia is hardly exciting is it?

bazz26

€10k will get you a good variety of car.

Skoda Octavia 1.4 litre:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=600785
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=529839

Toyota Corolla 1.4 litre:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=571080

Honda Civic 1.4 litre:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=612419

Ford Focus 1.4 litre:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=515939

Mazda 323 1.3 litre:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=601731

Opel Astra 1.4 litre:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=560317

Seat Leon 1.4 litre:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=586194

VW Bora 1.4 litre:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=584879

Nissan Almera 1.5 litre:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=550035

techie

Op, there are a few sites that you can visit to get users reviews of the different cars:

www.carsurvey.org

and

www.parkers.co.uk

Good luck with whatever you choose.

colm_mcm

techie wrote:

Hence they are replacing it with the Auris in hatchback, so far!!

There's a new saloon model out as well! (I have one)

techie

colm_mcm wrote:

There's a new saloon model out as well! (I have one)

Yes its still badged as the corolla though?

eamon234

colm_mcm wrote:

An Octavia is hardly exciting is it?

I'll take one over a Corolla (or Mondeo!) any day:D

colm_mcm

eamon234 wrote:

I'll take one over a Corolla (or Mondeo!) any day:D

Not really the point. you criticise the Corolla for being bland, then go on to recommend another boring car because you prefer it. Surely recommending an exciting car because the Corolla is bland would be the way to go, it might make your argument a little more credible.

colm_mcm

techie wrote:

Hence they are replacing it with the Auris in hatchback, so far!!

techie wrote:

Yes its still badged as the corolla though?

There's no danger of the Saloon being badged as an Auris

bazz26

eamon234 wrote:

Feck the Corolla it's the most boring car in the universe - go for the Octavia it's a crackin' car for the money and just as reliable as any jap and a much better drive plus you could fit a hippo in the boot- take a test drive of both from a garage and you'll see

Saying an Octavia is more exciting or a better drive than a Corolla is a questionable statement. The Octavia is a good car and is good value for money but it is far from being more exciting or better to drive than the Corolla. I have driven both.

colm_mcm

If you're looking for excitement, a 1.4 small family car is a bad place to start

eamon234

bazz26 wrote:

Saying an Octavia is more exciting or a better drive than a Corolla is a questionable statement. The Octavia is a good car and is good value for money but it is far from being more exciting or better to drive than the Corolla. I have driven both.

So have I and I preferred the Octavia that's why I bought it. Also the OP expressed an interest in the Octavia as the Corolla is out of her price range so I'm merely providing a point of view of someone who actually has one and isn't spitting out tech spec from the latest Top Gear mag.
Also when it comes to interior space the Octavia is far bigger the boot alone is enormous and for anyone with kids this is one of it's biggest advantages

colm_mcm

rear seat room is far from enormous in the Octavia. and your reason for dismissing the Toyota was that it was bland. It's a pretty weak argument.

copacetic

as i said over in first thread, i'd go for the focus myself. better handling than either of the above and as much of a 'drivers' car as a 1.4 can be, although I'm sure I am totally wrong and in fact the octavia/corolla is depending on who replies!

bazz26

eamon234 wrote:

So have I and I preferred the Octavia that's why I bought it. Also the OP expressed an interest in the Octavia as the Corolla is out of her price range so I'm merely providing a point of view of someone who actually has one and isn't spitting out tech spec from the latest Top Gear mag.
Also when it comes to interior space the Octavia is far bigger the boot alone is enormous and for anyone with kids this is one of it's biggest advantages

But you made a sweeping statement and disgarded the Corolla straight away calling it bland and comparing it to "Lidl wheetabix" because you didn't like the looks of the car, not because the OP couldn't afford a 2004 model. Looks are totally subjective and what I find interesting to look at may well be different from you and anyone else, still doesn't mean a car should be avoided though on that basis alone.

Also I recommended a number of different cars in my original post including the Octavia, Corolla, Focus, etc. I may not like any particular one for a number of different reasons but they are my personal reasons which the OP may not share. Doesn't mean the cars are any less worthy of a recommendation to someone else.

Anyway this is gone off topic big time and not worth anymore debate, my apologies to the OP.

Wishbone Ash

colm_mcm wrote:

If you're looking for excitement, a 1.4 small family car is a bad place to start

Spot on colm - the segment of the market generally reserved for the A to B drivers.