Car recommendations

Mitch Connor

First off, appologies to all - i have tried not posting this, but i don't know enough about cars myself so i would like your opinions. I know how much you must all love these "recommend me a car" threads:rolleyes:

Anywho.....

I'm looking to spend a maximum of 15k on my first "proper" car, and would prefer to go a bit cheaper.

I would love a Seat Leon 1.6S, but they won't be in my price range any time soon so i've had to give up on that.

I'm looking to get something that looks nice, preferably in black, handles well, has a bit of oomf, but doesn't drink petrol like it was running out....

My current car is a Mazda 323f, 1997, and it is my first car. Having passed the driving test i would like to get something a bit newer.

Was looking at an Alfa Romeo 147 T Spark, but having done a small bit of research, i'm fairly certain any i bought would blow up, such is my luck. The reason i was looking at it was that it looks lovely, could be got for a good price and came with some nice extra's (such as steering wheel mounted radio controls) But, as i have said, it doesn't appear to be what i want from a reliability and feul consumption point of view.

I don't want a car with worse feul economy then my current car, and also don't really want to get a saloon car, as they are a bit too long in the back - i'd be afraid of reversing into a wall or car or something, i would like the back window to be a good representation of the back of the car, if you know what i mean.

I'm in no great rush, as i still have a few months on my current insurance and don't want to go for a newer car til i have my NCB up and running.

Any suggestions?

Lex Luthor

So can we assume, you want a hatchback, similar in size to your Mazda, along the lines of a Seat Leon, but stylish, and you don't want an Alfa 147?

Ford Focus

you might also find an nice A3
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=635909

or a Honda Civic
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=631948

or stick to what you know
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=621571

or an Astra and there are plenty to choose from
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=606535

or this....(zzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZ)
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=636165

or an overpriced bit of German metal with no extras when you could always get the better A3

But you know you want one of these though
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=231956

peasant

The usual Audi A3, beemer and Octavia posts will be done by others, I'm sure ... so here a few not so obvious ones:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=605778
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=451760
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=636844
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=453418

HashSlinging

Leon 1.6s little big brother.

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=476909

Tony255

Are you a guy / girl and what age it would make the selection a lot easier

gyppo

peasant wrote:

The usual Audi A3, beemer and Octavia posts will be done by others, I'm sure ... so here a few not so obvious ones:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=605778
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=451760
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=636844
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=453418

God, you were doing so well until you got to the one with the big ar*e!

Mitch Connor

Tony255 wrote:

Are you a guy / girl and what age it would make the selection a lot easier

Does my name not make my gender clear....

Male, 23

Tony255

You can see i like Coupes but you're 23 and should get one there's plenty of time for saloons

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=623498 (this is only here because i like them)
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=584441
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=610805
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=587385

Lex Luthor

gyppo wrote:

God, you were doing so well until you got to the one with the big ar*e!

I actually quite like the Megane hatch

Lex Luthor

Tony255 wrote:

You can see i like Coupes but you're 23 and should get one there's plenty of time for saloons

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=623498 (this is only here because i like them)
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=584441
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=610805
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=587385

Yes, No, No, Maybe

However, that GTV has had 3 owners in 22k miles.....very suss

Its a beautiful car however, and I came across it last week as I was trawling through carzone for a GTV.

Male & 23. What are you limiting yourself to in terms of engine size for your insurance?

Mitch Connor

Lex Luthor wrote:

Yes, No, No, Maybe

However, that GTV has had 3 owners in 22k miles.....very suss

Its a beautiful car however, and I came across it last week as I was trawling through carzone for a GTV.

Male & 23. What are you limiting yourself to in terms of engine size for your insurance?

i reckon i would not be able to go over 1.6 - which seems to put me in/around the €1200 mark on the quinn-direct.ie website (using a a guage at the moment)

Mitch Connor

Tony255 wrote:

You can see i like Coupes but you're 23 and should get one there's plenty of time for saloons

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=623498 (this is only here because i like them)
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=584441
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=610805
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=587385

i was actually looking at a 1.6 Hyundai Coupe (2003 in black) looks very nice. I assume it would have a kinda poor feul consumption, which kinda puts me off (as an example: http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=624165). I do a good bit of driving (grestones to citywest and back every weekday, and some weekend driving around greystones/bray) and my current car costs me 30-35 a week in petrol, don't want to go over that really at the moment.

peasant

my current car costs me 30-35 a week in petrol, don't want to go over that really at the moment

That's the main reason why I stuck in the Megane ..it's a 1.5 diesel, you see ...

Mitch Connor

horrible fat ass on it though! not a fan of the rear end on them.

colm_mcm

1.6 Coupe shouldn't be any heavier on fuel than your 323f. it's basically a smaller version of the Elantra.

peasant

Ah well ....all a matter of personal taste.

Personally I think the Citroen C4 coupe looks cool



available in 1.4 or 1.6 ...it's what I would go for ...but that's only me.

Lex Luthor

peasant wrote:

Ah well ....all a matter of personal taste.

Personally I think the Citroen C4 coupe looks cool


available in 1.4 or 1.6 ...it's what I would go for ...but that's only me.

pity its a Citroen

Renault & Citroen make some really nice cars, one of my favourites being the C6, but they crucify you come time to sell on

Tony255

if you are worried about fuel consumption what about a golf 1.9 tdi (not sure what insurance is like) its a great car to drive i had one for a few weeks some time back.

The hyundai coupe is excellent i was going to get one a few months back before i drove the 318 but the hyundai hugs the road and is a great drive. I would think it should get pretty good mpg's.

eamon234

Tony255 wrote:

if you are worried about fuel consumption what about a golf 1.9 tdi (not sure what insurance is like) its a great car to drive i had one for a few weeks some time back.

The hyundai coupe is excellent i was going to get one a few months back before i drove the 318 but the hyundai hugs the road and is a great drive. I would think it should get pretty good mpg's.

OP doesn't want to go over 1.6 he would also be shafted on insurance on the Hyundai Coupe as it is classed as a sports car

Tony255

eamon234 wrote:

OP doesn't want to go over 1.6 he would also be shafted on insurance on the Hyundai Coupe as it is classed as a sports car

I checked out the difference between my policy to change from a megane 1.6 to a hyundai 1.6 about 8 months ago and the price difference was about €100 i'd say it was because of the value of the car and i was 24 at that time, so there wasnt a big difference for me should be similar for the OP.

colm_mcm

Hyundai Coupe isn't particularly difficult to insure. no moreso than a 1.6 Focus or Golf.

eamon234

Tony255 wrote:

I checked out the difference between my policy to change from a megane 1.6 to a hyundai 1.6 about 8 months ago and the price difference was about €100 i'd say it was because of the value of the car and i was 24 at that time, so there wasnt a big difference for me should be similar for the OP.

You're right there Tony - just did a quick check same price for both around €790 for a 25 year old with 3 yeard no claims - I just recalled a guy a few years ago being quoted a crazy amount on one as they claimed it was a sports car - I'd say the insurance companies have downgraded it a little

Also noticed a few companies now quoting convertibles directly online - got a quote on a 2000 MX5 from FBD for €470 not bad!

Mitch Connor

eamon234 wrote:

OP doesn't want to go over 1.6 he would also be shafted on insurance on the Hyundai Coupe as it is classed as a sports car

actually, i checked on Quinn Direct, with all the correct info - and insurance on a 1.6 Hyundai Coupe is €1200, which is what i'll prob have to pay for my current car anyway - it is really only the mpg i worry about.

Mitch Connor

eamon234 wrote:

You're right there Tony - just did a quick check same price for both around €790 for a 25 year old with 3 yeard no claims - I just recalled a guy a few years ago being quoted a crazy amount on one as they claimed it was a sports car - I'd say the insurance companies have downgraded it a little

Also noticed a few companies now quoting convertibles directly online - got a quote on a 2000 MX5 from FBD for €470 not bad!

was looking at a 1.8 MX5 - but i couldn't get a quote for it - i figured the engine size was just that bit too big, when they don't give you a quote online, i fear what the phone call would produce!

Tony255

Tauren wrote:

was looking at a 1.8 MX5 - but i couldn't get a quote for it - i figured the engine size was just that bit too big, when they don't give you a quote online, i fear what the phone call would produce!

As far as i know the problem here is that it is a convertible and these are more expensive to insure.

bazz26

Tauren wrote:

actually, i checked on Quinn Direct, with all the correct info - and insurance on a 1.6 Hyundai Coupe is €1200, which is what i'll prob have to pay for my current car anyway - it is really only the mpg i worry about.

As already mentioned the 1.6 litre Coupe will be no worse on fuel than the car you have. The Coupe is no a heavy car and while the 1.6 litre engine will not burn up road it is quite suited to Irish roads and running costs are low.

Mike07

cannot believe that noboby has mentioned hairdressers yet ---only kidding

I was considering one recently.


Dont rule out the alfa-- if you stick to the same year and spec you want from coupe , focus or whatever, you will pick up an alfa for a few ks less , have a fun drive, the car you really want and money to keep in your back pocket for the new engine/replacement keys/ maintenance.

Henry Ford III

1.6 Focus 3 door Zetec.

A cracking car.

wexford12

peasant wrote:

That's the main reason why I stuck in the Megane ..it's a 1.5 diesel, you see ...

I have the renault 1.5 diesel great car nippy and my my runs on a sniff of diesel i only fill it ever 2 to three weeks i get about 900km for a tank

Lex Luthor

Mike07 wrote:

for the new engine/replacement keys/ maintenance.

why would they need a new engine?
Replacement keys?

Maintenance costs will only be slightly higher than any other main stream car, but they are worth it for the drive you get out of it.

Nothing wrong with the engine on my 7yr old 1.8TS

Lex Luthor

wexford12 wrote:

I have the renault 1.5 diesel great car nippy and my my runs on a sniff of diesel i only fill it ever 2 to three weeks i get about 900km for a tank

how big a tank?