Can you suggest a new car for me?

tbh · 13-06-2008 11:50am #1

Hello all,

My beloved Lexy, a 97 Peugot 306 sadly passed away this morning, owing to complications of the clutch. Happily, I'm coming into a bit of money next month, so it's not as bad as it could be.

I'm going away for three weeks with work, so won't be able to buy a car till I get back, but when I get back I'll have to buy straight away - I don't really have time to suss out different models and features etc, and besides I don't have a clue anyway. I was hoping if I tell you what I need, you'd be able to suggest a car/model. If you are the first to suggest a car, and I end up buying it, I'll give you €50 for your trouble.

So, my profile. I drive in and out of work (Swords to City Centre), about 100 miles a week. Once a month, we'll drive up to my girlfriends house in Donegal, which is a round trip of roughly 330 miles, so roughly we do 750 miles a month. I'd like a car which is reliable, roomy and quiet. Auto gearbox would also appeal to me as I do mostly city driving.

I have between 12 and 15k to spend, and obviously I want to get the best value and compromise between getting a newer car and a bigger car (this is probably the only time in my life I'll have the ability to spend this much without borrowing, so I want to get the best deal possible). I'm not at all snobby about makes or models.

thanks a million for reading this far, and any help is much appreciated.

tbh

Danbo! · 13-06-2008 11:56am

tbh wrote: »

I'd like a car which is reliable, roomy and quiet. Auto gearbox would also appeal to me as I do mostly city driving.

Id recommend a Golf, reliable and roomy. plenty of them available and you should be able to get a decent 1.6 (or standard 1.4) maybe 2005-2006 model for that sort of price.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=32&xMakeID=32&ColourID=&xColourID=&ModelID=281&xModelID=281&Doors=&BodyID=&Engine_Min=&Year_Min=&Engine_Max=&Year_Max=&Price_Min=12000&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=15000&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E

Thats the results from carzone for vw golfs, between 12 and 15k.

Cyrus · 13-06-2008 12:01pm

tbh wrote: »

Hello all,

My beloved Lexy, a 97 Peugot 206 sadly passed away this morning, owing to complications of the clutch. Happily, I'm coming into a bit of money next month, so it's not as bad as it could be.

I'm going away for three weeks with work, so won't be able to buy a car till I get back, but when I get back I'll have to buy straight away - I don't really have time to suss out different models and features etc, and besides I don't have a clue anyway. I was hoping if I tell you what I need, you'd be able to suggest a car/model. If you are the first to suggest a car, and I end up buying it, I'll give you €50 for your trouble.

So, my profile. I drive in and out of work (Swords to City Centre), about 100 miles a week. Once a month, we'll drive up to my girlfriends house in Donegal, which is a round trip of roughly 330 miles, so roughly we do 750 miles a month. I'd like a car which is reliable, roomy and quiet. Auto gearbox would also appeal to me as I do mostly city driving.

I have between 12 and 15k to spend, and obviously I want to get the best value and compromise between getting a newer car and a bigger car (this is probably the only time in my life I'll have the ability to spend this much without borrowing, so I want to get the best deal possible). I'm not at all snobby about makes or models.

thanks a million for reading this far, and any help is much appreciated.

tbh

how new do you want it, what size engine would you consider,

given your criteria i would be inclined to suggest a bigger more comfortable car, like a 4-5 yr old exec saloon.

tbh · 13-06-2008 12:04pm

well, the budget is the main constraint, but I'd rather a smaller, newer car than an older bigger one. 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6 would be good (although I have to be honest, I don't really know what those numbers mean).

Cyrus · 13-06-2008 12:06pm

ok, a newer smaller car with an auto box is going to very gutless tho, auto boxes work best with bigger engines

can i ask why you are more inclined towards a smaller engine, road taxes? or is insurance an issue

RobAMerc · 13-06-2008 12:08pm

this will bring up some awful sh*te, better to pick what you like and ask opinions based on same.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=&xMakeID=&ColourID=&xColourID=&xModelID=&Doors=&BodyID=&Engine_Min=1400&Year_Min=2003&Engine_Max=1600&Year_Max=2006&Price_Min=12000&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=16000&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&AutomaticOnly=yes&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E

leex · 13-06-2008 12:10pm

Ford Focus.

Likes of this one - http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Ford/Focus/WWW.TALLAGHTMOTORGROUP.IE-1.4/1080438/

1.4petrol, 34k miles, 06 D reg.

Price 12,950euro

or this one -

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Ford/Focus/1.6-ZETEC/1090608/

1.6 Zetec (better spec), 2005 reg. 35k miles.
13950euro

tbh · 13-06-2008 12:12pm

Cyrus wrote: »

ok, a newer smaller car with an auto box is going to very gutless tho, auto boxes work best with bigger engines

can i ask why you are more inclined towards a smaller engine, road taxes? or is insurance an issue

no, not really a cost issue, I'll be honest and say I don't really know what the different sizes are

If there are implications on getting a larger engine, I don't know what they are - like, harder to drive, faster etc. I know it's pretty dumb of me.

WHITE_P · 13-06-2008 12:13pm

If you were to go for something in the Golf class, your spoiled for choice, anyone of the following would probably see you right:

VW Golf
Ford Focus
Skoda Octavia
Mazda 3
Toyota Corrolla

Any preference for petrol or Diesel.

Check out the JD Power survey, What Car, Autoexpress or Autocar webpages for reports and comparison tests.

1.4 / 1.6 relates to engine size, and this will affect things like running costs (Tax, Fuel, insurance, servicing etc.), as well as what its like to drive, good / bad or just average.

Cyrus · 13-06-2008 12:15pm

heres a few ideas, im bored at work

if i had your budget id be looking at something like a nice 5 series with low mileage and a high spec, but i will resist as thats not the type of thing you want

mike65 · 13-06-2008 12:18pm

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Peugeot/307/(2004)-XT/963189/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Peugeot/307/SW-1.6/1085865/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Skoda/Octavia/1.6-Tour/1077714/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda3/1.6-TOURING/968525/

Mike.

bazz26 · 13-06-2008 12:20pm

OP what style of car would you prefer, 4 door saloon, 3/5 door hatchback, 2 door coupe?

This will narrow down the suggestions.

tbh · 13-06-2008 12:26pm

WHITE_P wrote: »

If you were to go for something in the Golf class, your spoiled for choice, anyone of the following would probably see you right:

VW Golf
Ford Focus
Skoda Octavia
Mazda 3
Toyota Corrolla

Any preference for petrol or Diesel.

Check out the JD Power survey, What Car, Autoexpress or Autocar webpages for reports and comparison tests.

Nice one, thanks - I'm very keen on a golf, just always assumed they were more expensive..No prefs for diesel or petrol, unless someone has a good argument for either!

@Baz: my current is a 4-door, so if I could get a 4-door I'd prefer it, but a two-door wouldn't be a deal-breaker. Just to say, I'm very grateful for all the suggestions, thanks very much everyone.

*Tripper* · 13-06-2008 12:30pm

Mazda 6: http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda6/1.8-TOURING/1060039/

Audi A4: http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Audi/A4/1.9-TDI/942063/

Merc C-Class: http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/C-180/Classic-Automatic/836917/

PaddyFagan · 13-06-2008 12:57pm

05 1.6 Golf Auto 12k sounds ideal for you, @ 14,950
http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=1996195

OldmanMondeo · 13-06-2008 1:26pm

tbh wrote: »

1.2, 1.4 or 1.6 would be good (although I have to be honest, I don't really know what those numbers mean).

OMG, this poster should receive a lifetime ban...:D

If you are going for a Golf or Focus, you would be better going for a 1.6 over a 1.4. Not to much difference in tax insurance MPG, but you will notice it on the trip to Donegal. The extra bit of pulling power when overtaking etc..

pebbles21 · 13-06-2008 1:33pm

http://www.carzone.ie/my/index.cfm?fuseaction=ad.review&carID=1078370

haggle for another 1000 off the price!;)

Cyrus · 13-06-2008 1:39pm

bad link?

peasant · 13-06-2008 1:46pm

You sound like a perfect candidate for the Skoda Octavia

The diesel automatic one:

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Skoda/Octavia/1.9L-TDI/949531/

Cyrus · 13-06-2008 1:47pm

indeed and the new one isnt as offensive looking as the old one

Plus it has a massive boot

WHITE_P · 13-06-2008 10:40pm

PaddyFagan wrote: »

05 1.6 Golf Auto 12k sounds ideal for you, @ 14,950
http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=1996195

Yeah that's a nice car, although the 1.6 is a bit old school these days, it has got the DSG gearbox, which is one of the better modern autoboxes.

mike65 · 13-06-2008 10:58pm

Cyrus wrote: »

Plus it has a massive boot

+1 :pac:

Mike.

bazz26 · 14-06-2008 11:41am

How about a Mazda 3:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda3/Sport-1.6/1017114/

Or Honda Civic:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/1.4-SALOON/891639/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/1.4i-S...5DOOR/856463/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/Automatic/746585/

Can you suggest a new car for me?

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