3/4k to spend on a family saloon - suggestions?

Sleepy

My car was written off for me yesterday and there's going to be an insurance fight that I can't wait for the result of before replacing the car so I'm now in the unfortunate position of having to get something quickly with a total of four grand maximum. Since my work involves a lot of travel, it probably doesn't pay to have an expensive car depreciating with the mileage so I'm okay sticking with whatever that gets me...

I'm currently thinking a Ford Mondeo might be a good option as there seems to be quite a few available on-line for under 4k with reasonable mileage... but I'm posting to see if there's anything I'm over-looking...

Priorities would be:
reliability,
not overly thirsty (1.8 max in a petrol),
decent bit of room (nothing smaller than my current drive - a 5 door Honda Civic I bought on adverts and hadn't had a days trouble with, Ironically I had the oil, filters and sparks in the boot to do a service on it at the time)...
I'd favour low mileage over the year on the plate but would prefer something post 2000.

colm_mcm

Honda Accord 1.8, Mondeo Zetec, or Avensis 1.6 VVT-i

HashSlinging

+1 on the Honda fantastic car in every aspect, slight drinking problem though, theres one on adverts that looks good to.

Linky

Nevermind the mileage on these once they have FSH your on to a winner, but get them checked out by a good mech pref with some VTEC exp.

Sleepy

Seen a few ford focus saloons with reasonable mileage within my budget, anyone got experience with them? I've driven a few of the hatchbacks as rentals and thought they were pretty nice to drive...

darcy.jonny

i do know avis sell a lot of x hire cars ...... most of them are cars that are hired to companies for three or four years . my company use them and all the cars are upkept and serviced all the time (avis will not accept a car back if its in bad condition

my firdt car was a ford escort 1,9 td got it for 2,500 in 2000 qnd it was a 1997

my fathers car ford mondaeo went back two days ago its a 2005 with 68,000 km and will be sold for around 3,000 so they do have good deals on fords

Johnboy Mac

Accord or the Mondeo

vectra

HashSlinging wrote: »

+1 on the Honda fantastic car in every aspect, slight drinking problem

Same thing with the Mondeo
Not so bad on a journey not using aircon and keeping the right foot under control
I had a 1.8 Zetec with 30k on the clock
Mint that car was
Robbed me on juice around town

Actually.
Come to think of it
I have a buddy looking to move on a nice Saab (93) ??
I think thats the model
02.. just passed the NCT (actually flew through it ) last week.
Smal ish milage
I think about €2.5 k he is asking

bazz26

Peugeot 406:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200924193058313

Sleepy

vectra, got a link for the Saab?

vectra

Sleepy wrote: »

vectra, got a link for the Saab?

I will get his phone number for you.
In the meantime I have passed on his Wife's email to you.
Request some details.
My name will be in the PM for referance to him.
He is an ex guard but a spot on friend of mine. No Bull from him.;)

Cicero

In terms of 'thirst', the Saab may not be your best option - 23-25mpg around town with just over 30 mpg on long journeys- can be expensive to repair and service- saying all that- the're very comfortable, great acceleration and the 02 (old model) had super boot space with the 'hatchback', but will probably be a 2.O, not 1.8 as you have specified - EUR2.5k seems very cheap for a low millage 02 Saab 93- if you like it, get it checked out fully and and if all is well, then put your money into running costs Vs initial purchase price - best of luck

tinofapples

A Skoda Superb perhaps ??

http://adverts.ie/104643

Esel

tinofapples wrote: »

A Skoda Superb perhaps ??

http://adverts.ie/104643

€6K - a bit above the price range ...

leitrim lad

with your sort of money you should get upto a 2006 passat with that ,the dealer would bite your hand off if you had cash

colm_mcm

You need to be a little more subtle with your sarcasm LL

Sleepy

They seem to be available for that kind of budget colm:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/TDI-HIGH/200927194507524/advert?channel=CARS

Think I've pretty much made my mind up to go for diesel mondeo... may have to up the budget a grand or two to get something that's not completely shot... how many miles are too much for one of these though?

tinofapples

€6K - a bit above the price range ...

Price is reduced. Only a wee bit above OP's price range.

tinofapples

They seem to be available for that kind of budget colm:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswa...t?channel=CARS

Think I've pretty much made my mind up to go for diesel mondeo... may have to up the budget a grand or two to get something that's not completely shot... how many miles are too much for one of these though?

Even though the IRL is on the REG plate I'm guessing there's VRT to be added to that, if not it is indeed very cheap.

colm_mcm

that's a scam. simple as that. it's on Irish plates, no phone number. get real there are no 06 Passats for that kind of money. even in the UK.

tinofapples

that's a scam. simple as that. it's on Irish plates, no phone number. get real there are no 06 Passats for that kind of money. even in the UK.

Agreed. There's another one there under similar suspicious circumstances:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/200927194505035/advert?channel=CARS

Sleepy

tinofapples wrote: »

A Skoda Superb perhaps ??

http://adverts.ie/104643

Thanks for the offer but not my cup of tea...

Sleepy

colm_mcm wrote: »

that's a scam. simple as that. it's on Irish plates, no phone number. get real there are no 06 Passats for that kind of money. even in the UK.

Thought as much. Some show up in the search with pretty high mileage though...

tinofapples

No bother at all.

Best of luck.

PaulKK

leitrim lad wrote: »

with your sort of money you should get upto a 2006 passat with that ,the dealer would bite your hand off if you had cash

LOL! You could treble his top budget for an 06 passat.

My old lad got an 06 TDI for 11k recently and he was doing well enough to get it for that.

unkel

I wasn't going to pimp my car, but you were asking for it

See the Rover in my sig...

laycolayco

Have a look at this one, seems very good value to me!!!
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/156/1.6-T.SP/200925194376415/advert?channel=CARS

Sleepy

Thanks for the offer Unkel but I think the 75 is a bit too 'old man' a car for me

Have upped the budget by a grand or in order to try and find a diesel. Have a friend in the trade looking into it for me...

laycolayco - There seems to be lots of cheap Alfa 156's, I'm quite tempted but the missus (and my own common sense) are putting the foot down that they just can't be trusted...:(

laycolayco

Sleepy,
Ive had a few alfas from the old 75 up to the brera. They are a great car and once theyre looked after service wise they will just keep going! The trick is to find a good one! Because people can be afraid of them means that you can get great value in them!

fastrac

ttp://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda6/2.0-TDI-/200926194442740/advert?channel=CARS

unkel

fastrac wrote: »

ttp://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda6/2.0-TDI-/200926194442740/advert?channel=CARS

Whatever you buy, do not buy a Mazda diesel! The engines and gearboxes give lots of very expensive trouble...

ErinGoBrath

I'm considering downgrading my 00 1.8L Toyota Avensis as I only use it twice a week for short trips.

It's valued around 4k and is extremely reliable.

If it's of interest to you let me know. I'm posting a thread about downgrading as we speak.

EPM

ErinGoBrath wrote: »

I'm considering downgrading my 00 1.8L Toyota Avensis as I only use it twice a week for short trips.

It's valued around 4k and is extremely reliable.

If it's of interest to you let me know. I'm posting a thread about downgrading as we speak.

Not a hope is that car worth €4k...€2k maybe if low mileage and mint. 1.8 isn't very popular

ErinGoBrath

EPM wrote: »

Not a hope is that car worth €4k...€2k maybe if low mileage and mint. 1.8 isn't very popular

Just based it on a quick search on CBG.ie. I retract the €4 price tag! Apologies. Only decided on this today so haven't really had much time to research it.

Solitaire

tinofapples wrote: »

Agreed. There's another one there under similar suspicious circumstances:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/200927194505035/advert?channel=CARS

There's an '06 Mazda 6 1.8 going for €4250 too... and either an Accord or Avensis that's similarly suspicious.

Think its time for the Gards