Reliable run around for 3 to 4K?

irlrobins · 31-12-2009 1:10am #1

Hey,

Looking to buy my own first car in 2010. Not looking for anything special, as Mon to Fri I get the Luas into work, so no wish to buy something fancy and just have it parked up for most of the week. So just looking to get something I use at weekends to pick up groceries, run errands, drive to sports etc.

Some requirements:

Must be reliable
Nothing girly (Corsa, Punto, etc)
Cheap to run (tax, insurance, etc)
In a condition where I don't have to worry about some major mechanical fault occuring within the first 6 months
Not a complete banger!

I'd like to restrict my budget to 3-4K and so avoid the need for a car loan. So what sort of cars would people recommend I look at for this budget that satisfy my requirements? Ford Focus? VW Polo (newer model)? Where would the best place be to look for such car? Online ads or private dealers?

Thanks for all advice!

Midnight_EG · 31-12-2009 1:13am

96-00 Honda Civic, engine will never hurt you financially, tax is cheap as it's 1.4, insurance isn't too hard with the coded key and whatnot.

bazz26 · 31-12-2009 1:38am

Fiat Panda:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200941195417567

Ford Fiesta Steel:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200952196289969

irlrobins · 31-12-2009 1:41am

Panda def fails the non girly requirement, the Fiesta might too, but it is a good price and at a glance looks in good condition.

colm_mcm · 31-12-2009 1:42am

That Fiesta looks good, right spec, right engine, right colour, great mileage. they're decent in that garage too but don't expect much discount.

TestTransmission · 31-12-2009 2:17am

Midnight_EG wrote: »

96-00 Honda Civic, engine will never hurt you financially, tax is cheap as it's 1.4, insurance isn't too hard with the coded key and whatnot.

Blah Blah Blah Honda Civic,will you ever get over it

Midnight_EG · 31-12-2009 2:18am

jackncoke wrote: »

Blah Blah Blah Honda Civic,will you ever get over it

I'll set the record straight first, my Civic is a 95, 1.3 DX, so don't get it wrong yes?

Now, a reason for your comment?

Am I not allowed to make a reasonable suggestion without somebody not liking the car?

31-12-2009 2:25am

jackncoke wrote: »

Blah Blah Blah Honda Civic,will you ever get over it

Spending €4000 on a good Civic makes exceptional sense, the car won't give trouble, won't mind being used infrequently and will hold it's value much better than a Fiesta, Corsa etc.

TestTransmission · 31-12-2009 2:28am

Midnight_EG wrote: »

I'll set the record straight first, my Civic is a 95, 1.3 DX, so don't get it wrong yes?

Now, a reason for your comment?

Am I not allowed to make a reasonable suggestion without somebody not liking the car?

Yeah,you're obsessed, get over it or grow up

RoverJames wrote: »

Spending €4000 on a good Civic makes exceptional sense, the car won't give trouble, won't mind being used infrequently and will hold it's value much better than a Fiesta, Corsa etc.

What,you'd spend 4k on a 00 civic?

Midnight_EG · 31-12-2009 2:29am

jackncoke wrote: »

Yeah,you're obsessed, get over it or grow up

What,you'd spend 4k on a 00 civic?

So am I to completely lose interest in a certain car just because you don't like it?

Hmmmm.

I'd spend 4,000 on an exceptional Civic, because I'm obsessed with Civics you know, every last bit of me loooovessss them!

What do you drive?

31-12-2009 2:33am

jackncoke wrote: »

What,you'd spend 4k on a 00 civic?

Nope, I never said that, I merely would advise the OP to spend the entire budget so he / she will get the most modern, minty example possible. I wouldn't imagine €4000 would get you anything newer than a 2002 Civic though to be honest. And the mileage would be well over 60K on most of them. €4000 should get a mint 2001 one from a dealer that is fully serviced with good tires and in excellent condition.

irlrobins · 31-12-2009 2:35am

Thanks for the suggestion guys, keep them coming.

HashSlinging · 31-12-2009 2:36am

toyota corolla 1.4 vtti hatchback 2002

colm_mcm · 31-12-2009 2:36am

Be aware that scummers that hang around the Luas car park when you're at work love Hondas, that's assuming you use that car park of course.

TestTransmission · 31-12-2009 2:37am

Midnight_EG wrote: »

So am I to completely lose interest in a certain car just because you don't like it?

Hmmmm.

I'd spend 4,000 on an exceptional Civic, because I'm obsessed with Civics you know, every last bit of me loooovessss them!

What do you drive?

OP wants a runaround, and what do I drive?

None of your business,get over your Honda fanboy answers.It wrecks everyones head.

Midnight_EG · 31-12-2009 2:39am

jackncoke wrote: »

OP wants a runaround, and what do I drive?

None of your business,get over your Honda fanboy answers.It wrecks everyones head.

So because I suggest a car that could cater for the OP's requirements, it immediately means it wrecks everybodies heads?

Seems it's only you that's 'head wrecked' round here?

31-12-2009 2:42am

In fairness he gave excellent advice, reliable, fuel efficient, inexpensive to maintain, adequate for motorway driving if required, they hold their value and are easy to sell. Obviously there is a bit of history or whatever between ye (either that or you are a seriously rude individual) but hogging a thread with Honda fan boy accusations isn't really the thing to do. As my user name suggests I am not a Honda fanboy but I do think the Civic fits the bill rather nicely, as does the Corolla someone else just suggested.

Midnight_EG · 31-12-2009 2:43am

RoverJames wrote: »

In fairness he gave excellent advice, reliable, fuel efficient, inexpensive to maintain, adequate for motorway driving if required, they hold their value and are easy to sell. Obviously there is a bit of history or whatever between ye (either that or you are a seriously rude individual) but hogging a thread with Honda fan boy accusations isn't really the thing to do. As my user name suggests I am not a Honda fanboy but I do think the Civic fits the bill rather nicely, as does the Corolla someone else just suggested.

Thank you muchly, and no, not a bit of history, never talked before I don't think, so he's just a bit annoyed I'd say?

Flyer1 · 31-12-2009 2:44am

Something jap anyway if you want hassle free motoring. I worked in rental car business for ages, we had all of the below cars, and below is the truth

Civic <- all 'round good car, go for a vtec one for the smile factor
Almera <- go for the older N15 model, the newer N16 is a ball of dirt
Corolla <- good car, but personally i'm not a Toyota man, they all feel the same to drive ( clunky and cheap ), that is the regular run of the mill stuff. Supra's, chasers, soarers, all nice cars to drive tho...
Focus <- We had these on the fleet, thought they were probably the most horrible, gutless, piece of cr*p, yet irish people love them

loads more but they would be a few choices for run arounds. If it was my money, i'd buy a 99, 00 N15 almera, pay up to 1500 for a good one, and have fun with the rest of the money.

colm_mcm · 31-12-2009 2:44am

jackncoke drives a car with a really really big boot!

boards.ie's official favourite car of all time!

Midnight_EG · 31-12-2009 2:45am

colm_mcm wrote: »

jackncoke drives a car with a really really big boot!

boards.ie's official favourite car of all time!

My Mammy has a Mondeo too =D

HashSlinging · 31-12-2009 2:46am

Skoda roomster?

31-12-2009 2:47am

colm_mcm wrote: »

jackncoke drives a car with a really really big boot!

boards.ie's official favourite car of all time!

Octavia me thinks

colm_mcm · 31-12-2009 2:49am

yeah, but it's the nice Octavia

TestTransmission · 31-12-2009 2:55am

colm_mcm wrote: »

jackncoke drives a car with a really really big boot!

You better believe it.

Anan1 · 31-12-2009 12:09pm

jackncoke wrote: »

Blah Blah Blah Honda Civic,will you ever get over it

jackncoke wrote: »

Yeah,you're obsessed, get over it or grow up

jackncoke wrote: »

None of your business,get over your Honda fanboy answers.It wrecks everyones head.

One more response like this and you'll be taking a week off.

crótach · 31-12-2009 12:22pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

jackncoke drives a car with a really really big boot!

hmmm.. maybe he's compensating for something?

Gary ITR · 31-12-2009 12:50pm

crótach wrote: »

hmmm.. maybe he's compensating for something?

Read the post above yours because it applies to you too

crótach · 31-12-2009 2:29pm

Onkle wrote: »

Read the post above yours because it applies to you too

I'm sorry, I couldn't help it.

To get back to the topic, I'm looking for something similar myself. 3-4k for a reliable car, something that can preferrably be sold on without too much hassle.

How do Peugeots and Citroens stand here? I've seen 307s go for around that price, with less mileage and newer than Nissan/Honda/Toyota in the same price bracket.

The Pontiac · 31-12-2009 2:32pm

Flyer1 wrote: »

Something jap anyway if you want hassle free motoring. I worked in rental car business for ages, we had all of the below cars, and below is the truth

Civic <- all 'round good car, go for a vtec one for the smile factor
Almera <- go for the older N15 model, the newer N16 is a ball of dirt
Corolla <- good car, but personally i'm not a Toyota man, they all feel the same to drive ( clunky and cheap ), that is the regular run of the mill stuff. Supra's, chasers, soarers, all nice cars to drive tho...
Focus <- We had these on the fleet, thought they were probably the most horrible, gutless, piece of cr*p, yet irish people love them

loads more but they would be a few choices for run arounds. If it was my money, i'd buy a 99, 00 N15 almera, pay up to 1500 for a good one, and have fun with the rest of the money.

The Almera and Corolla are just reliable, boring domestic appliances. Maybe a Civic, but the Focus would wins hands down (especially the MK1). The 1.4 is a bit sluggish, so I'd go with the 1.6 hatchback. If this engine is too big for insurance, tax etc., just get the 1.4. A Fiesta might be a bit 'girly' too. The Focus of that era left every other car for dead in the driving department - handling, ride etc., and it is very reliable and robust. It was built in Germany too. I'd seek out the Ghia model too when buying second-hand, as it had a gorgeous interior and a few more extras. It's probably the best car Ford has ever built.

Gumbo · 31-12-2009 2:34pm

crótach wrote: »

To get back to the topic, I'm looking for something similar myself. 3-4k for a reliable car, something that can preferrably be sold on without too much hassle.

how about a nice Honda Civic, maybe EK shape (96-00). cheap, reliable (with routine maintainance) the car will still be driving in 30 years!

TheColl · 31-12-2009 2:38pm

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Fiat/Stilo/1.4*NCt0/200913192301611/advert?channel=CARS

although i think i'v read bad things about that garage

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Clio/1.2-5-do/200940195396314/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Leon/200848191053918/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mitsubishi/Colt/1.3-GL-0/200945195787946/advert?channel=CARS

just a few suggestions.... plenty of Puntos out there too, could get yourself a bargain, but if ya think they're too girly that's fair enough.

BostonB · 31-12-2009 2:39pm

A ford would be cheaper for parts and repairs too. Though a Civic would also be on my shortlist too.

307's and French cars in generaly have a bad repuation on all the review sites. But I know lots of people who've had no problem with them. No expeirence of them myself. I've had one good Nissan (Micra) and one bad Nissan (Primera) so I think its down to the condition and history (not man dealer history) of the specific car, when buying 2nd hand.

Beta Ray Bill · 31-12-2009 2:47pm

My Mother, Sister and Grandfather had Honda Civics

they are a reliable enough car, but my Mams 00 one started giving trouble there about a 2 year back. we sold it in the end. she was the first owner.

Civics are expensive to insure when placed in comparison with cars such as Fiesta's and Polo's because of this "Boy Racer" rep they have.... see here

If I were you I'd be looking at a Colt, Polo, 206 etc... (IE Small hatch backs)

They are cheap enough to run, insurance is cheap and the Tax is cheap too.
If ya fancied something with maybe a little more *POP* you chould always for for the MG ZR (I think they look nice)

irlrobins · 31-12-2009 4:09pm

Thanks for the suggestions guys (apart from the fanboy diversion

).
Some interesting suggestions. I'd agree that a Jap car is probably a good buy from a reliability point of few. Like the idea of a Focus as my dad has had a couple and no problems with them.

Personally I wouldn't go near a fiat of any model, just don't think they're reliable. And for the price I'm looking at I'm limited to Puntos it would seem, way too girly/learning to drive. (I'm a 32 yr old male, full licence since 19 btw)

What would people think of buying a slightly newer car (Mondeo, Octavia, Avensis, sales rep cars, etc) that had high mileage (100K+)? Would they be worth or would the high mileage in such a short time often mean that parts will need replacing very soon?

unkel · 31-12-2009 4:47pm

You obviously don't really know or care about cars or what way they drive, as long as you can do your shopping and the thing is cheap to run and own and will never break down. In that case it would be a lot more prudent to buy the '02 Corolla for €3k (and keep the €1k for a rainy day) rather than an '01 Civic for €4k.

Bigger cars are very good value for money in Ireland to buy, but you don't need one and they will cost more to run.

TigerTim · 31-12-2009 5:04pm

Would defo recommend Skoda Octavia 1.4. Have one for 2 years with no problems. Definitely up there with Jap reliability (& I've owned plenty of Jap motors). Now got 105K miles. Loads of room but no massive power. only 75bhp but light on juice & tax/ins.

T.

BostonB · 31-12-2009 5:51pm

grahambo wrote: »

...If ya fancied something with maybe a little more *POP* you chould always for for the MG ZR (I think they look nice)

Unfortunate choice of words...pop

Reliable run around for 3 to 4K?

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