Advice for buying a used car please.

Sean1986

Hi all,
I would really appreciate some advice on buying a second hand car. Our budget is around 2000e. Basically what is required is an economical four door (preferable saloon) with a large enough boot to a least fit a child's push chair. I'm wondering would it be worth my while getting a diesel over petrol and if anyone could tell me the advantages/disadvantages in relation to this, that would be great.
Thanks.

If you're mileage is less than 10,000 miles per annum I'd be looking at the likes of an Avensis or a 1.6 Focus. Where abouts in the country are you? You'll get value buying privately too if you know your beans.

colm_mcm

How much mileage do you reckon you'll be doing with it?

Sean1986

I'd say around 10,000 miles a year. I'll be doing a lot of town/city driving during the week and then longer journeys at the weekends. I'm in Galway.

colm_mcm

I wouldn't go out of my to get a diesel if I were you

bazz26

You will buy alot more petrol car for your €2k than diesel. Diesels are popular and even high mileage rough ones go for silly money. Doing 10k miles a year, fuel costs shouldn't be the deciding factor in your purchasing decision.

BTW the boot access of a hatchback is more practical than the boot access of a saloon especially when it comes to loading baby stuff. Something like a Mazda 6.

colm_mcm

Did you have a 6 before bazz?

bazz26

colm_mcm wrote: »

Did you have a 6 before bazz?

Surprisingly no, but nearly bought one at one stage.

colm_mcm

You seem to be a fan :-)

Anyone I know that has/had one was very happy with them. Had a few come through work and always liked driving them.

mytime

Civic saloon 1.4 cheap tax, good on fuel fairly bulletproof
02 for for €1600 ish http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3241206

03 for around €2000 1 year test and a bit of tax http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3241206

bazz26

colm_mcm wrote: »

You seem to be a fan :-)

Anyone I know that has/had one was very happy with them. Had a few come through work and always liked driving them.

Yeah if I was in the market for a reliable large family car on a small budget then they would be top of my list.

I rate the 6 very highly too, many if them look a bit underwheeled but you can't have everything

Sean1986

Well it doesn't necessarily have to be a large family car (just one child). The only issue that I see with the 6 is that they usually come with large enough engines. I know that we won't be doing a huge amount of millage but with the price of petrol these days an economical car is necessary. Thanks for the feedback so far.

colm_mcm

Bigger engine doesn't always mean more fuel used.

bazz26

1.8 litre is not big.

Sean1986

bazz26 wrote: »

1.8 litre is not big.

I know there are bigger cars out there, but I'm currently driving a 1.1 and I think 1.8 is a bit of a jump, with higher tax, insurance and I always believed higher fuel costs also although some of you guys say otherwise.

sean1141

Ford mondeo would also be worth a look. You should get a nice one with your budget.
Skoda octavia would also be worth a look but try for a 1.6 one

Fiat panda

barura

I posted a very clean looking Mondeo in the Bangernomics thread there, might be worth a look?

Jammy Donut

00 Escort 1.4 Ghia for a bit less than half your budget? PM if interested.

Jammy Donut

Jammy Donut wrote: »

00 Escort 1.4 Ghia for a bit less than half your budget? PM if interested.

...... less than a quarter would be about right.