Car for about €3.5k

TomasMan

Time has come to retire my Punto. Budget is around 3.5k and I don't really have a preference. Originally I wanted to get a Passat because of its size, I'm a big guy and I'm tired of shoe box size cars but I'm not doing a lot of miles, around 8-9k a year and most of those are not motorway miles so I'm thinking I should scrap that idea. And apparently 06-07 Passat are nothing but a trouble?

I'm steering towards Golf or something similar now. Coming from a Punto shouldn't be too hard to get something bigger and more reliable.

Any recommendations?

bazz26

Get a Corolla hatchback, should be able to get a 04/05 on your budget. 1.4 litre is nippy and they don't give much bother.

TomasMan

What about something like this
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-carolla-terra-1-4-litre-petrol-2007-low-km/11961221
Are they as good as previous models?

Or one of these?
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/price-drop-ford-focus-2006-1-6l-nct-sep-2017/12814330

bazz26

The Corolla saloon is not as desirable as the hatchback. That model Corolla feels cheaper built also over the previous one too. That saloon is also the terrible base Terra model and 9 years old so the price is about right.