I'm reaching my wits end. (5k budget)

120_Minutes

Some of you may have read my thread about estates last week. Well since then some things have changed. But I suppose a little context is in order:

In 2015 I was driving a 06 petrol focus ghia. I loved that car, but I got a job offer abroad, sold it and moved away. Approx 18 months later in late 2016 I was back in Ireland and needed wheels urgently, and didn't want to go into debt to get mobile again (was on the dole). So I bought a 03 petrol focus ghia for 700 quid. I was still driving it up to last week when I got rear-ended by an uninsured driver so I thought it was about time I changed.

I've now got a budget of up to 5k and I've been to-ing and fro-ing on a few things. Originally I wanted a diesel estate, but the more I thought about it the more I realise that it not being an estate isn't a dealbreaker (I'll still consider one though) I am however doing the miles for a diesel, so I'm pretty set on that.

I like the focus obviously but I've driven a few WV's and I like the solid feel. I seem to adapt to the VW very easily. But I want to buy something that won't cost me a mint in work a year or so down the line.

So, to sum up I suppose I'm looking for something with the solidness of a VW, the style and feel of a VW/Ford, and the reliabilty of a Toyota.....but without the blandness.

I've no kids to consider (yet) so I don't need a family car, but I'm not after something to show up my midlife crisis either.

If you had 5k in the morning to buy a circa 2008-10 diesel that had a bit of style, a few toys (like CC) and was bulletproof, what would get?

Cos I haven't a clue.

Toyotafanboi

Sounds like a job for diesel Skoda product of some sort. You'd get a decent Mk2 Octavia combi with that budget would you?

bluelamp

120_Minutes wrote: »

So, to sum up I suppose I'm looking for something with the solidness of a VW, the style and feel of a VW/Ford, and the reliabilty of a Toyota.....but without the blandness.

I always thought of Honda as the less boring Toyota. Can't go too far wrong with a civic or accord.

120_Minutes

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Sounds like a job for diesel Skoda product of some sort. You'd get a decent Mk2 Octavia combi with that budget would you?

A quick donedeal search has brought up a few 09/10 and even a 12 or two Octavias coming in under budget. My head says "seems a good practical choice" but my heart is screaming "boring"

Am I right in saying an Octavia is to Jetta as a Superb is to Passat?

I've not considered an Octavia at all. What should I look out for besides the obvious timing belt/fly wheel and other stuff that a 10 year old car thats's done minimum 100k should have had done by now?

120_Minutes

bluelamp wrote: »

I always thought of Honda as the less boring Toyota. Can't go too far wrong with a civic or accord.

for me civic = boy racer and accord = old man.

Has this perception changed?

Toyotafanboi

120_Minutes wrote: »

A quick donedeal search has brought up a few 09/10 and even a 12 or two Octavias coming in under budget. My head says "seems a good practical choice" but my heart is screaming "boring"

Am I right in saying an Octavia is to Jetta as a Superb is to Passat?

I've not considered an Octavia at all. What should I look out for besides the obvious timing belt/fly wheel and other stuff that a 10 year old car thats's done minimum 100k should have had done by now?

I think you have this "boring" thing too built up in your head. Like any run of the mill Ford or VW isn't "exciting" or at least notably moreso than a Toyota or Skoda, particularly when we are discussing diesel estates.

The Octavia is Traditionally a Golf/ Jetta competitor but in reality it feels a bigger car than either.

They are reasonably reliable and getting a good spec shouldn't be too hard.

120_Minutes

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I think you have this "boring" thing too built up in your head. Like any run of the mill Ford or VW isn't "exciting" or at least notably moreso than a Toyota or Skoda, particularly when we are discussing diesel estates.

The Octavia is Traditionally a Golf/ Jetta competitor but in reality it feels a bigger car than either.

They are reasonably reliable and getting a good spec shouldn't be too hard.

Oh, I totally get you. A focus or golf diesel ain't no hypercar, but I would like something that straddles the practical/reliable/fun to drive, line.

colm_mcm

120_Minutes wrote: »

for me civic = boy racer and accord = old man.

Has this perception changed?

Yes, around 20 years ago.

kirving

Volvo S40? Build on the same chassis as a Mk 2 Focus that you like, but nicer inside and much better specced if you go for an SE Lux.

colm_mcm

Low maintenance cost though?

Shefwedfan

Saab as per the other thread

120_Minutes

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Saab as per the other thread

That did look nice, and you're saying I shouldn't have trouble with parts, despite the company being gone?

Shefwedfan

120_Minutes wrote: »

That did look nice, and you're saying I shouldn't have trouble with parts, despite the company being gone?

It's an Opel, which of course now is a Peugeot

Have a look at below in regards to the Vectra

https://www.topgear.com/videos/jeremy-clarkson/tribute-saab-part-22-series-18-episode-5

120_Minutes

Not to digress too much, but is this guy dreaming a bit with his price? he's about 1k over what others are asking for a Golf the same age. Sure the milage is low, but still....

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-golf-1-9-tdi-low-mileage/21467312

Toyotafanboi

He's bought that recently-ish from a dealer that specialises in UK import Golfs, so he's probably paid a bit of a premium for it and is looking to get most of his cash back.

It does look like a clean, well spec'd car but you'd get into an ok ish Mk6 for not much more now and the 5 is starting to look like an old hat.

chicorytip

I would strongly consider an Opel Insignia 2009/2012. Stylish, good to drive and reasonably cheap to run. You should easily find a suitable one well within your budget. The earlier models had this reputation of developing major engine problems but there is no real evidence of this. They are no less reliable than any similar type of car Ford /VW /Toyota etc.

120_Minutes

chicorytip wrote: »

I would strongly consider an Opel Insignia 2009/2012. Stylish, good to drive and reasonably cheap to run. You should easily find a suitable one well within your budget. The earlier models had this reputation of developing major engine problems but there is no real evidence of this. They are no less reliable than any similar type of car Ford /VW /Toyota etc.

This seems an awful lot of car for little money. what's the catch?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/insignia-2012-2-0-ctdi-exclusive-nct-7-20/21367952

Educate

I'm in the same boat as yourself with the same budget - had a Passat recently written off because of someone not paying attention on the road...


I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to go for and from getting tired searching and seeing replies here am starting to think of looking outside the VAGs and maybe at Opels as suggested.

Shefwedfan

Just a small word of warning, a lot of Opel Insignia's are imports. In the UK it was a form favorite for sales people as it was cheap to buy and ok on diesel. Somewhere over the Irish seas a lot of them seem to lose a good few 100k miles.....

So worth keeping a vigilant eye on them

chicorytip

120_Minutes wrote:

This seems an awful lot of car for little money. what's the catch?

Opel vehicles don't tend to hold their value in comparison to other brands. The Insignia is a good car and mechanically proven. Many have done high mileage indicating durability. Look for one with a full service history from a main dealer.

colm_mcm

120_Minutes wrote: »

This seems an awful lot of car for little money. what's the catch?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/insignia-2012-2-0-ctdi-exclusive-nct-7-20/21367952

They have a reputation for needing engine replacements

Toyotafanboi

colm_mcm wrote: »

They have a reputation for needing engine replacements

and going on fire.

No way i'd put 5k of my own money into one, personally.

bazz26

chicorytip wrote: »

I would strongly consider an Opel Insignia 2009/2012. Stylish, good to drive and reasonably cheap to run. You should easily find a suitable one well within your budget. The earlier models had this reputation of developing major engine problems but there is no real evidence of this. They are no less reliable than any similar type of car Ford /VW /Toyota etc.

As above and not to mention the M32 gearbox issues.

ednwireland

i got a kia ceed SW (estate) a couple of weeks ago form a local small dealer 105,000 miles 131 UK imported a couple of years ago for 8k, got to say nice car to drive, 5k would only get you the older model though

120_Minutes

chicorytip wrote: »

Opel vehicles don't tend to hold their value in comparison to other brands. The Insignia is a good car and mechanically proven. Many have done high mileage indicating durability. Look for one with a full service history from a main dealer.

So apart from the engine replacements, gearboxes and it going on fire it's a good car?

Duke O Smiley

120_Minutes wrote: »

So apart from the engine replacements, gearboxes and it going on fire it's a good car?

When they do work they're noisy rattly old yokes too.

I'd be going for a nice cheap tax diesel A4 or something personally

Duke O Smiley

Left field choice:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/jaguar-xtype-nct-jan2021/21364151



Nice interior, chap tax, not a Mondeo/Insignia/Octavia etc

Clutch and dmf being the only real worry IME

Duke O Smiley

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2009-volkswagen-passat-cc-2-0-tdi-nct-10-19-amp-tax/21486401



Nice but I'd guess its got a few too many miles

_Brian

120_Minutes wrote: »

for me civic = boy racer and accord = old man.

Has this perception changed?

Maybe forget about cheesy cliches, go out amd test drive some of the motors suggested above and buy what suits you best.

I’ve driven many VW and currently have one, my wife has had fords. It pains me but I think modern fords a better car then VW in terms of reliability.

I’d urge you to check out a Mondeo 2.0 diesel. Solid, reliable, economical and possibly the largest boot space in its class, given it’s a hatch back you shouldn’t need and estate.

chicorytip

120_Minutes wrote:

So apart from the engine replacements, gearboxes and it going on fire it's a good car?

Duke O Smiley wrote:

When they do work they're noisy rattly old yokes too.

You will hear scare stories about every make and model of car. These tend to be mostly works of fiction. You asked for suggestions to help you choose a car for your particular budget. I've given you mine. It's your decision. Best of luck!

Belfast

2009 Skoda Superb 1.9 Greenline 5DR
€4,500
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2263437&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D80%26o%5B%5D%3D683%26e%3D5000%26f%3D2%26t%3D1%26yn%3D2008%26g%3D0

120_Minutes

Found a very well maintained 2 owner 08 golf 1.9 tdi, with FSH etc, and less than 130k miles. but it's got a BXE engine. dammit.

My head is telling me to walk away from it.

Toyotafanboi

Yeah, I wouldn't. Every time you start it you'd be wondering is today the day.

Wildly Boaring

chicorytip wrote: »

You will hear scare stories about every make and model of car. These tend to be mostly works of fiction. You asked for suggestions to help you choose a car for your particular budget. I've given you mine. It's your decision. Best of luck!

09 10 insignia are a ball of scrap.
Well known for it and should be avoided like the plague.

Speaking from unfortunate experience.


OP I'd be looking at a Volvo v50, maybe an old higher spec mondeo

Duke O Smiley

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Yeah, I wouldn't. Every time you start it you'd be wondering is today the day.

:pac:

Hmm I dunno though, if this alleged service history is worth any more than the paper its written on surely it must count for something? I suppose its not going to state the grade of oil etc used but if it actually had full service history could you not a) presume preventative maintenance has been carried out or b) regular services (presumably with correct grade oil) and ensured that all is OK?

120_Minutes

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

:pac:

Hmm I dunno though, if this alleged service history is worth any more than the paper its written on surely it must count for something? I suppose its not going to state the grade of oil etc used but if it actually had full service history could you not a) presume preventative maintenance has been carried out or b) regular services (presumably with correct grade oil) and ensured that all is OK?

From what I've been researching regarding the BXE, there is no preventative maintenance that can be done re the Conrods. It's either going to do it or never will. Allegedly rods have been thrown in sub 80k engines that have been well looked after, 140k engines that have been babied with regular oil changes and services and engines that have been thrashed. There's simply no pattern.

There's a school of though that because the BXE was used in so many cars over so many years that there's a just a higher percentage of bad luck stories, and in the grand scheme of things there are plenty of bxe engines out there going forever, both looked after and thrashed.

I'm just annoyed. It ticks all my boxes and the seller seems like a genuine chap. I got a really good feeling from him on the phone.....until I found out it was a bxe.