Reliable Automatic Petrol Max Budget 3k

FrankC21

No jazz (spark plugs and coils are a pain), swift, fiesta, yaris or micra. Has to be a bit bigger than those, can do maximum €600ish road tax. Wifey will use for work which is 7kms away (No bus service available, her work starts 6am), groceries and occasional travel here and there, drop kid of lessons.

Looking at the following reliable:

Honda civic (not hybrid), stream, toyota corolla, auris, mazda 3 or 6, can go german but afraid expensive repairs.

Anything else recommends?

Thank you in advance.

Killer K

I would be surprised if you will get a reliable Petrol automatic within your budget.

This is in addition to the Fluence?

road_high

With that kind of budget you’re very limited so I wouldn’t rule out anything and buying on the individual car and condition. Might get older oddball Jap import or Korean stuff but will likely be rough

FrankC21

It's for my other half, She needs an automatic, she can't drive a manual.

How much should I go up to get a reliable one. Surely, japanese ones are reliable enough.

Or I am thinking should I just sell my fluence and get an automatic one we both can probably share then but what if I have to go to work and she needed to go somewhere with the kid, there's hardly any buses where we live.

FrankC21

How rough are we talking about? these 4 caught my attention.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-honda-edix-frv-automatic-new-nct/30639566

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-stream-2008-rsz/30610779

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-automatic-new-nct-fully-loaded/30708007

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1-6-vvti-auto-2004/30733732

ongarite

There are f all automatic petrols in that price range. You haven't taken into account the near 50% increase in second hand prices since Brexit.

This Civic is decent. Bullet proof engine with year NCT. Tax is high but you can't have it all.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-2007/30783573

FrankC21

That's a nice find, i will see that one thanks.

colm_mcm

Gearbox in those isn’t that great though

Saloon Civic has a proper torque converter gearbox.

FrankC21

I know colm_mcm and better suspension but the cheapest i could find

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/09-honda-civic-automatic-low-kms-new-nct-04-23/30674755

i might look at facebook marketplace.

brokenangel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058239944/reliable-automatic-petrol-max-budget-3k

For the amount of mileage she is doing it's going to make very little difference what fuel you are using. If you can pick up a diesel then get it.

bazz26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873190#Comment_118873190

Very strong money imo for something which has some rough enough bodywork. Seller also has a Ford Focus for sale too so seller may be flipping cars on the side.

Soarer

An old Prius. Might even get a 2008 one for the cheaper road tax.

But seeing as you don't mind paying a bit extra for road tax, what about something like this with a fresh NCT.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-prius-2007/30616175

colm_mcm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873190#Comment_118873190

That’s rough.

FrankC21

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-laguna-2008-nct-01-23-warranty/27989808

Any thoughts on this?

bazz26

Jesus, you can see how ridiculous the used car market is gone when sellers are asking for 4k for 14 year old Lagunas.

FrankC21

Ye, terrible, What would be the ideal price for it?? Can I get a chance to haggle it down, do you think.

Soarer

Reliable <> Laguna.

Killer K

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118879064#Comment_118879064

Haha. Those were about the best of the Lagunas and were a massive improvement on the previous mark as far as I can remember.

It is a pity the Lagunas had (deservedly) such a poor reputation as they were a lovely looking car.

Crazy money.

OP, thought you were boycotting Renault?

bazz26

Maybe look at an old school VW Jetta?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-volkswagen-jetta-1-6-automatic-nct-10-22/30786930

A bit pricey but it looks tidy for it's age and has an old school torque converter auto as opposed to the newer and more riskier DSG fitted to other VWs. Someone fitted rear parking senors to that one too. Would want to be a bit cheaper than that asking price though and make sure you can insure it. Might do the job.

Killer K

@bazz26 Would that Jetta be hard enough on Petrol?

Shouldn't be an issue for OP given overall low mileage.

bazz26

I cannot imagine them being heavy on juice but as you said if your doing small mileage then fuel costs shouldn't be a huge concern even in these times. I think the OP's choices are very limited given the criteria.

Wildly Boaring

The cheapest Leaf on DD is 5k.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-leaf-2012/30808745

Tax is about 100 and she might never need to service it. Save few pennies on juice.

Range is probably shot to bits but assume still do 60 or 70km min to a charge?

bazz26

You need to be very careful with those early Leafs, the max range just drops as they get older and the battery degrades. Only if you don't mind plugging it in very frequently.

2009 Civic 1.8 litre hatchback here:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-1-8l-5dr-automatic/30830197

Alkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118881382#Comment_118881382

They'll be plugging it in every night, no hassle at all. Sounds like an ideal second car if it's not a nightmare to get it home in the first place

bazz26

What about battery degradation? Don't they have a countdown to 0 before needing replacement?

Wildly Boaring

I know a couple people using them for school runs etc. Range is terrible. But don't know if they ever drop below say 40km

FrankC21

I agree with bazz the battery degradation much like the phone when it gets old, battery won't last that long, and how much it cost to replce the battery??

MSVforever

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118875064#Comment_118875064

That's great value. I have one from 2004 and it's bullet proof. Apart from wear and tear items I only had to change two light bulbs.