€7 - €8.5 to spend - what to buy ?

Silvera

30-6shooter wrote:

IMO,,, the honda you have is 10times better than them barges so far mentioned. I reccommed a Hdi turbo diesel Peugeot 406. Bulletproof engines in diesel form, and plenty of power (110HP base) and all the specs you want, most with air con as standard.

The Honda I HAD (Sold it yesterday!)

I just was never happy with the strength of the Civic (or any jap car).
I previously had 2 Escorts and an Orion, and while the Civic was much more reliable, I never felt satisfied with the 'feel' of it.
(Especially after I took a test drive in a mint 1990 BMW 320i. It was 7 years older but was 'solid as a rock' in comparison to the Civic!)

30-6shooter

I see! So your oin for the 406turbo diesel, yeah?? A good choice!

unkel

Silvera wrote:

From my experience (6 years as a panel beater) German cars are far superior in the quality and strength of their bodywork than japanese built cars

Very interesting to hear that from your expertise! That's new to me

BrianD3 wrote:

Given your low mileage and insurance, running an exec motor might make sense. I wonder if you'd get a previous model Audi A6 1.8T for your budget

Yes, or any of its competitors and maybe with an engine slightly more powerful than a lawnmower's. Indulge yourself and exploit your advantage to the full. You can afford to own a car that most other people couldn't afford the running costs of. Those cars are relatively cheap to buy second hand. How about a Lexus GS300, Audi A6 2.8, Mercedes E320, BMW 528i?

Amazingly they are all within your budget, they should all prove to be reliable cars, provided you buy well and have the car thoroughly examined

Padraig Mor

Have a 00 4 door 1.6 Focus, which should be around your price range. Lacks a bit of acceleration but I find it a great car to drive.

Silvera

unkel wrote:

Very interesting to hear that from your expertise! That's new to me

Sarcasm will get you nowhere! :rolleyes:

unkel wrote:

Yes, or any of its competitors and maybe with an engine slightly more powerful than a lawnmower's. Indulge yourself and exploit your advantage to the full. You can afford to own a car that most other people couldn't afford the running costs of. Those cars are relatively cheap to buy second hand. How about a Lexus GS300, Audi A6 2.8, Mercedes E320, BMW 528i?

Amazingly they are all within your budget, they should all prove to be reliable cars, provided you buy well and have the car thoroughly examined

I just wouldn't go for such a car unless I had a bigger income (i.e. to cover unexpected breakdowns/parts).

Cyrus

Silvera wrote:

Sarcasm will get you nowhere! :rolleyes:





I just wouldn't go for such a car unless I had a bigger income (i.e. to cover unexpected breakdowns/parts).

to be fair to unkel i really dont think that was sarcasm just genuine surprise,

parts a for a 2.8 a6 arent likely to cost any more than for a 1.8, also a 2.8 is far more likely to be fully specced etc

peasant

And now for something completely different:

Saab 93 http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=243702

or
Citroen C5 http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=225797

or
Subaru Legacy http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=249933

or (for only 5k)
Opel Omega http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=198528

all slightly higher mileage, but worth a thought

bazz26

Did you look at something like these:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=221836

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=136875

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=244405

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=227197

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=211969

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=253426

You can rule most VW Boras/Golfs out here as they didn't even have electric front windows a couple of years ago as standard not to mind cd player or sunroof. These were only available as optional extras or on more expensive models that are as rare as hen's teeth. The Passat is better equipped, roomier car and can be had for almost the same money as a Bora/Golf. I would avoid the 1.6 though if you can as with most VW entry level petrol engines it struggles in the heavy body.

Silvera

Some interesting choices there bazz26.

However, the only one that grabs my attention is the last one - the '98 Passat.
It looks like a 'whole lot of car' for €6,950.
Having said that, I'm hoping to get a car with lower mileage and as high up in years as possible.

The feedback is appreciated guys!

Cheers,
Silvera.

bazz26

Here are a couple of low mileage A4s within your price range:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=252547

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=232455

30-6shooter

We already established that Audi are over-rated unreliable slow ****e.