Another recommend me a car thread!

seamus · 13-07-2005 11:08am #1

Right, as it says. I'm having trouble thinking of cars to suit me. Though I'll probably end up with a Polo.

I'm young, so the car needs to look good. The Clio looks gank, so that's out.
I'm young, so it needs to be low BHP, 55-65bhp for insurance.
It can't be much more than €10k 2nd hand or €15k new.

Any ideas? I was thinking today of a Smart Roadster (looks the biz I think), but €30k?! F*ck me.

Seth Brundle · 13-07-2005 11:15am

can I be the first to make the BMW recommendation? Maybe an E34 525i?

Seriously though, what about Pug 206 1.1L? The other half has one and it isn't bad once you overcome the plasticy interior*.

* this will be standard on all small cars though!

digitalninja · 13-07-2005 11:50am

i would vouch for the polo, its been my first car for the last year and now i'm selling it to upgrade since my insurance went down...
7 grand if yer interested.

unkel · 13-07-2005 11:54am

[font=Verdana, Arial]The roadster is outside of your budget, but if you like Smart and don't think this is too girly:

Smart City Coup‚ '04.6k mls, taxed 03/06, all elec, alloys, CD, #10,800. Contact: 086-0897833.

From B&S. Looks like a very good deal. Running costs would be very low indeed

[/font]

Eoin · 13-07-2005 12:00pm

Would you consider an original style mini? That was my first car, and I loved it. They are dead cheap to run, and the parts can be bought very cheap from the UK.

They are also fantastic fun to drive, and are one of the few cars that look good if you want to mod them (spot lights, bonnet stripes etc)

kluivert · 13-07-2005 12:09pm

Can i recommend the Hyundai Getz second hand off course about a yr or two old. Cheap to run and reliable as well. You get more extras than you would with the polo. Think about it.

seamus · 13-07-2005 12:11pm

Cheers guys.

kbannon wrote:

can I be the first to make the BMW recommendation? Maybe an E34 525i?

Heh, does it come in less than 2.5L?

Seriously though, what about Pug 206 1.1L? The other half has one and it isn't bad once you overcome the plasticy interior*.

* this will be standard on all small cars though!

Didn't think about that. Not a bad looking car at all.

The roadster is outside of your budget, but if you like Smart and don't think this is too girly:

Smart City Coup‚ '04.6k mls, taxed 03/06, all elec, alloys, CD, #10,800.

It's too girly

No way in hell I'm paying €10k for something so small

Would you consider an original style mini? That was my first car, and I loved it. They are dead cheap to run, and the parts can be bought very cheap from the UK.

They are also fantastic fun to drive, and are one of the few cars that look good if you want to mod them (spot lights, bonnet stripes etc)

Actually, yes I would, if I could find one in good nick, or nicely restored. I have a (female) mate who recently bought a Mini and spent five or six grand sorting it out. I might talk to her.

AlienGav · 13-07-2005 12:18pm

Don't get a Polo!! They're way over priced for what they are!

I like Eoin's way of thinking tho, those old mini's are still damn cool! And you'd easily pick up a decent 90's Cooper model for that price

Personally, If you're after something small, I'd recommend a 01-02 Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec Ghia

For a few pennys, you'll have a great little car, with better performance than a lot of the bigger engined cars! I love them!

Also... the new second hand Ibiza's are fairly cheap, and look ok-ish...

bazz26 · 13-07-2005 12:31pm

seamus wrote:

Right, as it says. I'm having trouble thinking of cars to suit me. Though I'll probably end up with a Polo.

I'm young, so the car needs to look good. The Clio looks gank, so that's out.
I'm young, so it needs to be low BHP, 55-65bhp for insurance.
It can't be much more than €10k 2nd hand or €15k new.

Any ideas? I was thinking today of a Smart Roadster (looks the biz I think), but €30k?! F*ck me.

Did you consider the Skoda Fabia? It is the same as the Polo but looks better imo. It uses the same engines as the Polo but has better standard equipment and is way cheaper. You should be able to pick up a 02/03 one for €10k.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=220647

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=223186

seamus · 13-07-2005 12:34pm

bazz26 wrote:

Did you consider the Skoda Fabia? It is the same as the Polo but looks better imo. It uses the same engines as the Polo but has better standard equipment and is way cheaper. You should be able to pick up a 02/03 one for €10k.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=220647

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=223186

Nice one. I might have to go for the 1.2, but it's a nice car. cheers.

Eoin · 13-07-2005 12:40pm

AlienGav wrote:

I like Eoin's way of thinking tho, those old mini's are still damn cool! And you'd easily pick up a decent 90's Cooper model for that price

Absolutely - you will pick up a mint example for that kind of money. AFAIK, there insurance companies don't load you too much for a cooper. Although it is a quick car, it is still a 1.3 litre engine usually.

seamus wrote:

Actually, yes I would, if I could find one in good nick, or nicely restored. I have a (female) mate who recently bought a Mini and spent five or six grand sorting it out. I might talk to her.

You do have to be careful, as they are quite prone to rust but a decent example from the mid 90's should be grand. Obviously make sure you bring someone who knows their stuff, preferably someone who knows minis.

Having said that, 5 0r 6 K is a huge amount to bring a mini up to scratch - either she bought an absolute POS, or someone is charging through the roof.

If you want a decent looking car with a small engine I really think this is your best bet. You won't find any small engine hatchback that is as fun to drive.

ds20prefecture · 13-07-2005 1:13pm

seamus wrote:

It can't be much more than €10k 2nd hand or €15k new.

New
Fiat Panda - make sure it's the diesel
Skoda Fabia 1.2
I've always liked the Ka

Old
1.4 Puma
Or a nice Jaguar - Insurance and tax won't be an issue, if you're over 25.

bazz26 · 13-07-2005 1:50pm

I would not bother with the Ka, they are tiny but yet have a 1.3 engine. :eek: Cannot make out why Ford bother making a city car like the Ka and then put the old Escort engine into it, should be a 1.0 or 1.1 for city driving. That 1.3 engine is very old and originates back to the 1960s.

Better off with a Fiesta which has the option of 5 doors, roomier inside, plus tax and insurance will be the same as the Ka. The Fiesta to go for is the 1.25 which is a Yamaha designed engine and is very nippy indeed.

seamus · 13-07-2005 1:54pm

Fiesta is a nice car, and I did enjoy driving the 1.25 a few years back. They seem to be pricey though, at least as pricey as the Polo.
That Skoda Fabia seems like a decent bet. Quite cheap too for 1-2 year old cars.

franksm · 13-07-2005 2:22pm

Agree with Eoin - original-style Mini is just pure class. You can modify it within reason and it'll turn heads, or leave it as is and it's a respected car

Eoin · 13-07-2005 2:34pm

franksm wrote:

Agree with Eoin - original-style Mini is just pure class. You can modify it within reason and it'll turn heads, or leave it as is and it's a respected car

here are two from cbg:
#1
#2

<edit>
Just saw one in the "FS: Motors" forum (being sold by mailman). He is looking for 14K, and if you read the thread it sounds like there is not much room for negotiation.
</edit>

seamus · 18-07-2005 10:00am

Brother's mate is a car salesman. He's offered me a 2002 Polo, 1.2, 3 door, 22k miles for €9,500.

I think I might be tempted.

Cyrus · 18-07-2005 10:29am

have u tried www.hiberniandirect.ie for ins quotes? you might not need to get a 1.2 ltr car? of all the cars mentioned a 1.4 puma is the most fun to drive and distinctive looking.

Maybe even a 1.4 ltr golf/focus/seat leon

seamus · 18-07-2005 10:48am

Cyrus wrote:

have u tried www.hiberniandirect.ie for ins quotes? you might not need to get a 1.2 ltr car? of all the cars mentioned a 1.4 puma is the most fun to drive and distinctive looking.

Maybe even a 1.4 ltr golf/focus/seat leon

Hibernian won't quote me online cos I've a licence less than 5 years and no NCB. Though if I go to the Tesco website, the quote is €1,750 and I have to do the Ignition test. Since Tesco are reselling for Hibernian, I assume that Hibernian would quote me that if I rang up.
Britton will insure me on the same car for €1500.

Cyrus · 18-07-2005 10:49am

do you have any named experience on your mum or dads car?

Tobias Greeshman · 18-07-2005 11:31am

The difference between quotes up to 1.4ltr engine is not that much, so Id personally go for a 1.4ltr engine, for under €10,000 I'd personally go for an SEAT Ibiza/Leon (there fairly reliable) over a Polo. Those SEATs are pretty much a VW Golf engine in a SEAT car, which are fairly stylish anyway!

seamus · 18-07-2005 11:46am

Cyrus wrote:

do you have any named experience on your mum or dads car?

No, I haven't been driving a car for any consistent period of time over the last 3 years, I've been driving a Motorbike, and the NCB doesn't carry across.

GoneShootin · 18-07-2005 1:46pm

seamus · 24-07-2005 11:16pm

Man, this is tough. The choice is massive, and I'm very wary about parting with a huge sum of cash and being given a dud. So I'm definitely going to a dealer to get it, with warranty and the rest. It's also quite tough to get around to see a dealer, as most of them aren't even open when I'm not in work!

I've come to the conclusion that the only vehicles in the 1.0l to 1.2l range that aren't girly are the Polo, the 206, the Fabia and the Punto. So long as you buy them in black or silver.
Having had a Punto before, the Punto is instantly disqualified for being a POS, so does anyone have any experience/advice on the other three?

bazz26 · 24-07-2005 11:44pm

Definately think it is a choice between the 206 and Fabia. Would not bother with the Polo as it is just too expensive for what you get.

Personnally I would go for the Fabia, German engineering for Czech money. On your budget you may get one that is a year or two newer than the others.

The 206 is also a good car and will handle better than the Fabia but I just have a thing about French build quality and electrics.

Best thing to do is test drive both cars and decide for yourself.

P.S. Also have a look at the Seat Ibiza which is based on the Polo and Fabia plus you may get a better trade-in on the Arosa from a Seat dealer. Your budget should get you a current model.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=208539
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=234348

GoneShootin · 25-07-2005 12:02am

Any self respecting male driving a 206 is by definition, "not a self respecting male". Its a GURLIE CAR!!

ARE YOU A GURL!!!!

Tbh it has to be the Fabia. Ive fallen out with the Rover 25 over the "nice and neat" design and fell to the interior of the Fabia vs the Rover's "dull and ditchwater" approach.

Eoin · 25-07-2005 10:28am

GoneShootin wrote:

Any self respecting male driving a 206 is by definition, "not a self respecting male". Its a GURLIE CAR!!

ARE YOU A GURL!!!!

Don't really agree, if you are limited to a hatch with a small engine, the 206 is a good choice. It holds it's value extremely well and is a comfortable car to drive with pretty good specifications. I still think OP should go for a classic mini though

seamus · 25-07-2005 10:30am

GoneShootin wrote:

Tbh it has to be the Fabia. Ive fallen out with the Rover 25 over the "nice and neat" design and fell to the interior of the Fabia vs the Rover's "dull and ditchwater" approach.

I think I've been drawn towards the Fabia as well. Tbh, I preferred the older design of the Polo with the square lights rather than the roundy ones, and the Fabia looks a little more like the old Polo than the new Polo does.

I'm even half tempted to go buy a new one at €14k, but I'd probably lose a lot of it's value within 18 months (especically considering we're halfway through the year).

I still think OP should go for a classic mini though

Heh. Perhaps when I've a few quid lying spare, I could buy one for a "project", but at the moment, I want something I can rely on.

GoneShootin · 25-07-2005 12:18pm

seamus wrote:

I preferred the older design of the Polo with the square lights rather than the roundy ones

Same here. They made the polo too feminine for my liking. Plus the interior looks so dated on previous years. Dont bother forking out 14k for a brand new one though, not for your first car anyway. Save yourself the cash and get a low milage 02/03 with a decent spec from a reputable dealer.

Squirrel · 26-07-2005 2:44pm

On the mini idea, http://classic.cbg.ie/Classic_detail.asp?CBGID=317658&ID=546719&Make=Mini&Model=1000&frmFilter=

Another recommend me a car thread!

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