Budget: €7k to €10k. 2nd car.

quarryman · 27-07-2005 2:23pm #1

Just got my Full licence so I'm looking at getting a new car. Budget €7k to €10k. It will be driven enough, not just a runaround.

I'm 24. So far I've looked at Ford Focuses but any other suggestions? Insurance on a 1.6 for me is about €1100 without much shopping around.

bazz26 · 27-07-2005 4:51pm

quarryman · 27-07-2005 5:05pm

cheers.

puma, hyundai and 206s are hair-dressers cars IMO.

the golf is decent. the others are probably overkill for me. I'm tempted by a BMW but other than that I'd say a hatchback is what i'll be looking at.

focus
golf
a3 - bit boring i reckon
318 - not sure, are these looking a bit dated now?

bazz26 · 27-07-2005 10:47pm

Well the Golf/A3 are the same car. Your probably looking at a mid to late 1990s 3 Series which could be expensive to keep on the road.

Probably best to stick with your original choice of the Focus, very entertaining to drive and plenty to choose from. My choice would be the Zetec model in moon dust silver.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=267403
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=257600
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=265195

quarryman · 28-07-2005 9:03pm

i keep coming back to the BMW 316. It feels like overkill but stil...

Does anyine know if the 1.6 engine is a little underpowered for the car?

1.8 would probably be better, but not from an insurance point of view.

dogg_r_69 · 28-07-2005 10:15pm

Go for something like this

http://search.autotrader.ie/cgi-bin/search?locale=atie.CARS.1&country=IE&make_id_EQI=Volkswagen&model_EQS=Golf&keywords_LKSPLIT=tdi&specified_price_GT=6000&specified_price_LT=7000&year_GT=199900&year_LT=199912&source_EQS=0&currency=EUR&county_list=0&orderby=specified_price&SUBMIT.x=20&SUBMIT.y=10

Vrt for a 1999 golf's about 2k

Jildy · 29-07-2005 10:10am

Small bit out of your price range but I will be selling a 02 Alfa 147 1.6L Lusso (FSH) pretty soon for around the 11,500 mark.

PM me if you are interested.

Jivin Turkey · 29-07-2005 3:11pm

quarryman wrote:

Just got my Full licence so I'm looking at getting a new car. Budget €7k to €10k. It will be driven enough, not just a runaround.

I'm 24. So far I've looked at Ford Focuses but any other suggestions? Insurance on a 1.6 for me is about €1100 without much shopping around.

I had a similar budget (well topping out about 9k), age (23), had my licence a couple of years, and needed something to drive (not just have) as I work around the country a bit.

I went for the 1.4 Focus Lx, picked it up for 7.5k and Im delighted with it. Very good car for the purpose, big and comfortable on the inside, and decent enough looking on the out. Picked up a set of the Zetec alloys for e200. Havnt had a problem with it yet (touch wood).

If I had to be critical of something Id say it could do with a bit of extra power for overtaking as its big/heavy enough, which if I were going again I would possibly look at the 1.6. Aside from that I couldnt recommend it highly enough for what you are looking for.

Atomic Pineapple · 29-07-2005 3:41pm

I drive a 1.4 Focus too, I have a 3 door version (MK2) which must be lighter than the 5 door (MK1) because i find it has a pretty decent overtaking capability at 60mph.

I couldnt recommend it more highly either the driving sensation is brilliant, always feel your in control of the car etc...

Dagon · 29-07-2005 3:44pm

I was on a similar budget to you (I'm 25), and I ended up blowing 7k on a very low mileage Honda Civic EK, hatch.

This was back in April, yet every time I sit into my car, I'm still thinking "this car feckin RULES" - when will the novelty wear off? I'm still enjoying having it so much. It's just so much fun to drive, so reliable, so nippy (for a 1.4i) and looks sexy to boot. It might not be a sports car but it regularly gets looks! It's silver, and the two mods I have made (nice 16" alloys and rear lexus lights) really have made a world of difference to the overall look (I also added a sports steering wheel, but thats another story!).

Get a Honda Civic. If you can find a god deal on a 1.6L 99 Civic Coupe, then you'll be in heaven (I want to get one of these next).

quarryman · 29-07-2005 3:52pm

thanks for the replies.

I'm definately leaing towards a Focus. I would also like to consider a 1.6L, assuming it doesn't affect my insurance too much.

Also I'm not too car savvy, what is the difference between the Zetec and non-Zetec model.

Most people seem to regard the focus pretty highly. I had short test drive in one the other day and it was quite smooth as mentioned above.

I had a similar budget (well topping out about 9k), age (23), had my licence a couple of years, and needed something to drive (not just have) as I work around the country a bit.

I went for the 1.4 Focus Lx, picked it up for 7.5k and Im delighted with it. Very good car for the purpose, big and comfortable on the inside, and decent enough looking on the out. Picked up a set of the Zetec alloys for e200. Havnt had a problem with it yet (touch wood).

If I had to be critical of something Id say it could do with a bit of extra power for overtaking as its big/heavy enough, which if I were going again I would possibly look at the 1.6. Aside from that I couldnt recommend it highly enough for what you are looking for.

Can I ask what year you got for that price and the mileage? Also, was it a privatte sale or a dealer?

Thanks again.

Jivin Turkey · 29-07-2005 5:46pm

quarryman wrote:

Can I ask what year you got for that price and the mileage? Also, was it a privatte sale or a dealer?

1999, 37k, from a Ford main dealer Esmonde's so there is a 12 month guarantee to boot. I was very pleased with that, I just saw it appear one day after weeks of looking on the net (CZ/CBG) and went out and bought it that day.

Thats the best approach I think, keep your eyes peeled for the one you want.

Personally as well, while I was delighted to get a car with reasonably low mileage I think the Focus will build up a reputation similar to the Golf of being able to go forever. You already see plenty out there with over 100k on the clock. I wouldnt see it as a risk at all of buying one with 60k, only that the resale value would be diminished somewhat if you go to sell it with close to 100k after a couple of years.

Silvera · 29-07-2005 7:59pm

I am/was in a similar position to you - I was seeking a car for €7-10k.

I'm now on the verge of buying a '03 Astra 1.4
I first considered a Golf, Focus and Astra.
However, after some research I discounted the Golf (see www.honestjohn.co.uk for list of faults, incl regular gearbox failures on Golf's with c.30-40k on them !!)

So it was between the Focus and Astra.
The Focus 1.4 is underpowered (75bhp) and overpriced in comparison to the Astra (90bhp).......plus Astra's often have a higher spec for less money !

And boy is the Astra a 'solid' car to drive !

(I sold my mint, 42k, '97 Civic 1.4i recently).

Budget: €7k to €10k. 2nd car.

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