Looking for some general advice on buying on a budget of around €3000

Downlinz · 28-03-2018 03:23PM #1

Unfortunately I had some bad news for my first car, an 02 fiesta at the NCT this week. A rust issue around the suspension area beside one of the rear tyres was discovered during an NCT check and after showing it to my mechanic they quoted a figure of around €800 for repair and generally suggested I should consider a replacement car instead. He said it's not a real concern practically but it's something the NCT are hot on these days and given its location the fuel tank, seating etc would have to be removed for welding and the job would take a single person 3 days to complete.
Bad news but it was an old car anyway and one I was hoping to replace in the next 12 months. Being generally clueless about buying and selling I asked the mechanic about scrappage value and he informed me it would be worth €50 if I sold it to his associate business and that I'm lucky I don't live in Dublin as I'd have to pay to get rid of it there. :pac:

I next asked him on what to look for in a replacement car and although he doesn't sell cars himself he said he may have some connections to arrange something for me and suggested a guide price of €3000 for a typical 2005 1.4l which seemed a bit pricey given its age but I'm not really sure. Above all else I don't want to wind up in a situation of facing huge NCT bills and potentially another unrepairable car next year since I'm only working part time due to studies.
I've noticed places like done deal selling cars in the 07-08 age within that budget but dealers don't seem to stock very much before 2010. Any advice for what or where I should be looking for would be much appreciated.

ace_irl · 28-03-2018 04:18PM

Sorry to hear about your car OP!

I think €3,000 is a good price for a run around, but I think what year car you will get with that money will really depend on what car you want.

Done deal is probably your best resource, set your budget to look at cars up to €3,500. You might find one you can haggle the price down on, or you might see if you can up the budget if there's more selection.

See if there are any used car dealers in your area, they might have stock in that isn't advertised. Try giving them a call. Or see if your mechanic can recommend anyone who deals with older cars.

Idbatterim · 28-03-2018 04:47PM

where are you based op? Id get another price. What will you get for 3k? something else that is nearly a decade old, thats what... did it fail on anything else?

Downlinz · 28-03-2018 05:31PM

ace_irl wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your car OP!

I think €3,000 is a good price for a run around, but I think what year car you will get with that money will really depend on what car you want.

Done deal is probably your best resource, set your budget to look at cars up to €3,500. You might find one you can haggle the price down on, or you might see if you can up the budget if there's more selection.

See if there are any used car dealers in your area, they might have stock in that isn't advertised. Try giving them a call. Or see if your mechanic can recommend anyone who deals with older cars.

Thanks! I think a run around is a good description of what I'm after since I don't travel every day and it's usually just short distances. I'm not picky on car type for that reason, it's more the maintenance and cost aspects that concern me.
I've seen some good deals on done deal but I'm unsure on things to check from the seller as I bought from a dealer before so I'm stuck with the dilemma of buying a newer car from a private seller or an older car from a dealer who'll give a warranty.

Idbatterim wrote: »

where are you based op? Id get another price. What will you get for 3k? something else that is nearly a decade old, thats what... did it fail on anything else?

I'm in Limerick. It had a few fails for rust on bodywork, the others were on the sills although the mechanic said that was a small job.

Idbatterim · 28-03-2018 05:35PM

Downlinz wrote: »

Thanks! I think a run around is a good description of what I'm after since I don't travel every day and it's usually just short distances. I'm not picky on car type for that reason, it's more the maintenance and cost aspects that concern me.
I've seen some good deals on done deal but I'm unsure on things to check from the seller as I bought from a dealer before so I'm stuck with the dilemma of buying a newer car from a private seller or an older car from a dealer who'll give a warranty.

I'm in Limerick. It had a few fails for rust on bodywork, the others were on the sills although the mechanic said that was a small job.

Id get another quote or two, before going down the route of another car. Sometimes better the devil you know!

JohnBoy26 · 28-03-2018 05:51PM

Idbatterim wrote: »

Id get another quote or two, before going down the route of another car. Sometimes better the devil you know!

A rusty fiesta of that vintage is a disaster. I'd scrap it instead of having endless headaches and cost of having to weld patches in.

I know in some cases the devil you know argument can apply but in this case I think the op, given their budget can do much better in getting another car that's newer and doesn't suffer from serious rust issues like those old fiestas have.

Idbatterim · 28-03-2018 06:04PM

if the repair is E800 I would agree with the above. It really depends on how cheaply it can be done...

JohnBoy26 · 28-03-2018 06:24PM

Idbatterim wrote: »

if the repair is E800 I would agree with the above. It really depends on how cheaply it can be done...

Even if it was only €300 it would be a false economy tbh. €500-€600 can get you an old but decent run around these days. Something like a corolla or a civic etc. For the op's budget they could get a 2007 or a 2008 car that would last years.

Just do some homework and buy the right car. Something that's in good condition and has a good reputation for reliability.

Not that I disagree with the devil you know argument in general, just in cases like this. Rust really is a nightmare and those old fiesta are prone to it and once it starts on them it's like trying to swim against the tide.

JustLen · 28-03-2018 08:29PM

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/hiunday-getz-1-1/18377662

Id prefer to buy something like this than repair the fiesta. It really is at the end of it's life.

You could spend a bit more and get something more refined such as

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-t3-1-4-petrol-one-owner-from-new/18376016

ace_irl · 29-03-2018 08:43AM

For peace of mind you should ask your mechanic to look at any car you're interested in. That will give you a bit more confidence buying from a private seller. The Seat Ibiza or Leon are quite good cars, I've found mine to be reasonably cheap maintenance wise and if you're not driving every day, the petrol cost should be quite low too.

Downlinz · 07-04-2018 05:12PM

Thanks for the help so far.

I've had a look into two options especially. A 2005 Ford Focus NT Zetec 1.4 5DR (Petrol) at 170,000km for €2000 and a 2006 Toyota Corolla 1.4 D4D Luna 4D (diesel) for €3000 at 280,000km. Both have an NCT into 2019
My mechanic has looked at both and suggested both are in good shape internally although the Corolla will require some minor bodywork fixes on a dent in the side that would cost about €300. He also said it recently had a new gearbox fitted which he regards as a big positive. The focus meanwhile didn't start at all when I used it until the battery was jump started, I was assured he'd replace the battery but I'm not sure if I should be concerned about that or not...

Not really sure what to make of both. The focus was driven by a middle aged woman and seems to have been lightly used and well looked after while the Corolla was owned by a college student who clearly used it a lot and bashed it up a bit. The fact the Corolla has had a lot of repairs done worries me a bit since I don't want a car with high maintenance costs but should I consider that as a positive instead for having recent work done?

Anyone have any insight as to which of the two sounds the better deal?

colm_mcm · 07-04-2018 05:58PM

I wouldn’t bother with either of them.

Downlinz · 07-04-2018 06:01PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

I wouldn’t bother with either of them.

Why not? Overpriced?

Heres Johnny · 07-04-2018 06:16PM

The world is literally your oyster here. I put in 2008 onwards, up to 1.6 petrol (don't even entertain diesels as a run around) and under 4000 euro and there is over 1000 matches.

Anything advertised you can knock a few hundred off the asking price.
Put those filters in and have a look and link back here if you want people's opinions on any particular car.

Four Phucs Ache · 07-04-2018 06:23PM

12 yo corolla needing bodywork for 3.3k and a 13 yo focus lying up for 2k.

Overpriced and not the best for your money.

Much better out there, if you like the corolla go for a 1.4 petrol.You don't need diesel.

This could be yours for maybe 1750
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1-4-3dr/18392408

colm_mcm · 07-04-2018 07:07PM

Downlinz wrote: »

Why not? Overpriced?

The place is littered with cars within budget, why buy something crap.

pearcider · 07-04-2018 10:13PM

Those two options are grossly overpriced. I bought a 2006 Ford Focus for 700 euro about 9 months ago. Now granted I budgeted a full service and t belt water pump and alternator belt but still. 2 grand for a 2006 focus hahahahaha that's daylight robbery. You could get a lovely upgrade for example a mondeo for 2 grand one that is 2008 or 2009 at least. Do your research and for gods sake buy privately.

Looking for some general advice on buying on a budget of around €3000

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