Looking for a new car... (4-6k)

Zangetsu · 11-09-2008 3:10pm #1

Lo all, I'm in the market for a used car, looking for something with 4 wheels and 4 doors (you can tell already I know what I'm talking about...) I have about 4-6k to spend.

Last 2 cars were a punto with 101 problems and a daewoo lanos that never failed me until I drove it into the ground. I'm looking for a decent sized car that drives well and maybe looks nice.

Any idea what sort of cars I should be looking at in that price range?

Cheers.

GERMAN ROCKS · 11-09-2008 5:25pm

peugeot 307
vw golf
citroen xsara
seat leon

colm_mcm · 11-09-2008 8:35pm

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

peugeot 307
vw golf
citroen xsara
seat leon

Good list of cars to avoid.

Dave147 · 11-09-2008 8:42pm

00 Audi A4 1.8T, 6,500 you'd get a very clean example.. They also look lovely with minimum effort and drive really well.

TigerTim · 11-09-2008 10:37pm

Skoda Octavia 1.4. Have one for 10 months & no probs.

T.

positron · 11-09-2008 10:39pm

OP, I hope you don't mind me commenting here, but I am on the same boat. I don't want to spend more than 6k, 8k tops. I am looking at 5 Series at the moment, 00 to 02. Thinking I will go for a 525 as 530 seems to be above my budget. My annual mileage is less than 5k miles, so economy is not the major concern. Thinking of touring (estate) version as well.

From reading various posts here, I know Mondeos are probably better value for money, and Toyota's probably cheaper on the long run...

jimbling · 11-09-2008 10:47pm

I have a 01 Skoda Octavia vRS 1.8T 180bhp. They normally go for about 8k+
I might need to sell quickly as looking at a few cars at the mo.
I'll let it go for 6k. It's not even up on an add yet!!!! a steal.
Its a fantastic car, never causes any problems and a great car to drive. Smooth and fast. Read some reviews, its one of the best value cars out there.
pm me if you're interested.

Lord Nikon · 11-09-2008 10:47pm

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=1529481

omb0wyn5ehpij9 · 11-09-2008 10:48pm

Honda civic

VH · 11-09-2008 10:50pm

another daewoo lanos - you seemed to be happy with the last one?

Zangetsu · 11-09-2008 11:10pm

Ah that daewoo could never be replaced :P

Looking at a passat at the moment, might be a tad big though, thanks for all the suggestions, keep em coming

Lord Nikon · 11-09-2008 11:16pm

did you look at the link i sent?

Top Dog · 11-09-2008 11:19pm

Need more info.

How much mileage do you do?
How often do you have passengers and how many?

BeardyGit · 11-09-2008 11:25pm

neuromancer wrote: »

did you look at the link i sent?

I take it you're pimping your own car there then?

From a Punto and a Lanos to an overpriced 5 series with a 3.5 litre engine. Good grief.

Have a look around for a clean Volvo S/V40 with a full main dealer service history. Should be able to get something around an '02-03 with 60k-ish for that kind of money. Drive it into the ground.....

seanpaul · 12-09-2008 12:02am

Hi,

I might be able to help you - Ive sent you a pm

Regards

Sean

CDfm · 12-09-2008 12:08am

seanpaul wrote: »

Hi,

I might be able to help you - Ive sent you a pm

Regards

Sean

check out some of the car auctions

you will get a lot of car for 4-6k

i was offered a 02 merc for a very cheap price recently around 60% of forecourt price

car dealers are crying out for cash buyers

Zangetsu · 12-09-2008 9:04am

I drive a bit, to and from work/mates houses and occaisionally down the country on weekends. I wan't something with a good bit of space as I'll be using it to transport musical equipment between venues, something with a decent boot. No Hatchbacks...

I won't be buying any cars off this site so please stop sending me PM's.

Thanks all!

Zangetsu · 12-09-2008 9:25am

Any opinions on passat / rover 45? 2 I've seen that I like the look of.

pyramuid man · 12-09-2008 9:48am

AFAIK steer well clear from a rover. Passat are supposed to be alright.

daveharnett · 12-09-2008 9:50am

Zangetsu wrote: »

Any opinions on passat / rover 45? 2 I've seen that I like the look of.

Does anybody still make parts for rovers?
I'd be inclined to avoid cars from a dead manufacturer to be honest.

positron · 12-09-2008 9:53am

Zangetsu, have you considered estate versions? Plenty of high loading space for your music gear and comparable performance to saloon and probably more comfortable too. I am looking 3 series estates at the moment, you could land one from the UK for about 8k. The only thing is that they are all pretty hight mileage (upwards of 100k). I wonder if they are good buy like that, does any one know?

Zangetsu · 12-09-2008 9:54am

Estates wouldn't be my thing tbh

W123-80's · 12-09-2008 10:08am

I know its boring, but it is hard beat a Toyota Avensis. You should be able to pick up a nice '02 for 6k. Reliable & economical. resell pretty well too.
Otherwise a 3 seires BMW or a C180 Mercedes. You should pick up a nice '99 C180 or if you search a '00 for your 6k.
The other option is a '01-'02 Honda Accord 1.8 petrol. Good reputation. Nice car.

snowman707 · 12-09-2008 10:14am

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Almera/1.5/1192688/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Almera/SX/1095301/

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Corolla/1.4-tax/698671/

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mitsubishi/Colt/1.3I-CLASSIC/1193210/

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/1.4-S/1195756/

Stick with the japs, any of the above should be good for many miles trouble free motoring

CDfm · 12-09-2008 10:25am

the bmw 3 series is pretty fast and trouble free

you can get Alpha Romeos pretty cheap - only prob is they dont like the water -but are a super luxury drive

Top Dog · 12-09-2008 11:04am

Zangetsu wrote: »

Any opinions on passat / rover 45? 2 I've seen that I like the look of.

I'd avoid the Rover - could be a nightmare getting parts for it.

Passat - within your budget you'd be looking at the older model. Very good car. Brought a 1.8T and 1.9TDI over from the UK last year and was quite impressed by them as an all-round car. Wasn't mad impressed by the petrol turbo, felt like you had to rev it quite a bit to make decent progress, and the fuel consumption was awful. Even at motorway cruising speeds it was very hard to get a good return. The diesel would be a much better option - especially if you can source one of the 130bhp models. Avoid the 1.6 petrol though - lethargic doesn't even come close.

CDfm · 12-09-2008 12:09pm

Top Dog wrote: »

I'd avoid the Rover - could be a nightmare getting parts for it.

Passat - within your budget you'd be looking at the older model. Very good car. Brought a 1.8T and 1.9TDI over from the UK last year and was quite impressed by them as an all-round car. Wasn't mad impressed by the petrol turbo, felt like you had to rev it quite a bit to make decent progress, and the fuel consumption was awful. Even at motorway cruising speeds it was very hard to get a good return. The diesel would be a much better option - especially if you can source one of the 130bhp models. Avoid the 1.6 petrol though - lethargic doesn't even come close.

rover are ok

rovers didnt make their own engines so its whats under the bonnet that counts - high spec - but very little resale value so you could get a cheap car.

passat - i agree - correct me but isnt the skoda octavia the same as it with a different badge. Same dog different hair. You could get a lower mileage Octavia or a better year if you are not to stuck on having a VW badge.

Top Dog · 12-09-2008 12:27pm

Didn't mean to sound like I was knocking the Rover, friend had one for years without much trouble. Only pointing out that it might be difficult finding parts.

And yes, Octavia and Passat are much the same alright. Take off the badges and many would confuse the 2 of them.

CDfm · 12-09-2008 12:46pm

Top Dog wrote: »

Didn't mean to sound like I was knocking the Rover, friend had one for years without much trouble. Only pointing out that it might be difficult finding parts.

And yes, Octavia and Passat are much the same alright. Take off the badges and many would confuse the 2 of them.

a friend of mine got a rover 75 for peanuts and its a lovely motor leather interior etc

my only point is they are very very cheap and you could get lucky

you are right though - if ya have a problem and dont know someone who is a handy mechanic- but if you need something totally reliable and dont want risk stay away from rovers

po0k · 12-09-2008 1:03pm

Gil_Dub wrote: »

Have a look around for a clean Volvo S/V40 with a full main dealer service history. Should be able to get something around an '02-03 with 60k-ish for that kind of money. Drive it into the ground.....

That's what I'm looking to get, again 3-5K euro mark.

Saw a 01/02 S40 for 3700 on Gumtree a week ago, mileage was ~70ish iirc, private sale.

Zangetsu · 12-09-2008 3:15pm

Is 80/90k miles alot on a car? that seems to be the average I can see on the passats in my price range.

Also saw a 1990 BMW 316i E30 for 3450 euro with 77k on the clock, what you guys thing?

Top Dog · 12-09-2008 4:03pm

I think if a car has been well looked after, and properly serviced, then mileage is just a number. The only real impact is on the percieved value. One of the guys I work with has a '01 Passat TDI Sport 130 with 160k (miles) on the clock and its running like a dream. Apart from regular consumables (tyres, brake pads etc.) and servicing, it hasn't put a foot wrong.

CDfm · 12-09-2008 4:19pm

a bmw 1990

i dont know but they were the must have when they were new

would think of it more of an enthusiasts car rather than one to drive

Zangetsu · 12-09-2008 4:21pm

Strange, enthusiasts don't drive cars these days? They is getting worse thems enthusiasts! Only taking the mick but why wouldn't it be a car for driving?

CDfm · 12-09-2008 4:44pm

Zangetsu wrote: »

Strange, enthusiasts don't drive cars these days? They is getting worse thems enthusiasts! Only taking the mick but why wouldn't it be a car for driving?

im not in to cars big time these days

but in older cars you can have fiddly items such as ,electricals,rubber bushings and brake lines etc go and perish simply beacuse of age

all of these are fiddly to repair and its great if you can do them yourself

nice car the 316

Zangetsu · 12-09-2008 4:46pm

I've a few mates that are into that sort of jazz, I'd love to learn, maybe this is an oppertunity :P

CDfm · 12-09-2008 4:51pm

it would go well with jazz

check out the suit rails in TK Maxx in swords clearance section you can get a jazzed up suit too to go with the car

Zangetsu · 12-09-2008 4:52pm

waitin to go to vegas to get my purple shag suit and a pimp hat... TK maxx are a little too fancy for my tastes.

CDfm · 12-09-2008 4:56pm

thats why the TV show is "Pimp my Ride" not "Ride my Pimp"

po0k · 16-09-2008 11:51am

S.I.R · 16-09-2008 12:24pm

xsara vts coupe is the best option for someone imho, they have a terrable reputation but jesus, lets be honest, it was built so that pug had a replacment for the 205 as far as rallying was c oncerned ( the 106 is too small and the 306 is rubbish )

a 190e wouldnt be a bad purchase either... but tbh its luck of the draw, you can listen to us all giving you advice but still, the previous owner/owners could have drove the car into the ground like you did with your lanos... so before making your mind up get an Actual mechanic to help you out... not a bunch of know it alls... well... maybe a know it all with a vast amount of Exp

also if you going the e30 route...

best engine ?? M20 320i engine, buy in england, even a 1500 sterling over priced wreak is worth more with vrt paid then the jokes of examples here... honestly, ever since the F+F movies everyone thinks they can drift... but hey, its good for my my business but it wreaks the cars i love.... Catch 22 >.>

LolaDub · 16-09-2008 12:25pm

So what car are you considering now? What mileage and year is your cut off point?

The last car was an audi a6, have to say great car, spacious, very comfortable and not a bother of trouble with it, (selling it now but prob out of your price range). I would recommend them, if you don't mind a bigger car!

Looking for a new car... (4-6k)

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