Help me choose which model to go for..

Trotter · 02-01-2006 4:25pm #1

Its possibly time for the Punto to go, so here's the criteria of new car Im after...

Capable of doing a 200 mile drive once a fortnight, as well as the around the town stuff..

Id like to upgrade to at least a 2001 model car, electric windows, CD player, 1.2 engine (anything bigger would cost a bit in insurance, Im 24), and hatchback is probably the best for me, and a manual gearbox. 16v would be nice.. especially seen as I'll be doing long spins in it.

The budget is 7500 to maybe 8500 at a push if a little gem popped up. The budget doesn't stretch further than that.

Id like to have a nice interior because I'll be spending so long sitting in it. My Punto has radio controls on the steering wheel, thats so nice to have!

The options that have come through so far from looking at carzone.ie are
The VW Polo 1.2
Skoda Fabia Hatchback (The interior seems a bit dodgy!)
Fiat Punto (The newer ones seem to have more reliability).

If anyone has any good advice , Id be delighted to have it. The Skoda seems to be a good option seen as its a rebadged VW.

Thanks!

plonk · 02-01-2006 4:27pm

mitshubishi colt 1.3 my mate just bought one a 01 50000 miles 7500

Trotter · 02-01-2006 4:45pm

plonk wrote:

mitshubishi colt 1.3 my mate just bought one a 01 50000 miles 7500

Im not a huge fan of the colts looks, but its worth a look!

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 5:10pm

www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=322800

Jap import 2001 Toyota Yaris (Vitz) top spec model, showing 3,500 miles (plausable?) with loads of extras

price says €9500, but aim for 8. bit high for a 2001 but Jap ones usually in A1 condition, with climate control, CD player ABS, stuff you're unlikely to get on Irish models

Trotter · 02-01-2006 5:14pm

colm_mcm wrote:

www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=322800

Jap import 2001 Toyota Yaris (Vitz) top spec model, showing 3,500 miles (plausable?) with loads of extras

price says €9500, but aim for 8. bit high for a 2001 but Jap ones usually in A1 condition, with climate control, CD player ABS, stuff you're unlikely to get on Irish models

Just a couple of issues witht that one.. its a 1 litre so the long 200 miler drives might be a little hectic for the engine. I'll be making a trip like that every fortnight for the next 18 months. Possibly every day!!

AND...

Its pink.

Sorry. I cant drive a pink car lol

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 5:29pm

well it's got 7bhp more than a 1.2 punto....... i've done round ireland in one.

Squirrel · 02-01-2006 5:29pm

That Vitz is also an auto, are you looking for auto or manual?

Trotter · 02-01-2006 5:36pm

Squirrel wrote:

That Vitz is also an auto, are you looking for auto or manual?

Manual , sorry, I'll add that to the original post.

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 6:03pm

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=314941how about this one. the 1299cc engine and manual gearbox. looks nice and tidy too

again a bit expensive, but it is very high spec probably as new condition and low mileage

Trotter · 02-01-2006 6:05pm

colm_mcm wrote:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=314941how about this one. the 1299cc engine and manual gearbox. looks nice and tidy too

Its nice, very boy racerish though. I'll probably stick to buying from garages that give at least a 6mth warranty.

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 6:10pm

hmmmmm, i'm thinking!

Trotter · 02-01-2006 6:14pm

Any opinions on the Skoda Fabia?
Is the interior as awful as some people have told me? Ive seen some photos on carzone and it dosnt seem too bad.

_Kaiser_ · 02-01-2006 6:15pm

I'll add my vote for the Mitsubishi Colt/Mirage. I've had two (Colt-style hatchback and my current coupe) and not a problem with either of them.

€35 fills it for the week - mine's a 1.3 Auto (and I do a daily spin from Dublin to Meath),has all the toys: electric mirrors, windows, central locking, power steering, climate control etc.

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 6:17pm

how about this. nice peppy 1.1 engine and bags of goodies

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=321171

they're reliable too

optiplexgx270 · 02-01-2006 6:31pm

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=253191
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=332295
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=332609
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=312955 personal fav out of ones i listed
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=330042 dare i say it

i just did a advanced search on carzone <8500 <1.3 ond >2001

Fabia by all accounts is a nice car and interiour is fine similar to a polo. If doing that much traveling then maybe a larger car would be more comfortable thats why i listed the Stilo etc from above.

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 6:33pm

optiplexgx270 wrote:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=253191
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=332295
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=332609
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=312955
dare i say it http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=330042

i just did a advanced search on carzone <8500 <1.3 ond >2001

they're a bit dodgy aren't they?

optiplexgx270 · 02-01-2006 6:40pm

colm_mcm wrote:

they're a bit dodgy aren't they?

The days of fiat as being bad name is gone my friend i know a bunch of ppl with puntos and brava/bravo whichever is which and never a complaint.

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 6:45pm

i had a brava, and they're rubbish, 2 star crash rating too.

bazz26 · 02-01-2006 7:02pm

Trotter wrote:

Its possibly time for the Punto to go, so here's the criteria of new car Im after...

Capable of doing a 200 mile drive once a fortnight, as well as the around the town stuff..

Id like to upgrade to at least a 2001 model car, electric windows, CD player, 1.2 engine (anything bigger would cost a bit in insurance, Im 24), and hatchback is probably the best for me, and a manual gearbox. 16v would be nice.. especially seen as I'll be doing long spins in it.

The budget is 7500 to maybe 8500 at a push if a little gem popped up. The budget doesn't stretch further than that.

Id like to have a nice interior because I'll be spending so long sitting in it. My Punto has radio controls on the steering wheel, thats so nice to have!

The options that have come through so far from looking at carzone.ie are
The VW Polo 1.2
Skoda Fabia Hatchback (The interior seems a bit dodgy!)
Fiat Punto (The newer ones seem to have more reliability).

If anyone has any good advice , Id be delighted to have it. The Skoda seems to be a good option seen as its a rebadged VW.

Thanks!

HungryJoey · 02-01-2006 7:15pm

Either of the FIAT's or the ford I would choose from their, Id go for the Clio, Nice spec and actually looks good, But for the Renaults reliability, It would be questionable. Same really with the 206, Micra is awful looking, But There is nothing amazing about that car, Common as muck.

I chose the fiats because, Being in a Fiat punto 1.2L very often, it has an extremely pokey engine, Comparing it to my mothers 1.4 L Megane, The fiat is a hell of alot pokier, I am presuming that it was the 16V engine. Also for Fiats Reliability, and people saying it is rubish. It is, 6 months having a megane, there has been numerous Problems, Few years having a punto, Not once problem, although I will admit.. There are a few gasket issues with Punto's around. Punto's also offer quite a considerible amount of room inside, With the high up roofline.

But if I was to choose for no.1 out of that list, ITs the ford Fiesta, That 1.25 Engine is great. And them fiesta's unlike the newer ones, Should go without any bother.

I would try to avoid the Fabia/Polo/Ibiza 1.2L engines if possible, They offer a 56Bhp Model or a 64Bhp Model, Both of which use a Dog slow 3 cylinder engine, The fabia 0-60 is over 15 seconds, and along with the Polo 1.2L is the same. They are very slow. But they are said to be pokey enough for town use, But driving 200Miles every 2 weeks like you said, I presume you are going on Motorways/larger roads, Which these 1.2L 3 cylinder engines might struggle. I also believe the newer corsa's use a 3 Cylinder engine, but I can't comment on that as I have never been on One.

Hj

Trotter · 02-01-2006 7:16pm

Thanks for all the links, Ive already had a good look around at carzone though. Its more opinions on cars you all know a bit about that I need to hear. Eg.. One person told me yesterday not to get a Polo, that the Fabia is very similar for 2k less but that the interior is a bit mean.

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 7:17pm

the interior on a Polo is a bit mean too!

BrianD3 · 02-01-2006 7:23pm

The Opel Astra comes in a 1.2. Not sure about the spec of this engine, IIRC there was a 65 bhp opel 1.2 and a 75 bhp one. The 75 bhp engine would be no worse than the 1.4 litre units in the Golf and Focus.
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=295920

AlienGav · 02-01-2006 7:26pm

If i was in your situation... Fiesta all the way!!

1.25 zetec, brilliant to drive, and plenty of poke! nice!

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=297465

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 8:05pm

It's a little quicker than walking, drove one a few years back, only availible in yellow pack spec

(Astra 1.2)

bananarepublic · 02-01-2006 8:07pm

I was looking at a car in the similar price bracket and I have to say that stilo 1.2 looks very nice might take a look , wonder what they go for in a dealer . Anyone just noticed the prices carrying over from Dec to January havent really changed much maybe thats because dealers not in till tommorow but some on carzone have been updated over the weekend and remain the same .

Whats the chance of a car on the forecourts for 8500 going for around the 7000 grand mark or is that too optimistic (bearing in mind another year has come off the car which should be at least 800 euro at maybe 10% discount for cash buying purposes . Anyone know if there is any accurate car price guide available to the public that details what a car is worth and not what a dealer says , something like what car magazine which gives free valuations.

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 8:10pm

the stilo should be down to 7 anyway, it's a decent car to drive, 1.2 litre good for tax and has a 6 speed gearbox, engine has 85bhp and is respectable enough, reliability puts people off though

bananarepublic · 02-01-2006 8:19pm

yeah is reliability that bad with the fiats , i thought they were getting there act together but they do come with an alot of bad recommendations . Just checked carzone doesnot seem to been anything like the spec posted early with that stilo (private ) seller for that price if I go with a dealer . I would defo prefer to go with a dealer if its a fiat .

Didnt know the stilo had a 6 speed seems good engine . How do you know these things????

Just a quick question colm_mcm as you seem to be in the know here , if a car is then on the forecourts for 8500 , can i just make an offer of 6500 euro and then work my way up to the 7000 euro mark and then call it a day or whats the score. Complete novice here.

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 8:29pm

yeah, that sounds fair. most dealers will be wanting rid of Stilos taken in before christmas. Early model Stilos came with more equipment, with 8 airbags as standard and aircon with a refrigerated glove box as far as i remember, then they revised the range and cut the equipment. so an early one is best. some had a very desirable skyroof, a 5 section full length sunroof. but in my experience, simple one piece Fiat sunroofs are troublesome enough, so i wouldn't have much faith in a complicated one like this. if you find one (active sound model usually) make sure this works.

the interior looks and feels german, and the 1.2 16v isn't that troublesome, but the gearbox and anti skid program and electrics in general can give trouble. and some of the plastics down low in the cabin can mark very easily as was the case in the Bravo

themessiah · 02-01-2006 8:36pm

You are a wealth of knowlegdge I was looking for another run around . Yeah did know it all that spec , ill start the trail tommorow aswell for a black 3 door one me thinks if it has a refrigiated glove box as standard.. Whats the chance of finding one of those high speced ones with sunroof etc.. Should I look for a 2002 or the 2003 like the private seller previously discussed. Glad I stumbled accross this form as was also looking for a car in that price btacket.

One question what does this scrabbage 2000euro mean . http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=379580&ID=637068&NumPics=1&Make=Fiat&Model=Stilo%20Active%2016v&frmFilter=Year

its on this one aswell

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=369380&ID=618304&NumPics=1&Make=Fiat&Model=Stilo%20Dynamic&frmFilter=Year

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 8:47pm

I'd go for a low mileage 02 with the roof airbags,

colm_mcm · 02-01-2006 8:51pm

like this

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=368875&ID=617682&NumPics=3&Make=Fiat&Model=Stilo%20Active&frmFilter=

bit pricey, but I'm sure they'd negotiate and give you a good warranty

Trotter · 03-01-2006 12:54am

I wont be changing my punto for another few months, but the looking process starts here. I hadnt even considered a Stilo til today, but now its at the top of my list!

The reviews seem great, and I can have all the creature comforts of a big car for a very good price. Now to keep an eye on Carzone for a good one to turn up.

Help me choose which model to go for..

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