Bora/Golf/Corolla????

ninty9er

For health reasons (My neck is clicking from being tilted to one side in the Corsa otherwise I'd stick with it... Great little car) I need something with more head room....A bit more poke wouldn't go astray either and it has to be or below 1.4 (preferably not below as it only adds €200 to 1.0 insurance) I'd even consider a 1.4 Corsa without a sunroof (which is causing the problem-inch and a half chunked out of the ceiling height)

Oh yeah. €5k tops and 98 oldest (I actually mean it this time). I've exams the next 2 weeks, but when I'm finished I'm going car hunting. The uncle says he has a mint Lanos coming in, and I'll have 1st refusal, but I really hate the thought of window winders and tape decks (I know...but factory fitted is better)

Any suggestions....If anyone has anything like this for sale in the next few weeks let me know, headroom is paramount!!!

I've no problem being way underbudget either

ninty9er

Just after re-calculating the insurance there....was checking up details for the parents too.

It's actually €800 more:mad:

I forgot to change my mom from spouse to mother under named driver and when I did it jumped almost 600 yoyos...surely it makes no difference if my detials are still the same:eek: :eek:

bazz26

If you want something with a bit of zip then forget the 1.4 litre Golf or Bora (Golf with a boot). They only have about 75bhp and are sluggish. They also tend to be overpriced.

A €5k budget should get you a 2000 reg face lifted Corolla which has the 1.4 litre 96bhp VVTi engine. Very nippy and economical. Looks are subjective but the facelifted model is alot better than the 1997 - 1999 frog eyed model.

Another one to look at is the Astra, the 1.4 litre has 90bhp and while it will not burn up the road it can hold it's own all the same. A 2000 reg one should also be in your budget.

junkyard

I'd stay well clear of VW as reliability is a thing of the past with them. As bazz says the Corolla is worth a look or maybe a Nissan Almera they're very reliable and good to go. I wouldn't have much mass on an Opel either tbh.

Tipsy Mac

If your looking for something with "zip" the Golf/Bora are likely a step back from your current car in terms of power, they are overweight and underpowered engine wise. Corolla if you are looking for zip and reliability from 1.4, looks aren't great but it's a car not a wife . Golf would have more headroom than the Corolla but only slightly.

Ray007

Hi there

Thinking of going to the UK to buy a 03' Freelander(around 40000 mls), or a 03' Passat(around 40 000mls) or a 01' 318(around 60000mls).

All the prices are similar, around 15000 (inc. VRT), and it would be pretty much to commute from my house to work everyday. So around 8000mls a year.

Any ideas of which one would be better?

Thanks

Ray007

nickslainte

I have a golf and its rubbish spell it backwards and its flog.
I was ripped off they're about as reliable as bobby robson and look worse

Tipsy Mac

Ray007 wrote:

Hi there

Thinking of going to the UK to buy a 03' Freelander(around 40000 mls), or a 03' Passat(around 40 000mls) or a 01' 318(around 60000mls).

All the prices are similar, around 15000 (inc. VRT), and it would be pretty much to commute from my house to work everyday. So around 8000mls a year.

Any ideas of which one would be better?

Thanks

Ray007

03 Passat TDi, cheap on the juice and lots more power than the other 2.

GB15

A friend is looking for something similar but maybe a bit newer. Others to consider are Focus, Civic, Mazda 3.

I told him to stay away from anything French or Italian.

Ray007

Passat it is!

I was thinking the same, but wanted a second opinion

Cheers

md99

Don't touch the Lanos... I mean it don't go NEAR it!

All good choices above...

For reliability and smoothness, the Corolla (mines a 1.3) can't go wrong. Mine was a '97 and passed the NCT off the bat, which can be rare for a car of that age. I think the Corolla design is boring enough, though the XLi which is common looks nice in a full silver (ie no black bumpers).

ninty9er

md99 wrote:

Don't touch the Lanos... I mean it don't go NEAR it!

All good choices above...

For reliability and smoothness, the Corolla (mines a 1.3) can't go wrong. Mine was a '97 and passed the NCT off the bat, which can be rare for a car of that age. I think the Corolla design is boring enough, though the XLi which is common looks nice in a full silver (ie no black bumpers).

Ya, I didn't have any intention of touching the Lanos (with a bargepole), not least because of poor spec, but because I've heard the engines go through petrol like Paris Hilton goes through handbags

I'd be going more towards a Corolla with the 1.4, which also means it'll have remote locking and electric windows and if not a CD player I can live with that. Focus doesn't interest me so much but the 323 would be an option in saloon (the headroom ain't the best in the F..but I'll have to look further into that. also It's a 1.5 which puts it out of the insurable bracket for me..same for the Almera)

Hopefully the Corolla value will take a bit of a hit with the new one on release this month

md99

ninty9er wrote:

Ya, I didn't have any intention of touching the Lanos (with a bargepole), not least because of poor spec, but because I've heard the engines go through petrol like Paris Hilton goes through handbags

I'd be going more towards a Corolla with the 1.4, which also means it'll have remote locking and electric windows and if not a CD player I can live with that. Focus doesn't interest me so much but the 323 would be an option in saloon (the headroom ain't the best in the F..but I'll have to look further into that. also It's a 1.5 which puts it out of the insurable bracket for me..same for the Almera)

Hopefully the Corolla value will take a bit of a hit with the new one on release this month

Corolla's are great to sell on... You'll often get nearly what you paid originally. And they're very good on petrol too.

As regards the CD player... you can just buy one if your car doesn't have one, or buy a second hand one if you're stuck for cash

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of Almeras under 1.5L... think my dads is a 1.4, anyone? Don't know about the Focus.

How do you mean by 'insurable bracket'? Just thinking, I was on to Quinn Direct today getting provisional quotes for my new car and the jump from 1.3-1.6L wasn't that significant, I think it was €4-500..

Volvoboy

always go with japanese engneering, have a almera 99, nothing to compalin about grand size plenty of poke-ish, ins is cheap good kit also, elec sunroof, its also worth having a look at a lancer, not as good kit but still a good car.



-VB-

ninty9er

Ya the old Almera is 1.4 but the new one is 1.5 since 2000. The Lancer had crossed my mind but it has the "boy racer" tag from insurance companies, pity cos a good spec can be got cheap. is the Carisma dog slow in 1.3??? (bear in mind I'm driving a 3 pot Corssa)

Insurable bracket - (i.e under 21 keep to 1.4 or you'll be scammed...with Quinn you're gonna get scammed anywho so I'll stick to the big 3 and probably end up with Hibernian) Remember that a 42" Mik**** looks great at €900 but if you buy a Phillips or Sony at €2k it'll pay off in the long run by not exploding or losing quality - not matchable but long term is what I'm lookin at)

I don't have an NCB but to switch to being the main driver on the Corsa is going to cost €1800 on full licence with 1 year named driver (I will get it cheaper but that's the online quote)

Fey!

I know ye'll probably laugh, but how about a rover 45? 1.4, a/c, cd, alloys, sunroof. You can pick up '03 ones for about €6-€6.5k.

Or a Hyundai Accent 1.3? Not a bad car to drive, IME.

md99

Fey! wrote:

I know ye'll probably laugh, but how about a rover 45? 1.4, a/c, cd, alloys, sunroof. You can pick up '03 ones for about €6-€6.5k.

Or a Hyundai Accent 1.3? Not a bad car to drive, IME.

Yes... I've just looked on Carzone.ie and seen plenty for that price.

Why are these cars so cheap?

ninty9er

Pardon the ignorance, but aren't Rovers likely to go wrong and when they do isn't it likely that the part will be unavailable or was that just a rumour when the factory closed

JHMEG

Perfect car for you: Civic (96-01 shape) 1.5i LS. Good spec, electric everything including wing mirrors, windows and sunroof.

114bhp and will do around 50mpg. Has an "Econo" light on the dash to let you know the engine is running on fumes (in reality 4 intake valves have shut down and it becomes sort of a 12-valve engine).

Good car, plenty of poke, and Honda reliability. Cheap enough to insure and only costs 20 quid more to tax per annum than the vanilla (no features) 1.4. And can be had for the same money (as the 1.4).

unkel

ninty9er wrote:

Pardon the ignorance, but aren't Rovers likely to go wrong and when they do isn't it likely that the part will be unavailable or was that just a rumour when the factory closed

md99 wrote:

Why are these cars so cheap?

Several reasons. Firstly, Rover=Over - they went bankrupt. Rover does not exist any more

Secondly, the 400 / 45 series are based on very, very old technology. Same for the 200 /25 series. Do not even mention that sh!te the imported from India. The Rover 75 was designed by BMW - now there's an opportunity...

Another reason is that people fear that parts will no longer be available (not true - parts will be available for years to come)

And then there is a fatal flaw in the engine used in the latest generations of Rovers, the K-series engine. Basically it is prone to blow the head gasket after overheating because of coolant loss

I bought a Rover 75 recently and I got it for peanuts. Know what you're buying and you'll be getting yourself the bargain of the year

JHMEG

As a Rover = sh!te advocate, I would argue:

unkel wrote:

Secondly, the 400 / 45 series are based on very, very old technology. Same for the 200 /25 series.

The '88-'91 Honda Civic to be precise. Which, while old and dated is not necessarily a Bad Thing.

unkel wrote:

The Rover 75 was designed by BMW - now there's an opportunity...

The older 600 series was based on the Honda Accord which was probably a Better Thing. Although Rover proved they couldn't build 600's remotely as well as Honda could build Accords.

unkel wrote:

And then there is a fatal flaw in the engine used in the latest generations of Rovers, the K-series engine. Basically it is prone to blow the head gasket after overheating because of coolant loss

I bought a Rover 75 recently and I got it for peanuts. Know what you're buying and you'll be getting yourself the bargain of the year

So... being the smart arse that I am I must ask did the previous owner replace the head gasket?

ninty9er

JHMEG wrote:

Perfect car for you: Civic (96-01 shape) 1.5i LS. Good spec, electric everything including wing mirrors, windows and sunroof.
Cheap enough to insure and only costs 20 quid more to tax per annum than the vanilla (no features) 1.4.

Now the thing is, the sunroof is the problem with the current car as it scoops roofspace, also Honda Civic and 20 yr old makes Insurers eyes turn to € signs

ninty9er

Anybody have any experience of these

Escort
It's a bit bulky but meets most of the criteria and I could pocket money on the switch

306
And another
I don't know if I could cope with those seats, but seems a good car. My aunt has an older one that's reliable and I like the styling...

Fiesta (Ghia Only)
Okay so I'm a car snob, and I don't particularly like the Fiesta, but beggars can't be choosers

Cordoba
Don't have a clue what to think!!!

Polo Saloon
Can't be too bad if the mileage is genuine

JHMEG

ninty9er wrote:

Now the thing is, the sunroof is the problem with the current car as it scoops roofspace, also Honda Civic and 20 yr old makes Insurers eyes turn to € signs

The head space issue might not be an issue... have you tried? My father in law is 6'4" and it's leg space that got him in my old '97 Civic Coupe.

The insurance landscape has changed hugely in recent years, and Civic 1.5iLS + 20yr old may not be that big a deal any more.

unkel

JHMEG wrote:

So... being the smart arse that I am I must ask did the previous owner replace the head gasket?

Yep, the first owner did have it replaced after it blew

Fey!

JHMEG wrote:

The head space issue might not be an issue... have you tried? My father in law is 6'4" and it's leg space that got him in my old '97 Civic Coupe.

I'm 6'5", and I never had a problem in my '95 Civic Coupe. However, I do have difficulty in the saloons - different, smaller door makes it more difficult to get in.

WRT the Rover, wasn't the main issue that it had an aluminium head, and that they tended to blow because their owners neglected to keep an eye on the coolant levels?

unkel

Fey! wrote:

they tended to blow because their owners neglected to keep an eye on the coolant levels?

There's only a very small capacity for coolant in the engine. If there's a leak, you don't get much warning before there is serious damage done

ninty9er

Would travel for the right car but I'm generally unwilling to go north of Nenagh or east of it either.

Whats the headroom like in these...upholstery looks shabby but my dad used to be an upholsterer in the old days so:rolleyes: Polo Comfortline

FX Meister

Ray007 wrote:

Thinking of going to the UK to buy a 03' Freelander(around 40000 mls), or a 03' Passat(around 40 000mls) or a 01' 318(around 60000mls).

Land Rovers are very badly made cards. FACT. Steer clear.

bazz26

ninty9er wrote:

Would travel for the right car but I'm generally unwilling to go north of Nenagh or east of it either.

Whats the headroom like in these...upholstery looks shabby but my dad used to be an upholsterer in the old days so:rolleyes: Polo Comfortline

The headroom in the Polo will be no better than in the Corsa you already have. Also that interior is just terrible especially the blue. €5,500 for a 7 year old Polo is silly money.

Did you check out the Yaris? They are pretty tall and I know someone who is 6'1" and finds the Yaris fits the bill regarding head room and a comfortable driving position.

ninty9er

The Yaris is actually what I wanted in the first place but pricewise holds its value too well. I'm after looking closely at the finances and if I tax the Corsa(making it easier to shift I could probably get 4 to 4.5k for it losing only a grand, top up the loan and get a Yaris or Corolla, or a 206 which I'll have to drive again to see if I fit this time after the doc worked his magic

Edit: bad grammatical errors

ninty9er

I went to Tralee on Wednesday and drove a Yaris 1.3, which was very nippy, but a lot less refined than the Corsa, so I drove a 01 Corolla and have decided that a Corolla will be the next car, but cutbacks at work mean it'll be later in the year, October probably

Thanks for all the advice

JHMEG

Cool, well you can't really go wrong with a Corolla.

OT: I can't help but notice your sig, and that there are now cutbacks at your workplace (sorry to hear). Food for thought... afterall this is the govt that created the monster called benchmarking.

ninty9er

JHMEG wrote:

Cool, well you can't really go wrong with a Corolla.

OT: I can't help but notice your sig, and that there are now cutbacks at your workplace (sorry to hear). Food for thought... afterall this is the govt that created the monster called benchmarking.

Well my dad had one as his 2nd car in the 70s and thought it was a brilliant car if not a little lighter on the road than competition though. He had a 77 Escort as his first.

OT: I'm earning considerably well for a student and can look at the bigger picture (I don't mind losing a Saturday here and there because I'm earning enough on a Sunday to cover the loss and still more than if I was working Sat & Sunday on minimum wage) . Benchmarking needs looking at because the civil service isn't giving anyone value for money, the public service is at least trying....but I'll

colm_mcm

If you like the Corolla, check out the Mazda 323. Can be had for less money than Civics or Corollas, but are ultra reliable. 1.3 LX models are badly specced, but there are some models out there (GLX or Executive) that have high levels of standard kit.