Buying first car..

Jules

and i need a little advice. Now im not a novice driver have been driving since i was 16 but always parents cars or brothers and sisters etc. And wanting to buy my own now.

I'm not wanting a new one, there is no point tbh, but want something of a decient size and look, but i have a budget of about 6000 - 8000.... have to consult my bank manager first. The OH wants a skyline/180/subaru something like that, but i don't need a 2 litre car.

So what should i stay away from or if you can reccomend any. I have looked at cgb and carzone and autotrader. But still unsure.

Thanks in advance!

dr.bollocko

I would say, and im bound to be contradicted immediately, but I would say that if you buy private and get the car checked by a mechanic you could save a fair bit in what is a buyer's market right now.
As to type of car, how about a hot hatch, an astra maybe? Or an Audi. I always loved Audis. I mean to be honest, you can get anything from an ancient merc to a fairly new Kia for that kind of scrilla, so you really need to narrow it down based on whether you want a newer car, a smaller engine, a hatch or saloon or 4x4, something that looks absolutely cool, or functional, reliability or driveability.
Personally, if I had 6 to 8 grand for a car, I would be looking at a toyota Levin or an older a4, maybe even an Alfa. But whatever you do, dont buy an alfa. Even though I would in a second. I like to spend some time waiting by the side of the road with steam coming from the engine. It soothes me.

Jules

thanks doc, i do want something a bit bigger like a the size of a skyline or a megane. maybe a 1.4 / 1.6 engine!

Chat Mauvais

Jules wrote: »

I'm not wanting a new one,i have a budget of about 6000 - 8000.... have to consult my bank manager first.

See thats what ya want in a woman... modesty!..;)

Esel

Jules wrote: »

The OH wants a skyline/180/subaru something like that, but i don't need a 2 litre car.

Just be sure to get a car you like, rather than one the OH likes but you don't!

Jules

Found this one... i like the look of it but dont know any advice on civics?>

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=945003

dr.bollocko

Oh thats a sweet ride that Civic. I was thinking initially it was a little overpriced though.

Jules

Do like the look of it, but what kind of questions should i ask?

dr.bollocko

If I were you I would defer to one of the motors mods or other motoring geniuses. I'd say once business in here picks up tomorrow, you will have plenty of useful answers to make you even more confused about which model to buy. Its not really my area of expertise but I have definitely gotten help off of other posters who know their crackers from lemons!
And I guess its not really about asking questions until you drive the thing. Unless the question is, "could you knock a grand off there bud?"

quarryman

Jules wrote: »

Found this one... i like the look of it but dont know any advice on civics?>

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=945003

that looks like a Jap import. The mileage looks supiciously low. A LOT of Japansese imports are clocked on the ferry over so BEWARE.

colm_mcm

Also that particular dealer has been mentioned a few times here....

Jules

So lads what should i be looking for or asking?

Seth Brundle

colm_mcm wrote: »

Also that particular dealer has been mentioned a few times here....

They have?

Jules

Can i get opinions on this car?

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=828114

Zonda999

Jules wrote: »

Can i get opinions on this car?

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=828114

It may say "sport" but that car is anything but.That engine i know is far from a sporty engine.The electrics in renaults are notoriously bad also so you may need to look out for that.I generallu just could'nt reccomend a megane and that one is overpriced IMO.If you want a sporty car in that class get a 3dr golf or focus(many ppl think that golfs are very boring but with a nice set of alloys there great to look at).Anyway any1 who aspires to drive a skyline would never drive a renault(except for a the odd hot clio)

Cionád

Jules wrote: »

Can i get opinions on this car?

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=828114

No NCT?

How about an Alfa?, you know you want to....
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=927220

pontovic

Seat Leon Tdi ?

bazz26

Jules wrote: »

Can i get opinions on this car?

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=828114

Asking €6k for a 2000 reg Megane is hilarious. It's also a trade sale according to the ad which usually means no warranty afaik. Why buy from a dealer if there is no warranty?

Biro

A skyline is a masculine car too. And the 2 litre is a waste of time.

Oilrig

What are you going to do with your new car?

Do you commute? if so what distance? ie whats best, petrol or diesel?

Your OH can buy his own car, ignore his input if he's talking Skyline, Scuby (soft btw) etc. He'll grow out of it...

You'll get a nice car for your budget.

ZiabR

colm_mcm wrote: »

Also that particular dealer has been mentioned a few times here....

Most Jap cars have lower mileage than their European cousins. I would be suspisious of cars that are nearly 10 years old and still only 40k miles on the clock, but in saying that, 95% of jap cars that come in will have lower mileage and sometimes seriously low mileage than what you would expect.

Not just South Side Automotive, or North side Automotive. I am talking about nearly all dealers.

For example, check out www.tradecarview.com. Thats a website that specialises in imports and you will also see that most of the cars have low mileage still sitting in Japan.

I personally LOVE Jap cars, and have bought quite a few.

Also, i brought my Integra Type R in from this site. 04 with 26k miles/43k Kilo.

I personally only do about 6k miles a year. And in many cases the Jap's only use their performance cars for normal small drives (not al of course). In my case, they had the car for 3 years before i bought it, 3 / 43000 kilo = 14300 kilo per year which is about right if you go by the kilo japs do in the first place.

I would recommend Jap cars all the time, love the Japs . Just have a GOOD look at the car and take someone who knows Jap imports with you.

After going Jap a few years ago, i would never go back

colm_mcm

I'd recommend an FTO of some sort, even a 1.8 model