advice on car purchase

grace1

Hi,

I am looking to buy an affordable reliable car with good protection in the event of a crash etc.. and also one economical to use... I'm not asking for much!! Style or looks of a car don't bother me

Possibly a mid to medium sized car, perhaps year 2005, 2006, 2007

I was thinking of ford focus, toyota corolla, nissan, skoda etc

but I have absolutely no clue which would be the best to suit my needs.

I am a sole female driver...

I would be really grateful for any opinions/suggestions on the above..

thanking you

dr.bollocko

Budget?
You seem to be barking up the right tree with your own suggestions.

bazz26

The best thing to do is test drive all of them and see which one you like the most.

Mick K

Im gonna have to swing corrolla on this one

colm_mcm

I'd be thinking Avensis, as it adds 5 star safety and air conditioning to what the Corolla offers.

would also suggest Mazda3, although it just fell short of the 5 star NCAP rating, they're good value second hand and well nailed together.

listermint

Focus Yay !!! that is all.

colm_mcm

actually, what bazz26 said.

grace1

Hi,

Thanks for all the helpful replies. Just wondering about a nissan primera... would anyone know if they are good on petrol etc..

thanks

RobAMerc

Firstly can I ask why as a sole occupant car you feel you need something so large as a Primera ? Even the others are small family cars - would you not consider something a bit more stylish and fun ?

How bout a Megane CC or 307 CC or even an MX5 ?

There is little point in luggin around a family car body for one person - it is a waste ( and believe me I am no environmentalist )

mickdw

How about an opel astra coupe, they are pretty sleek.

superjosh9

grace1 wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for all the helpful replies. Just wondering about a nissan primera... would anyone know if they are good on petrol etc..

thanks

hmm - interested to hear what others say - but I know a taxi and garage man both cursing the primera. Apparently it inherited the same electronic faults that seem to plague other renaults. A bigger shame, as they point out, because the old one was just so good. You may need to rule it out...

Honey-ec

RobAMerc wrote: »

Firstly can I ask why as a sole occupant car you feel you need something so large as a Primera ? Even the others are small family cars - would you not consider something a bit more stylish and fun ?

How bout a Megane CC or 307 CC or even an MX5 ?

There is little point in luggin around a family car body for one person - it is a waste ( and believe me I am no environmentalist )

+1 Size doesn't necessarily equal safety. E.g. Both the Renault Clio and Megane have a 5 star Euro NCAP and both would make more sense for a solo driver.

askU

how much milage aprox do you do?

Honey-ec

superjosh9 wrote: »

I know a taxi and garage man both cursing the primera. Apparently it inherited the same electronic faults that seem to plague other renaults.

The Primera is a Nissan, not a Renault.

dr.bollocko

Honey-ec wrote: »

The Primera is a Nissan, not a Renault.

ouch.:pac::D

bazz26

Honey-ec wrote: »

The Primera is a Nissan, not a Renault.

Renault have a major share in Nissan these days, both companies share various components among their models.

dr.bollocko

jesus.
I am beginning to get scared of all this in-knowledge. I really have to do some more research on cars and manufacturers.
/toddles off.
good luck with the purchase OP

Honey-ec

bazz26 wrote: »

Renault have a major share in Nissan these days, both companies share various components among their models.

As do a lot of the big marques, but it's still incorrect to say a Primera is a Renault!

It's like calling an Ibiza a Volkswagen because they have the same engine components.

bazz26

Honey-ec wrote: »

As do a lot of the big marques, but it's still incorrect to say a Primera is a Renault!

It's like calling an Ibiza a Volkswagen because they have the same engine components.

Agreed, Seats and VWs however would have more in common with each other than a Nissan would have with Renault at the moment. It still would not equate to a Nissan having issues = Renault influence though.

Mr.David

I reckon a diesel Skoda Octavia. Economical to run, comfortable and more reliable than practically anything else on the road. Better value too!

johndaman66

Honey-ec wrote: »

The Primera is a Nissan, not a Renault.

I do believe that the 2002 model primera onwards uses a lot of if not all Renault running gear and as such I would well advise to steer well clear. Talking to a few garage men these are right and troublesome compared to the previous model primera apparently. My first car was a Renault Megavan and nothing but trouble and heartache with it. The frenchies should stick to making wine if you ask me. Mind you seemingly there not very good at doing that these days either as it is moreless all "New-world" wine thats selling nowdays I have being told.

S.I.R

imho, go for a corrolla, though living off a reputation, quite a bit of poke thanks to vvti, quite reliable, easy re-sale, all the more reason to buy one... they dont look half bad either ( the hatch's ofcourse, though the saloon.... not a lookers car... )