Recommend me a car

Irishpimpdude

Hi guys i have about 8k in total to spend on a car im still on my provisonal and just turned 18 so insurance on most 1.6 is about 3200, so a nice car 1.0-1.6 ill have around 5k for the actual car... Any ideas?

ARGINITE

Polo, Fiesta, Micra.

Unless you have preference.

GERMAN ROCKS

peugeot 307
citroen xsara
opel astra
vw golf

Irishpimpdude

Already had a peugeot dont want another one.. i was looking at alfa 147's... golf and astra are possible, dont want a micra,fiesta or polo

GERMAN ROCKS

what sort of peug did you have. what problems did you have just out of curiosity

Nonoperational

147 is a nice car just bring someone with you that knows a bit about alfas. Some tell tale signs on ones to avoid!

Arion Online

Go for a reno, nice and affordable, safe and won't cost a fortune in insurance for you at the tender age of 18

Irishpimpdude

I had a peugeot 306 only problem i had with it was the fuel pump and fuel pump relay went in it other then that it was a nice car... just not interested in another peugeot want something different really want an alfa but worried about problems i may run into with them i can get a mechanic to check it out but dont think he would be an alfa specialist lol

unkel

I'd strongly recommend you learn how to drive first and get your license. After that get at least a years NCB on a basic low insurance car

It's such a waste to spend all that money on insurance. Save those thousands and spend it on a proper car in a year or two!

Irishpimpdude

unkel wrote: »

I'd strongly recommend you learn how to drive first and get your license. After that get at least a years NCB on a basic low insurance car

It's such a waste to spend all that money on insurance. Save those thousands and spend it on a proper car in a year or two!

i have my test on the 17th of september and still even if i have a full license with 1yr NCB its only like 300-400 cheaper

Junior #8

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

peugeot 307
citroen xsara
opel astra
vw golf

xsara-gearbox problems common
Astra before '01- cylinder head
Golf - Petrol 1.4 drink oil
307 best bet, 207 if you can bear to replace the front right bulb 148 times a year

unkel

Irishpimpdude wrote: »

i have my test on the 17th of september

Best of luck!

Irishpimpdude wrote: »

even if i have a full license with 1yr NCB its only like 300-400 cheaper

As a 18 year old without a full license you're quoted 3200 on a typical 1.6l. You're telling me you'd still be paying 2800-2900 as a 19 year old holding a full license for a full year and with a full years NCB in your own name? Sorry but that doesn't make sense. Any (on-line) quotes to suggest such a minimal discount?

Junior #8

I went from €3900 on Astra
to €1960 on tDI golf
with 1 year NCB and 1 year experience...
remember

Insurance companies dont care about you, they care about the damage you could do....thats why us young men are r**** with insurance quotes

ShadowHearth

unkel wrote: »

I'd strongly recommend you learn how to drive first and get your license. After that get at least a years NCB on a basic low insurance car

It's such a waste to spend all that money on insurance. Save those thousands and spend it on a proper car in a year or two!

what he says.

Get that full license, and 1 NCB and try a few insurances qoutes then. And get a car you WHANT, not the one you can insure!

Irishpimpdude

Im looking at an alfa 147 or 156... or maybe a ford puma Anyone recommend a good car that i will actually want, looking for a nice car from 1.0-1.6 with around 5/6k to spend, also i wont be getting my car till after i do my test

groupb

You would get a good focus for that money.It's going to be easily the best car to drive on your budget.

Irishpimpdude

Not really mad about the old focus...

Dave147

You could insure an audi a4 1.9TDi 90bhp for relatively cheap insurance. Forget about it being 1.9 because it's diesel, the 90bhp is just a little quicker than a 1.4 but with the turbo, still enjoyable. This imo would be a better option than an Alfa 156 and a 147 would be too expensive. You'd get a good one for 5k..

pyramuid man

hyundai coupe?
nice and fun to drive and cheap to run.

Irishpimpdude

pyramuid man wrote: »

hyundai coupe?
nice and fun to drive and cheap to run.

Yea was thinking about one alright...

kuro_man

Ford Puma 1.6 or 1.7 - Top Gear Car of the Year when released
fun to drive, quick (especially 1.7), reliable, alloys usually standard
you can also get the 1.4, but it's a bit slow and won't hold its value

loads on carzone for around 5k
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Ford/Puma/car/1177411/

2nd hand car market is soft as sh*te at the moment, so take 20% at least off the dealer's asking price.

kuro_man

Low mileage Honda Jazz 1.3, should get it for around 5k
Bomb proof reliability (top of Top Gear survery), will hold it's value, insurance company will like it, 5 doors, 5 seater (3 3-point seatbelts in back)
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Honda/Jazz/1.3-KILMAINHAMMOTORCOMPANY.COM/1012146/

Not very exciting but its not a Micra or a Corsa!

kuro_man

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Golf/1.4-VERY/1188449/

say no more!

Irishpimpdude

What do you guys think of a bmw 316i? Pre 00 with the 1.6l engine

biggus

Bmw good idea subject to insurance qoute .... but be prepared to look at loads befor you find the right one.

You might find a genuine one from an original first owner who's not too bothered about the price they receive for the car.... if you look hard enough... (country wide)

look for signs of wealth in the background of the advertised photos of the car and not a council estate/dealers yard background

Irishpimpdude

Yea the insurance on one is about 3k what i would really like if people would post up cars from carzone that i might be interested in Thanks in advance

kuro_man

It's more badge than car, relatively slow, small and heavy. It may prove expensive to keep on the road (parts, servicing etc.). When it comes to Beemers: 4 pots bad, 6+ pots good. It's also rear-wheel drive, so take it easy on the bends!

Personally, I'd wouldn't touch it. I'd prefer a small nippy thing starting out but if you insist on the beemer the key is mileage and service history, not year.

Have you consider a Civic vtec, heres a low mileage hatchback
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/1.5I-VTEC/1173867/

kuro_man

A-Class?
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/A-140/avantgard/1188975/

Irishpimpdude

Im not really interested in a 2dr civic and the A class no way lol it maybe a merc but im an 18 year old bloke, id never hear the end of it if i bought that lol

kuro_man

Irishpimpdude wrote: »

Im not really interested in a 2dr civic and the A class no way lol it maybe a merc but im an 18 year old bloke, id never hear the end of it if i bought that lol

Pity, A Class is an highly underrated car.
You'll probably get stick no matter what you buy - even the beemer, they'll slag you for trying too hard not to get slagged!
How about a Suzuki Cappucino (theres one for sale in adverts.ie) - tiny 2 seater roadster with 600cc turbo-charged engine, mad yoke, great fun to drive. It's a bit like a Honda Beat. You'll get LOADS of stick from your mates, but girls will like it and you'll smile from ear to ear on a every bend.

Gone Drinking

Get a 147, its about the coolest thing you'll be able to drive at 18 with a provo. Read up on what to look out for when shopping around.

Why you're spending so much on your first car, i dunno.. you'll probably run it into the ground getting used to driving and you'll want to be rid of it in a year.

Irishpimpdude

Gone Drinking wrote: »

Get a 147, its about the coolest thing you'll be able to drive at 18 with a provo. Read up on what to look out for when shopping around.

Why you're spending so much on your first car, i dunno.. you'll probably run it into the ground getting used to driving and you'll want to be rid of it in a year.

Its not my first car, its my second first one was stolen... but didnt claim the insurance... i can drive so i wont run the car into the ground thats why i want a decent car

fjon

147 is a lot of fun. I'm driving one for the last 2 years.
I think the insurance is rather high on it, and of course you have to be careful you don't get a dodgy one. If your budget stretches to it, go for a 2002 rather than 2001 as they seem to have relatively less problems.

master-d

Seat Leon, not as run of the mill as a golf but still a cool reliable car built to vw standards that is cheaper than a golf but has nearly the same build quality.

Go for the 1.6 or tdi (90bhp)if you can afford it, with quinn there the same price as a 1.4.

Irishpimpdude

Cant really find a good 147 with 5drs for under 6k... the 5dr model seems to be very scarce...

Eoin

master-d wrote: »

Seat Leon, not as run of the mill as a golf but still a cool reliable car built to vw standards that is cheaper than a golf but has nearly the same build quality.

If you're comparing it to the mark IV golf, that's not a very high target to aim for. It really isn't as bullet proof as VW would have you think.

OP - you'll get a 156 1.6 for that money, which will be a decent enough car. What's the difference between your insurance on a 1.0 and a 1.6?

Irishpimpdude

Insurance on a 01 Micra Gx 1.0 is €1,891.88...Insurance on a 01 alfa 147 1.6 is €3,188.99

Eoin

Irishpimpdude wrote: »

Insurance on a 01 Micra Gx 1.0 is €1,891.88...Insurance on a 01 alfa 147 1.6 is €3,188.99

In that case I think you're nuts to willingly add that sort of premium at your age.

Get a 1.0, get your test and a few years experience under your belt, and then look at a bigger car.

Irishpimpdude

Its 1300 extra i think it would be worth it for a better car...

kuro_man

The trick here is to get a car that you like, without paying the €1300 extra. In order words, a cool car, fun to drive with <1.4L (assuming the lower insurance is good up to a 1.4).

You also have to balance it with the fact that you are far more likely to damage your car in the first few years of driving. It doesn't have to be a massive crash to write off a car - an injury-free impact at 30-40mph is sometimes enough. Statistics back this up, so it's best to drive a cheaper, older car for a couple of years.

Luck is on your side: used cars are dirt cheap and there are loads of small cars that are fun to drive. Top of the list, most drivers will agree, is the ford fiesta (or Ka, same car more-or-less), which is why they are raced in single-class events. Get the 1.25 16v zetec (avoid the 1.3 pushrod rubbish), nearly all have alloys, GHIA models have air-con as standard.

They hug corners, rev hard, take abuse, easy to drive, easy on fuel. In the wet, you'd be faster than the 318i on a windy road. Modern Fords (with the Yamaha-sourced Zetec engines) are very reliable and your insurance company will like it.
http://www.topgear.com/drives/B4/A0/roadtests/02/01.html

Ignore the slagging, take the €1300, and buy a plasma TV and a PS3 for your bedroom, you'll have the last laugh.

(I'll get off the soapbox now!)

Irishpimpdude

Its also personal preference also im not really intrested in a fiesta or ka... was thinking of maybe a 99 golf insurance is 2300 on a 1.4

celticcutie

Whatever you decide to buy you may want to check out this company for assessing the car before you actually buy it. I've used them and at least then you'll know if there's a major fault with the car you're thinking of buying!

http://www.carcheckireland.com/about.php

Irishpimpdude

celticcutie wrote: »

Whatever you decide to buy you may want to check out this company for assessing the car before you actually buy it. I've used them and at least then you'll know if there's a major fault with the car you're thinking of buying!

http://www.carcheckireland.com/about.php

How much do they charge?

celticcutie

Irishpimpdude wrote: »

How much do they charge?

150 yoyos. You get a detailed summary and the guy I dealt with was really professional. I had the report within 24 hours. I think it's worth it as you may be handing out a few grand otherwise on a heap of c*ap

Irishpimpdude

celticcutie wrote: »

150 yoyos. You get a detailed summary and the guy I dealt with was really professional. I had the report within 24 hours. I think it's worth it as you may be handing out a few grand otherwise on a heap of c*ap

Hmm ill have to see 150 euro just to inspect a car? i could get a mechanic to do it for 50... ok maybe not be as through as that check but still reliable

celticcutie

Irishpimpdude wrote: »

Hmm ill have to see 150 euro just to inspect a car? i could get a mechanic to do it for 50... ok maybe not be as through as that check but still reliable

Yeah I thought the same thing myself initially but I don't know any decent mechanics who'd travel to check out a car for me! So if you do I suppose that's a different story. They do a finance check on the car too though so that's handy.

I also know of someone who used this company after buying a bad car. The company went to court on their behalf discussing the major fault with the car and they ended up getting their money back.

(CH3)2CHOH

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Fiat/Stilo/16V-Avtive/1014530/

Very underated, just had full service(timing belt), cheap to insure, 6speed gear box makes it very nippy in town, Good handling.

You could probably knock another 500euro off the price.

kuro_man

Stilo won't be as good a buy as a Golf, especially when you come to sell it, unless you buy it really cheap and expect to drive it for 3 -4 years at least.

Here is one you might not have thought of
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mitsubishi/Colt/cheap-car/1106122/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mitsubishi/Colt/GLX-Limited/869284/

(CH3)2CHOH

kuro_man wrote: »

Stilo won't be as good a buy as a Golf, especially when you come to sell it, unless you buy it really cheap and expect to drive it for 3 -4 years at least.

Here is one you might not have thought of
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mitsubishi/Colt/cheap-car/1106122/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mitsubishi/Colt/GLX-Limited/869284/

Thats the idea with the 03 Stilo, 3500euro, fully serviced and 47,000 miles and from a dealer(warranty)

You'd pay at least twice that for Golf and in 3 years I'm sure you'd loose more on the Golf.

kuro_man

Assuming that the Fiat won't give trouble then I agree, its not a terrible buy. However, the OP wants a car with street-cred (no fiesta, ka, polo, micra, jazz, a-class) so I'm afraid that a Stilo just won't cut it.
A 1999-2002 Fiat Bravo 1.2 16v (3 door) with alloys might make it - its better looking.
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Fiat/Bravo/Bravo-limted/971375/

unkel

I'm with (CH3)2CHOH on this one. Even if you get nothing back after 3 years, the depreciation is still less than on a Golf. And the Stilo is a much better and imo nicer looking car too

But if I were the OP, I'd buy a cheap supermini and build up a bit of NCB. With all the money saved, he could get a nice car in a year or two and get a very reasonable insurance quote as well