Reliable Car, €4500 to spend

joey54

Unfortunately my car is knackered! Repair bill is higher than car is worth so it's time to change. Had Hoped to get another year out of it but thats not going to happen now.

I have €4500 to spend and really need this car to last at least 3 years!

It needs to be:

Minimum 1.2, Max 1.6
Petrol
Manual
Preferably a hatchback
Electric windows and alloys a plus but not essential!
And Above all reliable!

I do like the VW Golf and I saw a few nice ones from dealers. Thing is they're advertised at the €6000 mark at least.

Would I stand any chance of getting one for €4500? Is the Golf even reliable?

Thanks for your time.

unkel

If reliable really is the main priority for you, buy a Honda Civic 1.4. They are overpriced as is the Golf, but it is a lot more reliable than the latter

For the same money as those two you could get a newer / lower mileage car that would be nearly as reliable as the Honda but a much better drivers car. A Focus is the first that would be on my short list in that case

Berty

I would say if you have cash ready head to the car auctions. You will pick up a gem at knock down prices.

A lot dealers are trying to off load stock this way because the avenues of selling within the trade are gone out the window in most cases.

You will not get a warranty but you will save a packet and get a better car for your trouble.

colm_mcm

I've always liked the Mazda 323f,
I'd go for something like this one if I were you. they're unbelievably well built, look great and are nice to drive.





This one has 70k on the clock and has some nice extras like a 10 disc CD and has NCT and tax. It should come in well under budget too once you negotiate the price down a little.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/323/COUPE/200848191050867/advert


Golfs aren't that reliable and in my opinion are hugely overrated.

kerryman87

I'm selling a civic at the moment (1999 Saloon). Its on adverts.ie here (http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=80076). Just thought it might fit your requirements and its well under your budget.



Very reliable car and well looked after. If you're interested leave me a comment. I had to readvertise recently due to a timewaster who dragged out a deal for almost a month and then let me know he didnt have any money :rolleyes:

Anyway, have a look and get back to me if your interested. If not, good luck with the search. Theres plenty good deals on the market at the moment anyway so I'm sure you'll get something decent.

joey54

colm_mcm wrote: »

I've always liked the Mazda 323f,
I'd go for something like this one if I were you. they're unbelievably well built, look great and are nice to drive.

This one has 70k on the clock and has some nice extras like a 10 disc CD and has NCT and tax. It should come in well under budget too once you negotiate the price down a little.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/323/COUPE/200848191050867/advert


Golfs aren't that reliable and in my opinion are hugely overrated.

Been hearing a lot about the unreliability of the golfs now, really like the look of them but I'm probably best to avoid them.

Like the look of that Mazda only thing I would worry about is I'm a young driver and what my insurance would be. Have full license for over a year and two year full NCB. Would the coupe element mean a higher premium?

kerryman87 wrote: »

I'm selling a civic at the moment (1999 Saloon). Its on adverts.ie here (http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=80076). Just thought it might fit your requirements and its well under your budget.



Very reliable car and well looked after. If you're interested leave me a comment. I had to readvertise recently due to a timewaster who dragged out a deal for almost a month and then let me know he didnt have any money :rolleyes:

Anyway, have a look and get back to me if your interested. If not, good luck with the search. Theres plenty good deals on the market at the moment anyway so I'm sure you'll get something decent.

It is a lovely car you got there but I live in Dublin and think it would be a bit of a target for young ones! Good luck with selling though!


With regards to the Focus suggestion I'm going to look into it. Might be just a little bit big though.

Don't think I'd have the guts to get a car through the auctions either for fear of getting a dodgy motor!

biggus

Just use the auctions to educate yourself on prices !

bazz26

That Mazda 323f is very nice and they probably don't get any more reliable but that price is comical for what is now an almost 11 year old car. I would not pay more than €2,700 for it.

Re: insurance the 323f isn't really classed as a coupe in the same sense as say a Celica. Also I would say they would be no more expensive to insure than a Civic which insurance companies load due to their popularity with the modifier crew.

GERMAN ROCKS

something like this maybe

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/307/1.4-16V-/200841190390279/advert

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/307/200846190877890/advert

crocro

Honda Jazz 2001-2002. Ugly anonymous car but supposed to be mega reliable.

from honest john website:

honestjohn wrote:

100% breakdown free in 2003 Which survey. Exemplary fewest breakdowns, problems and faults making it a 'Best Buy' in 2003 Which survey. Top individual model in 2004 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. 99% of Jazz up to 2 years old breakdown free over previous 12 months in 2004 Which? survey. Which? Best Buy 2004. Which? used best buy £5,000 - £10,000 2004. Came top in 2005 JD Power/What Car Survey of 23,000 cars reg Sep 2002 to Aug 2003 with satisfaction score of 88.1%.

Euro NCAP 4* Occupant safety, 3* Pedestrian safety, 4* Child safety.

3rd in 2007 UK J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey with 86.4% score.

BMW's go forever, well in my experience anyway. You can pick up a 316 hatchback under budget, this is just one example, there's plenty more out there....

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/1.6-COMP/200848191048287/advert

or a volvo

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S40/1.6/200840190264257/advert

RICARDO1982

I Would recommend Toyota corolla or avensis. I have driven over the years, Seat , Vw , Fiat(piece of s**t),
I am driving a toyota at the moment and could not recommend a better car. They are a tad boring but you know it is going to start and go hail rain or shine....

Tony Broke

Why just petrol?

Golf petrols are suppose to very average.

Reliability/comfort wise you couldnt beat this for the price.

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=79853&cat=all

A 1.5 Alemera sounds perfect for you though.Good, reliable, kinda stylish.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1258978

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1209806

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1253694

Likin that mitsubishi alot, that's a great price

Berty

Crashed possibly. There is no Nissan badge on the bonnett.

colm_mcm

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

something like this maybe

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/307/1.4-16V-/200841190390279/advert

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/307/200846190877890/advert

You are having a laugh aren't you? The 307 is one of the last cars you'd suggest to someone looking for a reliable car.

Also, the old 75bhp 8 valve petrol engine carried over from the 306 is woeful, the 16 valve engine was only introduced in 2005.

joey54

Thanks for all the responses.

Hadn't realised there would be so many that fit the bill! I think my next step will be to take a few for test drives and see what drive I actually like best.

At the moment my favourite is the Focus but I haven't driven one yet so that might change.

With regards to the Volvo don't think that would be quite my style yet!

L1011

quirke_folder wrote: »

Crashed possibly. There is no Nissan badge on the bonnett.

May just have been debadged for 'aesthetic reasons', but why you'd do that to a family Nissan I dunno!

niceirishfella

colm_mcm wrote: »

I've always liked the Mazda 323f,
I'd go for something like this one if I were you. they're unbelievably well built, look great and are nice to drive.





This one has 70k on the clock and has some nice extras like a 10 disc CD and has NCT and tax. It should come in well under budget too once you negotiate the price down a little.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/323/COUPE/200848191050867/advert


Golfs aren't that reliable and in my opinion are hugely overrated.

+1 - this is exactly what I'd be zoning in on for your budget..........Japaneese, reliable, 4 doors and a wee bit sporty too with some kit;)

kluivert

I was in the same boat as you a couple of years back.

My budget was 10k so I went for an 5 dr 1.4 1999 Opel Astra in July 2004.

I got it for 6900e, it had 54k miles on the clock, it had alloys and CD changer spoiler and was in silver, everything I wanted.

I still have it four and half years later and it now has 127k miles and I still love it. Its a bit slower now than when I got it but loan is repaid, insurance is 450e a year easy car to service 50e full self service and is easy on the petrol. Highly recommend. Timing belt to be changed every 40k miles though.