Advice please. Car on it's last legs needs replacing.

pug_

I took my car in for service today (97 opel astra), only to find out a few hours later that the head gasket is cracked and needs replacing. There were a few other bits and bobs wrong with it too and all told they were telling me that I probably wouldn't get much change out of €3000 if I were to go ahead and get the work done.

Considering that it's probably more than the car is actually worth it doesn't really seem worthwhile getting done. I hadn't planned on getting a car any time soon meaning I haven't any money put aside, so realistically I don't want to spend more than about €5000 but I could probably stretch to a bit more if it were really worth it.

This is a second car for us, so it doesn't have to be anything fancy, I really don't care what it looks like I'm not a car person and care little for them other than as modes of transport. Ideally I just need something reliable, cheap to run, and with a reasonable amount of space to hold a buggy and some groceries. Ideally it should also have minimum 4 doors as we've two small kids and lifting the 8 month old into the back seat of a 3 door is not something I'd like to tackle every day

Engine size I wouldn't need anything more than a 1.4 - 1.6 Litre, but I don't think I'd really consider anything smaller because there are times it'll be going down the country so I'd prefer to get something that will get to the top of a hill without crawling to a near stop under the strain.

Any help or advice really, really appreciated here. I'm kind of stuck with only one car and cars are not something I've a great deal of knowledge on so I'm struggling to figure out what's a good deal and what should be avoided.

ji

Go for a jap car with your budget you wont go wrong..

kravmaga

pug_ wrote: »

I took my car in for service today (97 opel astra), only to find out a few hours later that the head gasket is cracked and needs replacing. There were a few other bits and bobs wrong with it too and all told they were telling me that I probably wouldn't get much change out of €3000 if I were to go ahead and get the work done.

Considering that it's probably more than the car is actually worth it doesn't really seem worthwhile getting done. I hadn't planned on getting a car any time soon meaning I haven't any money put aside, so realistically I don't want to spend more than about €5000 but I could probably stretch to a bit more if it were really worth it.

This is a second car for us, so it doesn't have to be anything fancy, I really don't care what it looks like I'm not a car person and care little for them other than as modes of transport. Ideally I just need something reliable, cheap to run, and with a reasonable amount of space to hold a buggy and some groceries. Ideally it should also have minimum 4 doors as we've two small kids and lifting the 8 month old into the back seat of a 3 door is not something I'd like to tackle every day

Engine size I wouldn't need anything more than a 1.4 - 1.6 Litre, but I don't think I'd really consider anything smaller because there are times it'll be going down the country so I'd prefer to get something that will get to the top of a hill without crawling to a near stop under the strain.

Any help or advice really, really appreciated here. I'm kind of stuck with only one car and cars are not something I've a great deal of knowledge on so I'm struggling to figure out what's a good deal and what should be avoided.

You should pick up a nice 2004/ 2005 Nissan Almera 1.5 SVE Saloon for around €6,000.

Check out www.carzone.ie

colm_mcm

Try and get something with side airbags and ABS, regardless of whether you're into cars or not.

bazz26

My first choice would be the Ford Focus, a 1.6 litre though, the 1.4 litre is underpowered:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1397639

Other alternatives:-

Mazda 3:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1400927

pug_

Thanks for the advice. Have to say that focus looks tempting for the price. I work not too far away so may call in tomorrow to have a little look.

pug_

OK I've had a look in a few places local this morning (based in Newbridge), and there were only two cars that looked like they fitted my requirements really.

First was a 1.6 Litre 04 Citroen Picasso with 48,000 miles on it I think with my own they were asking for €6000 (down from €7000). It's for my wife more than me so it seems like a pretty good car for her, load of space, and lots of female friendly accessories.

Second was a 1.4 Litre 04 Renault Meganne with 25,000 miles on it, again with my own they were asking €5,750 (down from €7,000 again). The low millage is what makes me interested in this one.

Both come with a full one year warranty.

Like I said I really know very little about cars so I don't know if these are reliable or should be avoided like the plague, so any advice appreciated

EPM

For that money, you could do a lot better.

The Megane is not very well regarded. I would avoid like the plague

They are cheap for a reason. Look for a Focus C-Max if you want a people carrier

pug_

Thanks, what about the Citroen? The only thing I know about French cars is that the electronics are supposed to give problems and this doesn't even have a mechanical dash it's all electronics. Should I be worried?

I'm not looking for a people carrier in particular, just something that's suitable to carry two kids and the associated paraphernalia. All the fords focus's I've seen so far are way out of my price range, and dealers weren't willing to negotiate down by enough.

Reckon I'll start looking in Dublin asap to see if I can get a better deal.

pug_

Dear God. My head is starting to melt

I've been to a load of garages around the place, and a couple of cars stand out for me. The first one that's really tempting me is
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Primera/(NCT-03-/200920192786270/advert?channel=CARS
They reckoned with my own they'd sell it for €5500 and for the specs it sounds to me like a very good deal.

I've also seen two 1.5 Litre Almeras a 03 and a 04 both for just under €5000

A 02 1.8 Litre Ford Mondeo for pretty much exactly €5000 and a 03 1.4 Litre Ford focus for €5,500 including my own.

Damn I hate car buying, It's bloody hard to know if you're getting a bargain or if you're just being taken for a ride.

GERMAN ROCKS

that citroen is actually a brilliant car. those hdi engines are bullet proof. also there one of the most comfortable cars around.

Kartale

Its hard to argue with the price of that Primera Thou, it looks like good value with nice spec too. good luck in your choice

bazz26

Kartale wrote: »

Its hard to argue with the price of that Primera Thou, it looks like good value with nice spec too. good luck in your choice

Not really here is a 05 for slightly more money:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1285291

OP if your going the small MPV route like the Picasso then here is a nice tidy looking Focus C-Maxx within budget:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1402544

colm_mcm

pug_ wrote: »

This is a second car for us, so it doesn't have to be anything fancy, Ideally I just need something reliable, cheap to run,

Please stop looking at French cars if you're after reliability.

bushy...

colm_mcm wrote: »

Please stop looking at French cars if you're after reliability.

Yíp, hard to argue with this :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyAwFw0eXwE