'Small' car advice

delly

Just thought I'd through this out to the masses to see if i've missed anything. Mrs. Delly is looking to get herself a car, and because she'll probably throw up less than a 1,000 km's a year, doesn't want to spend too much, but still wants to get something that will be worry free in terms of reliability.

Budget isn't that much, probably no more than 3k, but it has to be relatively small with 5 doors. So far I have rounded up the following to think over:

Toyota Yaris. Great rep and reliable, but this is affecting the price with '00/'01 ones being the only ones in the budget.

Citroen C3. A few people say that Citroens aren't the best on reliability, but I had a Xsara before which I had no problems with. Budget would allow maybe '02/'03 with maybe low miles if I find the right seller.

Peugeot 206. Plenty of them about with varying prices, 2001 give or take would be the target I reckon.

Mazda 2. This would be in budget possibly as I know someone who works in the trade and may be able to get a 2004 model at trade price. There is not many of them around, but if I could get an '04 Mazda for the money, I think it might be the best option. This depends however on one popping up in the short term.

Anyhow, just thought i'd ask to see if there is anything i'm missing.

Greenmachine

1km per annum? is she learning to drive or something? With mileage as low as that and normal servicing tax insurance etc if she isn't learning to drive maybe she would be better call cabs.

Tefral

what about an aygo or a c1? tiny cars, suit her to the ground and they have 4 doors. The fuel they use is also next to nothing!!

Stevie Dakota

Why get a car if doing less than 1000 km a year? €3000 to buy, tax and insure, maintenance on an old car, depreciation? She could get taxis for the year and it would cost a lot less!

Cionád

Panda?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200928194528763

2006 for a little more...
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200911192125228

delly

Greenmachine wrote: »

1km per annum? is she learning to drive or something? With mileage as low as that and normal servicing tax insurance etc if she isn't learning to drive maybe she would be better call cabs.

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Why get a car if doing less than 1000 km a year? €3000 to buy, tax and insure, maintenance on an old car, depreciation? She could get taxis for the year and it would cost a lot less!

She's at home with Delly jr., so althugh its small mileage, she can't really pop down to the local playground or beach in a taxi and load up buggy's, car seat etc., then hang around for a taxi back.

cronin_j wrote: »

what about an aygo or a c1? tiny cars, suit her to the ground and they have 4 doors. The fuel they use is also next to nothing!!

Yeah, i've looked at both, but even the oldest of which would be outside the budget.

delly

Cionád wrote: »

Panda?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200928194528763

2006 for a little more...
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200911192125228

Excellent, a car I hadn't even thought of, but seems cheap for the year/mileage.

Stevie Dakota

I like those Pandas, but do they not share the same troublesome engines with the Punto?

voxpop

ford fiesta - should be cheap and reliable

RentDayBlues

You could get a Peugeot 206 for under €3K and definitely not as old as 2001. Some 2003 models are selling for circa €2700

delly

Just thought i'd do a quick update to let you know I how I got on. The poster that mentioned the Panda got me thinking about the Fiat brand, and I decided to go with a Punto.

I did a bit of research and went looking for a specific model which was the 1.2 16v HLX version, which has A/C, an electric sunroof and a few other extras. More importantly however the 16v engine doesn't suffer from the head gasket issues which are prevalent in the 8v version.

I got the the below car from a very reputable main dealer with a 1 month warranty on everything and 3 months on the engine and gearbox. Its got its timing belt replaced and A/C regased just before I picked it up. Its an '02 with 60k miles on the clock and I got it for €2,200. NCT is up next year, but a plus is that the tax has 8 months on it which is nice. I'm happy, but more importantly Mrs. Delly is happy which any good husband knows is whats more important .

GTE

I dont suppose an old diesel Yaris would do?(by old I mean the first generation of Yaris)

People say that if you dont do a certain mileage then there isnt any point having a diesel but I dont know much about that.

getz

i have had small cars most of my 40years driving , i now have a 07 hyundia getz,its the second one i have had.brilliant little car with all the mod-cons cl,ew,ac,5 door [have a large bully to take out] and its very cheap to buy.

waraf

in the sort of price bracket and age you're talking about OP, I think you should stay away from the French stuff. Many of them have electrical issues after a few years and intermittent electrical faults are a nightmare.

Go for a model that's been around for ages because all the faults have been ironed out of them over the years. Something like a Fiesta would be ideal or you'll probably get a 02 or 03 Focus either for that sort of cash.

delly

Eh, just to reiterate, I am the OP. Job's done if you read my last. Thanks anyway .