Need your help choosing car!!

35notout

Guys,

I desperately need a new car before my Megane sits down and refuses to go any further.

I only have abou 2k to spend - possibly 2.5k but havent a clue what's a good deal or not out there

I don't want a small car, as I drive about 500 miles a week.

Diesel would be lovely but I dont know whats good or bad car wise.

I need something reliable and cheap to fix when things go wrong....

Any help would be greatly appreciated - I know nothing about cars other than to stay away from Fiat!!!

I'd love something "sexy" but doubt budget will allow....

My head is hurting from looking at car sites without a clue of what I'm looking for!

So, over to the experts.......

NismoK11

a decent toyota celica can be had for good money these days, lovely cars with the toyota reliabilty, and i think they are "sexy".

35notout

Cheers - I agree, they are sexy - I can get a 96ish Celica for that money - would that not be too old and ending its life? Or are Toyota really that good?

Gurgle

Decent sized bulletproof Diesels:
Mondeo
A4
Passat
Avensis

You should be able to pick up a 98-00 with an NCT for €2.5k. Get someone to check it over.

-edit- reliable, cheap and sexy are pretty much mutually exclusive. If you get two of the three requirements you'll be doing well.

35notout

Cheers Gurgle- guess I'll have to decide if I want reliability or sexy - I think for my money, I'd be better with reliable

eljono

Hi OP, I did a quick search on Carzone and I think if I was in your situation I would take a look at these or similar.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Citroen/Xsara/5dr-2.0-/200929194642149/advert?channel=CARS
02 Xsara 2.0 HDi with low miles and one owner. Comfy car with a good engine and very easy to get parts for.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/406/2.0-HDi-/200925194342532/advert?channel=CARS
00 Mondeo 1.8TD. Nice car, engine feels like an older design to the Citroen/Peudeot HDi though. This particular one looks nearly too clean though, wonder was it resprayed?

I would be looking for something clean, low mileage and easy/cheap to repair if (and when) anything goes wrong. They are out there, it's just a matter of looking. Since you do 500 miles a week, I think I'd go for something with a proven diesel engine instead of petrol. Hope this helps

35notout

Cheers Eljono - they all look good - what are Citroen like though? I might like a change from French cars.....

35notout

I spotted this - good?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/1.9-TDI-/200925194377318/advert?channel=CARS

Ferris

35notout wrote: »

I spotted this - good?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/1.9-TDI-/200925194377318/advert?channel=CARS

There wasn't a 130 diesel passat in 1998.

See here.

35notout

I'm female though - my head says sensible diesel, heart says sexy!!!