€5K - €6K to spend

20goto10

Need some advice on cars in this range. Preferences are:

04/05 (just a preference, will consider older)
Low running costs
Low tax (i.e 1.4 but will consider 1.6 for the right car)
Low maintenance
comfortable cabin

This will be a 2nd car for mostly getting to and from work (45km round trip) but need the option of occasionally putting car seat in the back. Already have a Ford Focus as the main family car so I'd rather not go with another Ford (not that I don't like it, just don't want 2 of them)

So far I'm not seeing much out there. Seat Ibiza, Suzuki swift, a couple of corolla's. If I go older I might get a civic but a lot of them look boy racer-ish. Suzuki Swift is possible too much of a tight squeeze with kid in the back and bugy etc in the boot.

Any advice?

smash

How about:

Astra http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/1.7-CDTI/200924193058971/advert?channel=CARS

stilo http://www.carzone.ie/search/Fiat/Stilo/1.4/200931194786466/advert?channel=CARS

focus http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.4-LX/200840190289095/advert?channel=CARS

MG ZR http://www.carzone.ie/search/MG/ZR/+-105/200840190269166/advert?channel=CARS

hundreds to choose from, just look on carzone!

david

Careful there, no pictures and it's an import

20goto10

How reliable is the Stilo? Not one I considered to be honest, I'll check that out thanks.

The Ibiza looks like a good option to me but as most people would find their connection with VAG a sign of reliabilty, I actually consider that the opposite! Don't fancy having to fork out for a new gear box or paying 300+ for a service. Would the Ibiza fall into the same category as the golf/A3 or is the connection simply cabin/trim?

(CH3)2CHOH

20goto10 wrote: »

How reliable is the Stilo? Not one I considered to be honest, I'll check that out thanks.

The Ibiza looks like a good option to me but as most people would find their connection with VAG a sign of reliabilty, I actually consider that the opposite! Don't fancy having to fork out for a new gear box or paying 300+ for a service. Would the Ibiza fall into the same category as the golf/A3 or is the connection simply cabin/trim?

We've had a 1.2 stilo for 5 years now, it has never let us down or had any money spent on it. I service it myself.

Couple of small niggles,

The airbag light can come on the dash but this is a known fault caused by the connector under the passenger seat, you can have it hard wired for 10euro at any auto electricians.

There was something else but it was trivial and I forgot what it was:o

Biro

20goto10 wrote: »

How reliable is the Stilo? Not one I considered to be honest, I'll check that out thanks.

The Ibiza looks like a good option to me but as most people would find their connection with VAG a sign of reliabilty, I actually consider that the opposite! Don't fancy having to fork out for a new gear box or paying 300+ for a service. Would the Ibiza fall into the same category as the golf/A3 or is the connection simply cabin/trim?

Ibiza would be in the Polo league.

20goto10

Biro wrote: »

Ibiza would be in the Polo league.

Does it use VAG parts other than the trim?

bazz26

I'm suprised nobody has mentioned boards.ie's most recommended car yet:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200851191235435

20goto10

Can anyone tell me if the SEAT Ibiza would be a good buy? I'd be looking at an 04, possibly 05 in this price range. I don't like its connection with VW parts, but then it all depends on what parts it uses.

Any owners of 4/5 year old Ibiza's care to comment on their reliablity?

Biro

20goto10 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if the SEAT Ibiza would be a good buy? I'd be looking at an 04, possibly 05 in this price range. I don't like its connection with VW parts, but then it all depends on what parts it uses.

Any owners of 4/5 year old Ibiza's care to comment on their reliablity?

It uses the Chassis and engines from the Polo. So does the Fabia. I'd go for a Honda Jazz instead.