Help buying car

Hristos

budget: 8k, less is better
In order of preference:
1. Focus 05+, Mazda 3 04+, 1.6, would prefer petrol, but diesel appeals due to remap possibilities, Zetec or Ghia ( A/C is a must, cruise control a nice to have)
2. 04+ petrol Accord
3. Other small car yaris, fiesta, panda etc, I'd pay 4k max for 04+
4. Older cars 01+, for 3k max

Questions:
1- being my first time getting insured, how do I test drive the car, am I covered having a full EU driving licence for 13 years? I guess it depends on the seller's insurance details or no? I presume I'd be ok test driving a car with the sales agent in a dealership.
2- Don't know any mechanics, how do I check the car before buying, am I stuck with buying from a dealer?
3- Any particular cars outside of the above I could look at? 04+Golfs are more expensive than a Focus and I prefer the latter, though I'm keeping my options open.
4- Is it worth it coming to Dublin for the greater choice? TBH I'd prefer to buy local if only for warranty reasons if buying from a dealer - but Galway dealers' cars seem to be padded with gold or something they must be the most expensive in the country.

After reading about a lot of car-related problems, my main concern is that there are more dodgy cars out there than good ones, clocked, crashed, written off, you name it, they have it, and I can't spot a cosmetized(?) dodgy one.

Any honest person has the car for me?

david

I would be more inclined to buy private. You can suss the buyer before you buy it which is much harder with a dealer.

In my opinion the cash difference between dealer and private prices is worth more than a garage warranty if you get the car properly checked out.

I would add Toyota Corolla/Auris, Honda Civic and Opel Astra (1.3/1.9 CDTI, the 1.4 petrol is low maintenance due to timing chain but a little bland to drive. I have one) to your first preference.

Also Mazda parts/service isn't the cheapest compared to Ford etc.

coronaextra

Firstly pick a car you want to buy and do your homework on it, eg look up common faults problems etc on the net, If your not car minnded bring along not necessarly a mechanic but someone who knows a bit about cars.

If your buying private make sure you get a Hire purchase check done from cartell.ie or whoever (only costs 50£?) as if you buy a car on HP and its not fully payed off then they can take the car off you. (more common than you think)

Good luck with the buying!

O and buy the accord theyre the bees knees!

Not many folk will alow you to test drive a car without insurance, garage will as you will be insured.

Hristos

I feel Toyotas are overpriced here and I'm not too fond of them generally.
Civic - that's an interesting choice, is the previous generation (04-05) loaded by insurance companies?

The Astra would want to be 1k cheaper than the equivalent Focus. I've driven newish 1.4 hatch and 1.3CDTI sedan as a rental and that small engine has got some punch! A bit worried about lots of short trips affecting the turbo on this engine.

Can finance still be owed on this price range of cars, up to 8k and 04-05? I guess it could, people do interesting things sometimes.

Thanks and any more thoughts appreciated

david

I've owned/had extended use of these cars.

Civic:

I had previous gen Civic in 1.4 ('02-'06 model). It was ok on fuel (420 miles from full) and fairly nippy at just under 100HP. Surprisingly the insurance wasn't at all loaded, marginally cheaper than my 1.4 Astra albeit the Astra is valued a good bit more.

Astra:

Handles better than the Focus if you get SXI spec which has heated mirrors, front fogs/lower suspension/all electric stuff/air con/nicer interior. You would find it tough to find a Focus in Ireland that isn't poverty spec for €7-8k. A good bit better on fuel than Civic (750km from full, 40litres)

Corolla:

Stay away. Go forever but painfully slow in 1.4 (I had saloon). Dull as ditchwater and a terrible interior.


My recommendation is something like this

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/SXI-3-Do/200926194420597/advert?channel=CARS

Carstuck

How about this focus

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/LX-SALOO/200929194645018/advert?channel=CARS

Corollas are good cars too I've owned one and had plenty of power!

Hristos

1.4; no A/C...

I'll try getting an advert up in the cars-wanted section of adverts.ie, maybe something comes up

bazz26

A few examples:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200935195019585
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200926194438952
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200933194871485

Hristos

thanks bazz.

what about this one - looks a decent price, ghia spec, if it were h/b and a 3 spoke steering wheel would be perfect:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-GHIA/200914192381970/advert?channel=CARS

Hmm... there is negative feedback on older boards threads about the dealer, but if the car checks out... is it possible it would have been crashed?

One Lady Owner Car - what could go wrong besides the worn clutch

Apip99

Hi Hristos,

Just thought I'd let you know I have a Freelander for sale in Averts at the moment that you may be interested in.

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=138915&cat=500

I've just seen the images are not showing there, but at work so can't upload. Let me know if your interested.

Kind regards,

Phil

EPM

Apip99 wrote: »

Hi Hristos,

Just thought I'd let you know I have a Freelander for sale in Averts at the moment that you may be interested in.

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=138915&cat=500

I've just seen the images are not showing there, but at work so can't upload. Let me know if your interested.

Kind regards,

Phil

OP - Don't touch a 1.8 Freelander whatever you do! Many, many threads in here about them...

That Focus looks nice for the money to be honest. It's the more powerful 1.6 too with 115 brake. The father has a similar one and it'll easily crack 40 mpg and it's peppy enough too

Apip99

EPM: I beg your pardon. Never give us any hassle at all. It’s been a great jeep for the wife and kids. Its the same with any car, a bit of bad press and that’s it open season!

Regarding the “Many, many threads in here about them...” I have just done a search and all I can find it threads with people advising not to buy because they have heard terrible things. I’ve not actually found a thread with any owners having any issues you wouldn’t on any car from time to time.

I was being told not to buy when I was looking, and ignored advise, and glad that I did. It’s a great car and apart from Clutch needing doing last month (which I’m pretty sure is not a Freelander only problem) its given us no hassle.

Any way good luck with the search OP

Hristos

Wouldn't be too extatic on the SUVs myself; a private sale in Wicklow is a bit of a travel from Galway, I'm kinda hoping to buy locally.

Carstuck

Try some of these

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6--GHI/200927194476723/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-Ghia/200925194353657/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/200928194571860/advert?channel=CARS

Did you perfer hatchback or saloon?

EPM

Apip99 wrote: »

EPM: I beg your pardon. Never give us any hassle at all. It’s been a great jeep for the wife and kids. Its the same with any car, a bit of bad press and that’s it open season!

That's good that you didn't have any trouble with yours but sorry to burst your bubble - they are one car in particular known for being unreliable. And I was giving advice to the OP that it would not be a good purchase based on any report that I have read. Also thought pimping your own car was against the charter but i digress. Took this from Honest Johns car by car breakdown because it's easiest:

S and T platers 16th from bottom in 2001 Top Gear / J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. In June 2001 Land Rover was rated by Motor Warranty Direct as Britain's 2nd worst out of 22 marques for warranty claims (www.warrantydirect.co.uk) 2nd bottom of 100 models for reliability in Auto Express 2002 survey. 7th from Bottom in 144 car 2002 JD Power / What Car? Customer Satisfaction Survey of V and W reg cars. LandRover had joint highest average cost in warranty claims for cars up to 10 years old in 2002 Warranty Direct index. Joint third bottom in 2002 Which reliability survey of cars up to 2 years old; 106 cars surveyed. Land Rover 3rd least reliable of 31 makes of car in 2002 'Which?' reliability survey cars 2000 - 2002; least reliable of 32 makes built 1997 - 1999. Land Rovers had third highest warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 167.53 v/s lowest 31.93). 1998-2002 petrol rated poor for breakdowns and problems, average for faults; 1998-2000 diesel rated average for breakdowns and faults, poor for problems; 2001-2003 petrol rated average for breakdowns and problems, poor for faults in 2003 Which survey. 8th from bottom out of 137 models in 2003 Top Gear survey. Freelander 9th bottom model in 2004 JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. Only 89% of cars up to 2 years old breakdown-free over previous 12 months in 2004 Which? survey, yet gasket problem was supposed to have been fixed from 2001 production. Land Rover 4th bottom of Reliability Index for 2004 combining average cost of repair of £367.03 with highest 46.23 failures per 100 Warranty Direct policies. Link:- www.reliabilityindex.co.uk Freelander 5th least reliable car in 2005 Warranty Direct Reliability Survey with 55 repair claims per 100 cars. Link:- www.reliabilityindex.co.uk 2000-2006 Freelander 7th equal least reliable car in 2007 Warranty Direct Reliability Survey with 48 faults per 100 cars.


The main weaknesses are dodgy electrics, rear axels and head gaskets on 1.8 petrols.


OP - Found this - could be a good buy

Hristos

@Carstuck - first 2 are Mk1, last one is ok - slight preference for a hatch, saloon is fine though

@EPM - looks good, although - imported, 1.8 > 1.6 (is it not an older engine?), NCT due Dec 2009.

Unfortunately the one in Enterprise Limerick is sold. Plenty more to come I'm sure.

EPM

Hristos wrote: »

@Carstuck - first 2 are Mk1, last one is ok - slight preference for a hatch, saloon is fine though

@EPM - looks good, although - imported, 1.8 > 1.6 (is it not an older engine?), NCT due Dec 2009.

Unfortunately the one in Enterprise Limerick is sold. Plenty more to come I'm sure.

It's an older engine design (1.8l 8 valve) and not as refined as the 1.6 petrol or diesel but it's not the worst engine out there and better than many. Has a decent bit of power too. The fact it's imported wouldn't bother me as long as it checks out ok with a mechanic. Plus you should be able to get it cheaper than the price shown

Hristos

Went to Dublin this weekend to test a few cars;

05 Ghia Auto http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/GHIA-AUT/200935195056234/advert?channel=CARS - ok-ish, but kinda realised the whole point of a Focus is to be manual; was told price is 8995, then after the test it was 9500, only 250 euro reduction for straight cash - lots of money if you ask me.

Visited a few dealers on the Long Mile Road and surrondings, nothing really stood out, no focus Zetecs/Ghia, only a few LXs and asking mad money.

AS Cars http://www.carzone.ie/search/Citroen/C4/1.4i-16V/200913192302271/advert?channel=CARS looked ok inside, low mileage, was hopeful when dealer said 6750, turns out it's 2k dearer... Also a pimped out red 3 door Focus for 10k+

Then on the way back stopped at EP Mooney (they were closed) and looked at an 05 Accord 2.0 Auto - asking 9995 - looked very nice on the inside, sent them an email today offering 8k, no reply yet.

Back in Galway, test drove an 07 Fiesta 1.4 auto from Motorpark, 9k - would buy it for 8k possibly; No 05-06 Zetec Focus to be found ?!

Saw an 03 Mazda 6 with everything in Monaghans, I was about to take it out for a drive but the handbrake wouldn't disengage - I guess that's a sign .

Got an offer for an 07 Micra 24k kms for 7995, it's a lot of money to pay for a micra, but shouldn't depreciate as much as other cars; I quite like them, don't care much for how they look; 10500 for an 08 one (that has A/C, nicer seats, blue*, steering wheel controls).

In the meantime I keep hearing about this mighty financial crisis, I could change my mind if somebody does not take my money soon

Oh well, the search continues...

Green Hornet

coronaextra wrote: »

O and buy the accord theyre the bees knees!

That may be true alright but it's doubtful if he will pick up a 2004+ Accord for 8K.

They are expensive.

Apip99

Apip99 wrote: »

EPM: I beg your pardon. Never give us any hassle at all. It’s been a great jeep for the wife and kids. Its the same with any car, a bit of bad press and that’s it open season!

Regarding the “Many, many threads in here about them...” I have just done a search and all I can find it threads with people advising not to buy because they have heard terrible things. I’ve not actually found a thread with any owners having any issues you wouldn’t on any car from time to time.

I was being told not to buy when I was looking, and ignored advise, and glad that I did. It’s a great car and apart from Clutch needing doing last month (which I’m pretty sure is not a Freelander only problem) its given us no hassle.

Any way good luck with the search OP

Apologies to disagree with the sentiment, I'll defend Rovers all day long and am active on many Rover forums, the freelander is known for transfer box trouble and the 1.8 K series is not suited to dragging the Freelander about. An L series (Rover 2.0 diesel) or the TD4 Freelander is far far a better option than a 1.8 one.

Hristos

How about a kia ceed Estate? they look nice I think and asking price is around 20k for a new one, possibly get it for 17k with 0% interest (I seem to recall an advert on the finance offer). Although If I had 17k to spend there are nicer cars out there than a ceed I'd hope.

I'm going around in circles

EPM

Honestly, pick your budget and stick to it. Does it have to be an auto? The Focus 1.6 is a 4-speed auto and an older engine. To be honest there are better out there. The Accord sounds nice but maybe an offer face to face would be better considering the car hasn't been driven and all that. They'd probably take you more serious then

bazz26

Hristos wrote: »

Then on the way back stopped at EP Mooney (they were closed) and looked at an 05 Accord 2.0 Auto - asking 9995 - looked very nice on the inside, sent them an email today offering 8k, no reply yet.

You will not get an offer like that accepted over e-mail or phone. While it is a little low imo, you still need to be in front of the sales person to expect the best deal. Otherwise they will just think you are not serious and ignore your e-mail.

You have tested everything from a Fiests to a Focus to an Accord so it is hard to know what to buy. They are all different class of cars so focus on what you need or want from a car, then narrow down your list to two or possibly three and do a bit of research on prices and specs. Then shop around and see who is offering the best deals on those cars.

Hristos

What you guys are saying makes sense but main thing I'm looking for is value for money, be it in a 1.5k 01 corsa or a 15k mazda 3/etc. I don't have any strong preferences for cars, like I said (did I?), I enjoy driving everything from a Micra to a Focus and Tucson (Just don't put me in a matiz or I'll get depressed ).

Auto is a strong option because I'll use the car around the city mainly, so unless it's a stellar gear change, I'd prefer it - I'd like a DSG, but there are so few for sale it's not worth mentioning. I cannot believe the Irish attitude to buying cars - how many base spec Focus LX-s are there?? Octavia and Golf 1.4s (80bhp) makes me (and baby jesus) cry

Hristos

Got an attractive offer on the Accord in EP Mooneys, should I do a Cartell check beforehand?

EPM

Maybe look at the car first and check out things like service history etc.

This the car?

Hristos

That's it, They say they'll fix things needed if it fails the NCT, after I buy it (NCT due Oct 2009)

EPM

They can get a car in for an NCT before you would be able to (there are waiting lists). I'd have NCT as a condition of sale. Mielage is a bit high to be honest but if it's got a service history and you are getting it at a good price to compensate for this there's no reason why it shouldn't do the same again. If you don't plan on keeping it for too long though it would be hard to sell a high mileage 2 litre petrol auto in this country

Hristos

If it doesn't work out, this http://www.carzone.ie/search/Suzuki/Jimny/1.4-AUTO/200934194968559/advert?channel=CARS looks good :pac:

EPM

Hristos wrote: »

If it doesn't work out, this http://www.carzone.ie/search/Suzuki/Jimny/1.4-AUTO/200934194968559/advert?channel=CARS looks good :pac:

We really need a puke smily:pac:

Hristos

R.O.R

It's also going to cost quite to bit to keep fuel in the car - the Accord manual isn't the most fuel efficient vehicle so the Auto version is going to be even worse.

I have an 05 Sport (Manual) with similar mileage. You shouldn't have any issues with the engine, but I'm not sure about the Auto box.

Hristos

Would it be much worse than 12l/100kms (24.0 mpg) ? This is what my girlfriend gets from an automatic Micra 1.2 :pac:

R.O.R

Hristos wrote: »

Would it be much worse than 12l/100kms (24.0 mpg) ? This is what my girlfriend gets from an automatic Micra 1.2 :pac:

Around town I'd guess it would be something similar, if not worse. :eek:

I think mine is working out around 7L/100kms and that is 95% Motorway cruising.

Hristos

I'm not too concerned with fuel costs, I won't be doing a huge amount of miles anyway (at least that's the plan). Between an 07 Micra and an 05 Accord for approx the same money, I'm tempted to go with the accord...

Hristos

BTW, any details on the autobox of this accord, would it be older technology? I know it won't be the latest dual clutch jobbie, but would prefer it had more than 4 gears...