5000 to spend, what to get...

Ush1

Hi,

Looking to buy a car, just passed the test. I was thinking a ford focus but open to suggestions. I'm looking for as modern as I can('02 and up?) get with decent mileage. Has to be comfortable and reliable as I will be driving Dublin to Cork frequently. Any suggestions lads? Cheers.

5uspect

I guess anything like a Focus, Golf or Civic around 03 04.

NothingMan

I'll sell you my 01 206 with mild body damage and no electric windows and a strong smell of my farts. I think i'd take €5000 for it.:D

Ush1

NothingMan wrote: »

I'll sell you my 01 206 with mild body damage and no electric windows and a strong smell of my farts. I think i'd take €5000 for it.:D

My current 97 mazda 121 with no power steering and oil leak competes well with it.:cool:

bazz26

If your driving from Dublin to Cork frequently then you will be driving on motorways and national roads, for this you will need a car with a bit of poke for overtaking. I would rule out a 1.4 litre Focus or Golf and aim for at least a 1.6 litre version of either.

A few examples:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200938195234582
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200917192606869
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200938195224856
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200935195032221

Ush1

bazz26 wrote: »

If your driving from Dublin to Cork frequently then you will be driving on motorways and national roads, for this you will need a car with a bit of poke for overtaking. I would rule out a 1.4 litre Focus or Golf and aim for at least a 1.6 litre version of either.

A few examples:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200938195234582
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200917192606869
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200938195224856
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200935195032221

Thanks and good point. I love the look of the Alfas but I've heard they're unreliable, any truth to that?

EPM

They will be as reliable as any other car really if looked after like it is supposed to be. Problems arise mainly from lazy owners who don't bother doing basic mantainance.

+1 on the 1.6 suggestion. You'll need it for safer overtaking

Anan1

Ush1 wrote: »

Thanks and good point. I love the look of the Alfas but I've heard they're unreliable, any truth to that?

Just wait until the search function is back up an you'll find lots of threads on that very topic. In the meantime, let's not get stuck into it yet again.:)

ZOLTAN28

Ush1 wrote: »

Hi,

Looking to buy a car, just passed the test. I was thinking a ford focus but open to suggestions. I'm looking for as modern as I can('02 and up?) get with decent mileage. Has to be comfortable and reliable as I will be driving Dublin to Cork frequently. Any suggestions lads? Cheers.

was looking quite recently with a similar budget and found it very difficult to get anything decent with lowish mileage. Spotted a couple of 02 Focus but they were snapped up before I got to look at them - two months ago your money went a lot furhter.

A few of the sellers told me that as a lot of people have that sort of budget and not many have much above it, anything decent gets snapped up quickly.

Always wanted an Alfa.

Redisle

You can still use google to search this site. Just type "your search site:boards.ie"
Eg.. Alfa 147

Ush1

Hmm, might have to go for a spiffy alpha so!!:D

The-Game

Ush1 wrote: »

Hmm, might have to go for a spiffy alpha so!!:D

Alfas are notorious for the timing belt going on them when they get near 50k on the clock. check the mileage of any your buying and find out when the belt was done, once you service it regular and dont abuse it you should be fine, just be wary of the mileage and timing belt!

bazz26

The-Game wrote: »

Alfas are notorious for the timing belt going on them when they get near 50k on the clock. check the mileage of any your buying and find out when the belt was done, once you service it regular and dont abuse it you should be fine, just be wary of the mileage and timing belt!

It's every 36k miles on the petrol models.