Help in finding a new car...

The Engineer

Seeing as some d**khead saw it fit to steal my prized Volvo S40 recently, it looks like I need to start hunting for a new car :mad:, and am in need of some help.

I loved the Volvo, because it was in immaculate condition, had an economical 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine, a really plush interior and was a comfortable ride. The sound-system was also top-notch. On the downside, it usually got parked at the entrance of most construction sites, as it generally couldn't get much further!

I'm open to a 4x4 or a commercial, so long as the engine is diesel and around the 2.0 mark, and I'm hoping to have around €10k to play with. Also, I'd have no problem importing from NI or UK. Any ideas?

Captain Slow IRL

What about a Hyundai Santa Fe? The newer diesels are 2.2 if you can stretch a little bit. They're very cheap at the moment, you might not have to leave the country for one!

The Engineer

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

What about a Hyundai Santa Fe? The newer diesels are 2.2 if you can stretch a little bit. They're very cheap at the moment, you might not have to leave the country for one!

Thanks Capt. I test-drove one today, and it ticked most of the boxes - it was a 2007 with about 70k on the clock. The dealer is looking for €15,000 for it, but there's no way I'll stretch to that. I've come across a few high-spec older 2.0 litre diesel models (e.g. leather, sunroof, heated seats, etc.) on autotrader for less than GB£6,000. Do you know much about them?

Captain Slow IRL

If you're buying one, check it's had a timing belt around the 60k mile/100k km mark - it's an expensive item to replace. Dual mass flywheels can give trouble, and are expensive to replace.
Other items to go are drop-links and D bushings, but aren't expensive to replace.
Apart from that, not a lot goes wrong with them - just service them regularly.

Carstuck

How about a Suzuki Grand Vitara. They're a 2l diesel. I have the older one and they're a great jeep. Good on diesel as well

bazz26

The Engineer wrote: »

Thanks Capt. I test-drove one today, and it ticked most of the boxes - it was a 2007 with about 70k on the clock. The dealer is looking for €15,000 for it, but there's no way I'll stretch to that. I've come across a few high-spec older 2.0 litre diesel models (e.g. leather, sunroof, heated seats, etc.) on autotrader for less than GB£6,000. Do you know much about them?

Here is a 07 commerical for €11,500 though I think it could be one of those scams so common on carzone:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200940195359959

The Engineer

Anyone have any thoughts on the 2.2 litre diesel Honda Accord i-CTDI. I'm specifically looking at the EX (or Executive model) - a 2006 UK import with Sat Nav, bluetooth kit, etc., looks to be the business. The quoted fuel consumption is impressive, and as it's a Honda I have no doubts about reliability.

R.O.R

The Engineer wrote: »

Anyone have any thoughts on the 2.2 litre diesel Honda Accord i-CTDI. I'm specifically looking at the EX (or Executive model) - a 2006 UK import with Sat Nav, bluetooth kit, etc., looks to be the business. The quoted fuel consumption is impressive, and as it's a Honda I have no doubts about reliability.

Tax will be pricey enough at €823 a year. That's about the only bad thing about them, and personally I don't like the "wood" trim that most have.

Apart from that, it's all good.

The Engineer

The Engineer wrote: »

Anyone have any thoughts on the 2.2 litre diesel Honda Accord i-CTDI. I'm specifically looking at the EX (or Executive model) - a 2006 UK import with Sat Nav, bluetooth kit, etc., looks to be the business. The quoted fuel consumption is impressive, and as it's a Honda I have no doubts about reliability.

Wonderful car, you'll be leaving her at the site entrance though !