First Time Car

m.j.w

Hi im gonna buy my first car soon hopefully and was looking for something that is cheap to run and reliable. Budget will be 3500, was looking at a yaris as everyone seems to say they are the most reliable car around but the only thing putting me of it is the look of it. Bit of a girls car but I suppose that should not put me of. Any other ideas?

zilog_jones

There's not really any particularly "manly" looking superminis, so unless you look into bigger cars (Focus, Astra, Golf, etc.) you're not really gonna get away from that.

Also consider the Ford Fiesta - you can probably get an early Mk. 5 (2002-2008) for that kind of money, I guess they look a bit less girly than the Yaris but I don't think it is as spacious inside (the Yaris has adjustable rear seats). Honda Jazz is good too but there aren't many around here (they are more popular in the UK).

congo_90

Fiesta 1.3 as others have said are a dime a dozen, cheap to run and have a bit of poke under the bonnet. next to that i'd suggest peugot 206 but its a bit feminine and not the best on economy.

What's your age/driving experience/ licence?

Edit,

http://www.adverts.ie/showcat.php?cat=2

Take a look there op.

m.j.w

cheers lads for the help, yea i was looking at a the 206 but ive been told they can be a bit dodgy for reliability. This one looks very cheap, what do ya's think? Im 25 only have a provisonal but I can drive and would be applying for test once I got a car

SligoBrewer

m.j.w wrote: »

Any other ideas?

Pre 2001 Mini. Worth every penny spent on repairs.

Alanstrainor

congo_90 wrote: »

Fiesta 1.3 as others have said are a dime a dozen, cheap to run and have a bit of poke under the bonnet. next to that i'd suggest peugot 206 but its a bit feminine and not the best on economy.

What's your age/driving experience/ licence?

Edit,

http://www.adverts.ie/showcat.php?cat=2

Take a look there op.

I would steer clear of 1.3 fiestas, the 1.25 zetec is definitely the one to go for.

congo_90

op, your age is your advantage here. You're not 'a high risk' in that sense. is your budget just on the car or for insurance tax etc?

a 00' clio could be good too. Not mad powerful. They do have their own electrical problems but nothing major. My sister is driving one 7years now with out so much as a replaced fuse.

She says it's cheap as chips to run too.

Alanstrainor, is the ghia not the better of the fiesta family?

m.j.w

no the budget is just for the car

Alanstrainor

congo_90 wrote: »

Alanstrainor, is the ghia not the better of the fiesta family?

It was the 1.25 zetec engine i was referring to, not trim level.

congo_90

a sorry about that. Didn't understand

M.j.w,
perhaps this would interest ya?

seems quite a clean motor

zilog_jones

The 1.4 is not really powerful enough for a car of that size (it's only 75bhp like the 1.25 in the Fiesta), so you will have to push it hard and may end up getting worse fuel economy than the 1.6.

Henry Ford III

This one looks ok

http://cars.rte.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200949196047113

a_v525

If you are a man then do not get a Yaris!!!!!!!!!!!

Cant help laughing whenever I see a man in a yaris, (no offence if any of ye are out there guys)

Toyotas or Hondas are jenerally very reliable, cant go wrong with a jap car.

Corolla h/b?

macroman

00-02 Polo once its been looked after will serve you well. Some have had clutch issues (self adjusting cable causing problem) and typical with VW they are under nourished in the extras department - such as E/W. Good buy as it will hold its resale value and isn't as "girly" as a Yaris.

Apply for your test now. I got money knocked off a quote when I proved to my insurers that I applied for my test. They knocked nothing off when I passed though

bazz26

a_v525 wrote: »

If you are a man then do not get a Yaris!!!!!!!!!!!

Cant help laughing whenever I see a man in a yaris, (no offence if any of ye are out there guys)

If your a real man then you should buy & drive what you like and not worry about what others think.

746watts

go for the Yaris (nippy 68bhp), camchain engine, roomy and very reliable.

fsxirishscenery

Have a look at a peugeot 205 gti. Small, very reliable car, and they very good.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1036856
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1067603

cloneslad

I have a 1.4 peugeot 206 and it has been very reliable. Not had a problem with it at all, with the exception of the bulb going on my clock, which I must get replaced.

It is also economical to run despite what another poster said. I have driven from sligo to kildare then on to carlow, over to galway, back to sligo and on to monaghan on a €42 fill up of petrol.

Lar1

my first car was a 98 fiesta 1.25, a little rocket! only trouble was silly things like door handles jamming, engine was great! moved onto a golf now just for size and comfort really but then i am 6ft 1!

argosy2006

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Fiat/Stilo/1.2-ACTI/200949196073109/advert?channel=CARS only a 1.2 ,
cheap to run,,
http://www.tuningcars.us/uploads/Fiat/Stilo/FiatstiloAbarthFM0Evo.jpg and have lots of options if you when down that road,

macroman

cloneslad wrote: »

I have a 1.4 peugeot 206 and it has been very reliable. Not had a problem with it at all, with the exception of the bulb going on my clock, which I must get replaced.

It is also economical to run despite what another poster said. I have driven from sligo to kildare then on to carlow, over to galway, back to sligo and on to monaghan on a €42 fill up of petrol.

The only problems I had with my Peugeot's was their appetite for brake light bulbs. I used to buy in bulk and keep a few on standby in the glovebox :cool:

debbie123

i'm driving fiat seicento at the minute (although cannot speak for everyone) when i say driving i mean the term very loosely as its given me good few problems with starting its economical petrol wise 1.1 tax is 286 eur on 00 model for year so take that however you will overall wouldn recommend 1 though hopin to fix mine n sell it on get somethin more reliable battery flattens very easily cars are very personal choice so at the end of the day u should be happy overall most importantly but i would recommend honda civic old type my sister has 95 wit past 5 years has never had to do anything to it goes like a dream also toyota corolla other sister has one v good car cheap to run reliable and safe hope this helps!!!!

The-Game

Can't beat a looked after jap car. Will run forever.

m.j.w

cheers for all the help folks

RobAMerc

LOL - I thought from the thread title someone was looking for a good car to have their "first time" in !

I'm sure the boardsies would be happy to offer their opinions on that too !

Ostrom

m.j.w wrote: »

cheers for all the help folks

Not that it is much help, but I am soon to own either a yaris or fiesta (with the OH losing her job we need to be selective).

As a 25 year old male I would have no hesitation driving either and hanging onto the surplus in fuel/insurance/tax savings

Saab Ed

http://www.rathcoolemotorcompany.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=474911



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