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Tiny budget - what would you buy?

  • 07-03-2010 8:19pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭


    Okay, I need to buy a used car. My maximum budget is 5000, including tax & insurance. I am 35 years old, 5 years named driver on another policy, 5 years claim free. My problem is everyone I discuss this with give the usual 'sensible' advice. That is "get a little car, small engine, cheap(er) insurance, cheaper tax (remember it's gonna be on the old tax system). Basically, cheaper to run and yada yada ...". And my head says 'yes'. But here's the problem - my heart says 'no' ! I can't stand small cars. U know the ones: Micra, Corsa, Clio, Ibiza, Punto et al.
    I'm more inclined to go with the larger, older(say 8 - 10 years old) variety - I'm thinking:
    • BMW 5 series, or higher spec 3 series
    • Saab 9-5
    • Audi A4 or A6
    • Merc C or E class
    Am I nuts? My mileage will be less than 8000kms per year. Heart or head? Anyone else been in the same position? What did YOU do? Any regrets? :confused:


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 960 ✭✭✭Triangle


    Personally, I went with the heart.

    I'd prefer to drive something that I wanted to. Every time I look forward to hopping in and taking a spin. I'd never feel that way with a diesel or 'logical' car.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 481 ✭✭dekbhoy


    i recently bought a bmw 520 00D for 3000 euro 62k miles on clock, an absolute beautiful car to drive ,tax expensive and expensive to run but well worth it . if i was you i would go with heart and go for something nice rather than practical considering you only do 8000kms /year

    Some great deals on second hands at the mo. trick is to haggle haggle haggle, its a buyers market!!! good luck


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭Christ0pher


    JHMEG wrote: »
    thanks JHMEG - S320 is a huge car ! I'm single, that'd be a bit OTT. or would it ? hmmm. dammit - now look what u done !


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 558 ✭✭✭rcdk1


    Nice S320 but Mercs of that vintage have a bad reputation for reliability.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    thanks JHMEG - S320 is a huge car ! I'm single, that'd be a bit OTT. or would it ? hmmm. dammit - now look what u done !

    Well you asked something out of the ordinary...

    It's a huge amount of car for the money.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,374 ✭✭✭Saab Ed




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,374 ✭✭✭Saab Ed


    Or this.....

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1195131

    View2?id=2607067

    One owner from new. I'll bet you'd get it for a grand ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,374 ✭✭✭Saab Ed


    Sorry for thread hogging.... I'll go away now :P

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1191822

    View2?id=2594375


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭Christ0pher


    Saab Ed, they seem like a decent cars. don't know too much about them, any advice, faults to look out for. Those 3 spoke wheels would be an aquired taste though!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,688 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    I have to say those saabs look like great value. You couldnt really go wrong.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,374 ✭✭✭Saab Ed


    Saab Ed, they seem like a decent cars. don't know too much about them, any advice, faults to look out for. Those 3 spoke wheels would be an aquired taste though!

    The oil needs changing more often than Saab suggested and because of this you can end up with a blocked oil strainer in the sump which in turn ends up with the engine going bang. Watch out for a flickering oil light and exhaust snoke on a test drive. Both are signs the turbo / engine are on the way out. Also the auto versions can hold gears too long. Its a box out job so just walk away.

    A lot of these cars got replacement engines because of this and if you buy one of these you can land a proper bargain. If the oil is changed every 5-6,ooo miles instead of the 12,ooo that Saab suggested then you'll never have a problem.

    Aeros are proper 5 Series killers ( they've got the lovely 3 spoke alloys :D ) They are very fast , very comfortable and driven daily also very economical.....just dont plant it too often or point 3 goes out the window.

    If you are after one then I can put you in contact with a real good Saab guy who kows these cars inside out. ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    Saab Ed wrote: »
    Aeros are proper 5 Series killers
    They're also FWD aren't they? Which unfortunately makes them pretenders to the crown.

    With the Opel Vectra heritage I'd expect the parts to be cheap, and maintenance relatively simple on the Saabs?


  • Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    JHMEG wrote: »
    They're also FWD aren't they? Which unfortunately makes them pretenders to the crown.

    Indeed they are fwd :) I don't want to wander this thread off topic but unless you have 250+bhp the ole rwd is better bla bla bla doesn't really stand up unless the chassis, supension on the fwd car is awful.

    OP, get a big, comfy older car that is in great nick and well looked after, 2.0 tax in €600 ish under the cc regime and insurance shouldn't be too much more unless you buy something quite looney as you are in your 30s. €3000/€3500 and you'd have a fine bus. That €1400 9 5 that Saab Ed linked to looks quite a bus for the money.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    RoverJames wrote: »
    Indeed they are fwd :) I don't want to wander this thread off topic but unless you have 250+bhp..........
    My understanding is the reason for rwd in "luxury" cars is a combination of traditional values (ie Bently, etc) and a better turning circle in a big car. Nothing to do with performance really, if at all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,473 ✭✭✭robtri


    the 9-5 is a great car to drive... but imho it has one major fault....

    Full?id=2604181

    the interior- the dash layout is shocking and tacky.....i couldnt live with that every day......


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    robtri wrote: »
    the interior- the dash layout is shocking and tacky.....i couldnt live with that every day......
    I would agree. It's one of the worst dashes in living memory. Is it straight or is it curvy... is it plastic or is it wood...


  • Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Dash looks gash in pics but a 9 5 is a great place to sit, very driver friendly :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 270 ✭✭1948Wolseley


    Nissan Maxima?
    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Maxima/201009197084206/advert?channel=CARS
    If I can run one on a tiny budget, then so can you!

    Stay away from the 3 litre to keep running costs down, and go for one with all the toys. Manuals are slightly rarer than autos, but there are still a good few around, if they're your thing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    robtri wrote: »
    the interior- the dash layout is shocking and tacky.....i couldnt live with that every day......
    JHMEG wrote: »
    I would agree. It's one of the worst dashes in living memory. Is it straight or is it curvy... is it plastic or is it wood...
    That's a particularly unflattering photo. Whilst not arguing that it's beautiful, I think it looks fine. It's also very ergonomically sound - I had a 9-5 for a while and everything falls easily to hand.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    RoverJames wrote: »
    Dash looks gash in pics but a 9 5 is a great place to sit, very driver friendly :)

    The seats are supposed to be supremely comfy


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,473 ✭✭✭robtri


    i had a 9-5 for a couple of months, two of them exactly an aero and a griffin....

    fabulous cars... lovely to drive, great long distance cruisers.... in that class of cars would be in my top three of great cars..

    its just that dash really irks me for some reason.... mind you i did really like the cup holder... i know stupid :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,363 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    How about a Volvo S60? Comfortable car and the 2.0 litre turbo is brisk enough:

    http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201009197086627


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,965 ✭✭✭tinofapples


    JHMEG wrote: »


    Some bus but nothing cheap about running that car.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 111 ✭✭DrivingsCool


    [
    • BMW 5 series, or higher spec 3 series
    • Saab 9-5
    • Audi A4 or A6
    • Merc C or E class
    Am I nuts? My mileage will be less than 8000kms per year. Heart or head? Anyone else been in the same position? What did YOU do? Any regrets? :confused:[/QUOTE]


    The cars you listed here are classics, they were Classic designs with great spec and durability. I think that List you have there is very positive. Not so sure about Saab though, I just dont like problems but then again the cabrio range are very beautiful.

    Why not spend max 3k on a car ,
    1 k on insurance just for argument and then if anything breaks you still have 1k left. Get what you want, life too short for driving a Micra, unless you want to drive one. No offence to Roy and Haley!

    "Life is too short for doing something you dont want"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 111 ✭✭DrivingsCool


    robtri wrote: »
    the 9-5 is a great car to drive... but imho it has one major fault....

    Full?id=2604181

    the interior- the dash layout is shocking and tacky.....i couldnt live with that every day......

    It will grow on you. I think it looks great! definitely get a saab, oozes personality..... Love it!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,857 ✭✭✭langdang


    Saab 9-5 dash looks like it was designed by engineers, for engineers.... nothing wrong with that:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 497 ✭✭znv6i3h7kqf9ys


    The Honda Accord (new shape) is worth a look. They came out in 03 and can be picked up in the uk for less than €4000. VRT is about €1000. The cheapest on carzone is about 7k so you wouldn't loose out when you go to sell it on. Wouldn't worry about high milers ( sure what would you expect for 5k?)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,126 ✭✭✭✭Idbatterim


    For 5k you are looking at 01 & 02 3 & 5 series bmw's...


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 solar2




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭Christ0pher


    solar2 wrote: »
    whoa ! what a stunner. now that would make you happy to drive to work wouldn't it!
    But at €1,566 road tax. Ouch ! I'd need to sell a kidney to run it. A beauty though. no doubt.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,280 ✭✭✭commited


    Something along the lines of this..

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1180693

    Had an e39 530d M Sport with lots of kit. Unbelieveably accomplished car and better than the E65 imho.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,473 ✭✭✭robtri


    commited wrote: »
    Something along the lines of this..

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1180693

    Had an e39 530d M Sport with lots of kit. Unbelieveably accomplished car and better than the E65 imho.

    come complete with an M% badge on the back :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 66,122 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    Saab Ed wrote: »
    Aeros are proper 5 Series killers

    What have you been smoking? :p

    Mind, I quite like these cars. Perhaps the best comparison between one and a 5 series is that they are both a great buy with a recently replaced engine :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭Christ0pher


    * Thanks to all responders so far. Much to think about indeed. *
    - So mileage on most of these is gonna be in 6 figures. anyone know a good source of knowing exactly what mechanicals should have been replaced and when? I'm thinking timing belts and big jobs. Hardly a website called out there? wishful thinking?
    I've heard Beemers are expensive to service. would't this be true of most of these?
    [I'm talking about bmw 3 & 5 series, saab 9-5, merc C & E class etc ]


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,513 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    There is a 03 Renault Vel Satis on carzone with a years NCT, timing belt apparently done and low mileage. You might even get a warranty with it. Looks aren't to everyone's taste (understatement) but the interior is luxurious.

    I would be looking at cars like this, the Peugeot 607, Volvo S80 and maybe Opel Omega. For your budget you'll probably get a newer fresher example than you will if will if you go for a 5 series, A6 etc.

    If you want a "big" car I'd rule out the BMW 3 series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C Class.

    Would also rule out the S class and similar car. 5k tired luxury barges that cost 100k new are a receipe for big bills. You need to know what you're doing buying something like that.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,374 ✭✭✭Saab Ed


    Look , this BM can even drive upside down :D

    Full?id=2554834


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,374 ✭✭✭Saab Ed


    unkel wrote: »
    What have you been smoking? :p

    Mind, I quite like these cars. Perhaps the best comparison between one and a 5 series is that they are both a great buy with a recently replaced engine :D

    The 5 Series is a much better handling car no doubt about it but there isnt a BMW ever made that could keep with an Aero 9-5 from 50 - 100. A 9-5 Aero will kill some very very quick cars in the mid range.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,632 ✭✭✭SligoBrewer


    Sod the usual suspects.

    View2?id=2601573

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/1193680

    You'll love it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    Saab Ed wrote: »
    there isnt a BMW ever made that could keep with an Aero 9-5 from 50 - 100. A 9-5 Aero will kill some very very quick cars in the mid range.
    No doubt it should be quick, but I think you might be over-estimating the 9-5 aero, just a bit.


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  • Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Saab Ed, quick question, are the 2.3s in the aero prone to the sludge issue in the sump that the 2.0s are ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭Christ0pher


    BrianD3, I'm starting to think the same. been reading the threads on boards re: 5 series. So far I see that at 100K things that will need replacing are:
    1. suspension - cost up to 2 grand! <gulp>
    2. cooling system - 500 - 700 quid <more gulps>
    3. heater blower fault - circa 160 quid.
    Lack of service history is the big worry on the majority of cars I been checking out. Too big a risk really. I think 5k budget ain't enough (but it's all I got right now).
    Sound advice on looking at 'lesser' marques. Gonna do more research on slightly newer "others" - the volvo S-60 is nice. And F.S.H. is the key I'm thinking. Vel Satis? WTF is that? ha ha - nah I know 'em. Never thought about owning one though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 321 ✭✭TheColl


    Won't be economical but great looking car, fantastic interior, and if it has been well looked after then it'll be a joy...

    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/156/2.0-16V-/201008197068716/advert?channel=CARS

    another...

    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/156/1.8-TSPA/201007196944265/advert?channel=CARS

    Just a suggestion from an Alfa fan! Have to say, I also like some of the Saabs suggested so far. Plenty of choice for you really. And yes, go with your heart!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,513 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    Sound advice on looking at 'lesser' marques. Gonna do more research on slightly newer "others" - the volvo S-60 is nice. And F.S.H. is the key I'm thinking. Vel Satis? WTF is that? ha ha - nah I know 'em. Never thought about owning one though.
    This is the one I was talking about.
    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Vel-Satis/6-SPEED-/200949196103210/advert?channel=CARS

    The low price might imply that there is no warranty but you never know. Even though the ad says "no offers" it also says it was last updated 94 days ago, they may be desperate to get rid of it now.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,374 ✭✭✭Saab Ed


    :)mmmmmmmm ....Italian Leather.....

    L_2008112519451198225.jpg

    Seats....I said seats.....didnt I :D

    2007-alfa-romeo-159-ti-2_460x0w.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭Christ0pher


    yeah, Vel Satis is a lot of car for the money. nicely kitted out. good suggestion, I'll keep it in mind. if it's still there in 30 days - I'll go offer 3k !
    re: Alfa's, always liked Alfa 156s. But for some reason it's in my mind - never, ever, ever, ever buy a used italian car ! Lots for 'smiles per gallon' I'm sure. maybe, as my milage is going to be < 8k km per yr, I should consider Alfa Romeo. It's have to be FSH though.
    re: little yellow mini estate - eh NO !


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 321 ✭✭TheColl


    Saab Ed wrote: »
    :)mmmmmmmm ....Italian Leather.....

    L_2008112519451198225.jpg

    Seats....I said seats.....didnt I :D

    2007-alfa-romeo-159-ti-2_460x0w.jpg

    +1 on both mate, now put the two together......
    yeah, Vel Satis is a lot of car for the money. nicely kitted out. good suggestion, I'll keep it in mind. if it's still there in 30 days - I'll go offer 3k !
    re: Alfa's, always liked Alfa 156s. But for some reason it's in my mind - never, ever, ever, ever buy a used italian car ! Lots for 'smiles per gallon' I'm sure. maybe, as my milage is going to be < 8k km per yr, I should consider Alfa Romeo. It's have to be FSH though.
    re: little yellow mini estate - eh NO !

    Absolutely, run a mile if you can't be sure that it has been cared for, could end up giving you hell otherwise. But if you find a nice example, like you said, smiles per gallon will be off the scale! And that interior, a major plus for me. You'll be doing low mileage, but it's still nice to sit in pleasant and comfortable surroundings.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,125 ✭✭✭amaughan


    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Vectra/ELEGANCE/201005196821720/advert?channel=CARS

    cant beat the vectra for value for money.check donedeal and carzone.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 497 ✭✭znv6i3h7kqf9ys


    amaughan wrote: »
    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Vectra/ELEGANCE/201005196821720/advert?channel=CARS

    cant beat the vectra for value for money.check donedeal and carzone.
    LOL...... Vectra are yor serious? or seriously trying to sell one?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,125 ✭✭✭amaughan


    no i love them cars.ha wats not to like


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