Coupe,MG TF,Focus or A3

Fol20

Ok i know its a good bit away but in june ill be getting a new car..

As it stands im 20,doing my full license in a a week and will have a ncb in june..I have a budget of around 5k

id love to get a celica but its too expensive for me at the moment.
Keeping this in mind there are 4 cars i like

Hyundai coupe 1.6l-Nice design,good reliability as far as i know but lacking power and is described by many felas as a hairdresser car.



Mg TF 1.6l - Seems good value for what you get,i dunno if id like a soft top but the hard top would be perfect..Really nice design..Reliability seems like a very big problem with the car though.



Ford Focus 1.6l - Fairly standard car..Reliable and stylish but less sporty..



Audi A3 1.6l - its german,good brand,i like the back of it..interior should be good.Reliable,but for price,most of them seem to have high mileage.



As you can probably guess, i like black:)
I was wondering can anyone recommend any other car they think id like plus what they think of the cars above.

Jip

As you're young and not yet having a full licence, plus only 1 years NCB I'd be basing my choice on the insurance of each vehicle, I'd imagine they'd all, bar the Focus, be very expensive, particularly the MG.

Fol20

MG TF

Jip wrote: »

As you're young and not yet having a full licence, plus only 1 years NCB I'd be basing my choice on the insurance of each vehicle, I'd imagine they'd all, bar the Focus, be very expensive, particularly the MG.

ill be doing my full license next week,i havnt check the price of insurance for the mg but insurance for the coupe isnt too bad,and considering that they are all 1.6,would there be much variation?

Jip

It can all depend on the individual insurer and how they rate each vehicle at the moment, mess around with the various websites and you'll get an idea.

Fol20

MG TF

Jip wrote: »

It can all depend on the individual insurer and how they rate each vehicle at the moment, mess around with the various websites and you'll get an idea.

Im sorry to say that im stuck with quinn..no other company will insure me tbh

Fol20

MG TF

Does anyone know of any other cars i might like..im gonna put up a pole as well to see which cars people seem to prefer

VolvoMan

Fol20 wrote: »

ill be doing my full license next week,i havnt check the price of insurance for the mg but insurance for the coupe isnt too bad,and considering that they are all 1.6,would there be much variation?

There's a 1.8 litre as well from what I know.

Anyway, engine capacity has very little to do with performance so it makes no difference. It's worth a try if you really want one, but I'd say the insurance companies will still hammer you.

Fol20 wrote: »

Does anyone know of any other cars i might like..im gonna put up a pole as well to see which cars people seem to prefer

If want a nice sporty car you could always look at a Ford Puma I suppose. They come in 1.4 and 1.7 litre Zetec engines and apparently drive very well.

Alanstrainor

Audi A3

Fol20 wrote: »

ill be doing my full license next week,i havnt check the price of insurance for the mg but insurance for the coupe isnt too bad,and considering that they are all 1.6,would there be much variation?

If it's a soft top you haven't a hope of getting a reasonable quote, no matter what engine it is it's going to cost you to have a soft top. And anyway, if you've got 5 grand for a car, and you're going down that road, i'd go for an older mx5 instead of the MG.

The focus would probably be the easiest to get insured on, and the 1.6 litre is a nice drive, nothing that will blow your mind or anything, but still decent considering.

fonecrusher1

MG TF

IMO the hyundai coupe is quite a handsome machine, especially with a nice set of alloys. It is a tad gutless though.
Never liked the MG tf.
The focus.....ehh...yes its fine. The A3 is...also fine.
Out of the cars you've displayed the hyundai is the best looking by a mile.

If your insurance would allow, have a think about one of these; http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Civic/1.7-VTEC/201003196622951/advert?channel=CARS
I used to own one with a set of black alloys & ive never owned a car that was stared at as much. 125bhp + 0 to 60 in 9sec vs Hyundai coupe's 110bhp + 0 to 60 in 12.5sec.

Just a thought.:)

Fol20

MG TF

At the moment the two ones i like most are the coupe and focus

Fol20

MG TF

Is there any other car that people can recommend

smash

Celica or MX-5?

Anan1

Ford Puma?

Hurley6969

Check 123.ie for insurance, Im getting a newer car during summer (job permitting) and have been pricing insurance. Ill be 22 with one year NCB, Im looking at all cars as posibilities that have been mentioned above and 123 will insure me on all of those and most others bar a Skyline, Evo, Impreza and unfortunatly Celica. Cheaper than any where else and Ive had a crash that was my fault, so if you have a fully clean insurance record I reckon they would be good to check out.

Ush1

Fol20 wrote: »

Im sorry to say that im stuck with quinn..no other company will insure me tbh

Did you try Britton Insurance?

Mc Love

Audi A3

206? Only cos I will be selling mine

EPM

Audi A3

Of those the Focus would be my choice.

But as said, check out a Puma. Insurance on the 1.4 or 1.6 will be reasonable. The 1.7 could be costly

Hurley6969

betafrog wrote: »

With regards to 123.ie, I reckon the above quote was only cheaper as you have a claim.. Having tried them myself they quoted well over a grand more than Quinn...

Yeah they seem claim friendly, thought they would be good value without, kinda strange.

no1beemerfan

Other cars I'd consider would be two door golf, two door citroen c4 and two door alfa 147.

Fol20

MG TF

Just tried 123.ie and they dont give good values at all.

A good few people have mentioned the puma.i dunno it seems a bit too normal and small for my liking..

Just added a poll there as well

r3nu4l

The focus will probably get you the best quote. A 1.6 A3 is nothing special and the Audi 'badge' just isn't worth it on that car imo. If it was a bigger engine and high spec A3 then yeah go for it but not a 1.6. You'll get more for your money on the Focus and it is reputably a better drive (can't say).

The MG softtop is a no-go with your insurance, the Hyundai isn't anywhere near practical enough if you'll be giving lifts to friends and family (imo only).

So based on that, the Focus is the one I'd go for.

zilog_jones

Audi A3

As others said, look for insurance quotes before commiting to any particular models. I doubt you'll get anything reasonable for the MG TF. Is your €5k budget for just the car or the insurance too?

Fol20 wrote: »

Audi A3 1.6l - its german,good brand...

The Focus is German too

Fol20

MG TF

zilog_jones wrote: »

As others said, look for insurance quotes before commiting to any particular models. I doubt you'll get anything reasonable for the MG TF. Is your €5k budget for just the car or the insurance too?



The Focus is German too

5k for the car,i ran out of things to say for the audi:rolleyes:

EPM

Audi A3

Just a word of warning.

That Audi in Nyhans is overpriced IMO. The gearbox that comes with that engine is weak. The engine will go forever if looked after though. I have a car with the same engine/box combo as that and recently spent a grand on a rebuild. More if my clutch needed doing but thankfully there was so little wear on it I was lucky. The bigger wheels wont help it along its merry way either. It also needs a timing belt/tensioners and water pump replaced at that mileage (should be second time)

smash

I honestly don't know what's wrong with people that the Focus is in the lead here....

EPM

Audi A3

steve06 wrote: »

I honestly don't know what's wrong with people that the Focus is in the lead here....

The Hyundai is nice but wouldn't be my personal preference, the MG not ideal for the OP, the Focus is very good at what it is (I used own one) but the Audi is overpriced, not a bad car just you could do so much better for the money

Alanstrainor

Audi A3

steve06 wrote: »

I honestly don't know what's wrong with people that the Focus is in the lead here....

Given the OP's circumstances it's the obvious choice. 20 years old, still without a full license no "no claims bonus" until June. It really narrows things down.

Gulliver

MG TF

Just a word of warning - that Coupe is the 07+ model. They cost 14000 and up. The previous model ran from 02-06 and looks like this:



And was updated in 2005 with better interior, black headlights and better tail lights:



Go for the 05+ if you really want a Coupe.

smash

So the Audi is overpriced.... Get a different one! It's the nicest of the lot!

Fol20

MG TF

At the moment coupes are my favorite one..
id love to go for a newer model but for 5k id say id only be able to get a 02 model

Fol20

MG TF

Saw this on gumtree earlier

http://cork.gumtree.ie/cork/98/54548298.html

Another car id like,dunno what insurance would be though..on 123.ie its cheaper to insure mr2 than a coupe:rolleyes:

Bonito

Ask to speak to someone in renewals and say well axa are offering me such and such cover for x amount and i guarantee they'll go away and beat it. They did for me anyway once I mentioned "Well I have got a better quote off Axa so I might go with them"

TestTransmission

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Given the OP's circumstances it's the obvious choice. 20 years old, still without a full license no "no claims bonus" until June. It really narrows things down.

Tbh,he should be looking at a fiesta.(wait a year or two for the insurance to drop)

Fol20

MG TF

Just got my full license,ill have a named ncb in june as well..iv ruled out the focus and audi and they are a bit too normal for my liking.

Just to update i have 2 penalty points as well

So can anyone recommend another car within my range

I know that celica's are also fairly good but i havnt checked what insurance would be for that

mondeo

Ford Focus

Fol20 wrote: »

Just got my full license,ill have a named ncb in june as well..iv ruled out the focus and audi and they are a bit too normal for my liking.

Just to update i have 2 penalty points as well

So can anyone recommend another car within my range

I know that celica's are also fairly good but i havnt checked what insurance would be for that

Congratulations Lad! Drive save now...

2 points on your license will make shag all differance to your insurance so don't worry about it.

jaffa20

Fol20 wrote: »

Just got my full license,ill have a named ncb in june as well..iv ruled out the focus and audi and they are a bit too normal for my liking.

Just to update i have 2 penalty points as well

So can anyone recommend another car within my range

I know that celica's are also fairly good but i havnt checked what insurance would be for that

Congrats! I think you'll have difficulty getting goods quotes or even quotes at all on a celica. I wouldn't call the a3 normal as there are very few on the road compared to the golf, focus and yet are reliable but can be pricy and have high mileage.

EPM

Audi A3

Celica will rape you on insurance - even without points.

What about an Alfa 147 or even a 156? Good spec, lots of engine choice, and good looking. If you can find a good one you're smiling...but thats the problem. There are loads of sheds about

Fol20

MG TF

jaffa20 wrote: »

Congrats! I think you'll have difficulty getting goods quotes or even quotes at all on a celica. I wouldn't call the a3 normal as there are very few on the road compared to the golf, focus and yet are reliable but can be pricy and have high mileage.

The mileage for them is a killer for me,,most of them in my price range of 4-5.5k all start with 100k miles

Fol20

MG TF

Does anyone know how much tax is for a 1.6 coupe and 1.8 celica

Fol20

MG TF

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1305765

What do people think of the car above..i think i might give them a call tomorrow..pity im the car that might be the one has turned up in the middle of my exams

-Corkie-

Focus or audi dude. The rest are for women or sausage jockeys... You wont get insurance on the convertible at all... If you go for a focus get the zetec engine..

jaffa20

Personally, i think Hyundai Coupes are for hairdressers but as long as you're happy:p

Alanstrainor

Audi A3

SARASON wrote: »

Focus or audi dude. The rest are for women or sausage jockeys... You wont get insurance on the convertible at all... If you go for a focus get the zetec engine..

I'd have said get a 1.6. I'm pretty certain the 1.4 is a zetec also

bazz26

Zetec is a trim level lads.

OP, if you could stretch your budget a little here is a 04 Coupe with almost 2 years NCT, I'm sure there is some movement on the price but just make sure the timing belt has been changed, if it hasn't make it a condition of the sale:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200951196223476

Fol20

MG TF

Are you sure the front bumper was replaced,they look the same to me.

I know more women drive coupes,budget,maintenance cost etc are all important.Like can anyone name another car that think might be suitable that kinda looks like a coupe/celica..Pumas are a no go,dont really like them

2 Espressi

Audi A3

I'd go for the focus, it's aa fine handling chassis, adn the engine is sufficent for it.
No a fan of the MGTF, if I wanted a MR roadster with headgasket issues, I'd buy an Elise, I've yet to see a cuope MGTF, so I'm not even sure what it's doing on this shortlist.

I've driven a 1.6 MKiv Golf, Beetle and A3, and the A3 is the slowest of the bunch, the extra weight penalty kill the handling and delivery. It feels very numb when driving (as did the Golf, surprisingly the Beetle was a lot better cross country). As for perceived image, fuck it, you're the one driving, no-one else's opinion should matter (though I'm biased as I have a "hairdresser's car")

The Hyundai Coupe suffers from one major flaw, in that it looks faster than it is. I've never had the opportunity to drive it, but most reviews have been about the show, rather than the go.

The MK1 Focus chassis was acclaimed when it was released, not so sure how well the later iterations have fared, should be worth a test drive at least.

If you're looking at 1600 cars, I'd also recommend the Suzuki Swift Sport. It's a hot hatch rather than a coupe, but a much better car to drive, and pretty insurance friendly as well, as it's below the boy racer radar, despite the JWRC successes. Or even it's predecessor the Ignis Sport, there's a few on Done deal, you'd pick one up for less than 3k at the moment.

What don't you like about the Puma? It has all the best bits of the Focus (sussy, steering),but wrapped in a prettier body.

Fol20

MG TF

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1254352 this is also another one i think might be ok,it seems to from some kind o dealer as well.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1300707,very good price,but would vrt cost me a lot?

I was also wondering can anyone tell me what the inside of a coupe is like(i havnt got into one yet)Im 6.2ft and iv heard my head could be touching the ceiling?

Fol20

MG TF

nice spot betafrog,do you think that car was in a crash

bazz26

OP, I would not even dwell on the 02 with the different bumper as it is a bit expensive compared to the 04 I linked to below. With a bit of hard bargining you could probably get it for €5500.

bazz26 wrote: »

Zetec is a trim level lads.

OP, if you could stretch your budget a little here is a 04 Coupe with almost 2 years NCT, I'm sure there is some movement on the price but just make sure the timing belt has been changed, if it hasn't make it a condition of the sale:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200951196223476

Fol20

MG TF

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, I would not even dwell on the 02 with the different bumper as it is a bit expensive compared to the 04 I linked to below. With a bit of hard bargining you could probably get it for €5500.

I would when it could have crashed,chassy could be out of line

Fol20

MG TF

Just an update,im going looking at a coupe tomorrow for the first time,to see if i like it..ill keep ye posted