Cheap car that will run all day for 2k?

nellocono

Hi all,
As the statement goes im looking to spend some money (around 2000) on a car. Im not looking for anything too flash just something that will keep going solidly without having to pump too much money into it...

I was looking at 01 almeras as they seem to come into my price range except im not sure how reliable they are...

Would love a Honda accord except i can't find any in my price range...

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks

CianRyan

I have a mate with an 01 1.6 Almera, not sure which model, and he swears by it. It's been kept well so it runs well.

On the flip side, my dad use to have an 02 one, he never treats cars well, it showed but it was still very reliable.

CaraFawn

The idea of buying a 2000 euro car in perfect condition that will not require any sort of service or expense for a while sounds unrealistic to me.
But then I might be wrong...

You can probably grab a good quality car for that price, gonna be an oldy, but I am pretty sure you will have some sort of work to do shortly afer. Maybe tires, maybe fuilds, maybe brakes etc..

JHMEG

nellocono wrote: »

Would love a Honda accord except i can't find any in my price range...

You're not looking in the right places. You'll pick up an Accord for a grand handy enough.

fonecrusher1

JHMEG wrote: »

You'll pick up an Accord for a grand handy enough.

Jaysis an oldy you mean? 95/96 maybe.

JHMEG

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

Jaysis an oldy you mean? 95/96 maybe.

I'll be selling a 98 (new model) Accord Coupé, with full leather, climate control, cruise, auto, for a grand soon enough.

CaraFawn

JHMEG wrote: »

I'll be selling a 98 (new model) Accord Coupé,

In 98 :P

coolbeans

CaraFawn wrote: »

The idea of buying a 2000 euro car in perfect condition that will not require any sort of service or expense for a while sounds unrealistic to me.
But then I might be wrong...

You can probably grab a good quality car for that price, gonna be an oldy, but I am pretty sure you will have some sort of work to do shortly afer. Maybe tires, maybe fuilds, maybe brakes etc..

It's not unrealistic at all. You just have to find the right car and employ a little patience. I'd be look at a Fiesta 1.25, a civic, a first gen almera, an accord or a primera for trouble free motoring. The Japs from that era were probably the most reliable cars ever made and a lot of people who know what they're talking about will agree with me. They're not just reliable, if looked after they're even very easy on consumables like suspension parts, clutches etc. While many may be soulless they can't be beaten if your priority is to get from a to b headache free. Modern cars are too complex for such dependability ever to be repeated.

JHMEG

CaraFawn wrote: »

In 98 :P

Model changed in 98.

JHMEG

coolbeans wrote: »

It's not unrealistic at all. You just have to find the right car and employ a little patience. I'd be look at a Fiesta 1.25, a civic, a first gen almera, an accord or a primera for trouble free motoring. The Japs from that era were probably the most reliable cars ever made and a lot of people who know what they're talking about will agree with me. They're not just reliable, if looked after they're even very easy on consumables like suspension parts, clutches etc. While many may be soulless they can't be beaten if you're priority is to get from a to b headache free. Modern cars are too complex for such dependability ever to be repeated.

My sis-in-law had a 1.25 Fiesta. Not worth the hassle...

fonecrusher1

JHMEG wrote: »

I'll be selling a 98 (new model) Accord Coupé, with full leather, climate control, cruise, auto, for a grand soon enough.

Is that the 2.2 litre?

CaraFawn

coolbeans wrote: »

It's not unrealistic at all. You just have to find the right car and employ a little patience. I'd be look at a Fiesta 1.25, a civic, a first gen almera, an accord or a primera for trouble free motoring. The Japs from that era were probably the most reliable cars ever made and a lot of people who know what they're talking about will agree with me. They're not just reliable, if looked after they're even very easy on consumables like suspension parts, clutches etc. While many may be soulless they can't be beaten if you're priority is to get from a to b headache free. Modern cars are too complex for such dependability ever to be repeated.

Yes agreed but that means the previous owner would have kept service up to date, changed worn things etc. Definitely a hard find. Who is changing fluids, gaskets, tires, brake pads etc when due? For the NCT probably only...
Not impossible, but it is gonna be hard, especially on a small 10 years oldish car.

CaraFawn

JHMEG wrote: »

Model changed in 98.

Yeah I figured, was just kd.;)

squod

http://cars.buyandsell.ie/search/cars-for-sale-under-3k/meath/ford-mondeo-1798-petrol-2001-8

How about one of these yokes?

coolbeans

CaraFawn wrote: »

Yes agreed but that means the previous owner would have kept service up to date, changed worn things etc. Definitely a hard find. Who is changing fluids, gaskets, tires, brake pads etc when due? For the NCT probably only...
Not impossible, but it is gonna be hard, especially on a small 10 years oldish car.

Ah stop picking holes in my sweeping generalisation will you!

fonecrusher1

CaraFawn wrote: »

Yes agreed but that means the previous owner would have kept service up to date, changed worn things etc. Definitely a hard find. Who is changing fluids, gaskets, tires, brake pads etc when due? For the NCT probably only...
Not impossible, but it is gonna be hard, especially on a small 10 years oldish car.

Well i think your spot on.

I myself had a budget of about 2k a month ago to buy a car & i was looking for something that wasn't wrecked & i can tell you i looked at a good few cars ranging in price from about 1600 to 2300 & most of them had some sort of issue or slight problem & all of them had quite a few small problems. All mechanically sound but silly things here & there like a stubborn window or sunroof, door seal a bit loose, few scratches & dents here & there, maybe a bit of broken trim inside.

A 2000 euro 10/11/12 year old car is never ever perfect & if you go out expecting that you'll be looking for a while.

I settled on a 2000 corolla for 1600 euro with tax & 2 years NCT but i had to sort a few little things to get her running sweet. Gave it a full service, changed sparkplugs, gave the injectors a clean with a fuel additive & i think i need to replace the rear brake pads but hey? thats the joys of older budget cars.:)

Mr Benevolent

JHMEG wrote: »

I'll be selling a 98 (new model) Accord Coupé, with full leather, climate control, cruise, auto, for a grand soon enough.

ARRGGGHH!! If only...

bazz26

Honda Civic saloon with 2 years NCT and 7 months tax:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201021198147190

argosy2006

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/406/1.9-DIES/201014197557874/advert?channel=CARS
u need a 55 mpg diesel, with an nct

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/406/2.0-HDI-/200840190231480/advert?channel=CARS&featuredListingClickThru=true

ShadowHearth

coolbeans wrote: »

It's not unrealistic at all. You just have to find the right car and employ a little patience. I'd be look at a Fiesta 1.25, a civic, a first gen almera, an accord or a primera for trouble free motoring. The Japs from that era were probably the most reliable cars ever made and a lot of people who know what they're talking about will agree with me. They're not just reliable, if looked after they're even very easy on consumables like suspension parts, clutches etc. While many may be soulless they can't be beaten if your priority is to get from a to b headache free. Modern cars are too complex for such dependability ever to be repeated.

what he said. Amen.

You can deffenetly find a newer shaped accord for that sort of money, thought i dont know whats wrong with older ones, i think they look classy.

I had a pug 406 00' and it was moust reliable car i ever owned! I know it has a bad reputation, but damn that thing was rock solid for me! It would go nicely in to your price range, you could get a diesel aswell.

JHMEG

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

Is that the 2.2 litre?

No, that was the older model. Newer model was 2.0 and 3.0 V6. Mine's the 2.0

This shape:

nellocono

Thanks for the feedback...

Looking at the Peugeot 406 (coupe) and they look a very nice car..I really dont know though Ive always wanted to stay away from French cars..

I understand what I get is not going to be completely trouble free but I would like some peace of mind anyway...

What ye think of this: http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201007196929231

coolbeans

ShadowHearth wrote: »

what he said. Amen.

You can deffenetly find a newer shaped accord for that sort of money, thought i dont know whats wrong with older ones, i think they look classy.

I had a pug 406 00' and it was moust reliable car i ever owned! I know it has a bad reputation, but damn that thing was rock solid for me! It would go nicely in to your price range, you could get a diesel aswell.

406 is a great car. Engines damn near unbreakable. That coupe would want to be a bit cheaper for me to be tempted. The alloys are awful and those mudflaps would have to go. That 2.0 is no ball of fire either. The electrics can play up a little but not in a serious a way. That said I'd want the 2.2 HDi or the V6. I don't think I'd consider the 2.0 and would be more inclined to find an Accord coupe like the one above.

JHMEG

JHMEG wrote: »

No, that was the older model. Newer model was 2.0 and 3.0 V6. Mine's the 2.0

This shape:

Savage car for a grand, is she healthy enough ?

Regarding the OP, the 520i I bought two months back is fine, haven't spent a penny on her, good tyres and she was serviced before I bought her too, 16 months NCT left on her too, and she's 17. They are out there.

JHMEG

RoverJames wrote: »

Savage car for a grand, is she healthy enough ?

Perfect. These cars have very heavy panels and as such hold their shape and condition very well. Going on the feedback here I think I'll ask more for it!

Gurgle

Why is anybody on this thread suggesting anything other than a Carina E?

nellocono

Gurgle, no offence but Id rather stay away from the ol' Carinas...rocket proof they may be! I must say i am intrigued by the 406 coupe, as they are a gorgeous car and I never really noticed them... A bit of googling comes back saying they are pretty well built so shouldnt be a disaster... hmmmmmmmmm what to do???

The Mulk

http://www.adverts.ie/221049/cars/ford-mondeo-2002-reduced-again-or-swap/

Going to put it through an NCT soon enough if you're interested!

Max Power1

Seconding the carina nomination....

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Carina/E-TAX-08/201005196784609/advert?channel=CARS

Moses7

It is a risky business. You can find something that needs just oil change for the next year, or something that breaks down the next day.

Ardennes1944

a 00 corolla saloon:)

Sleepy

bazz26 wrote: »

Honda Civic saloon with 2 years NCT and 7 months tax:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201021198147190

Sshhh, I'm currently making an offer on that...

ShadowHearth

Moses7 wrote: »

It is a risky business. You can find something that needs just oil change for the next year, or something that breaks down the next day.

Same thing can be said about cars for 15k++ m8.

I have seen cars bought for 500eu and being trouble free.

alias no.9

JHMEG wrote: »

I'll be selling a 98 (new model) Accord Coupé, with full leather, climate control, cruise, auto, for a grand soon enough.

How soon? I'd definitely be interested in taking a look at that.

nellocono

Anyone know how much the tax is on a 00 406 coupe. Have a sneeky feeling its about 1000 euro

ShadowHearth

nellocono wrote: »

Anyone know how much the tax is on a 00 406 coupe. Have a sneeky feeling its about 1000 euro

if its a 2.0 it will be 600eu, if its 3.0 it will be 1.2k eu

JHMEG

alias no.9 wrote: »

How soon? I'd definitely be interested in taking a look at that.

Should be before the summer's out.

paryan

nellocono wrote: »

Hi all,
As the statement goes im looking to spend some money (around 2000) on a car. Im not looking for anything too flash just something that will keep going solidly without having to pump too much money into it...

I was looking at 01 almeras as they seem to come into my price range except im not sure how reliable they are...

Would love a Honda accord except i can't find any in my price range...

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks

xli-gxi corolla!!! bullet proof