Advice on a second hand car

MikeyReilly

I need to buy a car for myself. Have about 1000 - 1200 to spend. Need to be 1.4 or less for cheaper tax (last car was 2.2 - 860euro per year). Was looking around for something japanese , maybe a honda civic or a mazda 323f. I have come across something else that tickles me fancy but not sure I should even pick up the phone because the car is an 98 Alfa Romeo 146 1.4. Never owned an Alfa but I understand they can be fairly unreliable especially a car this old. Looks nice though!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1239383

Just looking for a few opinions. Maybe from someone who had one of these.
Or else some suggestions instead of it.

EPM

Cheap car buy an old almera or corolla. Maybe a fiesta 1.25 if you can find one

johnos1984

I had one...........and I agree with what EPM said get a Jap car if you are buying something old and wish to lesson the chances of unreliability

MikeyReilly

johnos1984 wrote: »

I had one.....

Was it any good and did you have any trouble with it?

Divorce Referendum

Selling a Skoda Fabia 2001 1.4mpi next week for around your money.

johnos1984

MikeyReilly wrote: »

Was it any good and did you have any trouble with it?

Lots but mainly down to the bad maintanance which had been done before I got it. It wasn't serviced properly with the wrong grade of engine oil used.

The go through front bushings regularly, t/belts need to be done every 30k miles or so.

On one that old I factor in a new rad and pipes as the rot away, plus t/belt and water pump and finally suspension parts.

It doesn't look like its in great condition either so it could need more....

I loved driving it and hope to get another Alfa......when I can afford to run it

MikeyReilly

Divorce Referendum wrote: »

Selling a Skoda Fabia 2001 1.4mpi next week for around your money.

PM sent.

MikeyReilly

johnos1984 wrote: »

Lots but mainly down to the bad maintanance which had been done before I got it. It wasn't serviced properly with the wrong grade of engine oil used.

The go through front bushings regularly, t/belts need to be done every 30k miles or so.

On one that old I factor in a new rad and pipes as the rot away, plus t/belt and water pump and finally suspension parts.

It doesn't look like its in great condition either so it could need more....

I loved driving it and hope to get another Alfa......when I can afford to run it

Thanks for your info Johno. That's made up me mind. I'll forget about this.

Andrew33

Divorce Referendum wrote: »

Selling a Skoda Fabia 2001 1.4mpi next week for around your money.

Absolutely great car, probably the greatest car ever built, I absolutely love the Fabia, but you've the wrong engine with your one, Your car with the 1.2 is a fantastic car but with the 1.4 it's difficult.

johnos1984

Andrew33 wrote: »

Absolutely great car, probably the greatest car ever built, I absolutely love the Fabia, but you've the wrong engine with your one, Your car with the 1.2 is a fantastic car but with the 1.4 it's difficult.

Check the head gasket as its a known weak point as the miles climb (not suggesting this car has the problem)

Divorce Referendum

Andrew33 wrote: »

Absolutely great car, probably the greatest car ever built, I absolutely love the Fabia, but you've the wrong engine with your one, Your car with the 1.2 is a fantastic car but with the 1.4 it's difficult.

Ya but its not the volkswagen engine thank god. Think they were plagued with piston ring failures. My engine is the old skoda block bored from the 1.3mpi from the felicia. Old design but solid enough engine. Would the 1.2 not be low on power? Would love a vrs!:D Thats a proper engine!

Divorce Referendum

johnos1984 wrote: »

Check the head gasket as its a known weak point as the miles climb (not suggesting this car has the problem)

Yes thats true johno. Have always kept an eye out for this after i read the briskoda forum. No mayo on the coolant reservoir or oil filler cap and no white smoke thank god.

johnos1984

Divorce Referendum wrote: »

Yes thats true johno. Have always kept an eye out for this after i read the briskoda forum. No mayo on the coolant reservoir or oil filler cap and no white smoke thank god.

All sounds good so

bazz26

I'd be looking at something along the lines of this to honest. They are generally trouble free and still look stylish considering the design is 16 years old:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201020198017535

djimi

Personally Id be leaning more towards the Civic if you are going to stick with your initial inclinations. My family have owned countless Hondas and none have ever given a moments hassle. Great cars to drive as well; youll do well to find a more fun 1.4 engine IMO. Not too expensive to run a 1.4 Civic either. Might cost a little more to buy but should cost less to maintain in the long run.

That of course is just my Honda loving opinion tho!

langdang

Just consider the following info:
1) If you go over ten years old your insurance will be loaded even if you have better safety features than a 01 boggo spec focus.
2) There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that you will be charged more for insurance if you value your car at under 3k.(in effect a double loading for older cars)
3) A civic might carry insurance loading with some insurers, just because. It might also attract scummer attention depending where you live, even if it's a standard model.
4) Although I'm a fan of the 323 for reliability I'm beginning to suspect the 323f coupe as linked to by bazz may also suffer from a loading with some insurers. (I can't say anymore without stereotyping a whole continent of drivers...)

I'd say jap is the way to go alright, civic/corolla/323

Andrew33

Andrew33 wrote: »

Absolutely great car, probably the greatest car ever built, I absolutely love the Fabia

I never heard that or anything like that mentioned before tbh.

Anan1

At that kind of money it's all about the actual car IMO - i'd be looking for something that had been well cared-for rather than any particular make or model.