1st Car Suggestions

murrayp4

Hi all, I'm in the market at the moment for my first car. I'm male, 30 and just passed test- but don't want to spend over 2k as I'm told your first car will always get a few bumps/scratches from parking etc. So I'm looking for something, to have for about 1 year and then I'll trade-up. Something not too small and girly:pac: so micra/yaris size is out...I wouldn't want to go over 1.6 because of insurance and it would need to be a 4-5 door.
Any suggestions??

SoupyNorman

Volkswagen Golf mk4 16v 1.4



Mods, lock the thread now.

EPM

SoupyNorman wrote: »

Volkswagen Golf mk4 16v 1.4



Mods, lock the thread now.

That's probably the worst suggestion anyone could make for the guy. Underpowered, unreliable, basic and totally overpriced.

If you're learning and only keeping it for a year have a look at a Mark 1 Almera or an old Corolla. You shouldn't lose too much on them at that price range and they take abuse well:D

vengeance52

EPM wrote: »

That's probably the worst suggestion anyone could make for the guy. Underpowered, unreliable, basic and totally overpriced.

If you're learning and only keeping it for a year have a look at a Mark 1 Almera or an old Corolla. You shouldn't lose too much on them at that price range and they take abuse well:D

Agree with this.... the Mk4 1.4 was so unreliable i wouldnt touch it.

Almera is a good choice or maybe a focus

bazz26

Mazda 323 are uber reliable. Should be able to pick up a 2000/2001 model on your budget like this:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201023198320488

Or if you prefer something a little more sporty then the older 323F model is worth a look at:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201030198965089

murrayp4

Hmmmm, funnily enough I'd kind of narrowed it to focus, almera or corolla...I had been told the golf was overpriced but I didn't hear it was unreliable.
I've also heard that if you're going for a focus that the 1.6 is you're best bet as anything less is pants...?

EPM

That's true with the focus alright. Minimum of a 1.6 as the 1.4 is lost

Typewriter

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1474285

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1472944

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1255845

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1450859

chris85

mazda mx-3. great car for the money. get a good 1996-1997 for cheap enough. Good cars and look quite nice also (especially compared to the other horrible looking things being thrown out here)

martydunf

vengeance52 wrote: »

Agree with this.... the Mk4 1.4 was so unreliable i wouldnt touch it.



Almera is a good choice or maybe a focus

murrayp4 wrote: »

Hmmmm, funnily enough I'd kind of narrowed it to focus, almera or corolla...I had been told the golf was overpriced but I didn't hear it was unreliable.
I've also heard that if you're going for a focus that the 1.6 is you're best bet as anything less is pants...?

The Golf 1.4 isnt that unreliable to be fair. It comes down to how to previous owner treated it with regards servicing it on time etc. just like any other car.

The 1.4 Mk4 is just very unpowered more than anything else, the 1.4 Focus would be a much better opition, or indeed the 1.6 Focus which wouldnt be a bad choice either.

mink_man

got a 1.4 golf mk 4 myself and it has a full service history and its runing perfect

voojeq

i've also owned mk4 1.4 estate and did not complain about it, car was grand (as long as the mileage was low) :P

For a 1st car my sugesstion would be nissan almera 1.4 in black or blue.

From the other hand, why bother spending 1k-2k on that kind of car when you can have it's smaller equivalent for much less?

let's say fiat seicento 900 cc, would cost you a fraction of the car you are seeking and after a while you will sell it anyway to buy something more decent

think about it

murrayp4

voojeq wrote: »

let's say fiat seicento 900 cc, would cost you a fraction of the car you are seeking and after a while you will sell it anyway to buy something more decent

Sorry, my ego is far too brittle to drive around in a car like that:pac:

SoupyNorman

EPM wrote: »

That's probably the worst suggestion anyone could make for the guy. Underpowered, unreliable, basic and totally overpriced.

Well I can only offer my advice based on personal experience. I've had mine for 2.5 years and never had any unforeseen problems.

Midnight_EG

SoupyNorman wrote: »

Well I can only offer my advice based on personal experience. I've had mine for 2.5 years and never had any unforeseen problems.

Have you had experience in any other car?

SoupyNorman

Midnight_EG wrote: »

Have you had experience in any other car?

Peugot 206

Midnight_EG

SoupyNorman wrote: »

Peugot 206

So none really :pac:





I always tend to leave these kind of threads to people that work in dealers or work for a fleet company

W.Shakes-Beer

Another option for that price range is a mk4 Astra (3 door looks good), I bought one for my first car and still have it... love it tbh.

the 1.4 16v is a good punchy little engine with 90bhp, economy is great and hasnt't given an ounce of trouble (touch wood) over the last 2 years. Dont plan on selling it anytime soon.

i'd steer away from a golf. people generally think that because of their badge they are bullet proof. there may also be a bit of badge snobbery attached haha (sorry golf owners).

The mk4 1.4 golf was an 8v i think?? Approx. 74bhp and wouldnt pull ye out of bed.

neilthefunkeone

Midnight_EG wrote: »

I always tend to leave these kind of threads to people that work in dealers

Hahahahahahahahaha.. sorry i have to laugh.. My mate works in a car dealer(fairly big one).. Poor chap would struggle changing a wheel.. Lucky if he'd be able to find the washer bottle!!!

Maybe he is the exception!!

murrayp4

What do y'all think of this one, should it concern a buyer that there has been 5 owners?

Midnight_EG

neilthefunkeone wrote: »

Hahahahahahahahaha.. sorry i have to laugh.. My mate works in a car dealer(fairly big one).. Poor chap would struggle changing a wheel.. Lucky if he'd be able to find the washer bottle!!!

Maybe he is the exception!!

Because changing a wheel has so much to do with selling a car...?

hondavfr

W.Shakes-Beer wrote: »

Another option for that price range is a mk4 Astra (3 door looks good), I bought one for my first car and still have it... love it tbh.

the 1.4 16v is a good punchy little engine with 90bhp, economy is great and hasnt't given an ounce of trouble (touch wood) over the last 2 years. Dont plan on selling it anytime soon.

i'd steer away from a golf. people generally think that because of their badge they are bullet proof. there may also be a bit of badge snobbery attached haha (sorry golf owners).

The mk4 1.4 golf was an 8v i think?? Approx. 74bhp and wouldnt pull ye out of bed.

I have owned a mk4 astra for six years and it was a great car with a good strong lively engine,they can be bought cheaper than the corolla too. The timing belt is expensive for replacing though at about 400 Euro.

pcardin

Maybe this?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1313197

Patsy fyre

I had a renault megane sporty version with spoiler. Was a fantastic car couldn't recommend it highly enough. Smooth, lovely drive, nice pep, all the extras and cheap.
Cant go wrong!