Any Advice re purchase?!

Doop

Hey all

Sorry if this has been done to death, but would like any advice anyone could give about a 2nd hand car purchase. I hate buying cars at the lower end of the scale and have been slightly burnt in the past!

I'm wondering whats more important year or milage...
eg.. 03 Golf with 80k on the clock
or a 00 Golf with 30k on the clock

I'd be leaning towards the older one with lower milage... is this a good idea? or is it 6 of one and half dozen of another??

Also if anyone has any ideas.. what'd be peoples recomendations between
Nissan Almera (hatchback)
Golf
Ford Focus

Im looking at the 4k euro mark

Ta for any thoughts!

djimi

Ill be honest; the first thing I think when I see a 10 year old car with that low mileage is that its been clocked. Either that or its never had a good drive a day in its life.

80k on a 7 year old car is low mileage, but not so low that it has alarm bells ringing. Provided it has a decent service history and looks well looked after then Id probably pick the 03 over the 00.

daveharnett

Doop wrote: »

I'm wondering whats more important year or milage...
eg.. 03 Golf with 80k on the clock
or a 00 Golf with 30k on the clock

I'd consider mileage to be more important. Mind you, in the extreme example you give above, I would almost be inclined to go the other way. 30k is incredibly low for a 00. Assuming it's true (which I wouldn't ) it's either been off the road for long stretches or done nothing but carry an old dear to church, neither of which is ideal.

Doop wrote: »

Also if anyone has any ideas.. what'd be peoples recomendations between
Nissan Almera (hatchback)
Golf
Ford Focus

In that price range, I reckon the almera would offer the best value, engine and reliability. The focus is most rewarding car of the three to drive. IMO the Golf has the nicer interior, but not a whole lot to recommend it otherwise (I'd run a mile from the 1.4).

jaffa20

Doop wrote: »

Hey all

Sorry if this has been done to death, but would like any advice anyone could give about a 2nd hand car purchase. I hate buying cars at the lower end of the scale and have been slightly burnt in the past!

I'm wondering whats more important year or milage...
eg.. 03 Golf with 80k on the clock
or a 00 Golf with 30k on the clock

I'd be leaning towards the older one with lower milage... is this a good idea? or is it 6 of one and half dozen of another??

Also if anyone has any ideas.. what'd be peoples recomendations between
Nissan Almera (hatchback)
Golf
Ford Focus

Im looking at the 4k euro mark

Ta for any thoughts!

A 10 year old golf with only 30k is probably clocked and even if it's not, it will need a good service and a timing belf change eventually. The 03 golf has average mileage for it's age, has probably had the timing belf changed so i'd be inclined to go witht the younger car as it will probably have better resale value too.

4k is way to much for either of them in any case.