1.2 petrol vs a cheap diesel

kiddums

I thought I'd get some advice on this.

I'm looking about buying my first car, and I'll need something reilable with good MPG for 300 miles a week. I also need something with cheap insurance.

I've been looking at a 01 1.2 fiesta petrol with really low miles (60k i think, i know then owner and its genuine) and no major problems. But I don't really know how much to offer for the car. Whats it worth? about 1000e?

Or should I look for a diesel? I can't seem to find any cheap tho, again around 1000e. Any suggestions on where to look?

Are diesels really that much cheaper on long journeys? and are they cheaper to insure?

cantdecide

300/ week isn't all that much more than medium mileage and the reality is (this is my second time saying this today) a diesel for €1,000 isn't worth having.

The next thing I'll say is that the small-engine-for-cheaper-insurance thing gets bandied about but the reality is you'll pay similar money for most underpowered cars. EG, my 17 y/o cousin sold his 1.3 colt and got a 1.6 vectra and the insrance was virtually the same. My point is- don't assume. Back up your assumptions with sample insurance quotes.

For €1,000, the best value for money (and best chance of reliability) is going to be 1.4-1.6 type saloons like the almera, carina, primera, mondeo etc. and you will probably be pleasantly surprised by the economy.

cantdecide

I think you'd need to be lucky to get that Fiesta for a grand...

kildare.17hmr

Thats some good advice there kiddums, plenty of decent cars to be had for €1000 and under, picked up a lil jem of a coupe for the missus last week with 90k and a 2 yr test for €600, cant go wrong!

kiddums

cantdecide wrote: »

300/ week isn't all that much more than medium mileage and the reality is (this is my second time saying this today) a diesel for €1,000 isn't worth having.

The next thing I'll say is that the small-engine-for-cheaper-insurance thing gets bandied about but the reality is you'll pay similar money for most underpowered cars. EG, my 17 y/o cousin sold his 1.3 colt and got a 1.6 vectra and the insrance was virtually the same. My point is- don't assume. Back up your assumptions with sample insurance quotes.

For €1,000, the best value for money (and best chance of reliability) is going to be 1.4-1.6 type saloons like the almera, carina, primera, mondeo etc. and you will probably be pleasantly surprised by the economy.

Thanks, I'll stay away from diesel's till i get more money then.

I've looked at bigger engine sizes and 1.4's are usually about 200e dearer than 1.2, and 1lt is only about 60e cheaper than 1.2.

cantdecide wrote: »

I think you'd need to be lucky to get that Fiesta for a grand...

So what would you say its worth then? I don't want to look like an idot and offer to much or an a$$ and offer too little.

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

Thats some good advice there kiddums, plenty of decent cars to be had for €1000 and under, picked up a lil jem of a coupe for the missus last week with 90k and a 2 yr test for €600, cant go wrong!

Where were you looking? Locally or online? I can't seem to find much online.

kildare.17hmr

lots on www.donedeal.ie and www.gumtree.ie
if you have a grand to spend look at cars priced up to 15/1600 ya will find someone who will gladly take your money.

alias no.9

kiddums wrote: »

So what would you say its worth then? I don't want to look like an idot and offer to much or an a$$ and offer too little.

If you know the owner and don't want to be appearing to offer too little, take the angle that you like the car but don't think you can afford it as you're limited to a €1k budget. They may bite your hand off.