car recommendations needed asap!!

Clareom

Hi there,
I've just about sold my '00 Golf and am looking to pick something else up around the 3000-3500 mark. I'm considering the following and would greatly appreciate advice/opinion on any aspects good or bad!!

Nissan Almera Hatchback - 2003, 1.5 60k miles, 3300 euro

Ford Focus 1.6 petrol h/b, 2002 OR 1.8TD 2002 3000 euro

BMW 316 Compact - 2002 1.8 88k miles, 3500euro

Opel Astra Bertone - 2001/2002 95k miles, 2500-3000 euro

Seat Ibiza - 2003, 1.2 3000 euro

Ford fiesta 1.4 diesel - 2002 3000euro


I'm baffled as to what to get!! Any advice on any of the above welcome!! Am torn between good looks and economic sense!

Thanks.

colm_mcm

the almera has no redeeming features at all. Thats the first to go.

diesel fiesta is nicer and better than petrol ibiza.

The compact is nice in its own way, an often overlooked car, best to drive out of the bunch. Id probably have it over the astra unless the astra was gold or bright blue with leather.

Im tempted to say the focus is the best all rounder, but its not that much cheaper than the compact or astra.

Bizzarely that kind of leaves you at the astra. Fuel economy and repairs won't be far off the focus, its practical enough, spec probably highest of the lot and its rare enough.

Hal1

The focus most reliable of the lot. You will love it. I know I do .

ottostreet

The Focus or the BMW. you wont win any races with the BMW, but they are lovely cars (dont like the compact myself)

SV

The focus(1.6 petrol) is the easy winner here for me on this one..

Nissan Almera Hatchback - 2003, 1.5 60k miles, 3300 euro
Gearbox goes on loads of them, about a grand to sort so wouldn't advise buying one.

Ford Focus 1.6 petrol h/b, 2002 OR 1.8TD 2002 3000 euro
I'd get the diesel, you'll always sell it on in years to come, I do think Focus are really over rated but they are better than much of the competition, how anyone actualy like their Focus is beyond me unless it's an ST or something.

BMW 316 Compact - 2002 1.8 88k miles, 3500euro
Complete and utter dirt, a silly car.

Opel Astra Bertone - 2001/2002 95k miles, 2500-3000 euro
What engine ? Seems a good price.

Seat Ibiza - 2003, 1.2 3000 euro
Tiny car, you won't like one after a Golf.

Ford fiesta 1.4 diesel - 2002 3000euro
I don't like

Carson10

Far better choice of spec up north for your money.

This is a nice motor.

http://www.usedcarsni.com/53193637

Flyer1

Nissan Almera Hatchback - 2003, 1.5 60k miles, 3300 euro
Gearbox does give trouble, and the 1.5 is heavy on petrol. Better off to go for the old shape 1.4, a much better car

Ford Focus 1.6 petrol h/b, 2002 OR 1.8TD 2002 3000 euro
Boring over rated cars, go for the diesel if it's a focus.

BMW 316 Compact - 2002 1.8 88k miles, 3500euro
Typical BMW, they break

Opel Astra Bertone - 2001/2002 95k miles, 2500-3000 euro
Good cars

Seat Ibiza - 2003, 1.2 3000 euro
Not a bad car but small and not great on a long journey.

Ford fiesta 1.4 diesel - 2002 3000euro
Vomit

Flyer1

Flyer1 wrote: »

Nissan Almera Hatchback - 2003, 1.5 60k miles, 3300 euro
Gearbox does give trouble, and the 1.5 is heavy on petrol. Better off to go for the old shape 1.4, a much better car

Ford Focus 1.6 petrol h/b, 2002 OR 1.8TD 2002 3000 euro
Boring over rated cars, go for the diesel if it's a focus.

BMW 316 Compact - 2002 1.8 88k miles, 3500euro
Typical BMW, they break

Opel Astra Bertone - 2001/2002 95k miles, 2500-3000 euro
Good cars

Seat Ibiza - 2003, 1.2 3000 euro
Not a bad car but small and not great on a long journey.

Ford fiesta 1.4 diesel - 2002 3000euro
Vomit

this chap / chappette knows his / her beans

Atomic Pineapple

Coming from a 00 Golf (1.4?) a 1.6 Focus will seem far from boring to the OP

bazz26

When you convert £3k to euro and add VRT it will cost close to €5k for a soon to be 10 year old Golf GTi with a misserable 115bhp 2.0 litre engine.

This is newer, more powerful and better value:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201017197828025

bazz26

bazz26 wrote: »

This is newer, more powerful and better value:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201017197828025

that is great value if she is straight and sound

Clareom

Hmmm....so, Focus seems to be the all-round winner. I've seen one with 95k miles, 2002, diesel. Is that a little high on mileage? Or ok for a diesel engine?

....or the opel. It's a lovely looking car for sure. but my insurance almost doubles (which is ridiculous!)

Megane??

Atomic Pineapple

Clareom wrote: »

Hmmm....so, Focus seems to be the all-round winner. I've seen one with 95k miles, 2002, diesel. Is that a little high on mileage? Or ok for a diesel engine?

Only been run in at that mileage on a diesel!

Clareom wrote: »

....or the opel. It's a lovely looking car for sure. but my insurance almost doubles (which is ridiculous!)

Not worth it then unless its the top spec, highest power engine

Clareom wrote: »

Megane??

No