Purchasing first car - help needed

D'Agger

Hey lads I'm looking to buy a car off my Dad in the next year - He's offering me a decent deal on it €8,000 for the following spec

~2006 Ford Focus Saloon
~1.6tdi
~50,000km
~16" Alloys
~1 owner so far (he bought it new)

Now I'm just after starting a new job, the moneys not great but it's still a start seeing as I'm a graduate (22) I'm wondering if Insurance will cripple me on this seeing as I'm under 25 and it's a 1.6 - the car I have at the moment gets me from a-b but I need a sturdy car like this.

I'm half wondering if I'll be able to afford 8k even though it's a good deal for me, would I be better going for a cheaper car with more miles and more owners or am I saving myself hassle in the long run seeing as I know my dad hasn't had any trouble out of this car, I know the fuel economy is good etc. ?

It's a bit of a stupid post I'll admit but I'm just stuck on what to do - the cars I've checked online don't appear to be much better value so what do ye think??

Thanks in advance for any advice given

D'Agger

Sitec wrote: »

8K is too much for a 1st car. You want to buy something that you can afford to crash and walk away without being in debt. Would a 00-01 Focus not be sufficent?

The thing is - it's not really my first car - I've been using my mothers car for the past year roughly 5days a week as she doesn't need it much. I learned to drive in the car - so basically I've had the car for 3years. I'm driving a long enough time at this stage, safe enough aul driver so I wouldn't be worried about a crash.

I'd prefer to spend 5/6k on a car for financial reasons - Im not sure about taking on such a large loan. I just think that I'm getting a good deal with this car, I know it's of very good quality, low mileage and importantly for me - very good fuel economy.

Settling for a cheaper car means getting a car where I'm not sure if it's trouble or not, what the fuel economy is like and so on - This is probably frustrating for you to read and apologies for that but I'm really caught in two minds y'know!

bazz26

Presuming you will be looking to borrow from a bank or credit union to buy the car I would first see if you can actually get approval on a loan from them first. Banks are very fussy with who they give money to these days, having only just started a new job could prove difficult with them. If borrowing for a car some of them will not entertain you buying from a private individual. They could insist on the car being bought from a reputable dealer.

Regarding insurance, the best thing to do is ring various insurance companies and see what kind of money you will be talking about to insure it.

To be honest, if it was me just starting a new job and the wage ain't great then I would probably not spend €8k on a car straight away. I would buy a cheap car to get me around until at least you are settled into the job and know whether it will be somewhat stable or not. However I can understand the advantage of buying a car that you know the history of and how it was treated since day one.

desdman

Stay away from the Fords,they eat up petrol like mad,i had two different ford cars and they use up the petrol so fast and i don't drive long distances.
A Nissan is a very reliable car.Never any trouble;), the Nissan Primera or Tida is a good option http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Primera/T-Spec-1/201028198809665/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Tiida/1.6-5DR-/201037199567687/advert?channel=CARS
As regard insurance,generally the insurance on a 1.4 or 1.6 is the same regardless of age.anything above a 1.6,the insurance rate goes through the roof :eek:

Rockery Woman

definately you should get insurance quotes. If you are used to driving and can get the finance it sounds like a good buy. But since you are only starting your job and probably nervous about owing so much money, perhaps something smaller would suit you better. Lower road tax, insurance and fuel costs... I would look at other options before deciding on the car.

Rockery Woman

desdman wrote: »

Stay away from the Fords,they eat up petrol like mad,i had two different ford cars and they use up the petrol so fast and i don't drive long distance

but its a diesel isn't it? 1.6 tdi

Nonoperational

desdman wrote: »

Stay away from the Fords,they eat up petrol like mad,i had two different ford cars and they use up the petrol so fast and i don't drive long distances.
A Nissan is a very reliable car.Never any trouble;), the Nissan Primera or Tida is a good option http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Primera/T-Spec-1/201028198809665/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Tiida/1.6-5DR-/201037199567687/advert?channel=CARS
As regard insurance,generally the insurance on a 1.4 or 1.6 is the same regardless of age.anything above a 1.6,the insurance rate goes through the roof :eek:

No offence but that is a ridiculous statement on so many levels.

bazz26

desdman wrote: »

Stay away from the Fords,they eat up petrol like mad,i had two different ford cars and they use up the petrol so fast and i don't drive long distances.
A Nissan is a very reliable car.Never any trouble;), the Nissan Primera or Tida is a good option http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Primera/T-Spec-1/201028198809665/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Tiida/1.6-5DR-/201037199567687/advert?channel=CARS
As regard insurance,generally the insurance on a 1.4 or 1.6 is the same regardless of age.anything above a 1.6,the insurance rate goes through the roof :eek:

LOL. You need to drive/own a few more cars if you think a Primera/Tiida are good options.

D'Agger

Firstly thanks for the replies!

I'd have no problem with a loan - my Dad works for AIB so I've only ever saved in AIB accounts and I worked on two seperate summer internships so I know my local loan advisors etc. - All I need to show is that I can save steadily whilst earning and I can do that.

The tax and insurance would be around the €1300/1400 mark which is very pricey but when I consider I'm paying close to €1000 p.a. for the car I have at the moment that doesn't really make much difference to me - that may sound retarded but it genuinely isn't too bad a jump as far as I'm concerned.

I have looked into other cars but nothing for the €5k mark really jumps out at me - all the cars I'm interested in are either 1.8/1.9 litre petrols or have huge mileage on them.

I'll have to discuss it with the father I suppose - see could he hold off on the sale for 6months maybe - I could save a good bit by then and maybe lower the size of the loan I'd need considerably

desdman

gpf101 wrote: »

No offence but that is a ridiculous statement on so many levels.

How is it a ridiculous statement? I am speaking from personal experience here and i am entitled to my own opinion.:mad:

D'Agger

desdman wrote: »

How is it a ridiculous statement? I am speaking from personal experience here and i am entitled to my own opinion.:mad:

I think it's regarding the comment you made on the insurance not being different between a 1.4 - 1.6 litre engine - bearing in mind that I'm 22 there will be a difference for me I'd imagine especially as the engine in the focus is a 1.6 tdi