Help me find a decent budget car

Tea_Bag

My friend is looking for a second hand car, and she's not very smart about what to look for (neither am i) but i dont want her to get stung with a banger. I said id try looking for a car for her on one of the many online websites. (need advice here as to which sites are preferable?) only limitation is €1000 (give or take very little) budget:o:o preferably a 1.2l or there about, it just needs to do running around to work and back, but its a 40 odd min drive to work, so comfort is a +.
actually, roof racks would be a big bonus for her surf board, but not critical.


any advice on type of car/website to use/things to look out for/suggestions or something you spotted somewhere would be really helpful.

sollar

For €1000, she'd want it recently NCT'd and bring someone along to look over it to see if its good car.

mawk

Don't forget to haggle, asking price is seldom selling price. If the nct its coming up, listen to the exhaust for leaks and bounce the shocks to see if they are the same both sides. Those two things fail a lot of cars that get bounced around on or bad roads. And think about less common cars, polo has a reputation but a ghetz is a great car that won't be half the price for example

Tea_Bag

i found 2 cars that look good.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1627510

(she wont care about the dent. my friend has one and it seems to be extremely reliable. im a bit worried about cars with very little photo's posted though.)

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1628675

this looks very decent for the price. am i missing something here? no mileage is listed..

Zubeneschamali

Tea_Bag wrote: »

am i missing something here?

What happened to:

preferably a 1.2l or there about

If you don't have a clue make sure she knows that

EPM

Wouldn't touch that Passat btw. Looks rough and that engine likes a drink too...

If you're looking at bigger engines what about this?

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/1622482

Below budget, reliable and long ish NCT

ToxicPaddy

Have to agree with sollar, something with a recent NCT, plus a mechanic/friend who knows what they are doing/looking for.

If she increased her budget to €1.5 - €2k, she opens up a whole other range of cars and greatly increases the chances of getting something much much better and possible a diesel which would save a lot in the long run with the work runs and if she plans on doing trips to the West to surf..

Tox

ToxicPaddy

EPM wrote: »

Wouldn't touch that Passat btw. Looks rough and that engine likes a drink too...

If you're looking at bigger engines what about this?

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/1622482

Below budget, reliable and long ish NCT

Had a 97 mondeo for years, put 140k on her and apart from the usual maintenance she ran very smoothly.. would defo recommend them if you're willing to go for the larger engine size..

robtri

have to laugh at the astra.. top spec..... but plastic hub caps... lol

kqcregg

A friend has a Seat Leon and swears by them.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1636863

This one looks good value with 4 months tax and a decent NCT. If serviced as stated it should serve your friend well.

Tea_Bag

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

Have to agree with sollar, something with a recent NCT, plus a mechanic/friend who knows what they are doing/looking for.

If she increased her budget to €1.5 - €2k, she opens up a whole other range of cars and greatly increases the chances of getting something much much better and possible a diesel which would save a lot in the long run with the work runs and if she plans on doing trips to the West to surf..

Tox

could you give me an example in that price range of something nice, so i can use it to convince her?


thanks for all the comments so far!

RiderOnTheStorm

I like the layout & ease of use of www.cbg.ie You can search for any model (or leave it blank) and/or budget / fuel / age / dealer-private / doors / etc.

A quick look for any make/model of 1.2l petrol for 1000, from a dealer, gives 17 results. Mostly Fiats & Fords.

a_v525

Keep an eye on the bangernomics thread here, some real gems (or what appear to be) do pop up there from time to time

sollar

Something like these could be an option.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1656830

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1658773