Buying my first car (2nd hand) - where to buy from?

danthefan

Will be buying my first car soon, wondering about private sale or buying from a dealer. Someone I know recently bought a car in a private sale and within a month or so it had broken down and was beyond repair, which has scared the crap out of me. What are the best websites to have a look? And for a budget of about 5k what would be the best I could hope for?

Thanks.

MagicMarker

www.donedeal.ie
www.driving.ie
www.carzone.ie

Buying private is fine once you do your homework and get everything checked out before handing over the cash.

What kind of car are you looking for?

danthefan

MagicMarker wrote: »

www.donedeal.ie
www.driving.ie
www.carzone.ie

Buying private is fine once you do your homework and get everything checked out before handing over the cash.

What kind of car are you looking for?

Not really sure, and not very knowledgeable about cars either. I'll probably be doing a good few miles in it, was thinking something along the lines of VW Golf. Also thinking of a diesel.

As for getting everything checked out, have a mechanic look at it before purchase?

Anan1

I think buying privately is safer than buying from the kind of dealer who sells €5k cars. Do all your checks, have a mechanic check the car out prior to purchase, and remember that you can tell a lot about a car from the owner. Be prepared to spend a while looking, and if in any doubt walk - you'll know when you've found the right car.

danthefan

Anan1 wrote: »

I think buying privately is safer than buying from the kind of dealer who sells €5k cars. Do all your checks, have a mechanic check the car out prior to purchase, and remember that you can tell a lot about a car from the owner. Be prepared to spend a while looking, and if in any doubt walk - you'll know when you've found the right car.

Ok, thanks for the advice.


Could anyone say what small cars tend to be reliable?

mondeo

Anything japanese is half decent

Max_Damage

Try www.ebay.ie too.

YouTookMyName

Is that 5k including insurance? or 5k for car alone?

copacetic

Anan1 wrote: »

I think buying privately is safer than buying from the kind of dealer who sells €5k cars. Do all your checks, have a mechanic check the car out prior to purchase, and remember that you can tell a lot about a car from the owner. Be prepared to spend a while looking, and if in any doubt walk - you'll know when you've found the right car.

agreed, at that price level private is probably the best bet. Plenty of cheap golfs/focus out there, should be able to fine a great one for 5k.

danthefan

YouTookMyName wrote: »

Is that 5k including insurance? or 5k for car alone?

Just the car. And I might be able to stretch it a bit.

dgt

If you see a car you like and are going to see, do your research, find out its strengths and weaknesses, its value and depreciation, common faults and fixes etc. Dont go see a car without knowing anything about it, you cant go too far wrong otherwise

Conor_M1990

d4d Avensis or Corolla is what you want Golfs are overpriced and overated imo should get a nice tidy one within budget

johnos1984

OP identify what you want for us.

I got an 06 (B6) Passat for 6.5k off my mechanic and its great but a lot of people here will say otherwise about them as they know everything.......

Depends on what you want

Anan1

danthefan wrote: »

Could anyone say what small cars tend to be reliable?

Well-minded ones.:)

maidhc

Buy private, no doubt about it, I have bought two cheap cars in the past two years this way and both have been faultless.

One tip though, the decorum of the seller will tell you more about the car than any mechanic. If you are not comfortable with him/her or you smell bullsh1t, then just walk. Get something that has been owned for a good while, and look for a service history.

Personally I would buy something like a Focus or Octavia or even something bigger. Insurance on a 1.4 is generally affordable though, and a 1.4 Octavia isn't actually that much slower than the hallowed TDI.

danthefan

Thanks for all the help, will have a look at a few different cars then.

When it comes to mileage is there a number I should stay below?

Spud5467

I know the feeling about buying a second hand car if your not experienced. I'd say private is definitely the best way to go, don't even think about an auction. Dealers may offer a guarantee but normally don't amount to anything. Pay extra for bugger all.

Just do as much research as you can, go see as many cars as you car, drive them etc. Ask questions and have strange requests. I remember the first cars I looked at, almost infatuated by the thought of owing it but when I think back they were shady. Some good videos on youtube about what to look for, eg Water in the oil, cracked hoses.

I wouldn't buy anything without New NCT, good tyres, service history if possible.

I know I'm extremely bias but I'd be hard pushed not to buy anything other than Japanese, specifically Toyota.

Had a very brief look but this car would be worth a look, not sure about the price though. Haven't looked for a good while
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1744894

Lots of websites where you can check the car's history using the plates. Places around the country offer a service, think about 200euro where they will look the car over and tell you whats wrong with it.

JamBur

Hi Dan,
I'm selling my Citroen C4. Its well within your price range.

Have a look at it HERE

What area of the country are you in?