Car for low mileage, budget €4000

pluging

Hi I'm looking at getting my first car. I have 3 years named driver experience on my parents Almera. I'm a 24 year old male and my total budget including tax and insurance is around €5000. I'll be doing low mileage, less than 10,000 miles pa anyway.

I also need a bit of storage as every now and then I need to transport music equipment.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a suitable vehicle. At the moment I was considering the following:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/LOOK-LOW/201049200518464/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-AUTO/201040199810739/advert?channel=CARS

Is there anything to look out for on both cars? Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks

2011abc

Well as a general rule Japanese cars tend to be more reliable...

shineon23

they both seem a bit pricey for 8 and 9 year old cars imho, maybe give donedeal or adverts websites a look??

personally i'd prefer a focus but have heard nothing but good reports on skodas.

Anan1

I'd steer well away from dodgy dealers for a start - it's far safer to buy privately if you don't know much about cars. I wouldn't get too hung up on make/model - there are lots of cars that would fit your bill, and the actual example is IMO often more important. Get out there and drive a few cars for starters, see what you like.

Squall19

1.4 petrol Octavia is way underpowerd, drinks fuel and from surveys isnt all that reliable compared to jap 1.4's.Focus auto will drink fuel and are overpriced.

I agree with all that been said so far, avoid dealers, go jap if you can and dont pay over the odds.

I wouldn't spend no way near 4k for a tip around, I spent all little more than that on what I thought was a very decent, fast, perfect conditon, 04 Fabia Vrs 2 years ago.4k is alot now.

I would spend 1k for a tip around

Nissan Primera

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1752713

Mitsubishi Carisma

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1768617

Mazda 323

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1762831

I wouldnt be worried about extra 150e road tax on 1.6 over 1.3, as they are better on fuel imo, more reliable, more power and primera, carisma etc are comfortable well built cars.

colm_mcm

I wouldn't believe mileage from that garage