Recommend me a car under €5k ish...

af_thefragile

Ok, I've thought this through and now I've decided I'm going to get rid of the puma. I've got sick of all the constant fixing it needs and fixing it is going to require me to change the whole drive train along with the suspension and basically most of the mechanical bits. All its got going for itself is a solid intact chassis. Also the insurance for it is quite high. Which means I'm left with only one option which is to get rid of it.

So now I need something properly reliable to replace the Puma. Something that will give me absolutely zero trouble till for the next two years at least. Something that would be cheap to insure, give good fuel economy and I won't need to take it to a garage every few months.

I was looking around at the Toyota Aygo/Citron C1/Pug 107 (all basically the same car) and I think I can just about get one within my budget. What I like about them are they they're new, low mileage, small engine so should be trouble free and cheap to insure as well, really don't wanna pay more than a grand for insurance anymore...

Found a couple of Ford Ka as well which weren't too old and low mileage.

I'ld take anything that will remain trouble free for next two years atleast and won't need me to take it to a garage. Also anything that's not a Yaris or a Micra. Preferably something not very old... And if it can be as fun as to drive as my Puma, that would be a bonus!! And yes cheap to insure.

Thanks in advance!

andyseadog

an octavia

andyseadog

but seriously, if you want a small, econmoical, cheap to tax/ insure/ fuel/ service car, and you dont want to look at a yaris or micra (presumably because they are 'girls' cars), i wish you the best of luck finding one.

cullen5998

Why does everyone recommend octavias here?!

Max_Damage

cullen5998 wrote: »

Why does everyone recommend octavias here?!

Because they're clueless...

andyseadog

cullen5998 wrote: »

Why does everyone recommend octavias here?!

in this particular case it was sarcasm, because of how often octavias are recommended.

cullen5998

Max_Damage wrote: »

Because they're clueless...

Must be right! Out of all the cars around an Octavias seems to be always recommeded.

jaffa20

af_thefragile wrote: »

And if it can be as fun as to drive as my Puma, that would be a bonus!! And yes cheap to insure.

Thanks in advance!

MX-5. Reliable and fun. Insurance can be high as it's convertible but not too bad. It's about 1k fully comp for me. 25yo male.

You'd get a great one for around 4-5k or even less.

It would be pretty depressing going from a puma to a pug107,Aygo etc

cullen5998

andyseadog wrote: »

in this particular case it was sarcasm, because of how often octavias are recommended.

Good one, your hillarious!

andyseadog

cullen5998 wrote: »

Good one, your hillarious!

well i had you going :rolleyes:

PaulKK

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1829493

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1803328

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1831490

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1555207

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1779674

You can get a lot of decent cars for under 5k that you could insure easily enough..

cullen5998

andyseadog wrote: »

well i had you going :rolleyes:

Haha that you did.

andyseadog

PaulKK wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1829493

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1803328

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1831490

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1555207

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1779674

You can get a lot of decent cars for under 5k that you could insure easily enough..

surely your taking the piss with the TDI golf, 318 bmw and mazda 6, you can set aside circa 600 quid just for tax, never mind putting petrol in them.

the corolla if any. remember, we're after cheap running costs, the OP is considering the toyota aygo, so i think large petrol exec saloons arent what he's into at the moment

af_thefragile

jaffa20 wrote: »

MX-5. Reliable and fun. Insurance can be high as it's convertible but not too bad. It's about 1k fully comp for me. 25yo male.

You'd get a great one for around 4-5k or even less.

It would be pretty depressing going from a puma to a pug107,Aygo etc

MX5 would be nice, but I'll have to go with something cheap and simple. Can't afford paying high insurance and would really prefer something newer that would be trouble free and should be easy to sell.

It would be pretty depressing moving down from a puma to something soft and boxy like those cars but looks like I'll have to take the hit for now. Two years time and I'll graduate from college, then I'll look into buying a Lotus Elise!

PaulKK wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1829493

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1803328

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1831490

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1555207

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1779674

You can get a lot of decent cars for under 5k that you could insure easily enough..

Cheers. I like the Civic and the Corolla.
I'ld stay away from saloons. I need cheap insurance, low tax and good fuel economy so small engines would be what I'ld be going for...


And about the Micra and Yaris, well, they're just too dreary for me. It'ld be my absolute last final option, after rethinking my decision on keeping the Puma. I like the Aygo because its new so low mileage and should be trouble free and is sorta funky to look at.

andyseadog

af_thefragile wrote: »

And about the Micra and Yaris, well, they're just too dreary for me. It'ld be my absolute last final option, after rethinking my decision on keeping the Puma. I like the Aygo because its new so low mileage and should be trouble free and is sorta funky to look at.

then i give to you, the yaris t-sport

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1643088

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1781906

(the first option is a bit abused, but you get the idea)

looks miles better inside and out than the standard yaris.

lots of kit, air con, sunroof, fogs, alloys, factory body kit

insurance is for nothing, im 20 with a full license and 3 years NCB, i got a discount when i switched from a 1.3 corolla to the yaris. (from 1300 to 900)

tax is 350 quid a year, so its not insane.
fuel consumption is comparible to my old 1.0 micra, big engine, tiny body, driven correctly is very efficient.

chain driven engine (with proven reliability), which means no expensive service bills for replacing belts etc.

its a wild card i know, but worth a look.

af_thefragile

^Cheers mate but the insure for me is going to be pretty high. I'll only have one years NCB by next month. And tax would be high also. I'ld prefer something less than 1.3l. Ideally 1l...

What do you think of these guys:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1751453
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1649298
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1809856
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1824251
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/KA/1.3/201049200506169/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Aygo/1.0*Sale/201103200967110/advert?channel=CARS


I prefer a dealer cuz I could trade in my Puma (while its still working) for the car to get some discount...
Unless anyone's interested in buying my Puma.

andyseadog

af_thefragile wrote: »

^Cheers mate but the insure for me is going to be pretty high. I'll only have one years NCB by next month. And tax would be high also. I'ld prefer something less than 1.3l. Ideally 1l...

What do you think of these guys:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1751453
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1649298
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1809856
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1824251
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/KA/1.3/201049200506169/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Aygo/1.0*Sale/201103200967110/advert?channel=CARS

i think you could run the t-sport yaris i just posted for the running costs of any of those the tax is only 20 quid more than a 1.3, but yes, insurance might be more. possibly worth a quote though

toyota done the engines in the 107/ c1/ aygo range, so good reliability can be expected of any of them i suppose. they are probably very cheap to run too, but my god they feel a proper bean can when your in them, in my opinion anyway.

my moneys on the ka or lupo for marginally more comfort, though running cost and reliability might take a bit of a knock

af_thefragile

^Looks like I'm gonna miss my Puma when I'll get rid of it... Would take it for a final drive around wicklow before I get rid of it.

I'ld say any car would be more comfortable than my Puma! So I don't mind that. I'll have to be doing a lot of travelling around over the next two years and I can't rely on my Puma to be able effortlessly do all that commuting without giving any troubles...

Hence why I'm leaning towards the Aygo/C1 range. They're new and engine's a toyota so should be super reliable. Which is exactly what I want. I don't wanna go to a garage ever again!!

PaulKK

andyseadog wrote: »

surely your taking the piss with the TDI golf, 318 bmw and mazda 6, you can set aside circa 600 quid just for tax, never mind putting petrol in them.

No, I'm not taking the piss. I'm merely giving some suggestions within budget.

You will find a 318i or mazda 6 wont be much worse on economy than any bog standard 1.4 and both should be a bit more enjoyable to drive.

The 600 tax is about 4e more a week than a 1.4, and with the golf, you should save it back in fuel economy and cheaper fuel.

Since the OP now stated he wants a hatch though, we can ignore them I suppose!


OP I think a civic is what you need, cheap, reliable and sportyish.

faw1tytowers

Some random ones... cars cheap on tax, fuel, and i presume its a small car you want from the sounds of it.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Fiesta/1.2-stee/201103200903085/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/Getz/1.1-5DR-/201041199874749/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mitsubishi/Colt/1.1-CZ3-/201029198927500/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/206/ALLURE-1/201023198320003/advert?channel=CARS

TestTransmission

af_thefragile wrote: »

I prefer a dealer cuz I could trade in my Puma (while its still working) for the car to get some discount...
Unless anyone's interested in buying my Puma.

€20 cash tomorrow?

urtooky

Citroen C2 ... Loads on Carzone..

andyseadog

PaulKK wrote: »

No, I'm not taking the piss. I'm merely giving some suggestions within budget.

You will find a 318i or mazda 6 wont be much worse on economy than any bog standard 1.4 and both should be a bit more enjoyable to drive.

The 600 tax is about 4e more a week than a 1.4, and with the golf, you should save it back in fuel economy and cheaper fuel.

Since the OP now stated he wants a hatch though, we can ignore them I suppose!


OP I think a civic is what you need, cheap, reliable and sportyish.

surely though, in the op, the words, aygo, c1, 107, yaris and micra were mentioned as candidates. hardly exec saloons.

1.4 tax is around the 300 ballpark, so its double nearer double

af_thefragile

TestTransmission wrote: »

€20 cash tomorrow?

Might as well give it to you for a bag of fish and chips... right...

af_thefragile

faw1tytowers wrote: »

Some random ones... cars cheap on tax, fuel, and i presume its a small car you want from the sounds of it.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Fiesta/1.2-stee/201103200903085/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/Getz/1.1-5DR-/201041199874749/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mitsubishi/Colt/1.1-CZ3-/201029198927500/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/206/ALLURE-1/201023198320003/advert?channel=CARS

The Fiesta looks nice!
The rest are pretty dreary...

bazz26

af_thefragile wrote: »

The Fiesta looks nice!
The rest are pretty dreary...

That's crazy money for a 05 Fiesta, my sister bought a 08 last July for €7400 from a main dealer.

PaulKK

andyseadog wrote: »

surely though, in the op, the words, aygo, c1, 107, yaris and micra were mentioned as candidates. hardly exec saloons.

1.4 tax is around the 300 ballpark, so its double nearer double

1.9 tax is 591, 1.4 is 333, so 260 in the difference over a year, which with diesel you will save at the pumps.

As I said, I was just giving some suggestions within budget anyway.

Sometimes people have tunnel vision thinking about cars in their budget, all I was doing was showing some variety.

Anyway, since he said he wants a hatchback and small engine now, we can dismiss the saloons.

af_thefragile

I wouldn't mind a diesel but they're usually expensive and big engine means higher insurance...

JustLen

The mammy has a Aygo that ive done a good bit of driving in over the last year ('05 with i think 35,000 Km on the clock). She isnt too comfertable with driving long journeys therefore ive driven it on a good few long trips.

First thing id say is that if your planning lots of long journeys in the future the car really isnt that comfertable, i suffer from a slight bad back and out of any cars ive driven its the one car that gives it real trouble but obviously this probably doesnt affect you, im just pointing out the seats arent great.
Also the back seats are very uncomfertable and cramped (but isnt something that would worry me when buying a car as I wouldnt be sitting in them:))

Apart from that the boot is very very small but again that might not be an issue for you, and anyway you wont exactly find a big boot in most hatchbacks.

However I have to say its a cracking little car, if its low running costs and reliability your looking for than this could be the one for you. Of course the tax is very low and the fuel costs would put a smile on your face. Ive never calculated what MPG it does as it isnt my own car but from what driving I have done I can tell you,
Drove to Enniskillen from Ennis town and back last Christmas 480 Km round trip according to google maps so just under 300 miles. Total cost was 30euro, now I dont remember what petrol prices were back then but maybe someone else does and can figure it out. However it is pretty damn good!

However do note when driving to Belfast via the M50 it used double the fuel, as on the moterway when the car goes over 100-110 Km/h or around that it starts to burn the petrol much faster so just know that.

As for town driving she does the daily in and out to work, and maybe 50 miles a week on top of that plus maybe a run in and out of Limerick at the weekend, she rekons 25 quid does her the week, if not less.

Reliability wise I can only talk from experience and shes never had a single problem with it, except the button for the hazard light broke shortly after she bought it. Flew through the NCT after two new front tyres.
Ive looked up common problems with them online and cant find much tbh

IMO i think its quite fun to drive for what it is (Serious for handbrakes;))
Nice and small for getting around town and carparks, and if the mother rekons its easy to park thats a good sign.

Maybe not the most manly car but seems to suit your need fine and also going on the examples listed above its holds its re sale value very well in relation to what she paid for it anyway

Hope this is helpful and best of luck finding a car, I know just how annoying it is constantly visiting a garage with an unreliable car so i feel your pain

af_thefragile

af_thefragile wrote: »

I've got sick of all the constant fixing it needs and fixing it is going to require me to change the whole drive train along with the suspension and basically most of the mechanical bits.

Seriously? It's that bad? Did you get it NCTd yet?

Anyway, with the guts of €5000 I reckon you should find yourself a 1.6 Focus or something along those lines, those small little yokes you are thinking about are awful things to have unless you only do city driving, even at that getting into one every morning will depress the arse of you. You do claim to be a motor enthusiast.

If you must buy a little thing, get a Panda, quite a decent little bus.

faw1tytowers

RoverJames wrote: »

Seriously? It's that bad? Did you get it NCTd yet?

Anyway, with the guts of €5000 I reckon you should find yourself a 1.6 Focus or something along those lines, those small little yokes you are thinking about are awful things to have unless you only do city driving, even at that getting into one every morning will depress the arse of you. You do claim to be a motor enthusiast.

If you must buy a little thing, get a Panda, quite a decent little bus.

Ive had the same thoughts all through this post.... could you really go from a puma to a dinky car??

Stheno

If your car needs as much work as you say it does, it might actually put a dealer off it and you might be better off either fixing it and selling it privately or just factoring it out of the equation for any transaction you want to do with a dealer?

JustLen

Hes right also, I dont know could I live with that car daily, but it does suit your needs. I think OP, should be realistic about owning car like that. I mean theres no point turning around in a few months and getting rid because you cant stand it anymore.

And also I dont know how you drive or how much you drive but I dont know how well it would hold up if it was driven hard regularly.

If it were me and I was in the same situation id be inclined to buy a low mileage, well serviced and looked after older model. something like a '00 zetec fiesta say, that would serve the same purpose. Then hold on to the rest of your budget untill such a time that your in the position to run a bigger car and spend your money on that.
That alsl means that while driving the small car you can have something in the back of your mind to look forward to:)

Thats my two cents for you anyway

bryaner

Whatever car you get just remember not to head into corners at the same speed as you would in the puma..;)

af_thefragile

Well, I guess the money I would save by getting the cheaper car could keep me going.



Although... There is a way of saving the Puma which is an engine transplant (or rebuild). I can change the shocks myself (so that'll save money). Anyone know how much it'll cost for an engine transplant??

Thinking about it, I might aswell just put a new engine in the Puma and keep it going for 2 years nicely instead or spending 4-5k on a tin box...

There are a few used 1.4l Sigma engines for sale on ebay.co.uk for around £300.
These guys fit an engine for around £1000
http://www.pumaspeed.co.uk/showdetails.jsp?productID=251

Or I can buy new engine bits from these guys:http://pumabuild.com/pumacat/index.php?cPath=1_49_54&sort=2a&page=1
Fairly pricey but it'll be a new engine...


But these guys are in UK... nothing similar in Ireland...

Would love something like this: http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1796630

faw1tytowers

http://www.carzone.ie/search/KIA/Cerato/1.6-LX-5/201039199665913/advert?channel=CARS

I not a fan of there interior but nicely done up and meets your requirements plus they have a 7 yr waranty so I wonder if this still stands?

Alanstrainor

af_thefragile wrote: »

Well, I guess the money I would save by getting the cheaper car could keep me going.



Although... There is a way of saving the Puma which is an engine transplant (or rebuild). I can change the shocks myself (so that'll save money). Anyone know how much it'll cost for an engine transplant??

Thinking about it, I might aswell just put a new engine in the Puma and keep it going for 2 years nicely instead or spending 4-5k on a tin box...

There are a few used 1.4l Sigma engines for sale on ebay.co.uk for around £300.
These guys fit an engine for around £1000
http://www.pumaspeed.co.uk/showdetails.jsp?productID=251

Or I can buy new engine bits from these guys:http://pumabuild.com/pumacat/index.php?cPath=1_49_54&sort=2a&page=1
Fairly pricey but it'll be a new engine...


But these guys are in UK... nothing similar in Ireland...

Screw that, i'd spend 1.5/2 grand on something small, fiesta 1.25 etc That puma is a disaster!

bryaner

There are a few used 1.4l Sigma engines for sale on ebay.co.uk for around £300.
These guys fit an engine for around £1000
http://www.pumaspeed.co.uk/showdetai...?productID=251


30 Day warranty..:eek:

af_thefragile

af_thefragile wrote: »

Thinking about it, I might aswell just put a new engine in the Puma and keep it going for 2 years nicely instead or spending 4-5k on a tin box...

Here we go again :pac:

bazz26

OP, how old is the Puma? If it qualifies for the scrappage scheme you can buy a brand new Fiat Panda for under €7500:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201102200822548

For a bit above your budget you get a brand new car, 3 year warranty and only €104 to tax per year.

af_thefragile

RoverJames wrote: »

Here we go again :pac:

Aah, its my dream to rebuild the engine of my Puma and fix it up. But I just don't have the time. If I had nothing to do all summer, I'ld definitely be doing that. But unfortunately I don't...

Might just suck it up and sell the damn thing for something boring. As long as it gets me from A to B and doesn't cost a fortune to run, it should be fine...

I will miss the Puma though. BUT hopefully in 2 years time after I graduate I can look into getting a Lotus Elise!!

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, how old is the Puma? If it qualifies for the scrappage scheme you can buy a brand new Fiat Panda for under €7500:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201102200822548

For a bit above your budget you get a brand new car, 3 year warranty and only €104 to tax per year.

That actually doesn't look too bad. Though I don't like the Panda's interior. Its a brilliant car but I wouldn't pay 7 grand for one... I don't even have that sorts of money to spend...

af_thefragile

To give ye guys a little update on the Puma.

I started it today using jump leads and it started first go (as always!). I checked the coolant with the coolant checking thing I got from halfords and it showed the coolant was perfect, didn't need any replacing.

Drove it for about 2 hours today in varying conditions. Twisty roads, motorway, low revs, high revs, gentle, aggressive, the lot. At first it felt a little rough but after a few minutes it started to feel fine.

My little Puma never ceases to amaze me!! I call it the black knight for a reason after all!!

I think I'm gonna stick with the Puma till it really properly dies. Like the engine blows apart in bits of what used to be the cylinder block and valves. Fire and smoke.

It runs perfectly fine. There's no need to scrap the poor thing!! :pac:

Very impressive:P Most yokes on the road do that every day no bother

af_thefragile

Aah, but there's always the little drama and excitement involved with my Puma... The question of how long can it last for... And it seems to keep going on and on and on and on...

af_thefragile

af_thefragile wrote: »

Aah, but there's always the little drama and excitement involved with my Puma... The question of how long can it last for... And it seems to keep going on and on and on and on...

Just keep the oil topped up, don't drive it hard from cold and it will more than likely do you 'till you finish college with a bit of luck

af_thefragile

RoverJames wrote: »

Just keep the oil topped up, don't drive it hard from cold and it will more than likely do you 'till you finish college with a bit of luck

Yup, I keep checking the oil regularly and I don't drive it hard when the engine is cold. I wait for the engine to reach its full operating temperature before I decide to give it the beans... It would be pretty cool if the Puma can last me the next 2 years. That would be very economical considering I got it fairly cheap...

Jimmy Bottlehead

Wouldn't it be better to just put the Puma down?
Put it out of it's misery.

challengemaster

af_thefragile wrote: »

Might as well give it to you for a bag of fish and chips... right...

I reckon you should give him a bag of fish&chips as well.... :pac:

Bigus

af_thefragile wrote: »

To give ye guys a little update on the Puma.

I started it today using jump leads and it started first go (as always!). I checked the coolant with the coolant checking thing I got from halfords and it showed the coolant was perfect, didn't need any replacing.

Drove it for about 2 hours today in varying conditions. Twisty roads, motorway, low revs, high revs, gentle, aggressive, the lot. At first it felt a little rough but after a few minutes it started to feel fine.

My little Puma never ceases to amaze me!! I call it the black knight for a reason after all!!

I think I'm gonna stick with the Puma till it really properly dies. Like the engine blows apart in bits of what used to be the cylinder block and valves. Fire and smoke.

It runs perfectly fine. There's no need to scrap the poor thing!! :pac:

What gave you the idea that the puma was fecked in the first place ?

Brendan1704

comfortable, economic & reliable car.
cheap tax and insure as it is only 1.3.
2 years NCT

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1829801