Recommendations For A Starter Car Under €2,000

Paully D

Hi all,

First post on this particular forum!

As the thread title suggests, I'm looking to pick up a starter car under €2,000. I'd also like the car to be a maximum of 1.2L, reliable, easy to maintain etc. Basically everything a starter would want.

I've been looking on some websites and based on the no more than 1.2L and under €2,000 criteria have come to the conclusion that a Peugeot 206 or something like that would be my best option, however I have no idea how reliable and easy to maintain those cars are as I'm pretty clueless when it comes to cars.

I would appreciate any suggestions, advice etc that you may have.

Thanks very much

El Guapo!

Fiesta.
1.25 isnt much above your criteria and they are perfect starter cars.
I'd steer clear of the Peugeot if I was you.
For 2grand you could get a really nice little fiesta too.

Plug

I agree with Dean here. Even if you hate Ford, the fiesta is a right little car to get started off in. Try get a Ghia, at least then you'll get AC, electric windows, sun roof, alloys, front fogs etc. Also they are dead reliable only problems are the heater control valve and the thermostat housing leak. Both cheap easy problems to fix.

lalababa

I would suggest a micra old shape 00-03 , this is the superior car in its class re. reliabilty. the post 03 micra has some issues. The 03 getz 1.1 is just about affordable and is reliable.(or did they come out in 02?)

NUTZZ

Toyota Starlet (1998-1999), pretty much unbreakable and will not give you any problems. It's a perfect car for starting out on and very economical. You can get one for a fair bit under your budget so you would have more money to spend on tax and insurance!

PaulKK

Why 1.2? A 1.4L will be only slightly more to tax/insure if more at all.

At that price get a civic, bullet proof.

doOh

PaulKK wrote: »

Why 1.2? A 1.4L will be only slightly more to tax/insure if more at all.

At that price get a civic, bullet proof.

Civics are damn expensive to insure ... Friend of mine 21yo with learner permit insuring civic 1.4 - 2900yoyos. When i started driving 3.5 years ago i insured Mitsubishi Galant 2.0 comprehensive for 2100 yoyos ....

Paully D

PaulKK wrote: »

Why 1.2? A 1.4L will be only slightly more to tax/insure if more at all.

At that price get a civic, bullet proof.

I was worried that anything over the 1.2L would be much dearer on insurance, petrol etc? I'm a young male driver with a provisional licence after all

Civic's are quite expensive to insure though, aren't they? Mainly because they're classed as a ''boy racer'' car?

Thanks for the responses so far all, keep the coming they're much appreciated!

cosmic

NUTZZ wrote: »

Toyota Starlet (1998-1999), pretty much unbreakable and will not give you any problems. It's a perfect car for starting out on and very economical. You can get one for a fair bit under your budget so you would have more money to spend on tax and insurance!

+ 1 to the Starlet. I love my little one. It's nice and small and with a 1.3 engine, it's well nippy!

znv6i3h7kqf9ys

cosmic wrote: »

+ 1 to the Starlet. I love my little one. It's nice and small and with a 1.3 engine, it's well nippy!

A litteal Seat Ibiza would be good. Mainly vw parts and cheap and easy to run.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Ibiza/1.2-Cost/200922192913796/advert?channel=CARS

Evil_Clown

I would also recommend the fiesta, know 2 people that have them as a starter car and they are a great.
Something like this:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1928102

MrDerp

My starter car was a 1.2 Opel Corsa. I only kept her a year (until shortly after I got my license) but I was very happy with it. Light and nippy, and my first insurance was 1050 (25, provisional new driver).

I'd recommend them, but you'd want a clean one, and forget the 1.0l 3 cylinder - a world of trouble by all accounts.

2001-2002s are listed for up for 3K on carzone. I wouldn't pay more than 2K for a 3K listed Corsa. I sold an 8 year old one for 1,900 back in 2008 so don't be fooled.

Oh, and the 5 doors are very girly, go for the 3 door.

Paully D

Lana Shapely Player wrote: »

A litteal Seat Ibiza would be good. Mainly vw parts and cheap and easy to run.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Ibiza/1.2-Cost/200922192913796/advert?channel=CARS

I really like those cars. I was having a look around and found this one:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Ibiza/1.0-STEL/201112201746439/advert?channel=CARS

I know it's sold now and the miles are quite high, but the black is a lovely colour on those cars.

I'll be keeping an eye out for more of them.

pippip

Vw golf 1.4L a bit underpowered but very solid car and decent size. Would get about a 2000-02 model for that money.

_Conrad_

you won't really go wrong with any of the small japanese stuff or the 1.25 fiesta, don't get a 1.4 golf would be my opinion, the 1.4 is too gutless in them as they're a heavy car and it makes them thirsty.
A polo would be an ok option as an alternative to the japanese ones.

206 don't bother, or with puntos or saxos.


Whatever you get, keep it cheap and simple for a first car, you don't need pretty or shiny as you're bound to but a few dents and scrapes in it, everyone does, just something easy to live with is what you need, until you get a full licence if you havnt already and build up a year or two no claims

Vicxas

Fiesta is the best starter car, cheap to run/insure/service

Paully D

There's a lot of shouts for the Fiesta

The Pontiac

Paully D wrote: »

There's a lot of shouts for the Fiesta

If you could stretch your budget a little you might pick up the newer model (02 on). I just did a quick search on donedeal and saw this. http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1857537

Very reliable cars, easy to sell on, easy to service and good to drive. 03 Fiestas seem to be €2700 to €3000 from a quick search. 02 Fiestas are scarce as they only came out late in that year. Haggle hard. Very little leg room in the older model (02 down). The newer shape will also be easier to sell so you'll lose less money. The 1.25 engine is lovely (most of the newer shapes will have it), and reliable.

Mycroft H

another +1 on the starlet.

I'd even go back to late 96 for a clean unmodified one. Totally bulletproof coupled with the great 4e-fe 1.3 engine which can move when it needs to :pac:

BeanFlicker

+1 for the Fiesta also, but what about

Mazda 323, example

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/323/LX-1.3-S/201108201403159/advert?channel=CARS

or a Corolla hatchback,

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Corolla/3-Door-H/201105201120774/advert?channel=CARS

The tax for the year for a 1.3L would be an extra 23e at 333e, tax rate for a 1.2L is 310e, & can't imagine the insurance to be a lot higher

amg-slurp

Can't believe nobody has mentioned the Renault Clio!
Excellent little car. You would get a 2002 for your budget.

1.2. Good spec compared to other models at the same money.

Electric windows, foglights, remote central locking on most you will find.

They are very reliable too, especially compared to a 206 or punto!

Mycroft H

Yea forgot about the clio - quite a nice car to drive :pac:

Paully D

<Ollie> wrote: »

If you could stretch your budget a little you might pick up the newer model (02 on). I just did a quick search on donedeal and saw this. http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1857537

Very reliable cars, easy to sell on, easy to service and good to drive. 03 Fiestas seem to be €2700 to €3000 from a quick search. 02 Fiestas are scarce as they only came out late in that year. Haggle hard. Very little leg room in the older model (02 down). The newer shape will also be easier to sell so you'll lose less money. The 1.25 engine is lovely (most of the newer shapes will have it), and reliable.

I was looking at those earlier. They're lovely little cars and I think I will stretch a bit and go for one of them when I get a chance.

Conor_M1990

pippip wrote: »

Vw golf 1.4L a bit underpowered but very solid car and decent size. Would get about a 2000-02 model for that money.

there dead and diesels are overpriced.

Anything around 1.4 jap and circa 2000 parts are cheap they fairly well specced for what they are loads out there corollas almeras colts etc cant really go wrong

Mar4ix

_Conrad_ wrote: »

you won't really go wrong with any of the small japanese stuff or the 1.25 fiesta, don't get a 1.4 golf would be my opinion, the 1.4 is too gutless in them as they're a heavy car and it makes them thirsty.
A polo would be an ok option as an alternative to the japanese ones.

206 don't bother, or with puntos or saxos.


Whatever you get, keep it cheap and simple for a first car, you don't need pretty or shiny as you're bound to but a few dents and scrapes in it, everyone does, just something easy to live with is what you need, until you get a full licence if you havnt already and build up a year or two no claims

Id say why not for puntos ? if you go for mk1 one, they are very simply and cheap ... also cheap for parts, if car in right condition, it will be ok for couple years. why spend 2k for starter, ?? get first years cheap 400 -600 euro punto with nct and roadtax. i have one 1.2 , 8v, for good while, no hassle. Do regular checking, and oil change +filter. dont go for mk2 puntos.. i know, they are nicer look, but they have sensors in every corner, and sensors may fail in any second...

colm_mcm

Mar4ix wrote: »

dont go for mk2 puntos.they have sensors in every corner, and sensors may fail in any second...

What sensors are these?

johndaman66

A few people mentioning Starlets and even a Civic has being mentioned. Do people realise how much of a nightmare they can quite often be for people starting driving to get insured on, particularly the Civic. Just because your driving many years and able to insure one handy enough doesn't mean a starter driver will

Mycroft H

johndaman66 wrote: »

A few people mentioning Starlets and even a Civic has being mentioned. Do people realise how much of a nightmare they can quite often be for people starting driving to get insured on, particularly the Civic. Just because your driving many years and able to insure one handy enough doesn't mean a starter driver will

Regarding the starlet, when I got insured they asked for the chassis number to make sure it wasn't a jap import galanza.

800 quid on the provisional three years ago.

johndaman66

landyman wrote: »

Regarding the starlet, when I got insured they asked for the chassis number to make sure it wasn't a jap import galanza.

800 quid on the provisional three years ago.

That wasn't too bad actually for first insurance. I'm guessing you weren't a very young driver like the OP though or else female, but judging by your username this is hardly the case? A lot will depend on the insurance company too and how they view the particular car, i find there is no particular rule which they all universally apply. Unfortunately and particularly for younger males they do not have the option of going to any insurance company whatsoever.

When I started driving at 20 years old 10 years ago on a full license only two companies would quote me and one was very very prohibitive on any class of vehicle...their way of saying please f**k off to me I suppose. Other company were by no means cheap either but for a Starlet the premium they quoted me was extortionate. Could only imagine that this has got tighter with all the Jap imports brought into the country since. Hell I could be wrong in making that assumption though...it wouldn't be the first time either.

Mycroft H

johndaman66 wrote: »

That wasn't too bad actually for first insurance. I'm guessing you weren't a very young driver like the OP though or else female, but judging by your username this is hardly the case? A lot will depend on the insurance company too and how they view the particular car, i find there is no particular rule which they all universally apply. Unfortunately and particularly for younger males they do not have the option of going to any insurance company whatsoever.

When I started driving at 20 years old 10 years ago on a full license only two companies would quote me and one was very very prohibitive on any class of vehicle...their way of saying please f**k off to me I suppose. Other company were by no means cheap either but for a Starlet the premium they quoted me was extortionate. Could only imagine that this has got tighter with all the Jap imports brought into the country since. Hell I could be wrong in making that assumption though...it wouldn't be the first time either.

I was eighteen at the time with without any no claims bonus.

800 named quid on FBD through a broker. Third Party Fire and theft They were pretty clear that it had to be an unmodified standard starlet and not a SR or a galanza, of which it wasn't either. Fell to about 680 after my driving test.

I think I rang almost every insurance company in the country and I was getting quotes of around 1600 from the likes of AXA and allianz ect.....

seanywrx

this is a good topic lads.. insurance is horrible though.. im in the same boat as pauly d and have got a few qoutes for a 1.2 corsa (automatic) 3865 was the best i could get:mad: and alot of places wouldnt even qoute untill im 19..

Alanstrainor

seanywrx wrote: »

this is a good topic lads.. insurance is horrible though.. im in the same boat as pauly d and have got a few qoutes for a 1.2 corsa (automatic) 3865 was the best i could get:mad: and alot of places wouldnt even qoute untill im 19..

Hey man, did you get quotes from an online quoting system or did you talk to someone on the phone? You'll get a better quote on the phone.

12gauge dave

my advice is a clean corolla/starlet 1.3 with 2 years fresh nct:D

stay away from fiestas theyre bags of dirt as well as peugeots and clios:rolleyes:

fiestas blow headgaskets to beat the band! very few clean examples of the old kind left!

as for the civic well from experience ive found they can be a nuisance with electric windows and bushings compared to toyotas which can be annoying and pricey fixes for a young driver and 1.4civics are so wanna be ek9s:P

just go corolla/starlet 1.3 with 2 years fesh nct and your laughing my friend trust me:D

seanywrx

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Hey man, did you get quotes from an online quoting system or did you talk to someone on the phone? You'll get a better quote on the phone.

all over the phone lad.. even rang a local company who my dad and brother are insured with for years.. get on well with them and thats the best they could do.. she even tried a few other companies but no better

Eric Cartman

seanywrx wrote: »

this is a good topic lads.. insurance is horrible though.. im in the same boat as pauly d and have got a few qoutes for a 1.2 corsa (automatic) 3865 was the best i could get:mad: and alot of places wouldnt even qoute untill im 19..

thats rediculous I got fully comp for 1800 in a 2.5 turbo diesel when I was 18 on my own policy

seanywrx

Eric Cartman wrote: »

thats rediculous I got fully comp for 1800 in a 2.5 turbo diesel when I was 18 on my own policy

yea its scandalous :eek: was this a commercial that u got insured on by any chance.?? im almost starting to consider a van now if it would be ccheaper.. needs to be automatic though.. any ideas please.??

shawnee

Another admirer of the Starlet, bombproof and comfortable also.:D

The Pontiac

shawnee wrote: »

Another admirer of the Starlet, bombproof and comfortable also.:D

A nun's car.:)

Mycroft H

<Ollie> wrote: »

A nun's car.:)

Ahhh now... Its no micra

Max Power1

12gauge dave wrote: »

my advice is a clean corolla/starlet 1.3 with 2 years fresh nct:D

stay away from fiestas theyre bags of dirt as well as peugeots and clios:rolleyes:

fiestas blow headgaskets to beat the band! very few clean examples of the old kind left!

as for the civic well from experience ive found they can be a nuisance with electric windows and bushings compared to toyotas which can be annoying and pricey fixes for a young driver and 1.4civics are so wanna be ek9s:P

just go corolla/starlet 1.3 with 2 years fesh nct and your laughing my friend trust me:D

PMSL.

Tell that to the 10 odd mark 1-6 fiestas that have been in my extended family in the last few years.

All lasted well over 12-15 years and 100-150k miles. My current one (a 1.3 mk IV) from 1996 has 110 k on her and not a shadow of bother.

Still even on its original clutch etc.

johndaman66

landyman wrote: »

I was eighteen at the time with without any no claims bonus.

800 named quid on FBD through a broker. Third Party Fire and theft They were pretty clear that it had to be an unmodified standard starlet and not a SR or a galanza, of which it wasn't either.

I was seriously wondering after reading the first line but when you said named driver that made a bit more sense! Still being a force of habit more than anything and trying all the insuarance providers before renewal date I would usually try FBD also and find them an odd crowd to deal with. Thay are generally the highest by a long shot and would ask me if my parents had a farm or house insured with them. To draw comparisons I'd have a friend or two who would be a bigger insurance risk than me whether it be down to age, ncb, vehicle or a combination thereoff and they would be insured with FBD for substancially less than I know they would quote me by virtue of the fact their parents have a house or farm insured with them. I mean what the f**k is that all about? Apologies but rant over and reading between the lines I doubt they will do the OP any favours if he went to them to get a quote on a Toyota Starlet assuming his parents don't have some form of insurance with them.

12gauge dave wrote: »

fiestas blow headgaskets to beat the band! very few clean examples of the old kind left!

A bit of an unfair comment I would suggest. They may not be up there with the likes of Toyota Yaris/ Starlet or pre 2003 Nissan Micra in terms of reliability but not too deadly far of the mark either, certainly far from being the worst. Agreed with you on Renault Clios and Peugeot 206's though.

Mycroft H

johndaman66 wrote: »

I was seriously wondering after reading the first line but when you said named driver that made a bit more sense! Still being a force of habit more than anything and trying all the insuarance providers before renewal date I would usually try FBD also and find them an odd crowd to deal with. Thay are generally the highest by a long shot and would ask me if my parents had a farm or house insured with them. To draw comparisons I'd have a friend or two who would be a bigger insurance risk than me whether it be down to age, ncb, vehicle or a combination thereoff and they would be insured with FBD for substancially less than I know they would quote me by virtue of the fact their parents have a house or farm insured with them. I mean what the f**k is that all about? Apologies but rant over and reading between the lines I doubt they will do the OP any favours if he went to them to get a quote on a Toyota Starlet assuming his parents don't have some form of insurance with them.

It was more too do that I went through a broker at the time I think, direct quote from FBD was bout 500 or so more dear.

I wouldnt write off fbd, insurance is different for each individual circumstances, but do ring around

johndaman66

landyman wrote: »

I wouldnt write off fbd, insurance is different for each individual circumstances, but do ring around

Agreed with you there landyman. Obviously at the end of the day go with the provider that offers you the most competitive quote for the level of cover that suits your requirements, even if that is FBD. Was just making the observation that they came across as an odd crowd to deal with more than anything and seem to have a funny if not questionable ethos.

Definately good advise to ring as many insurance companies and brokers as possible though in particular for a younger person starting out driving where they differences can be particularly immense

Mar4ix

colm_mcm wrote: »

What sensors are these?

I am not puntos specialist, just little knowledge, what i know is there is 2 lambdas, both fail on regular basis, which cause bad emissions and high fuel consumption, maf sensor, crankshaft sensor, 2 high voltage coils fail on regular basis, .... most mk2 puntos changed it already, but on most mk1 still fine since factory, also headgasket failure more common problem for mk2 than on mk1,electrical power steering, mk1 car body more solid, depend how car was treated, where kept, where droved, on what roads been used. I have mk1 punto, with 1.1 engine, 105k miles on clock, just very little dent on drivers door, and small scratch on front left wing, car been used in country (i was collecting her 150 km away from dublin for 100 euros , no tax/nct)), car was working fine, just had to do good service and wash. Seems to be in country nobody wash cars at all. She never saw salt on roads, nearly no corrosion at all. Also if you look in to different fiat forums, youll see that there is more problems with mk2 than mk1.

Paully D

seanywrx wrote: »

this is a good topic lads.. insurance is horrible though.. im in the same boat as pauly d and have got a few qoutes for a 1.2 corsa (automatic) 3865 was the best i could get:mad: and alot of places wouldnt even qoute untill im 19..

:eek:

shawnee

<Ollie> wrote: »

A nun's car.:)

Yeah you're probably right and come to think of it , I've never seen a nun beside a broken down car :D

softmee

<Ollie> wrote: »

If you could stretch your budget a little you might pick up the newer model (02 on). I just did a quick search on donedeal and saw this. http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1857537

Very reliable cars, easy to sell on, easy to service and good to drive. 03 Fiestas seem to be €2700 to €3000 from a quick search. 02 Fiestas are scarce as they only came out late in that year. Haggle hard. Very little leg room in the older model (02 down). The newer shape will also be easier to sell so you'll lose less money. The 1.25 engine is lovely (most of the newer shapes will have it), and reliable.

I bought 02 Fiesta lx for 1500€. It was for sale for 1700, because of no nct and no tax. I think it was great deal, i had it checked by my mechanic and what has to be done is :timing belt some censor in engine and few small things. It wont cost me more then 500, which means i have great car for 2000. Its far more comfortable and nice inside then old fiestas and corsa that age or any vw i have seen.