First time buyer in Ireland

Funkiwi75

I'm looking to buy a hatchback for around 6K preferably from a dealer so i have a little come back if something goes wrong.

Only looking around the Dublin area. Are there any dealers i should stay away from and what dealers would you recommend?

Alanstrainor

Find a car not a dealer.

A ford focus would fit the bill imo, and go for a 1.6 version!

cor1.3

if i was you i would look into buying privately, just because you buy a car from a dealers doesn't necesarly mean its mechanically sound.

6k is a lot to spend on your first car, im not saying your an inexperienced driver but generally your first car may take some mechanical/exterior abuse..just something to take into consideration.

for your budget at 6k id go for a corolla tsport.

but i would more so recommend maybe a 1.3 e10/e11 corolla for a first car, there reliable and you could get either for under the 2k mark.

Esel

Funkiwi75 wrote: »

I'm looking to buy a hatchback from a dealer so i have a little come back if something goes wrong.

That's what you will get from a dealer - a little comeback. Very little.

Nonoperational

I agree within reason, but if you spend 6k buying a decent car from a reputable dealer they generally will stand over it for at least 6 months.

fulmer1984

Try looking at say an 05 Opel Astra or Ford Focus!

Might get a good deal for 6k and both solid enough cars!

Funkiwi75

I was looking at VW Golf '04-'05. This is not my first car ever, I've had a '72 Mini and a '89 mitsubishi galant back in NZ. But have not purchased a car in lets say a few years now, due to travelling and using public transport. But as i am now settled in Ireland its time to get one.

I have called the AA and they say they do a full check for €400. I know a little about what should be looked at when buying one.

-Corkie-

Funkiwi75 wrote: »

I was looking at VW Golf '04-'05. This is not my first car ever, I've had a '72 Mini and a '89 mitsubishi galant back in NZ. But have not purchased a car in lets say a few years now, due to travelling and using public transport. But as i am now settled in Ireland its time to get one.

I have called the AA and they say they do a full check for €400. I know a little about what should be looked at when buying one.

Stick up a link to the cars you are thinking of buying. Golfs are reasonably good but avoid the 1.4 as its very underpowered.

Mr Benevolent

OP, check out the insurance situation too. It's not cheap for a non-national or someone who's been out of Ireland for a while to get insured.

Funkiwi75

test drived this one yesterday, is very tidy but even though they said they would sell it for €6400 they had another one that had just sold for €5990 that had less k's. I could not justify €400 differance for cruse control and .1liter more engine.

http://www.firstchoiceautos.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=647222&r=

This is the one that got sold
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/GOLF-1.4/201122202631506/advert?channel=CARS

I got told about car insurance with Tesco, a mate of ours uses them, i did a quick quote and got €300 for 3rd party fire & theft

Mr Benevolent

Funkiwi75 wrote: »

I could not justify €400 differance for cruse control and .1liter more engine.

.1 liter more engine? They're both 1.4.

Funkiwi75

in the add it does say both 1.4 and 1.3, either way €400 more for higher k's and cruse control as the main differances.

since one of the posts says the 1.4 is gutless i'm going to widen my range of cars.

Mr Benevolent

Funkiwi75 wrote: »

in the add it does say both 1.4 and 1.3, either way €400 more for higher k's and cruse control as the main differances.

since one of the posts says the 1.4 is gutless i'm going to widen my range of cars.

Smart choice, Golfs are overpriced anyway. Go and drive a Focus 1.6.

Funkiwi75

Found this one
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/201121202559737/advert?channel=CARS

I have noticed that cars here can have a high turn over, there are a lot of cars that 04, 05 and have had 3,4 owners and high K's 130+. is it still the case that timing belts should be changed at 100k's?

-Corkie-

Funkiwi75 wrote: »

Found this one
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/201121202559737/advert?channel=CARS

I have noticed that cars here can have a high turn over, there are a lot of cars that 04, 05 and have had 3,4 owners and high K's 130+. is it still the case that timing belts should be changed at 100k's?

Nice motor mileage is very low.. Timing belt must be changed at 100K unless there is a chain fitted. Some cars need the belt changed more frequently.

bazz26

Funkiwi75 wrote: »

test drived this one yesterday, is very tidy but even though they said they would sell it for €6400 they had another one that had just sold for €5990 that had less k's. I could not justify €400 differance for cruse control and .1liter more engine.

http://www.firstchoiceautos.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=647222&r=

This is the one that got sold
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/GOLF-1.4/201122202631506/advert?channel=CARS

I got told about car insurance with Tesco, a mate of ours uses them, i did a quick quote and got €300 for 3rd party fire & theft

Crazy money for a 7 year old Golf and they are not doing you many favours on their price either by only knocking €350 off the asking price considering you are a cash customer. I sense they know you are new to this here. It would be alot better (and cheaper) for you if you brought someone you know, with you next time, who has experience of negotiating with dealers.

Also you should consider full comprehensive insurance rather than 3rd party f & t considering what you are spending on the car. 3rd party f & t will only cover exactly that.

Funkiwi75

I have found this car, test drived it today seems ok i just think it's a little pricy. What do you lot think?

http://www.rightpricecars.ie/stock/prussia-st-listings.html

I also now know why there are so many 1.4l cars, have looked at the road tax,
1.4L €333/year 1.6L €445/year

Esel

Funkiwi75 wrote: »

I have found this car, test drived it today seems ok i just think it's a little pricy. What do you lot think?

http://www.rightpricecars.ie/stock/prussia-st-listings.html

I also now know why there are so many 1.4l cars, have looked at the road tax,
1.4L €333/year 1.6L €445/year

Your link brings up a lot of cars. Can you give a link to the car you are interested in?