Help me please!!

buswankers

Ok I need a little help/advice from people that are in the know as to be honest I really don’t have a clue when it comes to cars…..


So my car died a death over the weekend To be honest I’ve been talking about changing cars for well over a year now but I have put it on a serious long finger & just continued driving the poor thing into the ground!! Anyway I am now in a position where I have no choice but to just get it done…my problem? I have no idea what to get & am sick of deciding to go with one thing only to be told by someone else a number of reasons why I shouldn’t go down that route…..I’m just completely confused so need advice if people are willing to give it to me


So what do I want?! If only I knew, ha! Ah no, I’m thinking that diesel is the way forward so that’s a start……& moneywise, I’m thinking about €12k, could probably push that up to €15k for something really nice if needed so that’s the bracket we’re talking….


I like sporty looking cars – not the real small ones where there’s no room in the back or in the boot but I love the likes of the Audi A5 and really LOVE the look of the 159 Alfa Romeo…but have been told not to touch AR’s with a barge pole...


Was firstly considering BMW 3 Series….but was put off that idea as apparently the more recent ones (in the last 5 years or so) have proven a bit problematic & also the rear wheel drive puts me off slightly given our dodgy winter weather of late but I could get over that one….


Then I was thinking maybe a 08/09 Mazda 3 – only to be told that they give serious engine trouble?


I’m now thinking maybe an Audi A4, bit big for my liking but I could get over it I guess!



So basically my question is this, I have no real clue about cars & am not sure if the “advice” I’ve been given so far is true or not & I just don’t know what to do really!!



Sorry if the above is a bit all over the place, I’m just a bit clueless & need some advice from people that know what they’re talking about


TLDR – basically I want a new car in the €12-€15k bracket (preferably diesel) & have no idea where to start!! Any advice would be much appreciated! :cool:

Yawlboy

you have 3 days left before scrapage expires - why not try main dealers and see what they offer. 15k and a 3k scrapage allowance should be enough to get you a nice new car like a megane?

omb0wyn5ehpij9

A few more details would help us offer good suggestions
Average mileage?
City commuting?
Long distance commuting?
Age? i.e. is insure a problem?
Max engine size you would be happy to tax?

buswankers

BDJW wrote: »

A few more details would help us offer good suggestions
Average mileage?
City commuting?
Long distance commuting?
Age? i.e. is insure a problem?
Max engine size you would be happy to tax?

Thanks for the responses so far - everything helps!
Scrappage scheme not an option - had decided i didnt want a new car as the models i had in my head were way out of my price range brand new so the car is already gone to be scrapped.

I'm 29 y/o female so insurance won't be a problem.
I'd probably average around 10k miles a year, i drive in & out of work in the city which is about 5km each way - i'd also go home to Galway (from Dublin) one or 2 weekends a month...

Max engine size probably 2.0/2.2 i think!

Zubeneschamali

buswankers wrote: »

I'd probably average around 10k miles a year, i drive in & out of work in the city which is about 5km each way - i'd also go home to Galway (from Dublin) one or 2 weekends a month...

Max engine size probably 2.0/2.2 i think!

I'd say you're as well off sticking to petrol. A diesel will cost a good bit more, 10K miles isn't really enough to see the benefit of better mpg, and the short trips don't suit modern diesel engines.

I think an Alfa GT 2.0 petrol manual would be ideal, hard to find though.

dohertykkwdpd

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I'd say you're as well off sticking to petrol. A diesel will cost a good bit more, 10K miles isn't really enough to see the benefit of better mpg, and the short trips don't suit modern diesel engines.

I think an Alfa GT 2.0 petrol manual would be ideal, hard to find though.

While you probably right about the mpg on short trips a 2.0 petrol would be a killer on the long trip to Galway and deprecation on petrol cars is huge so go diesel.

What about an Audi A3. It’s a hatchback but one of the biggest you can get. A 5door model has loads of room and it has a good 1.9 tdi engine.

What about this; http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2218390

Lower tax than a 2.0 petrol too!

Zubeneschamali

dohertykkwdpd wrote: »

deprecation on petrol cars is huge so go diesel.

When you're buying 2nd hand, huge depreciation is good news, the price you pay is way less than on a car with low depreciation.

high horse

buswankers wrote: »

Ok I need a little help/advice from people that are in the know as to be honest I really don’t have a clue when it comes to cars…..


I like sporty looking cars – not the real small ones where there’s no room in the back or in the boot but I love the likes of the Audi A5 and really LOVE the look of the 159 Alfa Romeo…but have been told not to touch AR’s with a barge pole...




I’m now thinking maybe an Audi A4, bit big for my liking but I could get over it I guess!






TLDR – basically I want a new car in the €12-€15k bracket (preferably diesel) & have no idea where to start!! Any advice would be much appreciated! :cool:

If you like sporty looking cars, don't bother with an Audi A4 (zzzzzzz!)

If your annual milage is only 10k, don't bother with a diesel. The extra cost you spend on buying the car will never be returned at the pumps.

Would you consider a Honda Civic? The 1.8 is good for 45mpg, post '08 models are only €300 p/a to tax and many of them come with a panoramic glass sunroof

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201124202839698

MugMugs

Yawlboy wrote: »

get you a nice new car like a megane?

This horrified me. Megane ? Nice ? Same sentence ??

buswankers

Thanks again to all for taking the time to reply - much appreciated



Audi A3…I’m not a fan at all – I’m not sure what it is but they don’t appeal to me whatsoever.


The thing is I kind of had my heart set on a saloon car this time round - & the Alfa 159 or GT were the car that really fit into exactly what I wanted “lookswise” its just listening to so many people telling me to steer clear is starting to put me off.


Looking at the Honda Civic in the link – I think that is one car that could definitely bring me back around to the hatchback way of thinking. They really are a lovely car – and if petrol is the way to go then their definitely worth considering.

IrishZeus

320 coupe? Older model. Always liked them.

Or a Lexus IS220? 06/07ish...