What car should I buy?

LostPassword

I want to buy a cheap second car. The main use of the car is for me to play golf when the missus is using the first car for her stuff. That means maybe using it twice a week to take trips of 20km to 100km. It doesn't have to be big - it will only ever really carry 2 people with 2 sets of golf clubs, which can go in the back seat if needs be, but I suppose a boot that can fit a golf bag would be a plus.

I'm in Dublin

I know next to nothing about cars.

I don't care at all what the car looks like - a brick on wheels is fine.

I also don't care about speed or performance much - something that won't break down much is most important and that is generally cheap to run. A small engine that is cheap to insure is best.

I'm looking to spend as little as possible, up to a maximum of say 3k.

Any advice on makes, models, online sites, links to ads would be appreciated.

RobAMerc

would you consider a classic car ?
very cheap to run as tax is only 50, insurance is cheap to if you go for a small mileage option and depreciation would be non existent on anything you buy these days as the recession has hit values asking prices fairly hard.
If you buy something fun you could end up driving past t he golf club and having a hoot for yourself.

3k should get you a reasonable daily runner of something fairly mundane and reasonably reliable.

Ardennes1944

k11 micra?

Pique

Fiesta Van.

BronsonTB

RobAMerc wrote: »

would you consider a classic car ?
very cheap to run as tax is only 50, insurance is cheap to if you go for a small mileage option and depreciation would be non existent on anything you buy these days as the recession has hit values asking prices fairly hard.
If you buy something fun you could end up driving past t he golf club and having a hoot for yourself.

3k should get you a reasonable daily runner of something fairly mundane and reasonably reliable.

Leave the classics to people who appreciate them...
OP wants a runaround & doesn't care for the car itself...Cheap astra/fiesta/focus/golf/carolla even a carvan....punto van maybe...

LostPassword

Thanks for the responses. The idea of a classic sounds intriguing, but as mentioned above, it would probably be wasted on me - I wouldn't give it the care it needs or appreciate it properly.

The idea of a wee van sounds especially interesting - would be sort of perfect. I'll have a look around to see what's on offer. Thanks for the list of models too - I'm a total know nothing so any and all information is helpful.

Is carzone.ie the best place to source cars online or are there better sites?

colm_mcm

Mazda mx5 1.6

Interesting, cheap, reliable


Or a yaris which gives 2 out of the above 3

BronsonTB

LostPassword wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. The idea of a classic sounds intriguing, but as mentioned above, it would probably be wasted on me - I wouldn't give it the care it needs or appreciate it properly.

The idea of a wee van sounds especially interesting - would be sort of perfect. I'll have a look around to see what's on offer. Thanks for the list of models too - I'm a total know nothing so any and all information is helpful.

Is carzone.ie the best place to source cars online or are there better sites?

For your budget...donedeal is the best bet...

GavMan

A well kept Alfa Romeo 156 should fit the bill

Check out http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/republic-of-ireland/ for buying advice...

kermitpwee

Get a pre vvti avensis 1.6 petrol, good boot and can be got for handy money and wont cost you money.

colm_mcm

For someone who isn't into cars, a 156 is hardly a good choice

johnos1984

OP I think you need to give us more guidance otherwise you will get every car under 3K offered to you.

So far:

Room for two
Decent boot
Cheap
Reliable
Small engine

Do you want a saloon, hatchback, van (you will have to tax it as a private car so no real saving), sports car, any makes that are a no no?

Henry Ford III

It might work out cheaper to move house and live on the golf course.

LostPassword

johnos1984 wrote: »

OP I think you need to give us more guidance otherwise you will get every car under 3K offered to you.

So far:

Room for two
Decent boot
Cheap
Reliable
Small engine

Do you want a saloon, hatchback, van (you will have to tax it as a private car so no real saving), sports car, any makes that are a no no?

To be honest, I don't know enough about cars to really say much more

I do know some stuff about manufacturing workflows and from that I guess that I'd be inclined towards something from either Japan or Germany. Other than that, I'm open to anything.

Big Nasty

colm_mcm wrote: »

Mazda mx5 1.6

Interesting, cheap, reliable


Or a yaris which gives 2 out of the above 3

Would you fit two sets of golf clubs in the boot of an MX-5?:D

colm_mcm

They'd be sticking out the boot a bit alright.

LostPassword

Been looking around on donedeal.ie

This car: http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2348478 looks like a good solution. Only problem is that it seems to be an unusually good price compared to the market. Should I be worried?

GavMan

colm_mcm wrote: »

For someone who isn't into cars, a 156 is hardly a good choice

How?

Looks great. Saloon or Estate would more than do the trick for what is required. Is a great drive. Comfortable on the longer spins. Would probably pick up some nice spec like leather, AC, etc. for the money he can spend.

For his budget, he is unlikely to get car (namely some bland German saloon with an over inflated reliability reputation) which is any more reliable than a well kept Alfa.

BronsonTB

LostPassword wrote: »

Been looking around on donedeal.ie

This car: http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2348478 looks like a good solution. Only problem is that it seems to be an unusually good price compared to the market. Should I be worried?

Does look decent & will certainly do the job for you. Mate has one and finds it brilliant.

yermanoffthetv

Something like this? http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Demio/1.3-LX/201125203036125/advert?channel=CARS

Mazda Demio 1.3 Cheap, small engine, large boot space and Japanese reliability. All boxes ticked I think.

MugMugs

90's starlet. Rippers and bomb proof. (not literally)