Car Buying Advice - 11k budget

Brian_Howe

Hi everyone. Lots of great info in the motoring forum. Great work by all.

I am going to buy a used car for myself pretty soon. I have an 11k budget. I will be doing circa 100miles per day, mostly motorway so am interested in a diesel, but nothing too big engined.

I have been looking at Ford Focus Tdci 1.6-1.8 engine size Zetec spec.

Do you have any advice on this car type? Any other car suggestions?

Cheers

colm_mcm

You'll probably get carbon based road tax so a bigger engined car isn't a problem.
Octavia or jetta 1.9 would be less complicated mechanically than the newer generation of common rail yokes

Brian_Howe

Are there significant problems with common rail? I have read some horror stories...

What sort of year/mileage could I expect in Ireland for octavia/jetta?

Brian_Howe

Anymore suggestions peeps? Looking for something slick. I know I'm limited with an 11k budget but still its not peanuts either...

I'm also not mad about big cars. What I liked about the focus (apart from the fact that the diesel focus is a decent car) was the size/shape.

skyhighflyer

Alfa 159 or GT JTD
BMW 325 or 330
Merc CLK or SLK
Bravo TJet
Golf GTI
Volvo s60 T5
SAAB 93 Aero
Citroen C5 (the new one)
Octavia VRS


Plenty of sensible but interesting cars at that money

Brian_Howe

Thanks a bunch. Notice quite a few recommendations for the Skoda Superb on the forum... What makes these different to octavia? Is it the spec/trim?

Here ia an example...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Superb/COMFORT-/201127203246525/advert?channel=CARS

bazz26

The Superb is based on the Passat. The Octavia is based on the smaller Golf.

You may be able to pick up a 08 Renault Laguna III on your budget. Nowhere near as bad as the previous generation model and they are a comfortable cruiser that eat miles:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201124202880917

Brian_Howe

Thanks again peeps. Is the Fiat bravo a reliable auto?

Also, what are your views on the skoda superb?

Any views on Audi A4...? Something like this http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/1.9-TDI-/201126203154249/advert?channel=CARS

Idbatterim

how about something like the below?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201129405499842/sort/priceasc/usedcars/ni-only/on/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_4_years_old/transmission/manual/model/mondeo/make/ford/page/1/postcode/bt39jp/radius/1501?logcode=p

166man

Idbatterim wrote: »

how about something like the below?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201129405499842/sort/priceasc/usedcars/ni-only/on/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_4_years_old/transmission/manual/model/mondeo/make/ford/page/1/postcode/bt39jp/radius/1501?logcode=p

Surely you could find a better example than that one?Needs a new power steering rack and has quite a high mileage. For somebody doing high miles that car would become expensive very soon...

Brian_Howe

Can someone give me their opinions on:

Skoda Superb
Ford Focus Zetec spec
Seat Leon
Octavia VRS

Looking in terms of comfort, price, mpg. All of the above with diesel engines...

1hnr79jr65

i had 1.6 diesel focus zetec.

Very comfortable, very good mover with light engine, about 62 euro to fill tank and get roughly 980-1050km out of full tank without abuse of aircon and other functions.

if u get 08 model its 265 euro iirc for road tax cos of emissions system.

Good car all around i would definitely reccommend it.

1hnr79jr65

just tp point out if you not looking for a big car then the new fiesta is sweet too.

im currently driving a 1.4 diesel fiesta, about 45-50 euro to fill with 750-820km from full tank, which imo is pretty good.

104 euro a year to tax, and super nippy for a "small" car. Very roomy and comfortable inside worth a look if you not looking for a family type car

Brian_Howe

Much appreciated. Bit on the small side for me but point taken, for sure...

Yeah I do like the focus.

An opinions anybody on the focus...? 1.6 or 1.8 engine? What about purchasing up North...? Seems to be greta value compared to here, better choice amd better spec...

Examples I saw were...
http://www.usedcarsni.com/76523852
http://www.usedcarsni.com/76989449
http://www.usedcarsni.com/75039990

Sour Lemonz wrote: »

just tp point out if you not looking for a big car then the new fiesta is sweet too.

im currently driving a 1.4 diesel fiesta, about 45-50 euro to fill with 750-820km from full tank, which imo is pretty good.

104 euro a year to tax, and super nippy for a "small" car. Very roomy and comfortable inside worth a look if you not looking for a family type car

1hnr79jr65

buying up north is a smart move but dont forget that you need to factor in exchange rate into your costs plus vrt.

personally id be for the 1.6 engine.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/ESTATE-1/131246832356711/advert?channel=CARS

here is a 1.6 diesel focus i just found with quick search on carzone. 7600 euro is asking price, walk in with 7000 euro cash in hand and put it on table and you are sure to walk away with this car.

Looks decent.

Brian_Howe

Has anybody any experience with Seat Leon?

Some of the "look" quite slick. What are the different spec available?

Here is one that is out of my price range but looks pretty slick. IS this a particula spec/model of Leon...?

http://www.usedcarsni.com/75743478

166man

This

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.8-TDCI/201124202860248/advert?channel=CARS

Brian_Howe

Wow. That focus seems incredibly cheap... 3ish-k cheaper than most for that year/mileage

166man wrote: »

This

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.8-TDCI/201124202860248/advert?channel=CARS

EPM

Brian_Howe wrote: »

Has anybody any experience with Seat Leon?

Some of the "look" quite slick. What are the different spec available?

Here is one that is out of my price range but looks pretty slick. IS this a particula spec/model of Leon...?

http://www.usedcarsni.com/75743478

I had one for 3 and a half years. It was fine but avoid big wheels. For 100 miles a day I'd get something more comfortable. Scratch the vrs off your list. The 2 litre diesels in your price range can give some expensive problems and will be on the old tax system.

Brian_Howe

Thanks EPM.

Something like this maybe? http://www.usedcarsni.com/54770253

Was the LEON bad from a comfort point of view...?

Do you have any suggestions re: something more comfortable...?

Looking for a comfortable diesel car that looks pretty slick too. Its my first modest spend on a car so want to do it right...

EPM wrote: »

I had one for 3 and a half years. It was fine but avoid big wheels. For 100 miles a day I'd get something more comfortable. Scratch the vrs off your list. The 2 litre diesels in your price range can give some expensive problems and will be on the old tax system.

EPM

Brian_Howe wrote: »

Thanks EPM.

Something like this maybe? http://www.usedcarsni.com/54770253

Was the LEON bad from a comfort point of view...?

Do you have any suggestions re: something more comfortable...?

Looking for a comfortable diesel car that looks pretty slick too. Its my first modest spend on a car so want to do it right...

Mine had 17s and sports suspension. It was too hard. The stylance you've linked has 16s and normal suspension and is comfy enough, the engines reliable and it has a very good spec. If you can find one with the larger mfd (larger screen near the speedo) it would have Bluetooth and more options for car settings. Also stylance has cruise control which will help on a long commute.

moone

Brian_Howe wrote: »

Hi everyone. Lots of great info in the motoring forum. Great work by all.

I am going to buy a used car for myself pretty soon. I have an 11k budget. I will be doing circa 100miles per day, mostly motorway so am interested in a diesel, but nothing too big engined.

I have been looking at Ford Focus Tdci 1.6-1.8 engine size Zetec spec.

Do you have any advice on this car type? Any other car suggestions?

Cheers

I would stick to jap cars. So very reliable !

Brian_Howe

So, to everyone, if you had to pick a Focus or a Leon. What would it be...?

Or would a Superb be a better, albeit different, choice...

EPM

I liked my Leon, but when I was looking for a replacement not so long ago some if the UK prices were quite steep. You might get better value with a Focus. But then again the 1.9 engine in the Leon doesn't have a dpf which can be expensive when it will eventually go.

Brian_Howe

Yeah the dpf is a tricky one... I believe the 1.6 in the 2008 focus doesnt have a dpf...

What would you consider value for a 2008 Leon, 1.9 diesel...?

The one I attached earlier comes in at €1833 VRT, so about €11-11.4k total price factoring in a 5% cash discount...

Good value..?

Is there much diffeence in your opinion between the Focus and Leon, dpf aside...?

EPM wrote: »

I liked my Leon, but when I was looking for a replacement not so long ago some if the UK prices were quite steep. You might get better value with a Focus. But then again the 1.9 engine in the Leon doesn't have a dpf which can be expensive when it will eventually go.

EPM

Well when I had mine, my father had a Focus and I preferred the lower seating position in the Leon and found it a little quieter. The interior of the Leon looks worse but was better screwed together. I think the Leon looks better but that's a personal thing.

A nicely specced Leon would be my choice I suppose based on my own experience with a petrol one.

JJJJNR

This Toyota corolla seems like excellent value.

Edit just seen the real price.. still not bad

Brian_Howe

Much appreciated. I guess I better get out and drive them both now.

There seems to be good value on both Focus and Leon up north so I think a trip up there is in order.

Anybody have any experience buying up North? Good idea? Doesn't seem to be any real benefit to buying down south. Either way I'd be checking the car myself and then by an engineer. Any caveits I'm missing (apart something obvious like vrt of course)...?

EPM

Get onto seatcupra.net and there's a few dealer reps doing the rounds there. Might be worth trying for a few prices. I know one Irish user got a good deal on a car through one of them.

bazz26

OP have a look at the Kia Proceed:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201131203759374
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201129203423432

Or if you need a 5 door then the Ceed or Hyundai i30:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201124202905215
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201126203082901

Also worth looking at is the Honda Civic 2.2 diesel:
http://www.usedcarsni.com/71006352

Graham_B18C

The Pro Ceed is a lovely car IMO. I've always heard the 1.6 Diesel in them is a great engine too. And if you bought a 08 one you'd have fairly cheap tax and a few years left on the warrenty.

It'd be my choice out of the ones mentioned so far anyway