Help me buy a new car

unkel

Fancy a new car in the new year. Here are my requirements / priorities:

Budget: max €4,000, preferably less

Large saloon or hatchback (no MPV, SUV, estates, etc.). Minimum size think Vectra / Mondeo / A4, but one size up (think 5-series, E-class, A6) would be better

Fuel: Petrol, fuel consumption not very important, 20-25MPG will be fine

Engine size around 2l, but will consider up to 2.5l

Transmission: preferably auto but will keep an open mind

Year: 2003 or newer

Long NCT (minimum a year, but the longer the better)

This is a family car that will have to do us for a good few years. Resale value is not important. Neither is how good a drivers car it is, it is more about comfort / space. Any help much appreciated. Did a bit of thinking / browsing this evening and I reckon a good candidate is a '03-'05 Saab 9-5 2l petrol turbo auto. What do you think?

Quazzie

Skoda Superb.

EPM

Laugh all you like, but I know a 2006 Kia Magentis with under 60k km auto with leather that sold for less than that last week. 2 litre N/A petrol but I'd consider one if you want a fresh family work horse.

Otherwise R75 diesel auto?

colm_mcm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2493979

I'd take an S80 over the Saab 9 5, although I do like 9 5s in saying that. Would an Accord tickle your fancy, you might get a very decent 2004 petrol one for your budget in the new year, one of the most modern relatively trouble free cars out there ignoring anti roll bar bushings but that's wear and tear. Might be a tad not to your taste and I dunno how common auto ones are.


Colm got there first while I was typing.

bazman

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S60/2.0-AUTO/201146205598306/advert?channel=CARS

Started looking at the Saab a while back as something different to the norm, but ended up with something far superior IMO - a Volvo S60.
Keep an eye out and you'll get a good one for under €4k - one sold recently with only 60k miles, 04, perfect for €4k - bargain.

166man

This for sure and spend the change on petrol and extra tax!



http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2523717

I know it's been up for a while but still do it!

unkel

EPM wrote: »

Laugh all you like, but I know a 2006 Kia Magentis with under 60k km auto with leather that sold for less than that

Oh I ain't laughing! I'm considering all cars and the Magentis / Sonata as nearly new big cars have a lot to offer for very little money

Have the R75 already, want something different

S60 was my first car of thought - I like the 5 pot engine and there's a lot of poke for your 2l motor tax. S80 / C5 (that I both quite like myself) -> Mrs unkel says no. Accord? Too popular thus overpriced imho. Superb? I like it, but the engine / transmission combos are not really working for me. Remember everybody else is buying diesel cars at the moment. Me, I'm sticking with petrol

@166man - I like Alfas and I love the Busso engine. But I don't fancy I'm not brave enough owning one at this stage

Voodoomelon

How about a 2003 520i?

unkel

Sold the E39 520i during the summer

Great car, but I'm not buying the same model of any car again...

Now an E60 would be ideal but they really are out of budget at about 5-6k for early high milers. Interesting thing I found was that a 525i (2.5l) was the same price or even cheaper than a 520i (2.2l)

Or should I really hold out / save a bit more to get an E60 over an S60 / 9-5? All opinions welcome!

unkel

And something like this seems pretty good value:



€2,750 for a '03 250BHP NCTd till '13

Tempted. Seriously.

Voodoomelon

Didn't realise you had a 520i! Would be funny if i'd linked you to your old car.

You'd probably get more for your money with a higher spec, lower mile S60/95 than an early E60.

Ptrreynolds

Saab's and Alfa's break. I test drove a SAAB last week and the rad went. Alfa's... well..

Go with a mondeo, for 3K you will pick up a zetec 04 quite easily. Brilliant car.

That said, thats presuming mileage isn't a huge issue, if it is reconsider.

I calculated today that if I do 6K miles a year, it will cost me 400E per year to drive a petrol passat 1.8 over a 1.9 diesel.

I base a purchase mostly on who I buy off..
But don't forget SAAB are folding, and look at the prices of Rovers for comparison.

bazz26

Some suggestions:

Peugeot 607:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201138204546654

Not an auto though.

Toyota Camry 2.4:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201134204033128

Hyundai Sonata 2.4:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201131203716037

166man

Ptrreynolds wrote: »

Saab's and Alfa's break. I test drove a SAAB last week and the rad went. Alfa's... well..

Go with a mondeo, for 3K you will pick up a zetec 04 quite easily. Brilliant car.

That said, thats presuming mileage isn't a huge issue, if it is reconsider.

I calculated today that if I do 6K miles a year, it will cost me 400E per year to drive a petrol passat 1.8 over a 1.9 diesel.

I base a purchase mostly on who I buy off..
But don't forget SAAB are folding, and look at the prices of Rovers for comparison.

Yes?

unkel

Ptrreynolds wrote: »

go with a mondeo, for 3K you will pick up a zetec 04 quite easily. Brilliant car.

Yep good car. And very good value. I just don't fancy it though. Just as well as Mrs unkel hates them

Ptrreynolds wrote: »

But don't forget SAAB are folding, and look at the prices of Rovers for comparison.

Exactly. Car maker folding means people are freaking out (oh no, there will be no parts available, etc.) which means cars can be bought very cheaply. Been there before when I bought a Rover 75 that was thousands cheaper than a same year same mileage Skoda Octavia 1.4

unkel

@bazz26 - Sonata very good value for money. Not ruling it out! Camry overpriced because everybody thinks it is great (it is not) and I'm not easily spooked but that said, I'm not brave enough to consider a 607. Love the looks of them though!