New Driver: Advice on new car (personal+work)

The_B_Man

Hi guys, I was wondering if somebody could advise me about buying a second hand car. I'm a new driver and am basically clueless about cars and i could easily get taken for a ride. I'm looking at the following three cars, and was hoping maybe someone could have a look at them and tell me if there's anything about them that would put you off buying them.

My background is that I'll need to sometimes drive around the country (but only every few weeks) and will need to carry some work equipment, so I'll need some boot space, but not huge amounts. max budget would be 5k, but hoping to keep below that.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/CR-V/CR-V-2.0/2713286129384320/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A3/1.8E-Aut/813258389845360/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/Santa-Fe/2.0-Dies/5713315564627710/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.cbg.ie/car_detail.aspx?ID=4949371

http://www.cbg.ie/car_detail.aspx?ID=4943800

http://www.cbg.ie/car_detail.aspx?ID=4908181

i've read the stickies about looking at new cars, but i don't know much about which garages are good and what problems come with different types of cars. I'd be very very grateful for any advice.

Anan1

Given that you know nothing about cars, the safest thing is to stay well away from back-street dealers and buy privately. Find a car you like being sold by someone who seems honest & solvent and who has had the car for a few years. Look for a complete maintenance history and have the car examined by a mechanic before you buy. Above all, take your time - accept from the outset that it might take a month or two to find the right car at the right price.

Mr Simpson

Personally, and some people may not agree with me, but from my experience stick to below a 1.6l engine, otherwise your insurance company will crucify you.

What mileage do you think you'll be doing? Enough to justify a diesel?

Maybe something like this

Oh and +1 on Anan1's advice

The_B_Man

thanks for the replies, lads. i'll look at the private sellers. I actually thought the garages would be a safer bet.

Thanks for the link mmcn90. something like that would be good, except I'm looking for an automatic. I'd like a smaller engine, but I need something with a bit of room int he back for work equipment. Though a hatchback would probbaly do me. Not sure about how many miles. Mostly low milage use around dublin with a trip to cork/limerick once a month

Anan1

The_B_Man wrote: »

thanks for the replies, lads. i'll look at the private sellers. I actually thought the garages would be a safer bet

The kind of dealers who sell cars at your budget are generally sharks. Even if you find an honest one, they still bring the twin disadvantages of not getting to meet and assess the previous owner and having to pay the dealer's profit margin. I'm assuming you're a better judge of character than you are of cars - make that work for you.:)

Friel

Buy a Rover 220 TD and save your money. It'll take you wherever you need to go all day long. Not exactly massive though.

That Volvo V70 is a good car too, but I wouldn't buy it in petrol myself. Does it really need to be an automatic? Because your badly narrowing down your range of cars, its hard enough to find a manual. If an auto box goes on you, it's serious money.

ValerieR

Though I have never done it, I know AA offers a vehicle inspection which is supposed to be very good.

V

Compton

How new are you? Do you have a license? I'd agree with the above.. how about a 1.6l Focus? Quite cheap to buy and a nice car to drive.

Mr Simpson

The_B_Man wrote: »

thanks for the replies, lads. i'll look at the private sellers. I actually thought the garages would be a safer bet.

Thanks for the link mmcn90. something like that would be good, except I'm looking for an automatic. I'd like a smaller engine, but I need something with a bit of room int he back for work equipment. Though a hatchback would probbaly do me. Not sure about how many miles. Mostly low milage use around dublin with a trip to cork/limerick once a month

Personally I like the focuses and theres good choice on the second hand market, you should pick up an auto no problem. Good luck

bazz26

OP have you got an insurance quote on any of the car you mentioned yet? If you are a new driver then alot of what you mentioned might be a non runner for insurance or at the very least expensive.

recoltes

Some useful sites...

For reviews on new and used cars - http://www.whatcar.com/

For checking a particular models reliability - http://www.reliabilityindex.com/

For checking a particular car before buying - http://www.carsireland.ie/car-check.html

Go through the service history to make sure there are no big gaps or contradictions in the mileage.

After that make sure the timing belt has been changed at around 60k miles and that its got its NCT recently for some peace of mind.

Make sure its got two sets of keys - sounds silly but thats the kind of detail you won't spot until you've committed.