Would you like to recommend a car?

johnc12

Hi,
So I need a new car. I currently have a 1.6 2002 3 door focus and I don't need anything faster. It needs to be a diesel as I'm currently spending 90 -150 per week on petrol.

I want a 5 door, 2l or under, I'm only 18 so my insurance will be too much if higher. It has to be at least 2004 and I have 8.5 to 9.5k planning on buying privately.

Any recommendations?

bazz26

johnc12 wrote: »

Hi,
So I need a new car. I currently have a 1.6 2002 3 door focus and I don't need anything faster. It needs to be a diesel as I'm currently spending 90 -150 per week on petrol.

I want a 5 door, 2l or under, I'm only 18 so my insurance will be too much if higher. It has to be at least 2004 and I have 8.5 to 9.5k planning on buying privately.

Any recommendations?

What kind of driving do you do?

If it is all motorway driving then something like a Mondeo would be a good choice. On your budget you could probably get a 2007/2008 new shape model. Otherwise if you don't want something that big why not get another Focus? They are available in 1.6/1.8 diesel, should be able to pick up a 08/09 on your budget.

johnc12

I do about 50% motorways and about 50% short journeys.

I think the mondeo would be too big for me. But I just had a look at the Ford Focus 1.8 Style and it looks great. How reliable are they?

dillo2k10

What about a 1.9 Golf. I like the look of them, the silver ones with every part of the car silver too. I dont think you would get an 08 area though. They seem to be a bit overpriced

bazz26

The 1.8 TDCi is Ford's own diesel engine. They are known to need the flywheel replaced at not so high mileage but some owners don't have any trouble from theirs either so go figure.

The Kia Cee'd and Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi are worth looking at too, they are both basically the same car except the Kia has a longer warranty. They are proving very reliable and the 1.6 litre diesel is nippy enough. Your budget should get you a 08 decent spec model.

johnc12

Is the cost of a flywheel replacement expensive?

I don't like the Kia, I think its to plain, looks like a corolla. The Hyundai is nice, but there doesn't seem to be too many of them around. There's only 6 on donedeal.

What is the Golf like? Are they a good car? I like both the Focus and the Golf. The golf because its a younger persons car that actually looks nice and the Focus because its looks good and its a few years newer.

Organic Cavity

johnc12 wrote: »

Is the cost of a flywheel replacement expensive?

Guts of €1000 on most cars. More on some.

Green Diesel

Something like this? http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3505990

johnc12

Green Diesel wrote: »

Something like this? http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3505990

I always loved those cars but my friend got one and has had nothing but trouble with it. Put me off a bit. Hers was a 1.6 diesel though. Are they generally reliable?

bazz26

I had a S40 diesel, it wasn't a terribly unreliable car but I always seemed to be spending €100/€200 every second month on replacing niggly things. Then I got stuck with a bill of €1k for a DPF. Suspension is soft on them and electrics can be iffy too.

Golfs are overpriced for what you get. Have a look at the Seat Leon if you want a value for money good looking Golf, they are the same car underneath.

johnc12

It's really just between the Focus and the Golf now. I think I'll go for the focus. As you said the golf are overpriced, there's nothing great except they look good. I could get an 08 focus for the price of an 05 golf.

Ill just have to give them both a drive and see which I prefer?

Is the 1.6 engine enough for the focus or will I need the 1.8? Thanks

(I will be getting the war remapped regardless of what I get)

bazz26

Depending on which 1.6 TDCi you get, there are two versions - 90bhp and 110bhp. The 110bhp version would be nipper than the 1.8 TDCi and has a wider power bandwidth than the 1.8 TDCi.

johnc12

bazz26 wrote: »

Depending on which 1.6 TDCi you get, there are two versions - 90bhp and 110bhp. The 110bhp version would be nipper than the 1.8 TDCi and has a wider power bandwidth than the 1.8 TDCi.

Is there any way of telling which version it is?

One a few of them they have clear rear lights are they bought separately?or are they for a different version/shape?

L-M

From what i've heard and from personal experience i would avoid the 1.6 and get the 1.8.

johnc12

Limerick man wrote: »

From what i've heard and from personal experience i would avoid the 1.6 and get the 1.8.

Did you have problems or was it just sluggish?

That was my plan to just go for the 1.8, but I can get the newer mid2008 shape easily in the 1.6, and not in the 1.8.

Considering getting the 1.6 and having it remapped. Giving me a BHP of 121, just 6 higher than the 1.8 but with a better looking car. Unless there are problems with it.

L-M

johnc12 wrote: »

Did you have problems or was it just sluggish?

That was my plan to just go for the 1.8, but I can get the newer mid2008 shape easily in the 1.6, and not in the 1.8.

Considering getting the 1.6 and having it remapped. Giving me a BHP of 121, just 6 higher than the 1.8 but with a better looking car. Unless there are problems with it.

No but i deal with a lot of guys who sell their fair share of cars and all of them bar one are avoiding the hassle giving warranty on the 1.6's.

They require good maintenance, and regular, at which they irish don't seem to be very good at.

Hal1

Some like the facelift mk2. http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3567907

johnc12

Limerick man wrote: »

No but i deal with a lot of guys who sell their fair share of cars and all of them bar one are avoiding the hassle giving warranty on the 1.6's.

They require good maintenance, and regular, at which they irish don't seem to be very good at.

I dont know what regular is for an 08 Diesel but I have my old focus serviced once a year/ 15k which ever I reach first.

Hal1 wrote: »

Some like the facelift mk2. http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3567907

Yes, I love the face lifted version.

What is with all of the UK registered cars on donedeal? About 80% of them are from the UK. Is it worth buying a UK reg car? Like this one http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3567033

Hal1

Buying a uk car could add on an extra €1500 and then you've to nct it. The ones in the uk do look in better condition though.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3979170.htm

bazz26

High mileage examples are cheap as chips over in the UK, just be alert that these can have their mileage altered by the time they get over here and a nice tidy profit can be made. Do the proper background checks to avoid being stung.

johnc12

Yea I'll get it fully checked out before buying anything. How would I go about getting a mechanic to come and check out the car?

Hal1

The AA membership covers the uk afaik, or use the rac.

johnc12

Hal1 wrote: »

The AA membership covers the uk afaik, or use the rac.

I'm not going to the UK to buy it. There are lots of them available in Ireland on UK plates.

I just done a quick Google search and there are a few places that will do it.