First time buyer

vonniec

Hello all,

I'm on the market for a car for the first time. Don't have the greatest knowledge of cars at the best of times so I need advice!!

My budget is €3000, would prefer a 1.2/1.3 litre hatchback. Work is only around the corner, but travel at the weekends would be up on 200km return journey.

What would the best car be?? I've been looking at a fiat punto, but I vaguely remember someone warning me against fiats altogether!


(If it wasn't already obvious, I'm a lady driver )

andyseadog

the 02 onward fiestas are nice, you'd just get one in your budget, try and go for a "steel" model, they appear to be finished well

one like this

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3594287

although that car has a facelift rear end so i'd say it has a story to tell :pac:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3594403

Idbatterim

id probably go for a yaries, good all rounders and will have good resale value...

vonniec

@andyseadog

Thanks! Are fiesta steel tough to keep with regards to nct and the like?


@Idbatterim

Ya I was looking at yaris's, but I can only seem to get them as 1.0 litre second hand. They aren't ideal for the weekend travels home.

kerten

If you are ok with revving up the engine, Yaris 1.0 (manual)is a capable car for its engine size. spacious, reliable, etc.

but

If you are after a little bit driving fun, avoid yaris and buy a 2003+ fiesta 1.25 or 1.4.

vonniec

What do you guys think of a 1.3 ford ka!?!

kerten

I drove a 2003 fiesta with 1.3lt engine in Ka. It was quite slow. Ka should be lighter and faster but I prefer 1.25 fiesta to this one.

bazz26

Those Kas are old hat at this stage, you can do better with a €3k budget. They also suffer from rust.

How about a Honda Jazz:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3602897
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3571357


Or a Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 litre Sporting:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3530422

vonniec

Oh really!? Dang..

Those are really nice cars, but my budget can't really stretch past 3k at this moment... And then I'll also have extra tax and insurance on bigger engines!

bazz26

vonniec wrote: »

Oh really!? Dang..

Those are really nice cars, but my budget can't really stretch past 3k at this moment... And then I'll also have extra tax and insurance on bigger engines!

They were only examples but remember that those are asking prices, not selling prices. There is always room to negotiate, sellers generally ask for a bit more than their bottom price to allow for a buyer to haggle.

vonniec

Duly noted! Thanks

peace2804

I would recommend you a VW Golf or Polo, these 2 cars are cheap, reliable, solid and most importantly very easy to fix.

Golf 1.4

Polo 1.2

Golf 1.3