What car to buy

Gal2011

I am currently looking to buy a car. I have a 2002 Ford Focus currently with 100000 miles on it and I want to trade it and spend an extra 5000 Euro with it. I was looking at a 2005/2006 Passat but decided against it. I am wondering whether to get a VW Golf but hard get a diesel one with low mileage. Ideally I want a car with mileage below 100000 miles on the clock. What are the 2005/2006 1.4 Petrol VW Golf like does anyone know and how much is tax? I like them but are they expensive to run? I am also looking at Corrolla and Peugeot 307 but I would basically like to buy a VW Golf if possible.

andyseadog

what is it with the Irish masses this weather and Golfs? like they really aren't anything special, particularly for the money.

Katunga

What milage do you travel on average per year. It will cost you more having a diesel if you travel less than 10k miles a year because of higher tax, maintance costs and insurance than the 1.4.

The Pontiac

Better to sell the Focus privately. 2002 with a 100k on the clock would sell easy.. (very reliable cars.)

Then when you go to buy your next car you'll get a better cash deal, and less complicated.

The older version Golf's (MK4) 1.4 petrol engine were rubbish. Burnt oil likes there's no tomorrow and heaps of other problems (cats etc.). Not sure if they improved them in the MK5 or not.

kirving

andyseadog wrote: »

what is it with the Irish masses this weather and Golfs? like they really aren't anything special, particularly for the money.

Aside from a tiny Polo, one of the cheapest German cars you can get. Not sure why an entry level German car is so much more desireable than something else of higher spec.

166man

Katunga wrote: »

What milage do you travel on average per year. It will cost you more having a diesel if you travel less than 10k miles a year because of higher tax, maintance costs and insurance than the 1.4.

What are the higher maintenance costs? Also a TDi Golf is a far nicer car to be in than the 1.4 and the difference in economy would be fairly big I'd imagine.

fasttalkerchat

2007 1.6 Focus gets the thumbs up from me. You'll get one well within budget if you cross the border or go to the UK.

Katunga

166man wrote: »

What are the higher maintenance costs? Also a TDi Golf is a far nicer car to be in than the 1.4 and the difference in economy would be fairly big I'd imagine.

More expensive engine oil, fuel filter. so a service costs more.

The Pontiac

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

2007 1.6 Focus gets the thumbs up from me. You'll get one well within budget if you cross the border or go to the UK.

Is it still worth it, now that the exchange rate is so bad?

fasttalkerchat

<Ollie> wrote: »

Is it still worth it, now that the exchange rate is so bad?

In the UK they're going for about 3000. I bought a 2007 Focus from a dealer in the North for 4000 last month with a years MOT and 6 month warranty.

The Pontiac

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

In the UK they're going for about 3000. I bought a 2007 Focus from a dealer in the North for 4000 last month with a years MOT and 6 month warranty.

Thanks. Might have a look at a few and the VRT calculator out later.

166man

Katunga wrote: »

More expensive engine oil, fuel filter. so a service costs more.

Is that it? Even if the car was serviced twice a year it might cost an extra €100 than the equivalent petrol. If that's the extra maintenance costs than it seems very much worth the €100 to me for the extra power, economy and refinement of the TDI over the 1.4 petrol, which wouldn't pull you out of bed.

Katunga

166man wrote: »

Is that it? Even if the car was serviced twice a year it might cost an extra €100 than the equivalent petrol. If that's the extra maintenance costs than it seems very much worth the €100 to me for the extra power, economy and refinement of the TDI over the 1.4 petrol, which wouldn't pull you out of bed.

TDI engines are a lot more complicated than the 1.4 (turbo, intercooler and over all more expensive for most mechanical ) ( I have one) more problems happen with them. I Don't like the VAG 1.4 petrol engines that i'v used (had one for 2 months and used others)
This was not my only example of why you should think about buying a TDI, as I said already more tax For that age the OP wants, insurance is more, Cost more two buy and more maintenance costs.

fasttalkerchat

166man wrote: »

Is that it? Even if the car was serviced twice a year it might cost an extra €100 than the equivalent petrol. If that's the extra maintenance costs than it seems very much worth the €100 to me for the extra power, economy and refinement of the TDI over the 1.4 petrol, which wouldn't pull you out of bed.

The real cost is turbos going. But unless you're really unlucky running costs aren't a huge factor unless you're getting all work done by dealers.

Gal2011

Thanks for all the replies. I do about 8000-9000 miles annually so |I am really unsure. It is very hard get a VW Golf Diesel with relatively mileage. I want a VW Golf diesel with less than 100000 miles on the clock but i can't find one within my price so I am being forced to look at 1.4 Petrol version. I am not that keen on the style of the Focus but i will be buying a 2005-2006 model of some car. I am very unsure still.

166man

Katunga wrote: »

TDI engines are a lot more complicated than the 1.4 (turbo, intercooler and over all more expensive for most mechanical ) ( I have one) more problems happen with them. I Don't like the VAG 1.4 petrol engines that i'v used (had one for 2 months and used others)
This was not my only example of why you should think about buying a TDI, as I said already more tax For that age the OP wants, insurance is more, Cost more two buy and more maintenance costs.

Tax is an extra €200 a year I think which is a considerable amount but it's going to be far more economical, far nicer to drive, much easier to sell on and it's cheaper to insure as far as I know. Also the 1.9TDI, is a very proven engine in terms of reliability. Even if it was more expensive and costed more to maintain, I'd still take it over the 1.4.

Katunga

166man wrote: »

Tax is an extra €200 a year I think which is a considerable amount but it's going to be far more economical, far nicer to drive, much easier to sell on and it's cheaper to insure as far as I know. Also the 1.9TDI, is a very proven engine in terms of reliability. Even if it was more expensive and costed more to maintain, I'd still take it over the 1.4.

Tax is near to €250 more a year didn't say its less reliable I said more thing can go wrong with the mileage OP is doing the the 1.4 would be a better option + OP thinks it cost too much extra.
AS I SAID ALREADY I HAVE A 1.9 TDI ENGINE Car And DID Have A 1.4 VAG Engine CAR so Why ARE YOU KEEP TELLING ME THE DIFFERENCES WHEN I KNOW FROM PERSONAL USE.

166man

Katunga wrote: »

Tax is near to €250 more a year didn't say its less reliable I said more thing can go wrong with the mileage OP is doing the the 1.4 would be a better option + OP thinks it cost too much extra.
AS I SAID ALREADY I HAVE A 1.9 TDI ENGINE Car And DID Have A 1.4 VAG Engine CAR so Why ARE YOU KEEP TELLING ME THE DIFFERENCES WHEN I KNOW FROM PERSONAL USE.

What things would go wrong with a 2004 TDI with 10k miles a year? Also if done on a cost basis then you're right te 1.4 on paper makes infinitely more sense, however you need to take into account that the 1.9TDI is a much better engine and as such I think it would be worth the extra outlay. It's far nicer on the motorway/dual carriageway and at least you can overtake in it too.