Recommend me a car.

El Guapo!

I know these threads pop up in here all the time but I thought I'd ask the good folk in here for their opinions on what to get.

Basically I'm changing car because the tax and fuel cost is killing me on my current car. (BMW 320 2.2) I can't afford to keep running it so it's time to get rid.
I only have about €5500 to spend and I'm not sure what to go for.
Preferably I'd like to stick with an automatic. (I've gotten really lazy since I got the 320 )
Something comfortable enough. I have about an hour drive to and from work every day and I'd like to be comfy on the commute.
I know it might sound trivial but I think I'd go mad driving an auto without an armrest so that's a must!
Max engine size 1.6 for fuel and tax costs.

Cars I don't want are: Nissan Almera (hate them), anything french, anything too small like a Micra.

I might be asking a lot but I'm sure I can find something that ticks the boxes!

colm_mcm

Corolla?

-Corkie-

Up your enginge size to a 1.8 as there is sfa in the tax cost or MPG, at leaxt you can get something half decent then like a Mazda 6 or similar..

colm_mcm

Will you get a 6 in automatic 1.8?

El Guapo!

I actually didn't realise the difference in tax between 1.6 and 1.8 was only 80 odd euro. I suppose I could up my limit to 1.8 for the right car.

colm_mcm

It's more like €120 in the difference

-Corkie-

colm_mcm wrote: »

Will you get a 6 in automatic 1.8?

I dont actually know but he will need something with a bit of soul after coming from the bimmer..

120 is only a good night after..

El Guapo!

colm_mcm wrote: »

It's more like €120 in the difference

True.
Up to 1800 is €85 in the difference. Over that is €120.
Not sure what to do. As I say though, if it's the right car and I really really want it then I could probably stretch. I'd prefer to keep it 1.6 though if possible.

colm_mcm

You have to compare with 'up to 1.6' as well

€478 vs €592

Bigus

Take a drive in a Prius , big armrest and only auto, will do 55 mpg real world ultra reliable and cheap to run 1.5 ltr tax or after 08 lowest c02 tax rate.

The suggestion will get slagged off here big time but mainly by people who never sat in one never mind drive one.

Also no turbo no timing belt , no dual mass flywheel like alternative diesels to go wrong.

colm_mcm

Yep, a prius might be worth a look alright

El Guapo!

I have driven a few Prius'es'es'es'es before! They're actually not a bad yoke to drive. A bit on the ugly side though and out of my price range anyway I think.

colm_mcm

Spotted an 04 t4 in the uk, you'd have it for €5200 (inc vrt €280) plus travel

T4 or luxury pack spec is a minimum, i wouldnt have one without the jbl sound system and cruise control

El Guapo!

I've been looking into the Prius a bit more and to be honest I just can't see myself driving one for very long. Too boring and ugly I think.
Back to the drawing board......

colm_mcm

How about a Civic Saloon 1.8. youd get an 06-07 for your budget, they're very good on fuel.

El Guapo!

colm_mcm wrote: »

How about a Civic Saloon 1.8. youd get an 06-07 for your budget, they're very good on fuel.

Was never really a Honda fan tbh.
I don't think they have an armrest either. Don't think I'd go for one.
I'm not trying to be overly picky either by the way!

bazz26

Mazda 6 petrol auto was 2.0 litre only.

How about a Mazda 3:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda3/1.6-TS/201225208777454/

El Guapo!

bazz26 wrote: »

Mazda 6 petrol auto was 2.0 litre only.

How about a Mazda 3:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda3/1.6-TS/201225208777454/

Funny you should mention it, I was only looking at that exact car on Carzone last night.
Not a bad looking car at all and fits the bill for what I want. I haven't worked on many of them before so not sure what they're like.
Anyone here ever own one and know what they're like?

bazz26

Very little goes wrong with them but some spare parts can be a bit expensive. It uses the same chassis as the Ford Focus, petrol engines are Mazda though.

166man

This

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3778614



Can't imagine it being great on fuel but then again, most automatic petrols in your budget won't be anyway. It's got reasonable power with plenty of re-mapping potential too. It looks like a well minded car and you can be sure that it would be comfortable. Bag it for €2500 and off you go.

Senna

What about this??

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Civic/ES9-HYBR/30513467498063150/advert?channel=CARS

H3llR4iser

Dean09 wrote: »

True.
Up to 1800 is €85 in the difference. Over that is €120.
Not sure what to do. As I say though, if it's the right car and I really really want it then I could probably stretch. I'd prefer to keep it 1.6 though if possible.

Sorry man but you need something with a twist - you can't come off a BMW, jump in a Toyota and not be crying after 10 minutes

If you're willing to go 1.9, you might want to try a 156 or 159 1.9JTDm (the 156 will probably be cheaper to buy and it's lighter, hence better performances).
If you'd like to stay petrol-side, a 1.6 TS Alfa 147 or 156 from 2005 or so will be well within your budget. Or perhaps a BMW 316i.

bazz26

Is spending around €5500 switching from a 2.2 litre car to a 1.8 litre car if the aim is reduce running costs?