€10,000 budget

turniphead

Just throwing this out there if anybody is bored and wants to offer an opinion.

I'm looking to buy a second hand car. I have to admit I know very little about cars. I currently have a 03 Mondeo which was never really loved. It gets me from A to B but there are a number of little problems with it and I very much feel it's on its last legs.

So what am I looking to buy? I'm fairly open minded. I'd like a saloon, 2008 minimum and low mileage. I average about 13,000km per year. I would also like to purchase it from a recognised dealer because I want to get a good warranty with it and hopefully a trade in too.

I want this car to last. Ideally, I will have it for a long, long time. I'm not a person who wants to change cars regularly.

€10,000 is my absolute maximum budget. Hopefully I'll find something closer to €9,000 though.

Thanks in advance for any advice/opinion given!:)

colm_mcm

I'd look out for a petrol mazda6 new model.

h3000

In your position I'd probably go for one of these.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Accord/2.0-TYPE/30913471197033230/advert?channel=CARS

Matthewjohn

I'd get one of these http://m.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=photos&carid=15513403836424670

mitosis

Me? I'd relax the year thing and buy this

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/S-Class/320-A%23T/31113490888349730/advert?channel=CARS

Use the other 6k for tax over the next few years

turniphead

Thanks everyone for your replies. I really want to make sure I make the right choice.

born2bwild

Yeah I'm really getting a thing for the Honda Accord - looks like a really high-specced car for the cash...would they be reliable, I wonder...

A bit more than 10k ,though - for 10k....Mondeo/Mazda 6 (both have new models coming in 2013 so that might put a bit of downward pressure on the superseded marks?)

briggy

If you have another €6,500 definately get this:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Cadillac/Eldorado/LEFT-HAN/201234209675285/advert?channel=CARS

166man

briggy wrote: »

If you have another €6,500 definately get this:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Cadillac/Eldorado/LEFT-HAN/201234209675285/advert?channel=CARS

''Yeah wait one second there, let me just find that other €6.5k in my back pocket there now...''

Seriously man...

blindside88

This is what I love about boards, op says he wants a saloon car for under 10k and over 2008, does around 13k km per annum. Gets replies with cars for 6.5k more and nowhere near the year, next he'll be told to get a hb, a diesel or a motorbike

If I were you I'd look at something like the Mazda 6 or accord as mentioned. You could also look at the Saab 9-3 1.8t. Have a look at conroncars.ie he buys ex company cars but doesn't take trade ins. However he has a Saab as mentioned (09 car for 7250) high milage ish, don't know if that bothers you. I bought my car there last June and found him good to deal with

briggy

blindside88 wrote: »

This is what I love about boards, op says he wants a saloon car for under 10k and over 2008, does around 13k km per annum. Gets replies with cars for 6.5k more and nowhere near the year, next he'll be told to get a hb, a diesel or a motorbike

I actually found a nice Motorbike here actually:
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/4117856

mitosis

blindside88 wrote: »

This is what I love about boards, op says he wants a saloon car for under 10k and over 2008, does around 13k km per annum. Gets replies with cars for 6.5k more and nowhere near the year, next he'll be told to get a hb, a diesel or a motorbike

Sometimes it's good to have other ideas, outside the box, if you will. Maybe something he never thought of will be suggested.

SteelyDanJalapeno

blindside88 wrote: »

This is what I love about boards, op says he wants a saloon car for under 10k and over 2008, does around 13k km per annum. Gets replies with cars for 6.5k more and nowhere near the year, next he'll be told to get a hb, a diesel or a motorbike

If I were you I'd look at something like the Mazda 6 or accord as mentioned. You could also look at the Saab 9-3 1.8t. Have a look at conroncars.ie he buys ex company cars but doesn't take trade ins. However he has a Saab as mentioned (09 car for 7250) high milage ish, don't know if that bothers you. I bought my car there last June and found him good to deal with

Poster moans about other posters not following the guidelines of the op, then goes and recommends a high mileage car!

I'd go with an Accord op, Honda's are in general very reliable.

djimi

Absolutely consider the Accord. Still to this day the most comfortable car I have owned; driving to work in the morning was like being back in bed! A well looked after one should give near bullet proof reliability, and wont cost the earth to run.

blindside88

TiltedBrain wrote: »

Poster moans about other posters not following the guidelines of the op, then goes and recommends a high mileage car!

I'd go with an Accord op, Honda's are in general very reliable.

He didn't say anything about a low mileage car , anyway he only does just over 8k miles a year so would get at least another 10 years out of it if maintained correctly and save 3 grand of his intended spend

h3000

blindside88 wrote: »

He didn't say anything about a low mileage car , anyway he only does just over 8k miles a year so would get at least another 10 years out of it if maintained correctly and save 3 grand of his intended spend

You might want to read the OP again blindside88

blindside88

h3000 wrote: »

You might want to read the OP again blindside88

Ha, I wouldn't mind but I read it twice... My mistake point taken. However the term low mileage is subjective..... But I was wrong

ofcork

I would look at the avensis plenty of 08 on carzone within budget,you wont go wrong.

turniphead

You're a great bunch of lads!:D Thanks for all the replies.

At the moment I'm debating between an Accord or an S40 with a Mondeo still a possibility. That's the focus at the moment but if something outside those 3 came to light I'd have to consider it.

I'm not exactly looking for a bargain, I'm just looking for the fairest deal possible in a very reliable car. I'm hoping to get at least 10 years with it!

turniphead

Hello again!

I decided to wait until the new year and I'm leaning towards this car...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/STYLE-1./31813540147287980/advert?channel=CARS

It's not the saloon I was looking for but I'm happy to pass on that option in order to get a decent car. I'm still open to all suggestions because I want to make sure I make the right choice.

All opinions are welcome!

eh i dunno

unusual colour but looks well. Price seems a bit high for 5 year old though?

SEAN_DUB

turniphead wrote: »

Hello again!

I decided to wait until the new year and I'm leaning towards this car...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/STYLE-1./31813540147287980/advert?channel=CARS

It's not the saloon I was looking for but I'm happy to pass on that option in order to get a decent car. I'm still open to all suggestions because I want to make sure I make the right choice.

All opinions are welcome!

The focus is a very reliable car and quite a common car so parts are reasonable if ever there was a problem, which is rare. I personally would choose the Accord due to its impeccable reliability record but a 1.4 is cheaper to run in every way so therefore I would say good choice in my opinion.
I have driven both and I feel the accord is more comfortable but the focus is cheaper to run.

turniphead

Thanks for the reply 'eh i dunno'.

Price probably is a bit on the high side. I'd obviously work on haggling it down as much as possible and also use my old car (03 Mondeo) as a trade-in to make it more affordable.

My main concern is probably the 105,000km after 5 years. Seems a bit excessive for a 1.3 petrol.

bazz26

€10k for a 5 year old petrol Focus, that garage is really deluded. Here is a similar 2009 model for less:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/Focus/STYLE-1.4/31513533353481640/

Or a higher spec pre facelifted 1.6 Zetec for alot less here:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/Focus/ZETEC-STYLE/30613467540559220/

turniphead

Just came across this and it's clearly a better deal than my first choice.....

http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Ford/Focus/STYLE-1./32113558411566460/advert?channel=CARS

Thanks for those options Bazz. They seem like very good deals

eh i dunno

turniphead wrote: »

Thanks for the reply 'eh i dunno'.

Price probably is a bit on the high side. I'd obviously work on haggling it down as much as possible and also use my old car (03 Mondeo) as a trade-in to make it more affordable.

My main concern is probably the 105,000km after 5 years. Seems a bit excessive for a 1.3 petrol.

Mileage is slightly high alright. Will be looking a Focus later in the year myself and will be looking for one with less than 40k miles on the clock and a 09/10 if possible. Hang on til you find the right car

bazz26

105k km on a 5 year old petrol car is not high, that is 65k miles or just over 12k miles per year which is average for a petrol car.

turniphead

Thanks everyone.

I really do appreciate all the help and advice

neddynasty

turniphead wrote: »

Hello again!

I decided to wait until the new year and I'm leaning towards this car...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/STYLE-1./31813540147287980/advert?channel=CARS

It's not the saloon I was looking for but I'm happy to pass on that option in order to get a decent car. I'm still open to all suggestions because I want to make sure I make the right choice.

All opinions are welcome!

I'd stay away from the 1.4 focus. I had one for a couple of years. No massive problems but it's a heavy car and the 1.4 engine really struggled on hills or with people in the car. If you can get a 1.6 then it's an excellent car.

bazz26

And on the newer emmissions based tax system a 1.4 Focus costs the same to tax as a 1.6 model. 1.6 litre is way more suited.

phunkymonk

Hey,

Looking into buying aswell before end of month, budget about 6kish and trading in 03 polo. Was looking at 06 focus' 1.6 petrol, are these good cars are they economical? any common issues? would be doing a return trip to mayo from dub on avg twice a month city driving otherwise so should i rule out diesel cars?

any advice appreciated ( sorry for hijacking op)

neddynasty

bazz26 wrote: »

And on the newer emmissions based tax system a 1.4 Focus costs the same to tax as a 1.6 model. 1.6 litre is way more suited.

What is the motor tax for the 1.6 focus on the new system? This dicussion is getting me thinking......

turniphead

The annual tax for a 1.6 would be €570

turniphead

Well I'm still in the hunt for a car. As I mentioned previously I'm taking my time to ensure I make the right choice. Quick question though.....would it be better to buy a 08 with 30,000miles or a 09 with 43,000miles? Both cars are the same make and petrol model and they're in and around the same price.

As always, I genuinely appreciate all help and opinions.
Thanks lads!

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

turniphead wrote: »

Well I'm still in the hunt for a car. As I mentioned previously I'm taking my time to ensure I make the right choice. Quick question though.....would it be better to buy a 08 with 30,000miles or a 09 with 43,000miles? Both cars are the same make and petrol model and they're in and around the same price.

As always, I genuinely appreciate all help and opinions.
Thanks lads!

All that depends on is how important the prestige of your numberplate is to you. If the mileage is genuine, then it should be a no brainer. You said in your OP that you hope to keep this car for a long long time so in the grand scheme of things, 08 or 09 isn't going to make a huge difference at that stage for resale.

bazz26

turniphead wrote: »

Well I'm still in the hunt for a car. As I mentioned previously I'm taking my time to ensure I make the right choice. Quick question though.....would it be better to buy a 08 with 30,000miles or a 09 with 43,000miles? Both cars are the same make and petrol model and they're in and around the same price.

As always, I genuinely appreciate all help and opinions.
Thanks lads!

Which ever one that is in the best condition and has a comprehensive service history.

JohnBoy26

turniphead wrote: »

Well I'm still in the hunt for a car. As I mentioned previously I'm taking my time to ensure I make the right choice. Quick question though.....would it be better to buy a 08 with 30,000miles or a 09 with 43,000miles? Both cars are the same make and petrol model and they're in and around the same price.

As always, I genuinely appreciate all help and opinions.
Thanks lads!

I wouldn't go by the milage. Id go by the condition instead and which one got the most care. Eg the 30,000 mile car could of been thrashed all it's life while the car with 43,000 miles could of had the best of care during it's life and vica versa. You just really have to go in with your eyes open.

turniphead

Thanks for the help lads.

What do you think of the Volvo S40 Flexifuel or would I be better off spending extra on the Volvo S40 Diesel? I'll be averaging between 13-17,000km per year.

ninty9er

I hadn't read your last post before going to Carzone, but this looks fairly tidy, and €9,750 should be achievable.

turniphead

Hey lads,

I took this car for a test drive on Thursday and I'm going back with a friend later to have a second look.

I'd love some feedback because, although I've learned so much about cars these past few weeks, I'm still far from an expert!

Pros: 09 Reg, low mileage, reasonable price, reputable dealer with warranty, full service history

Cons: €750 per year tax, poor rear leg space, petrol/flexifuel, I'm not too sure on the mpg but I understand they're not too economical.

As I mentioned previously, I wont be driving more than 20,000km per year. 60/40 Standard roads/Motorway. It's vital to me that the car I buy lasts a number of years so reliability is my most important concern.

Thanks for your help and opinions:D


No pics but all the specs are there.....http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volvo/S40/1.8-SE/32713587846942230/

turniphead

FYI....it's a very similar looking Volvo S40 to this one.

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volvo/S40/S40-1.8/201302211823966/