Looking for a car - 3500 to spend

ocsfan

Edit: I added the links below. I already called about the Tino - they say great things about it, except the tax is out and there was some patch-up paint done behind the rear door on the passenger side. Sounds a bit worrisome.

Thanks to all, so far! More confusion for me, now.

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Hi all,

Sorry for the simple question, but I'm a US citizen who's just moved to Dublin a couple of weeks ago. I need to buy a car to drive to and from work (just 2 km each way), run to the grocery store, shopping trips on weekends, etc. I wouldn't expect to do a lot of cross-country driving, if at all. We do have two teenage daughters, and my wife and I. My wife and older daughter are still a bit nervous about driving here.

I'm in a bit of a rush because I need to return this car I've hired on Saturday. I have about €3500 cash to spend, and would love some suggestions on the best way to spend that. I've got my eyes on a few cars, but am open to other suggestions. All of these are around the same price - between 3000 and 3500:

2005 Nissan Tino - 1.8L - http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3986264
2005 Renault Megane Hatchback - 1.4L - http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4295778
2006 Nissan Primera - 1.6L - http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4204830
2006 Nissan Almera SXE - 1.5L - http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4258713
Other suggestions?

The nice thing about the Tino is that it's automatic. I'm perfectly fine with manual, but my wife might be more inclined to drive if it's automatic. But otherwise, I'd sure appreciate any feedback on these or other suggestions for that price range. I'd love to stay around €3000 if possible, since tax is above and beyond, but I'd rather spend an extra 500 and get a nicer/newer car that won't be in the shop a lot...

Thanks very much!

sean1141

Ford mondeo?
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4282818
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3867032

Should be lots of manuals too.

Also a newer car does not automatically mean its in better condition than an older car. Try find one with a good service history and a fresh nct

Bigus

Have you links to these actual cars ?

Tino might be most suitable but they are very hard to resell so bargain hard on that one, maybe late 2's.
tax rates for pre 08 cars here
http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/MotorTax/MotorTaxRates/MotorTaxRatesBasedonEngineSize/
the 1.8 goes against them however good big car the tino .
Make sure any car you buy has at least a years NCT test left on it , the test is only 55 euro but getting a bad car through it could cost hundreds, and its a good independent test.

Wexfordian

Mazda 6?

wonski

If you are looking for something reliable then...Avensis?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4093154

Not sure if Autoboxes are good in them. Lot of Nct, but nothing fancy really.
If you looking for something nice you could buy this:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4152127

Bigus

Nice find wonski 05 Volvo with tax, subject to a phone call to the owner I think I'd be on the train to Kerry if is was ocsfan with 3k in my pocket.

Check out on motorcheck.ie for outstanding finance after talking to owner first.

pom pom snaz peeler

id try and steer clear of a Rneault.... ive owned a few and can be problematic... IMO

bazz26

I also second the Mazda 6, the petrol models are very reliable and are selling very cheap these days, autos are thin on the ground though.

Another example:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4232957

wonski

Bigus wrote: »

Nice find wonski 05 Volvo with tax, subject to a phone call to the owner I think I'd be on the train to Kerry if is was ocsfan with 3k in my pocket.

Check out on motorcheck.ie for outstanding finance after talking to owner first.

I am sure 3k would buy... Looks nice in the pictures.
Nct soon, but every car needs nct sooner or later.

ocsfan

Great suggestions, all - thanks so much! I don't mind the smaller engine, to avoid the higher tax rate. I'm just looking for something nice to get the few places we'll need to drive.

Idbatterim

Id go for this 2 litre, 6 cylinder auto with fantastic spec and its the older 2L engine in the facelift, rather than the 2.2L which I have never seen before. different league to the other cars to say the least! A tad overpriced, but Im sure there is room for some negotiation...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-AUTO/6413376308517320/advert?channel=CARS
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4173485
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4301943

just ran a cartell check on the top one and it came back with the following, so possibly a uk import and declared as 2 instead of 2.5L...
Registration 01D51520
Make BMW
Model 525
Description AUTO
Fuel Type PETROL

Wicklowandy

Have drove both a primera and a tino with 1.8 and auto combo for periods of time.

The great combination of very little power and thirst that would actually shock, around 25 urban.

bren2002

Don't discount a Focus too. Great cars, especially the 1.6 petrol.

Bigus

bren2002 wrote: »

Don't discount a Focus too. Great cars, especially the 1.6 petrol.

Absolutely Aand there's the odd auto one around too, very reliable.

Chuck Stone

Mazda 3
Auto
1.6
2004
74,000 miles.
€3,450

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4253625


__________________________________________________________

Volvo S40
Auto
1.8
Full Leather interior
Heated seats
Timing belt done
Service book
77,5000 miles.
€2,500

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4129174

wonski

Chuck Stone wrote: »

Mazda 3
Auto
1.6
2004
74,000 miles.
€3,450

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4253625


__________________________________________________________

This looks really nice. Auto within budget, and 1.6 engine - not as expensive to tax as 1.8-2.0, but definitely nicer to drive than one of those basic 1.4 small saloons. Ticks all the boxes really.

ocsfan

Chuck Stone wrote: »

Mazda 3
Auto
1.6
2004
74,000 miles.
€3,450

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4253625



Thanks so much! Will definitely look into the Mazda. Might be a dumb question here, but is this in any way comparable? We don't have most of these cars in the US, so you'll forgive my ignorance, I hope.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4249425

I like this one because it's a 7 seater, and would come in handy on rare occasions when we have extra company, etc. But the Mazda is automatic and seems to come highly rated!

wonski

ocsfan wrote: »

Chuck Stone wrote: »

Mazda 3
Auto
1.6
2004
74,000 miles.
€3,450

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4253625



Thanks so much! Will definitely look into the Mazda. Might be a dumb question here, but is this in any way comparable? We don't have most of these cars in the US, so you'll forgive my ignorance, I hope.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4249425

I like this one because it's a 7 seater, and would come in handy on rare occasions when we have extra company, etc. But the Mazda is automatic and seems to come highly rated!

Honestly - Mazda is much, much better car. If you don't need anything bigger do not go for Zafira.
You have something to think about tonight - lots of nice cars within the budget. Zafira isn't exactly one of them. Mazda is nicer place to be.

Wexfordian

ocsfan wrote: »

....but is this in any way comparable?...

No.

Don't mean to be blunt, but no.

Should you want a 7 seater the Verso is a much better place to be (though you will need a couple more quid). There are a few other better 7 seaters than the Zafira

ocsfan

Wexfordian wrote: »

No.

Don't mean to be blunt, but no.

Should you want a 7 seater the Verso is a much better place to be (though you will need a couple more quid). There are a few other better 7 seaters than the Zafira

Thanks! Glad you are blunt - that's just what I need. Not many Verso's out there, but found a couple I'll look into.

I tend to over-analyse this whole car-buying thing. I absolutely hate buying cars and looking for them.

Matthewjohn

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4205681
Toyota Prius, little over budget but cheap to fuel/tax and it's got good enough spec, its reliable and an automatic too.

Chuck Stone

ocsfan wrote: »

is this in any way comparable? We don't have most of these cars in the US, so you'll forgive my ignorance, I hope.

I like this one because it's a 7 seater....

They're quite different as has been pointed out. My sister bought a seven seater for the exact same reasons that you cite (2 kids + 2 parents + possible extra passengers) and I think it was used twice as a seven seater in the last 4 years so not worth the premium.

Given Mazda's reputation for build quality and reliability, with alll things being equal, I'd be more inclined to choose the Mazda over the Opel.

Good luck with your search.