Alternative first car

Pea 9

Im sure theres been plenty of these before but Im looking to buy my first car. I will be driving up and down to Galway so I want something half decent, with a bit of poke, diesel preferably. The obvious option is a golf but I was chatting to a friend about alternatives and we came up a little short. 1.8 focus, seat leon, 306 but nothing I would choose before a golf. Are there any alternatives I haven't thought of or am I selling any of the above short.
Im 19 with a full license and a years exp as named driver (if that makes much difference), so we'll leave the Leon fr gttdis out for now

*€2000ish budget btw

GE90

2000 would just about cover your insurance.

DylanII

GE90 wrote: »

2000 would just about cover your insurance.

I'd say the 2000 is just the car, not insurance.

GE90

If that's the case and your intent on 1.8/1.9 diesel then prepared to pay considerably more on insurance then you pay for the car (If you can get insured at all). If i was in your position I would go for a corolla with the 1.4 vvti its got 98 bhp which is a lot more then other 1.4 cars (focus, golf ect.) the insurance will still be 1750 - 2000.

Pea 9

Im well aware of how much ill be set back on insurance. 1200 this year on a 1.4. The Toyota sounds good but there a bit fresh for 2 to 2.5k I presume

GE90

is 1200 on your own or a named driver ? What do you mean by fresh ?

Pea 9

Named driver. Fresh as in new

Pea 9

My mistake. I was thinking of the 1.4 diesels. Im trying to avoid petrol as id be putting in a fair few miles

GE90

Its worth spending the extra 500 or so to go on your own. I was thinking something along the line of this http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4289298 that particular one is over prised imo you should get similar for around 2250.

DylanII

Pea 9 wrote: »

My mistake. I was thinking of the 1.4 diesels. Im trying to avoid petrol as id be putting in a fair few miles

How many miles do you drive each day?

cfc1888

Pea 9 wrote: »

Named driver. Fresh as in new

2000 on a golf will be a **** golf with huge mileage.I'd advise against unless you get a good un but they're rare at that price.If you get a good 1.9 Tdi your sorted.Superb cars.

Pea 9

DylanII wrote: »

How many miles do you drive each day?

Not so much big mileage everyday but going from Galway to Donegal twice a week

GE90

Pea 9 wrote: »

My mistake. I was thinking of the 1.4 diesels. Im trying to avoid petrol as id be putting in a fair few miles

You won't get a 1.4 diesel with your budget, unless its done crazy mileage. Plus their as slow as a wet week.

Pea 9

GE90 wrote: »

Its worth spending the extra 500 or so to go on your own. I was thinking something along the line of this http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4289298 that particular one is over prised imo you should get similar for around 2250.

Mpg worries me more than anything with these

GE90

Expect around 40mpg.

Pea 9

GE90 wrote: »

You won't get a 1.4 diesel with your budget, unless its done crazy mileage. Plus their as slow as a wet week.

I didnt think so. Using my mothers 1.4 diesel xsara at the minute and its soul crushingly slow

Pea 9

GE90 wrote: »

Expect around 40mpg.

I suppose id have to drive fairly conservatively to get that?

GE90

Pea 9 wrote: »

I suppose id have to drive fairly conservatively to get that?

Not particularly, you will get that with average driving.

Pea 9

cfc1888 wrote: »

2000 on a golf will be a **** golf with huge mileage.I'd advise against unless you get a good un but they're rare at that price.If you get a good 1.9 Tdi your sorted.Superb cars.

Too right. Ive 3 mates with golfs all over 150k miles and not a bother on them. Looking at donedeal 2k wont get me much hence the question of alternatives

Pea 9

GE90 wrote: »

Not particularly, you will get that with average driving.

sounds too good to be true. You selling one

GE90

Ha ha I wish. I could be in the market for one in the near future do In all honesty unless your driving like a complete numpty 40 mpg is easily achievable. The only issue you will have is it wont be as efficient as a diesel on a motorway. Once you go over ~ 100 km/h your economy will suffer.

bazz26

How about a Ford Focus diesel? Alot nicer to drive than a Golf and cheaper to buy.


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4222763

cfc1888

bazz26 wrote: »

How about a Ford Focus diesel? Alot nicer to drive than a Golf and cheaper to buy.


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4222763

A lot nicer to drive than what golf ? So much wrong with that post.Another golf hater in motors. How rare !

GE90

cfc1888 wrote: »

A lot nicer to drive than what golf ? So much wrong with that post.Another golf hater in motors. How rare !

In fairness the focus is a cracking car to drive (as long as its not the dreaded 1.4). I honestly didn't think that you could get a 1.8 diesel for under 3000. Id reckon you would still get insured for under 2000 but don't forget tax will be 636 a year. If your driving Donegal to Galway twice a week the savings could add up.

pred racer

bazz26 wrote: »

How about a Ford Focus diesel? Alot nicer to drive than a Golf and cheaper to buy.


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4222763

Thats a nice motor for the money, just serviced, nctd and timing belted.
Plus that model focus is a hoot to drive (although ive never driven a diesel one)

colm_mcm

cfc1888 wrote: »

A lot nicer to drive than what golf ? So much wrong with that post.Another golf hater in motors. How rare !

To be fair, the mk1 focus is a nicer drive than a mk4 golf.

It's not in a different league or anything, but it does handle better,

bazz26

cfc1888 wrote: »

A lot nicer to drive than what golf ? So much wrong with that post.Another golf hater in motors. How rare !

LMFAO. Back in your pram lad.

flazio

As a 19 year old, you might be better off looking towards the 'super mini' segment of the motors to get a decent car for €2K, unless you have a practical reason, other then street cred, for wanting a mid size car. Nothing wrong with a Polo, Fabia or a Fiesta IMO

Newtown90

I'm 22 myself and was in the market for a car in september as my last one was stolen and burned out by scum..

Like yourself was mad after a Golf but a half decent one was out of my league at the time..

I bought an 03 Corolla for €2300... 1.4 VVTI, they are some yoke to go to be fair..

Well impressed with it, really comfy... Bought it off a local dentist, car was immaculate.. Well impressed with it..

Similar to the one here, only in a nice dark blue that looks **** hot when polished..

Drive from North Kerry to Cork and back again weekly, so there is fair mileage being put on it and i find it very economical anyhow.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4073852