Recommendations for first car (hatchback)

Sangre

Hi

Just wondering if you could help me with some recommendations for a car. I'm 27 with a full license and looking to purchase my own car, having previously just been a named driver on other cars. For past few years I've gotten around on public transport and my bike. However, I've finally decided to take the plunge. I'm Dublin based.

I will not be using the car to commute to work and it will be used on evenings and weekends. I expect to take trips out of Dublin a couple of times a year (either on holiday or cycling). I was thinking a 1.4l or above would be what I'd be looking at.

A 3 door hatch should be enough for me as I'd rarely expect to have more than one passenger.

In terms of budget, I'm flexible enough but obviously do not want to spend any more than needed. I think €10k should be my maximum as its my first car (60/40 loan/saving. Loan will be repaid over roughly 2 years).

I have been looking at Seat ibiza, golf, Renaults (name escapes me), VW chirocco (out of budget), a3 (probably out of budget), volvo hatchback (name also escapes me). I am open for any suggestions or nods in right direction.

Ideally I'd like to keep running costs down so any recommendations in terms of diesel vs petrol and tax bands would be welcome. Is it important to get a car that falls under new 2008 tax band?

Let me know if you need any further information, thanks.

Chuck Stone

Hyundai i20
2009
€8,000
1.2 Petrol (50+ MPG)
49,000 M / 78,858 KM
Full service history & Warranty



http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i20/1.2-DE-L/29513446075589770/advert?channel=CARS

JohnBoy26

A Kia pro cee'd would be a good choice imo. These come in 1.4 petrol and 1.6 diesel. With your milage id recommend you get the petrol version. These are a very reliable car and one should be got well within budget.

Sangre

Chuck Stone wrote: »

Hyundai i20
2009
€8,000
1.2 Petrol (50+ MPG)
49,000 M / 78,858 KM
Full service history & Warranty



http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i20/1.2-DE-L/29513446075589770/advert?channel=CARS

Thanks, was meant to look into the i20s as well but never got around to it. Have you ever owned one?

Sangre

Has anyone any thoughts on the mazda2 and the yaris?

Sangre

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

A Kia pro cee'd would be a good choice imo. These come in 1.4 petrol and 1.6 diesel. With your milage id recommend you get the petrol version. These are a very reliable car and one should be got well within budget.

Not familiar with the car but looks pretty nice and I'm sure I've seen them around. I'll look into it, thanks!

Chuck Stone

Sangre wrote: »

Have you ever owned one?

I haven't tbh.

They give it a fairly good review here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCf_Myu6vjE

marc1

For that budget you should get a nice 1.4l 2008 Golf. Might even stretch to a 2009 or a 2008 GT Sport version (80hp). They look great!

With those requirements you really have plenty of choice. Any preferences in terms if brands?

JohnBoy26

marc1 wrote: »

For that budget you should get a nice 1.4l 2008 Golf. Might even stretch to a 2009 or a 2008 GT Sport version (80hp). They look great!

With those requirements you really have plenty of choice. Any preferences in terms if brands?

If they have the same 1.4 engine that's in the Mk4 & Mk5 Golf id forget it. They are a very soft and troublesome engine. They are also very underpowered.

Mr Keek

Opel Astra SXi??

They are fairly solid, the 1.4 could do with a little bit more BHP but it won't let you down either, dirt cheap to maintain (they have a timing chain instead of those poxy timing belts that need to be change every 30,000 miles. Just keep the oil topped up and a service every 15K/18K KM's ), cheap insurance, reasonable tax & it's a bit of a looker too!

You'd get a '08 for about €7/8K

colm_mcm

I'd be getting a fiat 500

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4040878

Or if this is genuine
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4107295

JohnBoy26

Mr Keek wrote: »

Opel Astra SXi??(they have a timing chain instead of those poxy timing belts that need to be change every 30,000 miles.

What timing belt does only 30,000? Most do alot more than that. You do realise that timing chains give trouble as well. For examle they stretch in mk2 nissan almeras.

colm_mcm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

What timing belt does only 30,000? Most do alot more than that. You do realise that timing chains give trouble as well. For examle they stretch in mk2 nissan almeras.

Older opels

who_ru

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd be getting a fiat 500

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4040878

Or if this is genuine
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4107295

they look like postman pat cars

The Pontiac

Sangre wrote: »

Has anyone any thoughts on the mazda2 and the yaris?

I bought a brand new Mazda2 for my mother (she paid) during the summer. Unwanted prize.

Mazdas are pretty bomb proof. Nice driver, very economical, 1.3 86bhp (Sensu model) is peppy enough.

If I was buying used I'd also have a look at the Mazda3. The saloon looks better than the hatch IMO, and great value to be had.

This is the first result on donedeal and is only an example.

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

Older opels

Sorry yes you are correct on opels. 37,000 miles was the interval on them. Most done a good bit more than that though.

colm_mcm

who_ru wrote: »

they look like postman pat cars

Postman pat has a van. You're thinking of noddy.

flazio

The Volvo mentioned in the OP is probably the C30 and it does look rather nice.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/C30/145BHP-2/201248211238708/advert?channel=CARS

Sangre

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I haven't tbh.

They give it a fairly good review here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCf_Myu6vjE

Thanks, I am now looking at i30 as well which seems to be sold in much greater numbers on carzone. It has a bit more umph to it and is still within my price range. Has gotten some pretty good reviews.

marc1 wrote: »

For that budget you should get a nice 1.4l 2008 Golf. Might even stretch to a 2009 or a 2008 GT Sport version (80hp). They look great!

With those requirements you really have plenty of choice. Any preferences in terms if brands?

No preference on brands really, as long as I'm happy with how the car looks. However, that being said, as a man from South Dublin, I've seen enough golfs to last a life time and it is probably the one car I'd prefer to avoid.

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd be getting a fiat 500

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4040878

Or if this is genuine
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4107295

Thanks for the above. Fiat 500 wouldn't be my ideal car in terms of looks though.

flazio wrote: »

The Volvo mentioned in the OP is probably the C30 and it does look rather nice.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/C30/145BHP-2/201248211238708/advert?channel=CARS

Thats the one thanks.


Just some additional information, I suspect I'll hang onto this car for a few years so I'm keen to get want I like the looks of and also Im probably not as concerned with resale as some other people. Thanks for all the replies so far.

Sangre

Carbuyer named the hyundai i30 as its car of the year. Anyone have any experience with it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WDrp-g3bHM

Here is the 2008 one for €9250:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i30/201241210445795/advert?channel=CARS

I assume this is an older model than the one referred to above though. Anyone got any experiences with the i30?

JohnBoy26

Sangre wrote: »

Carbuyer named the hyundai i30 as its car of the year. Anyone have any experience with it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WDrp-g3bHM

Here is the 2008 one for €9250:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i30/201241210445795/advert?channel=CARS

I assume this is an older model than the one referred to above though. Anyone got any experiences with the i30?

You won't go wrong with an i30. They are a very reliable well built car. The only downside to them is the interior is a bit bland(on the old model that is).

Id also consider a Kia Cee'd. It's the 5 door version of the pro cee'd i mention earlier and is mechanically identical to the i30 as Hyundia is Kia's parent company.

Sangre

Hello again all, just back looking for further help. Car hunt was put temporarily on hold due to heavy work demands. I'm back now and reconsidering my options and thinking of shifting my budget to more 7-8k range. There are some nice i30 and Cee'd around but not many options in my price range in Dublin given that they're relatively new cars.

I'm lnow ooking at Ford Focus MKII 1.6l petrol. What are people's thoughts? Seems to be plenty of options anyway. Not fussed on Golfs so not considering them for now.

Sangre

What do people think of this car?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/STYLE-1./33413611923057500/advert?channel=CARS

Matthewjohn

Sangre wrote: »

What do people think of this car?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/STYLE-1./33413611923057500/advert?channel=CARS

It's look clean, it has a full service history and nct.

Sangre

Matthewjohn wrote: »

It's look clean, it has a full service history and nct.

Agreed, going to check it out this weekend. Would you have any thoughts on price? Its at upper limit of budget so just wondering if you think the car is reasonably priced (given its year/mileage).