Car recommedations for 5k?

livEwirE

I've got a 2002 Nissan Primera Acenta. It's a 1.6 petrol with 100,000km. It needs repairs right now totalling €400 which would need to be done in order to pass the NCT in March 2013. I was going to keep the car for another year but I think I want to get rid of it now as it's starting to cost more to maintain than I am willing to pay. Also, I only live about 10 minutes from where I work and find its not economical to be driving this sized car. I do some long distance driving now and again but not on a regular basis. I have 5k in savings to spend on another car and I'm looking for recommendations. I've no kids and my wife has her own car. I want to downsize a little but still want a fairly good sized car. I'd also like to save on tax and insurance. I was thinking of maybe a Ford Focus? How would this compare to the Primera? Are they a good drive, reliable etc? Any other recommedations please? One other thing - any idea what kind of money/trade in I'd get for the Primera?

Cheers in advance for all feedback:D

listermint

Being honest, id just fix the car. In the scheme of things its cheaper than whatever you are proposing.

Wossack

you'll find it hard to shift without an NCT

ger10

A car such as a focus 1.4 would probably end up costing you more money on petrol. It is a big hatchback with a small engine!
Primera's are going for very very cheap at the mo, so I wouldn't even try and sell it without the NCT. You will get peanuts. What does the car need for the NCT?

livEwirE

@ger10 It needs 3 new tyres and front driver side and passenger side drop links. The drops links are only €15 each. but its the tyres that are expensive for this model of car. Had a mate in the business check it out and he was coming back with around €100 for each tyre :eek:

ger10

Ok, I know its a hassle fixing a car with the intention of selling it. But maybe thats you best option? It would be a hard sell with out NCT and you know what its like on Donedeal, if a car has fresh NCT it makes it "mechanically sound" to alot of people. Would you drive something like a new shape civic?

danwhite88

livEwirE wrote: »

@ger10 It needs 3 new tyres and front driver side and passenger side drop links. The drops links are only €15 each. but its the tyres that are expensive for this model of car. Had a mate in the business check it out and he was coming back with around €100 for each tyre :eek:

You should look to get part-worn tyres for it to pass the nct, obviously not the safest thing to do but could possibly get 3 tyres for €100 or less.

listermint

Wait, your buying a new car because your old one needs tyres!

Get the car repaired and drive on with happy motoring. Save your 5K for something worthwhile.

livEwirE

I see your point about the NCT alright ger and about it makes it making the car "mechanically sound" to alot of people. When you say 'new shape' do you mean something like this? I'd drive a new shape civic if I could get one for €5k


@danwhite88 - thats a possibility alright!


@listermint - fair point mate. To be honest the car is old at 2002 and it does make a loud noise constantly. I've had it looked at several times by different garages, had the water pump changed etc. but still making the noise(no one ever figured out 100% what was causing it) - so the tyres are not the only problem.

langdang

:eek: tyres + droplinks = newer car time, to "save" money???

Fix it, drive it. I can't see any other option being more economical overall. A bike would hardly cost less in consumables over the average annual car mileage.

listermint

livEwirE wrote: »

I see your point about the NCT alright ger and about it makes it making the car "mechanically sound" to alot of people. When you say 'new shape' do you mean something like this? I'd drive a new shape civic if I could get one for €5k


@danwhite88 - thats a possibility alright!


@listermint - fair point mate. To be honest the car is old at 2002 and it does make a loud noise constantly. I've had it looked at several times by different garages, had the water pump changed etc. but still making the noise(no one ever figured out 100% what was causing it) - so the tyres are not the old problem.

Just to be clear 2002 isnt old.

ger10

haha sorry I should have specified, I meant the newer shape hatchback than the ones the pikeys drive! :P

This is prob on northern plates etc but just as an example:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4190993

An again:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4313538

BUBBLE WRAP

ger10 wrote: »

haha sorry I should have specified, I meant the newer shape hatchback than the ones the pikeys drive! :P

This is prob on northern plates etc but just as an example:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4190993

An again:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4313538

Blue civic is on irish plates for sure. 02-DL as far as I can see.

166man

Lads, the OP would like a new car and clearly doesn't wish.to put more money into his old one. I would however recommend throwing part worn tyres on it and getting it through the NCT though, you'll sell it far easier and get more for it.

As for a new car suggestion, a Toyota Yaris would be the way to go IMO. Cheap tax, cheap insurance, good on fuel and good residuals.

Best of luck.

livEwirE

I wouldn't be interested in driving any of those civics:eek:

ger10

how small of a car would you be willing to go?

MrDerp

Why not put it through the NCT test now?

How bad are the tyres? I once went looking for tyres the morning of Mrs Derp's test (they were in the yellow on my depth gauge), didn't find them in size, said I'd put it through the test anyway as too late to cancel and guess what, it passed the test. I just had a verbal warning on tyre condition.

Sounds to me like you want a new car, and that's cool. But why wait until March for the NCT? Try putting it through now. If it fails, you know what's actually required. If it fails on tyres, buy part worn, get the NCT and sell on. If I see car 2 months away from NCT for sale I'd be dubious.

livEwirE

@ger10 I thought maybe a focus or a kia? Not really sure?

@MrDerp - A couple of the tyres are 7 years old and badly worn - I've had them inspected by a mechanic already.

Farmer Pudsey

From the sound of it you do not wish to downsize to a really small car Fiesta/micra/yaris. So you are looking at a 1.4ish car. You will not save much money on tax, insurance or fuel. Maybe in the region of 3-400/year. 5K will not get you up to 2008 car tax regulations and petrol cars are not much cheaper in tax.

Tyres I never trust friends I usually shop around. I got goodrich tyres before Christmass for a seat ibiza for 55 each. ithink that they were 185/55/15's. If you are doing low milage any car you get should pass the NCT fairly easy. In the scheme of things a set of tyres will do you 2-3 years by the sound of it. If you can cope with engine noise I drive on also it will be harder to sell with it as with that age cars it is really a private sale to get any value for it.

Also if you can get it to pass the NCT it will give you time to shop around. I would watch out for a low milage car back in the years . The other thing you have to remember is that any car you buy will more than likly have a yearly NCT with 2-3 years anyway.

I be inclined to put on the tyres and drive it into the ground.

RidleyRider

livEwirE wrote: »

@ger10 I thought maybe a focus or a kia? Not really sure?

@MrDerp - A couple of the tyres are 7 years old and badly worn - I've had them inspected by a mechanic already.

If you let your tyres go for 7 years without changing them then you really don't deserve to buy a new car.

You won't maintain it.

livEwirE

@ Farmer Pudsey, cheers for the feedback. I've gotten a lot of replies recommending me to just get the tyres and keep on driving, definitely something to think about, I still haven't made up my mind yet.

livEwirE

RidleyRider wrote: »

If you let your tyres go for 7 years without changing them then you really don't deserve to buy a new car.

You won't maintain it.

A little bit harsh I think;), to be fair, I think its only one of the tyres that is 7 years old, the others are just worn.

rgiller

If you did get the stuff fixed and spent a couple of hundred quid on a new radio, it would seem like a new car. Presuming you've got the stock radio, a new unit makes a huge difference in the cabin in my experience

Chuck Stone

Hyundai Getz
2007
1.1 Litre
50 MPG
63,000 Miles
WARRANTY AND CARTELL DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE
€4,499

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4215086



_______________________________________________________________-
Nissan Note
2008
1.4
115,378 Kilometres
NCT 02/14 TAX 06/13
€5,500

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4292636

rasher_m

I know someone who swapped tyres for an NCT and then gave them back to whoever he borrowed them from

Pottler

livEwirE wrote: »

I see your point about the NCT alright ger and about it makes it making the car "mechanically sound" to alot of people. When you say 'new shape' do you mean something like this? I'd drive a new shape civic if I could get one for €5k


@danwhite88 - thats a possibility alright!


@listermint - fair point mate. To be honest the car is old at 2002 and it does make a loud noise constantly. I've had it looked at several times by different garages, had the water pump changed etc. but still making the noise(no one ever figured out 100% what was causing it) - so the tyres are not the only problem.

Does the noise get louder when you press the right hand side pedal? If so, it could be normal enough..

Fix the car, keep the bobs. Or else be honest and say you're bored with it and fancy a change:D Tyres and links, ffs.

livEwirE

@ rgiller The stock radio is adequate so I'm not too bothered to be honest.

@ Chuck Stone thanks for the recommendations!

@ rasher_m thats a bit cheeky alright

@ Pottler, the sound does get louder when applying the accelerator alright. Its definitely NOT normal. It's the same squealing noise you hear in a lot of older cars driving around. You may be right , maybe I am bored, although at this stage I think I'll just get it fixed and keep it on the road

livEwirE

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice, I've decided to replace the tyres and links and keep the car for another year