Advise on buying 12 year old car

nino1

I am thinking of making an offer on this, just need a run-around car
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4602403
What would be a reasonable offer considering the timing belt has not been changed?
Apart from the service history what other checks would you need to do before buying a car of this age?
I obviously don't know much about cars so any help would be much appreciated.

Alanstrainor

Big silly body kit would leave me to believe its lived a hard life. Plenty of clean examples out there for the money. Id look elsewhere.

randy hickey

If it has to be a Focus,then this would probably be a better prospect;

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4535604


Or an old reliable;

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4564291

ba_barabus

I'd take the Corolla.

1.4 Focus is very dead to drive compared to it

randy hickey

OP,I know it's a low-budget runaround that your looking for, but for jaysus sake take a mechanic with you before you commit to buy a car.
By their very nature,these older cars will have a higher probability of being a lemon,and if ,as you say, you know nothing about cars, then reduce the risk by carrying out the appropriate checks.

If you are in South Dublin,then PM me and I can put you in touch with a mechanic that I trust.

nino1

randy hickey wrote: »

If it has to be a Focus,then this would probably be a better prospect;

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4535604

thanks for the link. looks like a better option alright.
would it be resonable to offer ~€300 less than asking price if it hasn't had timing belt changed?

Sinister Pigeon

Not the best ad,but I wouldn't let that put you off.
Definitely take someone who knows their cars, preferably a mechanic,with you if you're gonna buy something old like that.
Unless,of course, you are a senior civil servant,and €1500 is just a few days wages for you.