Need help purchasing a car

sReq | uTeK

Hi All.

I'm looking for some help, I'm looking to purchase a good clean car, hopefully with one previous owner. I've got about 5k to spend but I could at a push get to 6k if I had to.

I suppose my preference would be Volkswagen or Ford, but I'm open to suggestions, something 2004+

It would need to be a saloon or hatchback, no 3 doors as I have a small baby.

I'm skeptical about buying privately as I just don't know anything about cars and feel I could easily get shafted.

Also what Mileage do you think would be acceptable to buy a car in this price range, I do about 10,000 miles a year.

Would really appreciate some help on this.

colm_mcm

I wouldn't rule out cars with more than one owner. You're ruling out a lot of perfectly good cars.

At 8 years old you can't expect just one owner.

Have you got any limit on engine size?

Any reason for just ford and vw?

CiniO

colm_mcm wrote: »

I wouldn't rule out cars with more than one owner. You're ruling out a lot of perfectly good cars.

At 8 years old you can't expect just one owner.

Have you got any limit on engine size?

Any reason for just ford and vw?

I once bought an 8 year old one owner car. Very hard to find one.
It was a cheapest motoring I ever had though - opel astra.
I bought it for 2900, serviced it (oil + oil filter + air filter + bulb) at a cost of around 40 quid and used it everyday for 8 months doing 15k kilometres.
Then I sold it for 2900.

So 8 months of motoring cost me 40 quid (obviously + tax, insurance and fuel).

sReq | uTeK

colm_mcm wrote: »

I wouldn't rule out cars with more than one owner. You're ruling out a lot of perfectly good cars.

At 8 years old you can't expect just one owner.

Have you got any limit on engine size?

Any reason for just ford and vw?

Thanks for reply. I'm open to all suggestions tbh. Preferably one owner but wouldn't rule out more than one owner. I like ford and vw and consider them good reliable cars however, I am open to all alternative suggestions. I am wanting a 1.4-1.6L engine.

colm_mcm

Something like this?
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4566109

colm_mcm

Or this

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4457178

Might be a bit pricey but a very reliable car

colm_mcm

I know its 1.8 but they're very good on petrol and reliable

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4547878

colm_mcm

Nice spec on these last of the line corollas, note its miles not kms

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4444346

saabsaab

How about a Mitsubishi CZ3 Colt. Large smaller car, good economy, comfortable, roomy, low tax, 2008 from around 5,000 in Dublin?

colm_mcm

But cz3 colts are 3 door!

sReq | uTeK

colm_mcm wrote: »

Something like this?
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4566109

Yea seen this.... Funny enough my fiancée pointed this car out to me a few hours ago! Great minds aye!

What are the avensis like? Are they reliable?

How about this? Do you think the mileage is too high? I like the car and would only be holding on to it for 3 years max I'd say...

http://www.adverts.ie/car/volkswagen/passat/2005-volkswagen-passat-for-sale/2631988

sReq | uTeK

saabsaab wrote: »

How about a Mitsubishi CZ3 Colt. Large smaller car, good economy, comfortable, roomy, low tax, 2008 from around 5,000 in Dublin?

Nice cars but looking for a 4 door. Thanks.

colm_mcm

I sold toyotas for 5 years and the avensis petrols in particular are pretty much as good as you'll get for reliability.
They are quite big inside, very safe and plentiful

As a result of their omnipresence, a lot of people hate them as they're the definitive going-to-mass car.

But if you're looking for fuss free driving they're a great option.

The passat has a nicer interior, but the first few years have quite a few niggly faults and are best avoided in my opinion.


The colt also comes in a 5 door but they're not overly big either way.

Scortho

sReq | uTeK wrote: »

Yea seen this.... Funny enough my fiancée pointed this car out to me a few hours ago! Great minds aye!

What are the avensis like? Are they reliable?

How about this? Do you think the mileage is too high? I like the car and would only be holding on to it for 3 years max I'd say...

http://www.adverts.ie/car/volkswagen/passat/2005-volkswagen-passat-for-sale/2631988

High? 11000 miles a year isn't high at all.

But short on test though. I'd be querying why it's being put up for sale just over 4 months before expiry.

Also is the 1.6 engine not a bit on the weak side for a passat?

colm_mcm

Scortho wrote: »

High? 11000 miles a year isn't high at all.

But short on test though. I'd be querying why it's being put up for sale just over 4 months before expiry

You can only do the test 3 months early to be fair

Scortho

colm_mcm wrote: »

You can only do the test 3 months early to be fair

True but it's a bit of money for a car with feck all test on it. Too much hassle 4 months in.

sReq | uTeK

colm_mcm wrote: »

I sold toyotas for 5 years and the avensis petrols in particular are pretty much as good as you'll get for reliability.
They are quite big inside, very safe and plentiful

As a result of their omnipresence, a lot of people hate them as they're the definitive going-to-mass car.

But if you're looking for fuss free driving they're a great option.

The passat has a nicer interior, but the first few years have quite a few niggly faults and are best avoided in my opinion.


The colt also comes in a 5 door but they're not overly big either way.

How about this? I'm just a bit jubious about buying privately as I don't know enough about cars....
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/AURA-4DR/201308212529688/advert?channel=CARS

colm_mcm

The strata model is nicer to be fair, rear electric windows, alloys and fogs.

I'd nearly hold out for a facelift model if going 06 (I know I posted a pre facelift just there but still) these have nicer seats, mp3 CD player, folding rear seats and other small things.

Plenty of them out there.

colm_mcm

Here's a facelift 07 base model with alloys. Probably the nicest colour on them too

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4155450

Prob get it for 6

sReq | uTeK

colm_mcm wrote: »

Here's a facelift 07 base model with alloys. Probably the nicest colour on them too

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4155450

Prob get it for 6

Fiancée pointed this one out also! Maybe I should start listening to her.... Lol

colm_mcm

Good few marks on the back bumper though, wouldn't buy it unless they were properly fixed.

sReq | uTeK

colm_mcm wrote: »

Good few marks on the back bumper though, wouldn't buy it unless they were properly fixed.

She said that aswell!!!

Thanks for your advice. What's your view on buying privately? Would you prefer pay the extra and purchase from a dealer?

colm_mcm

It depends, I bought my current car privately, but I'd know how to spot a bad one.
Even if you're buying from a dealer its no harm in getting someone who knows their stuff to come with you and have a look at the car, spot signs of previous repairs, take it for a drive and notice any problems. An nct isn't a guaruntee that you've got a good car, and some dealers aren't very helpful if you buy a lemon.

That said, when buying privately you can get a better deal, and you can tell a lot about a car from its owner.

sReq | uTeK

colm_mcm wrote: »

It depends, I bought my current car privately, but I'd know how to spot a bad one.
Even if you're buying from a dealer its no harm in getting someone who knows their stuff to come with you and have a look at the car, spot signs of previous repairs, take it for a drive and notice any problems. An nct isn't a guaruntee that you've got a good car, and some dealers aren't very helpful if you buy a lemon.

That said, when buying privately you can get a better deal, and you can tell a lot about a car from its owner.

Hi colm, or anyone with advice.... can I ask your thoughts on this? Thanks
http://touch.adverts.ie/car/toyota/avensis/2007-toyota-avensis-for-sale/2665997

dh0011

Hi sReq,
Car looks good but would be best to get a mechanic to check it out before buying.
Got my own avensis a few years back and it is a 1.6 petrol - has 100,000 miles on her now. I was 23 when I got her and an avensis was the last thing I wanted but my own car gave up and I needed a new car in a hurry. Now if I had to change again I wouldnt think of anything else. Only thing to have gone wrong on the car was a bulb.