Recommend a New/second hand Petrol car

Lanshane

Hi all,
I am trying to help my Mother purchase a new/second hand car. Basically the car won’t be doing any more than 10K miles a year at most (city & rural driving), so a petrol engine is required. Her budget is €20K. Not too much space required really, nothing too big but not too small either. Basically enough room for her shopping and grandkids the odd time with decent comfort.
I am finding it hard to find a decent spec’d petrol car for her and just came across the new KIA Rio http://www.carzone.ie/search/KIA/Rio/1.25-EX-/31413576599794330/advert?channel=CARS . It seems very well kited out, and the seven year warranty would be comforting for her. Has anyone any experience/opinions on this car or could maybe recommend another model. It can be second hand car but must stay within budget and be petrol. Any other recommendations? It just seems to be so hard to get new/newish petrol cars these days, people seem to have hopped onto the diesel bandwagon!
Any advice much appreciated.

shooter88

With 20k budget you will take your pick..I would buy a car that's only 6months or so old basically you will get a car with real low miles and a lot cheaper than a new one...a New car will loose nearly 20% as soon as it leaves the fore court..

Lanshane

shooter88 wrote: »

With 20k budget you will take your pick..I would buy a car that's only 6months or so old basically you will get a car with real low miles and a lot cheaper than a new one...a New car will loose nearly 20% as soon as it leaves the fore court..

Any recomendations/models? Thanks for the response

b318isp

The main advice I'd give you is buy nearly new and to think of resale value, as this will plummet. Pick a car with strong residuals rather than high spec (although that can be a major benefit in differentiating a car from others). I'd suggest that a Kia Rio is not that kind of car. I'd be thinking of a Mark V Golf.

bazz26

b318isp wrote: »

The main advice I'd give you is buy nearly new and to think of resale value, as this will plummet. Pick a car with strong residuals rather than high spec (although that can be a major benefit in differentiating a car from others). I'd suggest that a Kia Rio is not that kind of car. I'd be thinking of a Mark V Golf.

The OP is looking at a Rio which is brand new and comes with a 7 year warranty for his mother so I am not sure why he would be looking at a MkV Golf as an alternative as even the last of them are at least 5 years old at this stage. I'd rather buy a brand new car with a long warranty that has a low cost of ownership over that time than buy something older with an unknown history because it might be worth a few quid more when I go to sell it.

Lanshane

What about this: http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Civic/1.4-I-VT/31113525466931670/advert?channel=CARS

From my experience with Honda they have been very good . Tad more expensive than the Kia but worth it?

It seems hard to find good petrol cars of similiar year and engine size!

Tabnabs

Hyundai i30 too maybe. Had one for a couple of weeks and it was a reasonable place to be. Probably tick many boxes you are looking for.

Lanshane

bazz26 wrote: »

The OP is looking at a Rio which is brand new and comes with a 7 year warranty for his mother so I am not sure why he would be looking at a MkV Golf as an alternative as even the last of them are at least 5 years old at this stage. I'd rather buy a brand new car with a long warranty that has a low cost of ownership over that time than buy something older with an unknown history because it might be worth a few quid more when I go to sell it.

Yes I don't think she would be wanting a MKV Golf. Something newer, reliable, 1.2 to 1.6 petrol, comfortable, medium space and some decent warranty for peace of mind at this stage of her life. Any good examples? Cheers.

bazz26

Is a Yaris Hybrid worth looking at:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Yaris/HYBIRD-LUXURY/31713589541502770/

Lanshane

Tabnabs wrote: »

Hyundai i30 too maybe. Had one for a couple of weeks and it was a reasonable place to be. Probably tick many boxes you are looking for.

Yes fine car, however they seem to be mainly diesels...

Did you see a petrol model, say from 2010 on?

Chuck Stone

Honda Jazz
2012
1.2 Petrol
13,650 KM
50+ MPG (Parkers.co.uk)
2 Years Warranty/Roadside Assistance.
€14,950

www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Jazz

Matthewjohn

Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Fabia/ELEGANCE/33413600616097170/advert?channel=CARS

Or an Audi A1

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A1/SB-1.2-T/33413606000130240/advert?channel=CARS

Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo maybe? Spec'd up models would be well within your range.

Lanshane

Matthewjohn wrote: »

Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Fabia/ELEGANCE/33413600616097170/advert?channel=CARS

Or an Audi A1

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A1/SB-1.2-T/33413606000130240/advert?channel=CARS

Yes, that Fabia looks good. Thanks for all the replies, most helpful.

b318isp

bazz26 wrote: »

The OP is looking at a Rio which is brand new and comes with a 7 year warranty for his mother so I am not sure why he would be looking at a MkV Golf as an alternative as even the last of them are at least 5 years old at this stage. I'd rather buy a brand new car with a long warranty that has a low cost of ownership over that time than buy something older with an unknown history because it might be worth a few quid more when I go to sell it.

You are right, I meant a Mk VI.

The cost of ownership would be significantly affected by the original purchase price less the resale price. A nearly new Golf will have a chunk of depreciation already and will have a strong residual.

Depreciation is often overlooked when running costs are being considered - and can run into '000s per year. Additionally, the secondhand market is very weak. There is a very real risk that a car could be bought for €20k and in 3-4 years time it is worth €8k, perhaps more so for low desirability cars.

Tabnabs

Lanshane wrote: »

Yes fine car, however they seem to be mainly diesels...

Did you see a petrol model, say from 2010 on?

One in Weford, Meath and Dublin

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i30/Classic-/31813581830609460/advert?channel=CARS

was.deevey

I test drove a Chevrolet Spark a few weeks ago, interior was nice and roomy boot space not so much if that matters, but great lil car to drive, much nicer Motor than the Rio IMHO (even the 1.4 Rio felt really underpowered).

Also I'll throw a Mazda2 in the ring.

Depreciation is often overlooked when running costs are being considered - and can run into '000s per year. Additionally, the secondhand market is very weak. There is a very real risk that a car could be bought for €20k and in 3-4 years time it is worth €8k, perhaps more so for low desirability cars.

I second this - I would NEVER buy a brand new car for this reason alone. There are always bargains to be had on cars a year or so old with next to no use if you hunt for them unless you plan on literally driving the car till it drops.