What car to buy - small diesel €7k

philboy

Hi,

I'm currently driving a 2000 1.8 Focus Petrol which is costing us a small fortune to run. We do approx 25-30,000km annually which consists of a daily 80km (round-trip) commute to work. We also drive to West Cork approx twice a month from Galway.

We have a budget of €7k max to spend and would be greatful for any recommendations.

We're looking for a diesel hatchback/small car as we don't need the space of a saloon. We'd like a car that's known to be reliable and has good MPG.

Cheers for your help guys.

TGi666

Skoda Octavia?

MuppetCheck

Octavia 1.9tdi
Golf 1.9tdi
Focus 1.8tdci and budget for a new dmf

My choice would be a nicely specced Focus or Golf but the Golf's can be ludicrously overpriced.

philboy

Personally I like the Octavia, but it's too big. My GF is a newly qualified driver and it'll be too big for her. I suppose the size of it is a waste aswell since we wouldn't use the space. A smaller car would suit us better and be more efficient.

I think the Golf's are over priced for the spec.

I hadn't really thought of a diesel Focus as I was thinking of a change. Are the DMF's on Focus' known to give trouble?

JohnBoy26

If I was you id stretch that budget ever so slightly and get this. http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4775704
These are one of the most reliable modern diesels money can buy IMO.

philboy

I do like the look of that Kia Ceed John. That's the type of car I'm thinking of.

It's in Galway too so I could spin out and take a look at it.

colm_mcm

Worth noting that that Kia has only 5000 miles to go before the warranty expires.
Still agree with the idea of getting a ceed or its sister car the i30. They're not as cheap or readily available as you'd think though.

MuppetCheck

Didn't think they had gotten that cheap tbh. Been driving an older petrol and newer diesel the last few days and they are grand. Diesel is the nicer car to drive but the petrol is peppy enough if you rev it but surprisingly economical if driven right.

On an 80 mile one way trip I averaged 6.2 or about 46mpg. In reality it's closer to 40mpg but the diesel didn't do hugely better so the cost saving in buying a petrol one night be worth considering? Most likely will have less miles and more warranty left.

crazy_kenny

My father got a 2008 skoda fabia last year for around 8k. 1.9 tdi, cheap tax low running costs. Lovely little car. Only thing not many around.

colm_mcm

crazy_kenny wrote: »

My father got a 2008 skoda fabia last year for around 8k. 1.9 tdi, cheap tax low running costs. Lovely little car. Only thing not many around.

Now that you say it, you'd get an Ibiza sportrider (run out model) 1.9 TDI for around €7k from the uk.

philboy

I like the look of both the i30 and the Ceed. Not gone on the Fabia at all, it's a little bit boxy looking for me. :eek:

Which of the following would you reckon is the better value here considering the year and the mileage.
08 i30
09 i30

Cheers

MuppetCheck

The spec on the 08 would swing me if I had to chose between them. Also lower miles. I30 had a nicer interior than the first generation ceed too.

colm_mcm

philboy wrote: »

I like the look of both the i30 and the Ceed. Not gone on the Fabia at all, it's a little bit boxy looking for me. :eek:

Which of the following would you reckon is the better value here considering the year and the mileage.
08 i30
09 i30

Cheers

The 08 as better spec and will be the 116hp model which is way nicer to drive.


Also less miles. Thing is, we brought in an identical model with 60000 miles and the drivers seat is in way better shape than the one on that car.

Also the whole thing of it being illegal selling uk reg car here

Its also missing CRDI badges from the front wings. It'd make me wary.

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

The 08 as better spec and will be the 116hp model which is way nicer to drive.


Also less miles. Thing is, we brought in an identical model with 60000 miles and the drivers seat is in way better shape than the one on that car.

Also the whole thing of it being illegal selling uk reg car here

That seat doesn't look bad at all to me, If the service history is verifiable and a History check is clear well then I see nothing to worry about tbh.

philboy

colm_mcm wrote: »

The 08 as better spec and will be the 116hp model which is way nicer to drive.


Also less miles. Thing is, we brought in an identical model with 60000 miles and the drivers seat is in way better shape than the one on that car.

Also the whole thing of it being illegal selling uk reg car here

Its also missing CRDI badges from the front wings. It'd make me wary.

Thanks, I wouldn't have spotted any of those issues.

Am I better off going over to the UK myself. I worked over there for a while so I've no problem going over. I'm just useless with cars and wouldn't know what to look for. It seems to be slim pickings over here.

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

The 08 as better spec and will be the 116hp model which is way nicer to drive.


Also less miles. Thing is, we brought in an identical model with 60000 miles and the drivers seat is in way better shape than the one on that car.

Also the whole thing of it being illegal selling uk reg car here

Its also missing CRDI badges from the front wings. It'd make me wary.

Id be wary too, It would want to be looked over with a fine tooth comb for accident damage even if a history check came up clear. The car in your pic also has a fresher look about it than the one for sale imo.

philboy

Are Mazda 3's any good?

Something like this one:
http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda3/1.6D-TS-/201312213964369/advert?channel=CARS

colm_mcm

In comparison to the engine in the kia and Hyundai, the engine in the Mazda isn't nearly as much of a safe bet. They need to be maintained beyond the manufacturers specifications.

Same engine as focus,308,mini etc

MidlandsM

+1

yeah, I'd lean towards a kia ceed , not a sexy car in standard hatch, but good value and a cracking 1.6 diesel engine in them. ANYONE and EVERYONE i ever knew that owned one says they're a great car.

true

philboy wrote: »

Hi,

I'm currently driving a 2000 1.8 Focus Petrol which is costing us a small fortune to run. We do approx 25-30,000km annually which consists of a daily 80km (round-trip) commute to work. We also drive to West Cork approx twice a month from Galway.

We have a budget of €7k max to spend and would be greatful for any recommendations.

We're looking for a diesel hatchback/small car as we don't need the space of a saloon. We'd like a car that's known to be reliable and has good MPG.

Cheers for your help guys.

I'd suggest Gold 1.9tdi. I'm currently driving one...great car for driving around Dublin, economical and easy to park, and still comfortable for the odd long drive to the west.

philboy

Good info there. I do like the Ceed and i30 but finding it hard to get a good one within my budget. I would travel to the UK for the right one if I had to.

Henry Ford III

30,000kms/year is marginal to make a diesel work economically surely?

colm_mcm

Henry Ford III wrote: »

30,000kms/year is marginal to make a diesel work economically surely?

30
30km a year is a good bit to be fair. About 400 miles a week

Fizman

philboy wrote: »

Good info there. I do like the Ceed and i30 but finding it hard to get a good one within my budget. I would travel to the UK for the right one if I had to.

This might be a stupid question, but say somebody imported a 5 year old one from the UK. Would they still get the last 2 years of the manufacturers warranty over here?

bazz26

Fizman wrote: »

This might be a stupid question, but say somebody imported a 5 year old one from the UK. Would they still get the last 2 years of the manufacturers warranty over here?

Yes it should as long as the conditions of the warranty were met up to now.

Henry Ford III

colm_mcm wrote: »

30
30km a year is a good bit to be fair. About 400 miles a week

Nearer tree fiddy

colm_mcm

Fizman wrote: »

This might be a stupid question, but say somebody imported a 5 year old one from the UK. Would they still get the last 2 years of the manufacturers warranty over here?

Yeah you get the full 5 years. Got a seatbelt buckle and a tyre pressure sensor done no messing. However there are no goodwill jobs done outside warranty. We found this out last week when a caliper started sticking 5 days outside warranty.

philboy

The i30s seem to be few and far between at my price range so trying to broaden my horizons. How does a 1.7 2008 astra diesel compare against the ceed and i30? Are they known to give much trouble?

philboy

What do you guys think of this Hyundai i30?
Is it good value, anything to be weary about?

What's the best way about going getting a car looked at/checked out before buying in the North? Are there any recommended companies who can do a check on the car for you?

Thanks again,
Philip

coolemon

What about a Yaris?

My ma has been driving a 1.4 Yaris diesel old model for the last 4-5 years now. No problems with it over that period bar an ECU sensor acting up on the glow plugs.

The engine is pretty torquie for the size of the car, very economical and easily capable of 175kph+ (but thats not much use ) There are not many around either. Same engine as in the BMW mini diesel.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Yaris/1.4-D-4D/33213625897055440/advert?channel=CARS

Also a newer model but I dont know much about them. I test drove one and the interior build quality was far less than the older model yaris above. I wasnt impressed. - http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Yaris/1.4-D4D/34113631827919610/advert?channel=CARS

colm_mcm

philboy wrote: »

What do you guys think of this Hyundai i30?
Is it good value, anything to be weary about?

What's the best way about going getting a car looked at/checked out before buying in the North? Are there any recommended companies who can do a check on the car for you?

Thanks again,
Philip

That's about €7400

Not bad once its got a service history

MidlandsM

Northern car subjected to washed diesel for the last 5 years??!

Hmmmmm...i'd go to the uk personally.

philboy

philboy wrote: »

Hi,

I'm currently driving a 2000 1.8 Focus Petrol which is costing us a small fortune to run. We do approx 25-30,000km annually which consists of a daily 80km (round-trip) commute to work. We also drive to West Cork approx twice a month from Galway.

We have a budget of €7k max to spend and would be greatful for any recommendations.

We're looking for a diesel hatchback/small car as we don't need the space of a saloon. We'd like a car that's known to be reliable and has good MPG.

Cheers for your help guys.

Keep the focus as 7,000 Euro's will buy a lot of petrol !

Remember the diesel will only save you maybe 10-15 mpg if you're lucky that's 5.3 kms per litre.

The focus won't loose much in depreciation either. So the 5.3 kms per litre extra works out less.

+ the focus wont have that awful diesel rattle and vibration !

philboy

Deleted User wrote: »

Keep the focus as 7,000 Euro's will buy a lot of petrol !

Remember the diesel will only save you maybe 10-15 mpg if you're lucky that's 5.3 kms per litre.

The focus won't loose much in depreciation either. So the 5.3 kms per litre extra works out less.

+ the focus wont have that awful diesel rattle and vibration !

Going to get rid of the Focus, it's turning into just one issue after another with it. Sick of fixing it constantly so just going to get a newer hopefully more reliable car.

philboy

philboy wrote: »

Going to get rid of the Focus, it's turning into just one issue after another with it. Sick of fixing it constantly so just going to get a newer hopefully more reliable car.

Fair enough.

If it's reliability you want then think about the Prius, it's one of the most reliable cars in the world. It's very economical but you do have to get used to it. It's not for everyone and you do have to learn how to drive it. And high miles are not an issue if it's been looked after. They have been known to go for over 400,000 miles.

philboy

I'm considering the following car in the UK:
2009 1.6 Kia Ceed @ £5k

I'm thinking of getting a full RAC/Dekra/AA inspection on it before buying and then getting a transport firm to bring it to Dublin. I don't see the point in me going over to UK since I don't have a clue what to look for and at least an extensive report by a mechanic would be better to go on.

What do you think? Am I mad?

I looked at the Kia Ceed today from Galway but the clutch was terrible on it and it was really hard finding all of the gears.

colm_mcm

philboy wrote: »

I'm considering the following car in the UK:
2009 1.6 Kia Ceed @ £5k

I'm thinking of getting a full RAC/Dekra/AA inspection on it before buying and then getting a transport firm to bring it to Dublin. I don't see the point in me going over to UK since I don't have a clue what to look for and at least an extensive report by a mechanic would be better to go on.

What do you think? Am I mad?

I looked at the Kia Ceed today from Galway but the clutch was terrible on it and it was really hard finding all of the gears.

Check that the emissions actually are 119 as advertised and not 125 as 125 would make the vrt €100 more and higher tax too.
Not a massive thing.

VRT 1700ish, car €5850ish, so €7500 plus travel. Seems good.

I'd prefer to see it in the flesh.

You'd want to be quick though, the cheap ones don't stay on sale too long.

I'd line up 5 possibles and get on a plane.

If it were me I wouldn't bother with the hassle and get these.

Low tax.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4782723

Or this ultra rare very high spec, I wouldn't mind this myself !

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4658342

These are really good cars !!!

philboy

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If it were me I wouldn't bother with the hassle and get these.

Low tax.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4782723

Or this ultra rare very high spec, I wouldn't mind this myself !

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4658342

These are really good cars !!!

I don't know much about prius cars, are they reliable? Is there any issue with changing the battery after a certain amount of years or miles?

Colm, what do you think of the idea of an inspection and getting the car transported to Dublin?

philboy

philboy wrote: »

I don't know much about prius cars, are they reliable? Is there any issue with changing the battery after a certain amount of years or miles?

Colm, what do you think of the idea of an inspection and getting the car transported to Dublin?

Yes they are very reliable and one of the most reliable on the road in the world, they easily go for well over 300,000 miles if looked after.

The car takes care of the battery and you don't have to do anything with it at all.

It's automatic and makes driving a doddle.

No timing belt, no alternator belt, only belt for the water pump. AC is electric. No starter motor and no alternator to go either as all that is taken care of by the electric motors.

There are tips and tricks you can learn and I'll tell you some if you ever decide to get one, but take a spin in one first they are not for everyone, you might love it.

colm_mcm

Mad lad, do you not think a decent Prius is worth more than the ones you linked, they seem a bit underpriced.

JohnBoy26

Deleted User wrote: »

Yes they are very reliable and one of the most reliable on the road in the world, they easily go for well over 300,000 miles if looked after.

The car takes care of the battery and you don't have to do anything with it at all.

It's automatic and makes driving a doddle.

No timing belt, no alternator belt, only belt for the water pump. AC is electric. No starter motor and no alternator to go either as all that is taken care of by the electric motors.

There are tips and tricks you can learn and I'll tell you some if you ever decide to get one, but take a spin in one first they are not for everyone, you might love it.

Surely an alternator or a starter motor would be far cheaper to replace than an electric motor?

JohnBoy26

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Surely an alternator or a starter motor would be far cheaper to replace than an electric motor?

Sure, but it is unlikely the two leccy motors will fail for the life of the car.

Lets just say the motors in the prius are massive over kill for cranking the engine.

They do generate a fair bit of power though to assist the engine and to generate power for the battery, but still it would be extremely rare for either motor to fail in the prius.

Changing of the gearbox oil though is a must come 100,000 miles as the motors are bathed in oil. Containments could be a problem if it isn't done. I don't know if Toyota Ireland seem to think it is necessary but better safe than sorry.

colm_mcm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Mad lad, do you not think a decent Prius is worth more than the ones you linked, they seem a bit underpriced.

Well put it this way, I got mine for 8500 with 45,000 miles over 2 years ago and it's an 07.

The lad I bought it off was going back home and the car was the only think keeping them. He had outstanding finance so we both went to the bank, I paid off the loan, got receipt from bank and we went on our merry way.

If someone wants to sell they will list the price accordingly, the Prius does seem to be holding good value once they reach a certain age, maybe it's because buying a Prius with 100,000 miles is like buying another car with 40,000 miles. They are mechanically a very sound car.