Car shopping, day one....advice please

BoardsMember · 03-09-2013 11:55am #1

I have read loads of threads on here, and asking questions about what type of car, about buying in UK etc. Basically in the market for a reliable, low mileage, good size family car for 2 kids. Car is being used for short city trips mostly, so prob going for petrol. Ideally a hatch, but a large saloon, an estate or an MPV might still make it. Budget is 20-25k. I like the idea of Japanese or German at the moment.

So really it is now about getting out there and visiting some showrooms/forecourts and seeing what we like. We are in the south Dublin area, near M50, so there are a plethora of options. Can anyone recommend particular places, with a view to seeing as many options with as few stops? I was thinking of starting in Sandyford Ind Estate, and moving on to somewhere after that.

166man · 03-09-2013 12:09pm

BoardsMember wrote: »

I have read loads of threads on here, and asking questions about what type of car, about buying in UK etc. Basically in the market for a reliable, low mileage, good size family car for 2 kids. Car is being used for short city trips mostly, so prob going for petrol. Ideally a hatch, but a large saloon, an estate or an MPV might still make it. Budget is 20-25k. I like the idea of Japanese or German at the moment.

So really it is now about getting out there and visiting some showrooms/forecourts and seeing what we like. We are in the south Dublin area, near M50, so there are a plethora of options. Can anyone recommend particular places, with a view to seeing as many options with as few stops? I was thinking of starting in Sandyford Ind Estate, and moving on to somewhere after that.

Not to sound smart, but use Carzone.ie etc and then have a sort of list and then go looking for showrooms is what I'd be doing. With your budget the world is your oyster!

I'd have something like a 1.4TSI Passat or something...

BoardsMember · 03-09-2013 12:14pm

Sorry, might not have been clear. Was wondering which forecourts people might recommend, i.e. to see as many cars in as few stops as possible. Some of them will have much greater selection of Used vehicles, the idea is to sit in as many options as possible to see if we like them. And ideally not to spend more than 4 hours at it.

MetzgerMeister · 03-09-2013 1:25pm

BoardsMember wrote: »

Sorry, might not have been clear. Was wondering which forecourts people might recommend, i.e. to see as many cars in as few stops as possible. Some of them will have much greater selection of Used vehicles, the idea is to sit in as many options as possible to see if we like them. And ideally not to spend more than 4 hours at it.

All the cars for sale in the country - 1 stop - carzone.ie

:D

BoardsMember · 03-09-2013 1:37pm

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

All the cars for sale in the country - 1 stop - carzone.ie :D

I haven't worked out how to sit in the cars on my laptop, am afraid I might break it if I do.

Starting to edge towards the Mazda6, hatch or estate, so going to plan my forecourt movements around Mazda dealers.

MetzgerMeister · 03-09-2013 1:40pm

BoardsMember wrote: »

I haven't worked out how to sit in the cars on my laptop, am afraid I might break it if I do.

Starting to edge towards the Mazda6, hatch or estate, so going to plan my forecourt movements around Mazda dealers.

LOL

Touché!

This is exactly what you should be doing, narrowing down your search and viewing a few of the same car rather than diving in and viewing loads and getting confused.

bazz26 · 03-09-2013 7:15pm

Your going about it the wrong way. Buying a used car is not like buying a pair of jeans or a shirt.

Decide on a few models you like, research the cars online for common problems/faults, then go onto the likes of carzone.ie and see what is available from dealers close to you. Then go make arrangements to view/test drive examples. Once that is done and you have decided on a particular car and the price, do proper background checks on that particular car before paying any money.

colm_mcm · 03-09-2013 7:42pm

Given that you'll most likely be buying a current model, first thing to do is go to main dealers, look at new cars and try different models out.
Then find out what you like, then work from there.

BoardsMember · 04-09-2013 9:17am

colm_mcm wrote: »

Given that you'll most likely be buying a current model, first thing to do is go to main dealers, look at new cars and try different models out.
Then find out what you like, then work from there.

Thanks Colm, that makes a lot of sense alright.

colm_mcm · 04-09-2013 9:20am

I do think you should set more time aside though. I'd spend more than 4 hours shopping for a TV.

BoardsMember · 04-09-2013 9:31am

I'd spend weeks shopping for a TV too, and for any other major purchase. The last car I bought we made a decision in about 10 minutes, seemed a good deal and we knew the fella selling it. Funny, same with the house we bough. Spend weeks/months mulling over the smaller stuff.....

BoardsMember · 04-09-2013 9:48am

I have read a lot about the AA Car Inspection service in the UK, people rate it very highly. Is the equivalent in Ireland of the same quality? I just checked and they seem to do it: http://www.theaa.ie/AA/Vehicle-checks/Vehicle-Inspections.aspx

I'd be very keen to get some sort of inspection done before buying, particularly if a private sale or a garage sale with no warranty.

colm_mcm · 04-09-2013 9:53am

If you're spending €25k on a pretty new car then go to a dealer and get a warranty!

Wonder if this would be in budget?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Prius/7-SEATER/33913618771302370/advert?channel=CARS

BoardsMember · 04-09-2013 10:11am

colm_mcm wrote: »

If you're spending €25k on a pretty new car then go to a dealer and get a warranty!

Wonder if this would be in budget?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Prius/7-SEATER/33913618771302370/advert?channel=CARS

I'm starting to see some pretty good value in 2008-2010 cars now online, so hoping not to touch on that budget. That's a pretty interesting option, though am hoping to steer clear of the MPVs. I'd like something that is nice to drive if at all possible, while not compromising on it being a reliable & functional family car.

Victor Meldrew · 04-09-2013 12:26pm

BoardsMember wrote: »

Sorry, might not have been clear. Was wondering which forecourts people might recommend, i.e. to see as many cars in as few stops as possible. Some of them will have much greater selection of Used vehicles, the idea is to sit in as many options as possible to see if we like them. And ideally not to spend more than 4 hours at it.

You are spending €20K to €25K. this decision is worth more than 4 hours.

It took me 2 visits of about 1.5 hours each to buy one car from one dealer. It will take a fair chunk of time.

At your budget, buy from a main dealer, low mileage and 1 - 2 year warranty should be a given. many will still have manufacturers warranty.

However, you have to put some effort into driving new versions of the second hand cars you are looking at.

Also, if the second hand car is not at least 30% cheaper than a new one, buy a new one.

BoardsMember · 04-09-2013 12:35pm

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

At your budget, buy from a main dealer, low mileage and 1 - 2 year warranty should be a given. many will still have manufacturers warranty.

However, you have to put some effort into driving new versions of the second hand cars you are looking at.

Also, if the second hand car is not at least 30% cheaper than a new one, buy a new one.

Thanks for these pieces of advice, very helpful, especially the last one!

BoardsMember · 06-09-2013 9:56am

Ok, tomorrow's the big day. With low mileage and short/urban journeys I'm going to rule out diesels. You only see how diesel-obsessed Ireland has become when you try looking for petrol estate cars or MPVs! Anyhow, thinking Avensis Estate or Mazda6 hatch or estate at the moment. Realistically, I will have to import for either estate as there are just no petrol ones here.

OREGATO · 06-09-2013 3:22pm

BoardsMember wrote: »

Ok, tomorrow's the big day. With low mileage and short/urban journeys I'm going to rule out diesels. You only see how diesel-obsessed Ireland has become when you try looking for petrol estate cars or MPVs! Anyhow, thinking Avensis Estate or Mazda6 hatch or estate at the moment. Realistically, I will have to import for either estate as there are just no petrol ones here.

One thing to note with regards this method is the resale value and depreciation. Like you say, everyone in Ireland is obsessed with diesels, if you to hold onto the car long term, that's fine but if your circumstances change (i.e. needing a bigger car in the future/changing jobs and requiring a diesel due to commute) be prepared to take a hit on your petrol due to the lack of demand in Ireland and also the potential of getting ridiculously low offers on trade ins with garages.

BoardsMember · 06-09-2013 3:32pm

OREGATO wrote: »

One thing to note with regards this method is the resale value and depreciation. Like you say, everyone in Ireland is obsessed with diesels, if you to hold onto the car long term, that's fine but if your circumstances change (i.e. needing a bigger car in the future/changing jobs and requiring a diesel due to commute) be prepared to take a hit on your petrol due to the lack of demand in Ireland and also the potential of getting ridiculously low offers on trade ins with garages.

Thanks for the advice, makes a lot of sense alright. Current motor is 2001 and don't ever imagine I will be doing much mileage so will just hope for the best re circumstances not changing.

Car shopping, day one....advice please

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