Final decisions on my first car

Caoimhin

Hi Guys,

I have taken my budget into account, insurance etc and narrowed my car choices down.

1- Opel astra 3 door, like the look, engine size and running costs. Looking at

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-sxi-sports-hatch-4800-ono/5623281

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-sxi-1-4i-16v-3dr/5725112

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra/5734519

2- Seat leon-

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/seat-leon-1-6/5687883

3- Astra 5 door - cheaper again but more family kinda car

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-for-sale/5676093

Im not much of a car person, but I like these. Seem like they would last a good while, been told to go with a dealer for the warranty.

So what do you guys think???

colm_mcm

Astra 3 door

Caoimhin

Which Astra 3 door do you like best?

bazz26

Toyota Corolla?


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1-4-vvt-i-sol-full-leath/5660242

Very rare spec on that one and worth a look if genuine.

ba_barabus

Is that Corolla not a bit salty at nearly €5k?

bazz26

That's what they fetch. If that is genuine then in that spec it won't be around long.

pred racer

colm_mcm wrote: »

Astra 3 door

+1

colm_mcm

Those corolla sols are uber rare, i only ever sold one ever. They were mental money new and it will make that money no problem. Id have that tbh

JohnBoy26

+1 on the corolla. They are a better built car than those astras imo. I think the op has their mind made up though.

JohnBoy26

bazz26 wrote: »

Toyota Corolla?


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1-4-vvt-i-sol-full-leath/5660242

Very rare spec on that one and worth a look if genuine.

just had a better look at the pics of that car. Is it me or does the interior look awfully worn for a car with only 61k up.

colm_mcm

Back seat is the only bad bit I can see tbh - and even that is a straightforward job.

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

Back seat is the only bad bit I can see tbh.

Is the gearknob not a bit worn also.

colm_mcm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Is the gearknob not a bit worn also.

When its worn, the chrome peels off and you're left with a coppery/bronzey metal. I can't really see that one enough to say its worn /not worn.

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

When its worn, the chrome peels off and you're left with a coppery/bronzey metal. I can't really see that one enough to say its worn /not worn.

is it not a white plastic you are left with(like the auris)rather than a metal. That's how it looks in the pic to me. Im viewing this from a phone though.

colm_mcm

Far as I remember the Avensis, auris etc is plastic but corolla and yaris is metal

Noccy_Mondy

Jaysus fair play to ya OP, all daycent new-ish cars for your first!

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

Far as I remember the Avensis, auris etc is plastic but corolla and yaris is metal

you could be right. I know for sure that the older models such as the corolla g6 were plastic underneath, but those newer models could indeed be different.

Caoimhin

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Jaysus fair play to ya OP, all daycent new-ish cars for your first!

Said I would try get a nice first car. I have to weigh up between going all and paying 5000, or getting a cheaper one like the 5 door astra and having 1500 spare

Tough choice

Caoimhin

bazz26 wrote: »

Toyota Corolla?


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1-4-vvt-i-sol-full-leath/5660242[the/URL]

Very rare spec on that one and worth a look if genuine.

Very interesting car, you have my attention

Noccy_Mondy

All depends on what you want yourself, would you rather spend the extra money and be satisfied? Looks are very important! :P
I would personally pay the extra and be happy, then again i love my cars, and a decent image would be worth every penny!

Caoimhin

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

All depends on what you want yourself, would you rather spend the extra money and be satisfied? Looks are very important! :P
I would personally pay the extra and be happy, then again i love my cars, and a decent image would be worth every penny!

Ha im all about the looks, just want something I can keep for a few years and still be stylish but its gotta be reliable if im putting all my money into it.

That is the only reason a had the 5 door astra in there, gives me a grand and a half in case **** hits the fan

H3llR4iser

Caoimhin wrote: »

Ha im all about the looks, just want something I can keep for a few years and still be stylish but its gotta be reliable if im putting all my money into it.

That is the only reason a had the 5 door astra in there, gives me a grand and a half in case **** hits the fan

Just on the perspective of practicality, how often do you drive with other people in the car? like going out with friends etc. ? If the answer is often, the 5 doors version will be more practical.

Caoimhin

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Just on the perspective of practicality, how often do you drive with other people in the car? like going out with friends etc. ? If the answer is often, the 5 doors version will be more practical.

I actually wouldn't be driving people much plus I wouldn't be driving every day of the week. I could get a little starter car but I'm 27 and just wanted a proper car at this stage.

Thanks for all the help, man I love boards

RobTheLad

Was in similar situation as you OP 3 months ago, trying to decide between 3 door and 5 door Astra for around the €5k mark as my first car.

Initially restricted myself looking to looking at 3 door models and after going and seeing a couple of them, they had the sh*te driven out of them and/or well worn. Came across an '05 SXi spec 5 door Astra. Had the same alloys as the 3 door, same interior, and the carbon fiber affect dash trim.

Ended up going for this, as it was a well minded family car, full service history, new 2 year NCT, bit of tax, and best of all it came in at just over €3k, almost €2k less than any of the equivalent 3 doors I had looked at, and in much better condition. Love driving it , plenty of power, decent on the juice, and more importantly, as a first time policy holder the 5 door came in at a lower premium on insurance compared to the 3 door.

So if I were you, i wouldn't rule out a 5 door

Caoimhin

RobTheLad wrote: »

Was in similar situation as you OP 3 months ago, trying to decide between 3 door and 5 door Astra for around the €5k mark as my first car.

Initially restricted myself looking to looking at 3 door models and after going and seeing a couple of them, they had the sh*te driven out of them and/or well worn. Came across an '05 SXi spec 5 door Astra. Had the same alloys as the 3 door, same interior, and the carbon fiber affect dash trim.

Ended up going for this, as it was a well minded family car, full service history, new 2 year NCT, bit of tax, and best of all it came in at just over €3k, almost €2k less than any of the equivalent 3 doors I had looked at, and in much better condition. Love driving it , plenty of power, decent on the juice, and more importantly, as a first time policy holder the 5 door came in at a lower premium on insurance compared to the 3 door.

So if I were you, i wouldn't rule out a 5 door

Alright Rob, thanks for the solid advice man. Nice to hear from someone who has went through the same situation basically. I started off looking at stuff like this http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/3-door-astra-gtc/5761827

but now im looking at stuff like this http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-for-sale/5676093

black123

Please don't go for the astra the most unreliable car that i have ever heard of. Toyotas may not be cool but are so reliable chances are you would spend the 1500 in repairs any way id recommened a 99 - toyota over a newer astra any day. This comes from experience. A few family members had astras they are a distaster. I had a yaris for 8 years never broke down once passed three ncts without ever going to a garage my husband had a old corolla same thing was like a tank so solid.