Advice needed on buying used Car/People Carrier-budget 6000-any recommendations?

Bluebells4 · 07-10-2013 10:18am #1

I'm looking to buy a used car/people carrier for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 toddlers & the dog at the weekend). We live in the country and drive some narrow, mountain roads. I drive about 80 km round trip to work 3 days per week. Looking for a diesel, 1.6 size engine and my budget is about €6000. At the moment I’m thinking of getting a Ford C Max??
Any suggestions please? Many thanks for your suggestions.
I don't know too much about cars but I have been told to stay away from Renault, Citroen, & Opel. I guess I want a reliable car and if it does give a wee bit of trouble (that it's not too expensive to fix).

This car has 121,000 Miles & is selling for € 4,600. I am aware that the mileage is quiet high.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/05-ford-focus-c-max-ghia-1-6-diesel-nct/5711308

colm_mcm · 07-10-2013 10:30am

Consider a corolla verso as well, the 2 rearmost seats fold into the floor

Bluebells4 · 07-10-2013 11:44am

Hi there, Thanks for that. I really like the corolla verso but they do tend to be more expensive. What's the best place to look for a used car? I'm currently looking in Donedeal... Would like to buy from a dealer also but they tend to up the price for the car.

stimpson · 07-10-2013 12:06pm

Bluebells4 wrote: »

Hi there, Thanks for that. I really like the corolla verso but they do tend to be more expensive.

That's probably because they are reliable. They only come in 2.0/2.2 diesel or 1.6/1.8 petrol though.

I have a new shape one and love it. It's a good size for 2 or 3 kids where you don't need a full time 7 seater. I've often loaded up a couple of cousins in the back seats for a day out, and can still fit a buggy in the boot (folded flat with the wheels removed). If you have small kids the individual seats are a godsend as it makes it easier to fit baby seats.

The neighbour has a 1.6 petrol old shape with 100000+ miles and he says it hasn't skipped a beat - just normal servicing. It is a bit heavy on the juice, so 2.0 diesel could be the one to go for assuming you're doing the miles to justify it.

colm_mcm · 07-10-2013 12:12pm

This is probably the best of what's on donedeal (as in 1.6 with aircon)

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/cars-for-sale/5628577

Bluebells4 · 07-10-2013 1:09pm

Thanks colm_mcm & stimpson for your advice. I'm definitely thinking of going with the Verso now. Would prefer the Diesel but will even consider the Petrol. The Verso in the attachment looks in v.good condition. Might give the owner a ring later.
I have heard that Toyota are very reliable so that's probably why they tend to be more expensive. Do you think that they are more reliable than the Ford? Also, heard that Skoda are a great car. I was looking at the Skoda Roomster but they are hard to get here. Also, tend to be expensive. Someone mentioned that it's cheaper to head over to the UK for one. But with my small budget, I don't think that it would be worth it.
Thanks again.

colm_mcm · 07-10-2013 1:59pm

The versi is expensive because it has an excellent rear seating system, 1.6 engine and its modern looking, the reliability thing helps but it's not just people blindly buying them on badge

stimpson · 07-10-2013 2:05pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

The versi is expensive because it has an excellent rear seating system, 1.6 engine and its modern looking, the reliability thing helps but it's not just people blindly buying them on badge

The Verso is probably more expensive to buy in the first place too.

colm_mcm · 07-10-2013 2:11pm

stimpson wrote: »

The Verso is probably more expensive to buy in the first place too.

When I was selling them new they were roughly €4k more than the equivelant Avensis 1.6 IIRC

stimpson · 07-10-2013 2:13pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

When I was selling them new they were roughly €4k more than the equivelant Avensis 1.6 IIRC

Sounds about right (I went from an Avensis to a Verso - 26.5K - 31K).

I meant they were more expensive compared to a C-Max.

colm_mcm · 07-10-2013 2:17pm

I somehow missed out on the diesel bit in the OP

Bluebells4 · 07-10-2013 2:41pm

Hi all, Thanks for the feedback. Just wondering would it be worth it to try and save another bit of cash and go for the Verso Diesel? Could I get one for about 7000? I'm just thinking that it might be better to wait until I have enough saved to get a diesel and the car will last me longer also.
Thanks,

Bluebells4 · 07-10-2013 9:17pm

Hi all, Just wondering what you think of this one
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-verso-7-seater-d4-d/5406286
It looks in good condition and is a Diesel which i'd prefer.
Cheers,

stimpson · 07-10-2013 10:48pm

Mileage looks a bit high and NCT only up to feb next year. It looks to be a private sale so you have no comeback if anything goes wrong.

On the plus side the spec looks nice. If it has a full service history I'd be temped if it came in under 6k. Make sure to get a mechanic or the AA to look at it before you part with cash.

What mileage are you doing in a year? Anything less than 20k and you should be thinking petrol.

Lex Luthor · 08-10-2013 12:07pm

I can recommend the 2.0 diesel Verso. My wife has been running one for about 6-7 yrs now with very little issues.

Actually considering moving it on and if we do I'll give you a shout
Its a 2005, Sol Spec so more or less everything Toyota was offering at the time is on it. Think it has about 120,000km (i kid you not), is mostly used lately for shorter runs than it had been initially bought for.
The rear seats are super for hiding away and getting up if needed in a hurry. Even find the middle row seats very quick to drop and lift and the fact all 3 middle seats are independent and slide individually is a big bonus.
Drives like an MPv should, but you cant have everything

Bluebells4 · 08-10-2013 2:51pm

Hi stimpson,
Thanks for that feedback. Yes I drive about 20k miles per year so am really looking for a diesel. I called the seller and he said that someone else is interested… So I might not get the car any cheaper. There ain’t too many of these cars for sale here. But there appear to be a good few up North…Don’t know if I’d be willing to head up North for one.

Bluebells4 · 08-10-2013 2:52pm

Hi Lex Luthor
Thanks for that information. If you plan to sell your Verso I’d be interested in buying it. Not sure how much you are looking for? Sure let me know via email....
Thanks again.

Bluebells4 · 10-10-2013 8:56pm

Hi there, I'm thinking of getting this car
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-verso-05-diesel/5753573
What do you think? It seems a good deal `TAXED UNTIL 9/14 TESTED UNTIL 3/3/2015'
I haven't seen it yet but I'm thinking of making an appointment at the weekend... The spec isn't as detailed as the Toyota Corolla Verso T-SPIRIT D4-D but it looks ok?
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-verso-7-seater-d4-d/5406286
Thanks for your feedback.

dh0011 · 10-10-2013 9:44pm

op a 307sw might be worth looking at. Also some e class estates are seven seaters.

stimpson · 10-10-2013 9:47pm

Bluebells4 wrote: »

Hi there, I'm thinking of getting this car
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-verso-05-diesel/5753573
What do you think? It seems a good deal `TAXED UNTIL 9/14 TESTED UNTIL 3/3/2015'
I haven't seen it yet but I'm thinking of making an appointment at the weekend... The spec isn't as detailed as the Toyota Corolla Verso T-SPIRIT D4-D but it looks ok?
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-verso-7-seater-d4-d/5406286
Thanks for your feedback.

Looks promising. A years tax is worth €700. 2 years NCT and low mileage. I'd have it over the TSpirit for the money.

As I said before, get a mechanic or the AA to give it a look over. Money we'll spent for peace of mind.

Advice needed on buying used Car/People Carrier-budget 6000-any recommendations?

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