The RETURN of the "I'm buying something unreliable* thread"

ba_barabus

Folks I'm just going to dump my idle thoughts of my motoring future here for now.

Credit Union meeting is on Saturday and I'll have approval sometime during the following week for finance but I can't see any reason I wouldn't get it and have been told as much. Max budget will be 14k.

Anyway some various different cars ranging from cheap to expensive will be posted here. I need to get them out of my head otherwise I'll become confused and have no idea what I actually want.

During the week I have short journeys of up to 5 miles a day at most. At weekends I can do a 200 mile trip every second or third weekend. From next June I expect that every weekend will involve such a trip if not even more often.

Diesel long term would be a good idea for me I feel. However I could buy a car to do me for 12-18 months and still be happy. I'd like a somewhat decent spec so no basic cars.

It must be in excellent shape and not fooked. It must be from a reputable garage and have a warranty. The more I spend the bigger the warranty but as a rule it must have 12 months for any sums above €10k. I'd also like something with low mileage but price and condition at the lower end of the budget would be more important than mileage.

What I'd driven so far:
2009 Citroen C5 1.6HDI : nice car but very big.
Mazda6 2L diesel : I love them but diesel entering the sump scares the sh!te out of me
Fiat 500: Loved it but in no way practical
Alfa 159 (scratchie) : Lovely car on the open road but a pig in traffic or so I was told
320d : Nice but Turbo scares the cr@p out of me
Avensis : Reliablezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Aurizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, not bad but I didn't like the interior
DS4 : I finally have to admit they are outside my budget
Octavia VRS : Lovely but big VAG bills in the past have left me terrified of history repeating itself
Proceed: The seats hurt my back

And that's it.

I was going to look at this at the weekend as the garage comes highly recommended:

http://www.daltons.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=969893

But then again I seem to recall people saying the 1.4l was as slow as a wet week. I'm not a massive Ford fan either and I'm sure Johnboy will be along soon to say they're rubbish and what I really need is an old Corolla.

rocky

New model Accord Petrol ?

ba_barabus

rocky wrote: »

New model Accord Petrol ?

I've never liked any Accord. I'm not much of a Honda fan at all either.

pred racer

2009 c5, hast to be a 2.0 exclusive with hydraulic suspension otherwise no point.
Mazda 6 2L D...... Are you mental:eek:
Fiat 500, practical is overrated.
159 not that bad in traffic, better on open road:D
320d look after it the turbo will be fine (not silver though )
Toyotas....no comment

Buy the DS4!



Buy the DS4!


Buy the bloody DS4:D

I wantz shpinz

colm_mcm

Not mental exciting but has proven reliable over the last 18 months




Has a nice few toys and the 116hp is nippy enough,

Its a 1.6 CRDI Premium, there are a few in the UK.

You'd only have to spend 9 or 10 and if you got sick of it it'd be easy enough to move on without losing your shirt.

ba_barabus

pred racer wrote: »

Buy the bloody DS4:D

I wantz shpinz

I genuinely liked it but they are TMFM:P

dh0011

if you want reliability look at all those taxi drivers in their avensis es.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

Has a nice few toys and the 116hp is nippy enough,

Its a 1.6 CRDI Premium, there are a few in the UK.

I wouldn't be against one actually. I remember driving one before and liking it. The problem is I haven't the time to go find one and bring it back. That and I'd imagine I'd need a bridging loan for VRT as well. I'd rather just buy a complete car that's already been imported or just get an Irish one.

pred racer

Did you look at saabs or volvos?

ba_barabus

dh0011 wrote: »

if you want reliability look at all those taxi drivers in their avensis es.

I just can't get excited about them. If I paid a large wedge of cash for one I'd be regretting it before I'd even handed over the cheque. I'm not ruling them out however but it would have to have a very nice level of kit.

colm_mcm

ba_barabus wrote: »

I wouldn't be against one actually. I remember driving one before and liking it. The problem is I haven't the time to go find one and bring it back. That and I'd imagine I'd need a bridging loan for VRT as well. I'd rather just buy a complete car that's already been imported or just get an Irish one.

Are you not just getting a loan or do the credit union insist on making a draft out to the seller?

The Irish ones are missing a lot of spec in comparison

ba_barabus

pred racer wrote: »

Did you look at saabs or volvos?

Saab interiors are horrible and I'll get an Ovlov when I've kids..........or a dog

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

Are you not just getting a loan or do the credit union insist on making a draft out to the seller?

For a car loan it must be made out to the registered owner or garage

dh0011

I will admit my avensis doesnt set my heart on fire but i drove the newer model (1.6 aswell) and it was a lot better.
But it still wont be as fun as a lot of other cars.

ba_barabus

dh0011 wrote: »

I will admit my avensis doesnt set my heart on fire but i drove the newer model (1.6 aswell) and it was a lot better.
But it still wont be as fun as a lot of other cars.

I had an early MK1 Avensis and I've bought a 2lTD for my partner as a first car as she needed something reliable and indestructible. I never liked the second generation however.

George Dalton

ba_barabus wrote: »

I was going to look at this at the weekend as the garage comes highly recommended:

http://www.daltons.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=969893

But then again I seem to recall people saying the 1.4l was as slow as a wet week. I'm not a massive Ford fan either and I'm sure Johnboy will be along soon to say they're rubbish and what I really need is an old Corolla.

The Mk1 Focus 1.4 is slow. The Mk2 Focus 1.4 is dangerously slow. Most of the time when people complain about the underpowered 1.4 they are talking about the Mk2.

That Mk1 Focus we have for sale is a really really good car and will make a great runabout or first car for somebody but I couldn't in all honesty recommend one to a "car person" with a clear conscience :pac:

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

The Irish ones are missing a lot of spec in comparison

They are. I've nothing against buying one that has been imported but I'd have to trust the seller.

barura

Get the focus, for reliable motoring, it's a no-brainer. George is also a sound bloke going by peoples reports of him from here.

Save yourself some money as well, its only 4k. If its within your budget and plans to get a more expensive car with higher depreciation, so be it.

ba_barabus

George Dalton wrote: »

The Mk1 Focus 1.4 is slow. The Mk2 Focus 1.4 is dangerously slow. Most of the time when people complain about the underpowered 1.4 they are talking about the Mk2.

That Mk1 Focus we have for sale is a really really good car and will make a great runabout or first car for somebody but I couldn't in all honesty recommend one to a "car person" with a clear conscience :pac:

I had spotted it last week. It's one of those annoying cars you spot when you know you shouldn't but you just can't get it out of your head

It has a sunroof and I love sunroofs

colm_mcm

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i30/CRDI-PRE/201328215939757/advert?channel=CARS

Same spec, tiny mileage

Out of manufacturer warranty and private sale though.

Listowel autos have one coming in, and Oliver Walsh has one in stock (bigger miles though)

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i30/CRDI-PRE/201328215939757/advert?channel=CARS

Same spec, tiny mileage

Out of manufacturer warranty and private sale though.

Makes me think it's a case of too good to be true. I could be very wrong mind.

ian87

This is my car. I'm recovering from surgery at the moment so a friend with a garage has it. It's been well minded. Uk import at 80k and all motorway/n road here since.

ba_barabus

barura wrote: »

Get the focus, for reliable motoring, it's a no-brainer.

That basically sums up why I even opened the ad in the first place.

ba_barabus

ian87 wrote: »

This is my car. .

Got a link?

ian87

ba_barabus wrote: »

Got a link?

Sorry!! http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320d-huge-spec-warranty/5734814

colm_mcm

ba_barabus wrote: »

Makes me think it's a case of too good to be true. I could be very wrong mind.

Not really, we paid less than that last year but we went to the uk.

ba_barabus

ian87 wrote: »

Sorry!! http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320d-huge-spec-warranty/5734814

Cheers but I think I'm going to rule BMW's out.

ian87

You can't rule a BMW out in the motoring forum! It's the car of choice don't ya know?!? That's fair enough but it's clean, well minded and only being sold to free up a deposit for a house. Keep it in mind.

Noccy_Mondy

Any thoughts on golfs?

TBi

ian87 wrote: »

Sorry!! http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320d-huge-spec-warranty/5734814

Saw that but ignored it because of high milage. Is that the cash price or trade in price on donedeal?

I said i'd never touch a BMW again but it's got a nice spec.

alias no.9

ian87 wrote: »

You can't rule a BMW out in the motoring forum! It's the car of choice don't ya know?!? That's fair enough but it's clean, well minded and only being sold to free up a deposit for a house. Keep it in mind.

It's at least two cylinders short of delivering on that bold claim

dh0011

is that the bmw with the dodgy timing chain?

ba_barabus

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Any thoughts on golfs?

I had one and it fell apart (1.6 16V). I bought a Pisshat (1.9TDI) it also self destructed.

I'm reluctant to go for a third VW, or VAG of any kind.

ian87

It's a cash price with room for adjustment. 100k for a 5 year old diesel car is about right in fairness. Fire me a PM with your number and ill give you a buzz tomorrow if you want.

ian87

alias no.9 wrote: »

It's at least two cylinders short of delivering in that bold claim

Hence why it will be replaced with a 04ish x30d. If I'm being forced to sell for a house I'm compromising with a bigger engine!

TBi

ian87 wrote: »

It's a cash price with room for adjustment. 100k for a 5 year old diesel car is about right in fairness. Fire me a PM with your number and ill give you a buzz tomorrow if you want.

It's the model with the dodgy chain and dpf problems but might give it a look on Thursday. I'll be up in Limerick that day anyway. Need to call my car buddy to see if he recommends Also need to check how much chain replacement is, before it dies.

I'm not actively looking for a car just yet, but have the money in the bank if a good deal comes along.

ba_barabus

TBi wrote: »

It's the model with the dodgy chain and dpf problems but might give it a look on Thursday. I'll be up in Limerick that day anyway. Need to call my car buddy to see if he recommends Also need to check how much chain replacement is, before it dies.

To be fair it's hardly fair to run the car down on thread if you are that serious about looking at it and buying it.

Just saying like.

ian87

TBi wrote: »

It's the model with the dodgy chain and dpf problems but might give it a look on Thursday. I'll be up in Limerick that day anyway. Need to call my car buddy to see if he recommends Also need to check how much chain replacement is, before it dies.

I can't comment on the chain issues but this car has spent it's life in the motorway/n roads. A 1 hour commute each way 5 days a week along with up to a 200 mile round trip at weekends. Dpf is one thing that won't be a problem. Pm me if you to chat, don't want to derail this thread either.

TBi

ba_barabus wrote: »

To be fair it's hardly fair to run the car down on thread if you are that serious about looking at it and buying it.

Just saying like.

I've a Mini Cooper S so you could say i'm a bit masochistic... Already had to replace the chain in that but it's such a nice car to drive and my local independent garage is so good i don't want to change. Will be passing it onto the missus soon and getting something else for myself.

ian87 wrote: »

I can't comment on the chain issues but this car has spent it's life in the motorway/n roads. A 1 hour commute each way 5 days a week along with up to a 200 mile round trip at weekends. Dpf is one thing that won't be a problem. Pm me if you to chat, don't want to derail this thread either.

Yup will take this offline. Sorry for running down the car, but the info is actively available online. Don't get me started on VAG's although OP doesn't want one anyway (smart).

bazz26

What about a Subaru Legacy:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/subaru-legacy-diesel-390-road-tax-nct/5777519

unkel

Over 40 posts in and I'm the first to say you really shouldn't even consider a diesel?

5 miles a day (max) on weekdays is 25 miles per week
200 miles at the weekend once every 2.5 weeks, so another 80 miles a week

That 5k miles / 8k km per year!

Madness all this diesel love in this country. It will end in tears, I'm telling ya

Idbatterim

320d : Nice but Turbo scares the cr@p out of me

Id be more worried about the timing chain!!!

unkel

Oh and I didn't miss that you reckon your mileage will go up next June, but I wouldn't base my buying decision now on what might happen nearly a year from now

Also, you must be in a sound financial situation (job) that you can borrow that kind of money. Maybe I'm boring but in your case I would not borrow money to buy a car, but maybe instead buy something that appreciates rather than depreciates

Cee-Jay-Cee

rocky wrote: »

New model Accord Petrol ?

Practically impossible to find unless you import one from the uk.

thecomedian

Golf Gti
Vrs petrol
BMW 335i
Or a 535d

JohnBoy26

ba_barabus wrote: »

Folks I'm just going to dump my idle thoughts of my motoring future here for now.

Credit Union meeting is on Saturday and I'll have approval sometime during the following week for finance but I can't see any reason I wouldn't get it and have been told as much. Max budget will be 14k.

Anyway some various different cars ranging from cheap to expensive will be posted here. I need to get them out of my head otherwise I'll become confused and have no idea what I actually want.

During the week I have short journeys of up to 5 miles a day at most. At weekends I can do a 200 mile trip every second or third weekend. From next June I expect that every weekend will involve such a trip if not even more often.

Diesel long term would be a good idea for me I feel. However I could buy a car to do me for 12-18 months and still be happy. I'd like a somewhat decent spec so no basic cars.

It must be in excellent shape and not fooked. It must be from a reputable garage and have a warranty. The more I spend the bigger the warranty but as a rule it must have 12 months for any sums above €10k. I'd also like something with low mileage but price and condition at the lower end of the budget would be more important than mileage.

What I'd driven so far:
2009 Citroen C5 1.6HDI : nice car but very big.
Mazda6 2L diesel : I love them but diesel entering the sump scares the sh!te out of me
Fiat 500: Loved it but in no way practical
Alfa 159 (scratchie) : Lovely car on the open road but a pig in traffic or so I was told
320d : Nice but Turbo scares the cr@p out of me
Avensis : Reliablezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Aurizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, not bad but I didn't like the interior
DS4 : I finally have to admit they are outside my budget
Octavia VRS : Lovely but big VAG bills in the past have left me terrified of history repeating itself
Proceed: The seats hurt my back

And that's it.

I was going to look at this at the weekend as the garage comes highly recommended:

http://www.daltons.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=969893

But then again I seem to recall people saying the 1.4l was as slow as a wet week. I'm not a massive Ford fan either and I'm sure Johnboy will be along soon to say they're rubbish and what I really need is an old Corolla.

Yeah their rubbish, may I recommend an old Corolla

In all seriousness the focus isn't a bad car it's just that the 1.4 version is a bit on the sluggish side.

If im honest though I think id recommend the Hyundai like colm posted above if reliability is high on your list.:)

advertsfox

unkel wrote: »

Over 40 posts in and I'm the first to say you really shouldn't even consider a diesel?

5 miles a day (max) on weekdays is 25 miles per week
200 miles at the weekend once every 2.5 weeks, so another 80 miles a week

That 5k miles / 8k km per year!

Madness all this diesel love in this country. It will end in tears, I'm telling ya

Definitely a petrol, one with a bit of poke so it doesn't have to work too hard to keep up while still giving good MPG.

I vote Mazda 6 1.8 / 2.0 - tonnes available for pittance because everyone sold them to run off and get a diesel, they're good looking and ultra reliable.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda6/GH-1.8-E/37013755251341980/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda6/GH-2.0-E/33913627557821470/advert?channel=CARS

On your budget you could get a high spec T-Spirit MK III Prius 09+, they came out in late 09 so there will still be the MK II of that year.

Check out different lenders, credit unions can screw you with interest.

The Prius is one of the most reliable cars in the world, and it's well proven itself.

The MK III has 0 belts to maintain and only needs oil every 10 k miles and sparks every 60 k miles or so, that's it, oh and brake fluid every 2 years and you'll probably have sold it by the time it needs brake pads.

The Prius will still be going long after most modern diesels end up in the scrap yard or have cost xxxx to repair.

The Prius has no dmf or dpf to fail either.

You most likely won't find one below 60 k miles but even at 100,000 miles with a good service record it will go for over 350,000 miles and the battery lasts the life of the car.

At least take one for a spin, the MK III is much better than the MK II

Worst case fuel economy would be around the same as a golf 1.6 tdi but the Prius is a lot bigger and it's got about 26 hp more.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Mad Lad in "car reccomendation thread, reccomends prius" shocker

renofan

George Dalton wrote: »

The Mk1 Focus 1.4 is slow. The Mk2 Focus 1.4 is dangerously slow. Most of the time when people complain about the underpowered 1.4 they are talking about the Mk2.

That Mk1 Focus we have for sale is a really really good car and will make a great runabout or first car for somebody but I couldn't in all honesty recommend one to a "car person" with a clear conscience :pac:

I can't recommend the reliability and build quality of a Focus II highly enough. We have a '05 Focus II 1.4 and we find it perfect. I don't think it's as slow in the real world that people make out. Ours has 275k kms on it now and apart from the starter motor it's been 110% reliable. I change the oil (5w 30 fully synt) every 10k kms and it only had 90k kms when we bought it in Aug '08.

My wife is from the east coast of England and it goes over there fairly regularly plus for 3 years the wife used to go from Roscrea to Tallaght everyday in it. Its used 7 days a week and has been perfect.

ba_barabus

unkel wrote: »

Oh and I didn't miss that you reckon your mileage will go up next June, but I wouldn't base my buying decision now on what might happen nearly a year from now

Also, you must be in a sound financial situation (job) that you can borrow that kind of money. Maybe I'm boring but in your case I would not borrow money to buy a car, but maybe instead buy something that appreciates rather than depreciates

Well my partner of 7 years today will be returning to Ireland in June and will be based up in Newry for at least 12 months. I'm based in a permanent job in Dublin and from tipp so round trips will be going on the whole time.

I looked at and considered a Seat Leon TFSI too but decided a 2 liter turbo would be great for now but not in 12 months time.

The thing is I'd like to hold on to this car for a while. If its cheap I can sell again in 12-18 months but if its more expensive it would be a long term car.

I hadn't intended changing for about 12 months so the early change is a spanner in the works really.