Help me find a bangeromics car!

Fluorescence

Hey lads, long time lurker first time poster :P

I'm in the market for a cheap car, just passed my test and need something cheap to run around for a few years in til I work up an NCB and get out of that dastardly 18-24 age bracket

I was looking at this 98 Renault Clio, it's 1.1 petrol with 87k miles and NCT'd until next August. No mention of tax but that's not too expensive. Going for €650. What's wrong with it?

HELP I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING :pac:

colm_mcm

Re the Clio, its a 15 year old French car. It's never gonna be worth big money.

Its a bit of a lottery tbh. Is it the original model Clio or the newer one?

Have a read of this:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056198864

mickdw

Bring someone who has some clue or you will get burned. All too easy to buy a €600 car that needs €1000 worth of work.

toastedpickles

Fluorescence wrote: »

Derp, thanks

Link the clio?

I know someone who got one and the timing belt snapped and made for some bad times, she now has to pay 900 quid to get it replaced, buuuut same can be said for any car

vw polos are cheap and cheerful or maybe a toyota starlet or something along those lines?

Fluorescence

Sorry, meant to throw up a link. Here it is

Ded_Zebra

Might it be the clio in this post? Looks like a nice one to me but the only way you'll find out is to have it inspected by a mechanic or someone you know is mechanically minded. If I was looking for a clio that one would definitely be on my list

colm_mcm

&1 for the starlet 1.3. Taxed as 1.4 though so a bit more than the Clio 1.1 (which is taxed as 1.2)

toastedpickles

OP how much have you to spend? Or is it an early days yet sort of situation

Fluorescence

Don't have any friends/family who are especially mechanically minded, but I can throw a few quid to my mechanic and get him to suss out the car if it'll save money down the line.

Not seeing many starlets up for sale at the moment. Loads of corollas though.

Was looking at a Daewoo Matiz earlier but read a rake of threads on this here forum stating how shite they are in every aspect so decided to give that one a miss :P

Fluorescence

toastedpickles wrote: »

OP how much have you to spend? Or is it an early days yet sort of situation

Early enough days but I'm hoping to get the car within 2-3 weeks. €1500-2k is kind of my limit, though the cheaper the better tbh :P

toastedpickles

Fluorescence wrote: »

Early enough days but I'm hoping to get the car within 2-3 weeks. €1500-2k is kind of my limit, though the cheaper the better tbh :P

Is that just for the car or the whole lot? Car, insurance etc?

colm_mcm

You'd be better off spending a bit more than 650 to be fair.
Some people say the maintenance is the most important thing at this age, but I'm more of the opinion that the model is important too. I'd be going strictly japanese.

Lots of well minded suzuki swifts, ignis's, daihatsu sirions, you might scrape into a yaris.

Fluorescence

toastedpickles wrote: »

Is that just for the car or the whole lot? Car, insurance etc?

No just the car.

colm_mcm wrote: »

You'd be better off spending a bit more than 650 to be fair.
Some people say the maintenance is the most important thing at this age, but I'm more of the opinion that the model is important too. I'd be going strictly japanese.

Lots of well minded suzuki swifts, ignis's, daihatsu sirions, you might scrape into a yaris.

Are spare parts etc easy to come by for japanese cars*? If anything does go tits up I'd like a model that's reasonably easy to patch up. I like the yaris but lots of people are looking for 2.5-3.5k and I don't have that to spend



*Sorry if that's an obvious question but I'm a total noob when it comes to all things car-related

colm_mcm

We got a mint 00 for 2k this year, but you'd get them for €1500, we were just stuck for a car and fussy over colour etc.

toastedpickles

Fluorescence wrote: »

No just the car.



Are spare parts etc easy to come by for japanese cars*? If anything does go tits up I'd like a model that's reasonably easy to patch up. I like the yaris but lots of people are looking for 2.5-3.5k and I don't have that to spend



*Sorry if that's an obvious question but I'm a total noob when it comes to all things car-related

I'm not biased in saying this but consider an opel astra :pac:

If you get a well minded one for 900 or there abouts you're on your way, fair enough it's a 1.4 so its a bit high on tax, but if you look after it it'l look after you
Insurance depending on your age might be a tad high though, I was 21 and paid 1900 the first year, but this year it's dropped to 800
It's a decent car for the money I think and parts for them cost peanuts should something go wrong
So take from that what you will!

Fluorescence

colm_mcm wrote: »

We got a mint 00 for 2k this year, but you'd get them for €1500, we were just stuck for a car and fussy over colour etc.

Really? Must have another good rummage around the car websites so. I'd be happy enough with a yaris

nd

What are yaris's like to drive? Do they feel tiny in them? I'm in a very similar situation to Fluorescence ( havn't passed the test yet though) and just think the yaris's look so tiny. Sat in the sisters starlet too and it is very low to the ground. Learning to drive in the fathers 12 fiesta and love the feel of that.

colm_mcm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Ireland/Toyota%20yaris?filter%28max_engine%29=Max+Litres&filter%28max_mileage%29=Max+KM&filter%28max_price%29=1600&filter%28max_year%29=Max&filter%28min_engine%29=Min+Litres&filter%28min_mileage%29=Min+KM&filter%28min_price%29=700&filter%28min_year%29=1999&source=all

There's heaps here. The ones with the fully coloured bumpers would be my preference as they have a leather shifter and a natty steering wheel too.

Generally avoid the ones with smaller wheels and black door handles as they're usually 'e' models that have no power steering or electric windows.

Fluorescence

nd wrote: »

What are yaris's like to drive? Do they feel tiny in them? I'm in a very similar situation to Fluorescence ( havn't passed the test yet though) and just think the yaris's look so tiny. Sat in the sisters starlet too and it is very low to the ground. Learning to drive in the fathers 12 fiesta and love the feel of that.

I learned to drive in a Nissan note which feels enormous compared to the C1 and the Opel Corsa I had infrequent practice in :pac:

Was behind the wheel of the old-style micra too and it feels very small. Not that I mind small cars though.

colm_mcm

nd wrote: »

What are yaris's like to drive? Do they feel tiny in them? I'm in a very similar situation to Fluorescence ( havn't passed the test yet though) and just think the yaris's look so tiny. Sat in the sisters starlet too and it is very low to the ground. Learning to drive in the fathers 12 fiesta and love the feel of that.

The yaris is much taller so lots more room in the cabin, its also shorter so less boot space.

Fluorescence

colm_mcm wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Ireland/Toyota%20yaris?filter%28max_engine%29=Max+Litres&filter%28max_mileage%29=Max+KM&filter%28max_price%29=1600&filter%28max_year%29=Max&filter%28min_engine%29=Min+Litres&filter%28min_mileage%29=Min+KM&filter%28min_price%29=700&filter%28min_year%29=1999&source=all

There's heaps here. The ones with the fully coloured bumpers would be my preference as they have a leather shifter and a natty steering wheel too.

Generally avoid the ones with smaller wheels and black door handles as they're usually 'e' models that have no power steering or electric windows.

Ah brilliant, cheers! Thanks for the tips.

I just realised I'd had my Diesel filter on, hence feck all results :rolleyes:

joujoujou

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris-1-0-litre/5926343

No mention if NCT'd.

And it may be French, not Japanese.

===================

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris/5925178

NCT'd, Japanese.

Fluorescence

joujoujou wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris-1-0-litre/5926343

No mention if NCT'd.

And it may be French, not Japanese.

Under the Body heading: "3 Door Hatch back corsa starlet fiesta ka polo"

Lolwut

colm_mcm

joujoujou wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris-1-0-litre/5926343

No mention if NCT'd.

And it may be French, not Japanese.

===================

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris/5925178

NCT'd, Japanese.

Donegal, playboy stickers, and dealer would put me off. Kit is pleasant.
Far as I remember you'll know the Japanese ones from pics as they have little dimples on the upper glovebox compartment.

NCT out this month.

toastedpickles

Fluorescence wrote: »

Under the Body heading: "3 Door Hatch back corsa starlet fiesta ka polo"

Lolwut

Tags, if someone types in one of those words that ad will appear somewhere, i think that's how it works anyways

Fluorescence

colm_mcm wrote: »

Donegal, playboy stickers, and dealer would put me off. Kit is pleasant.
Far as I remember you'll know the Japanese ones from pics as they have little dimples on the upper glovebox compartment.

It's registered as a Yaris "Luna" if that means anything?

The 2nd one quoted looks good. I'd have to travel a few hours to Mayo to have a look though. I'd be waiting a week or two at least to get the chance to travel for inspections

colm_mcm

I like the look of this 1.0 Sol model
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris/5711595

(Except for the stupid sticker) passenger door not quite right but it is 14 years old

joujoujou

Fluorescence wrote: »

It's registered as a Yaris "Luna" if that means anything?

[...]

Terra, Sol, Luna.

Terra is the lowest spec, Luna - the highest.

colm_mcm

Sol was more expensive, but luna was nicer.

Luna got coloured bumpers, nice wheel and gearknob and cd

Sol got coloured bumpers, height adjustable drivers seat, remote locking, velour seats, electric mirrors and cd but got the basic wheel and gearknob.

power pants

clio op posted looks terrible, front light casing missing, trim missing and a few other things, id look at other ads tbf

Fluorescence

power pants wrote: »

clio op posted looks terrible, front light casing missing, trim missing and a few other things, id look at other ads tbf

Thanks for the heads up. Stuff like that I wouldn't notice so it's helpful to have a keen pair of eyes around.

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

Donegal, playboy stickers, and dealer would put me off. Kit is pleasant.
Far as I remember you'll know the Japanese ones from pics as they have little dimples on the upper glovebox compartment.

NCT out this month.

The Japanese ones also have a different rear view mirror to the French ones. The Japanese built models rear view mirror is slimmer and is curved on top and around the top edges. The French mirror is more rectangular with no curves.

Another easy to tell difference is the lights. In the Japanese model they are made by koito Japan. On the French model they are made by koito England.

The easiest place to see this is on the third brake light in the rear window.

colm_mcm

Hard enough to spot from photos though!

joujoujou

Well, actually the easiest way is to ask seller for first 2 letters of VIN number.

JT... = made in Japan,

VN... = made in France.

colm_mcm

It wouldn't bother me either way where it was built, the differences are neglibigle, I sold both types and there wasn't any pattern of faults on the French ones, same as the Turkish/uk/Japanese/South African corolla argument.
(Mk1 yaris usually has a 'made in Japan/France' windscreen sticker) dunno how many are still on original windscreens though!

Fluorescence

Seeing a good few early 2000s opel corsas at the moment - they any good? Seems like all the driving schools are using the newer opel corsas but what are the earlier ones like?

colm_mcm

I wouldn't....

Fluorescence

Fair 'nough :pac:

Fluorescence

Ah lads I think I have a problem - somehow ended up on car manufacturers websites looking at brand new cars on finance and thinking it seems reasonable :pac:

I need help :P



In other news I looked at a Daewoo Matiz today (I know, I know) and it swapped hands back in September. Methinks someone's regretting their purchase and trying to flog it off asap. Taxed til next year but no NCT - shall avoid!

colm_mcm

€300 a month is fine the first month, but you have to do it every month for the foreseeable.

6 months at €300 gets you a yaris that you can keep after the 6 months.

Fluorescence

I know, I'm just being silly really.

What's the general consensus on mini coopers btw? It seems they hold their resale value pretty well - if I were to hold out a few months longer and get one of those would it make better economical sense?

Though tbf I'd probably make most of my money back if I were to resell a yaris too.

colm_mcm

Economical sense = no car.

Fluorescence

Shur bus prices are going up all the time, etc etc

Stheno

Fluorescence wrote: »

I know, I'm just being silly really.

What's the general consensus on mini coopers btw? It seems they hold their resale value pretty well - if I were to hold out a few months longer and get one of those would it make better economical sense?

Though tbf I'd probably make most of my money back if I were to resell a yaris too.

I suspect the insurance on a Mini Cooper might be slightly more than e.g. a Yaris or Corsa

Fluorescence

Good point, actually

Stheno

Fluorescence wrote: »

Good point, actually

Apart from something economical what would you like about your first car?

3/4/5 door? Boot space? General looks?

Has nobody mentioned the aul fiesta?

Fluorescence

Preferably a diesel, something fun to drive, reasonably reliable. Looks a bonus but not the clincher.

I want something I can own for a few years and not hate :P With any luck I'll be getting a job that involves lots of driving so I want to enjoy being behind the wheel.

Stheno

Fluorescence wrote: »

Preferably a diesel, something fun to drive, reasonably reliable. Looks a bonus but not the clincher.

I want something I can own for a few years and not hate :P With any luck I'll be getting a job that involves lots of driving so I want to enjoy being behind the wheel.

How much mileage will you be doing?

Diesels cost a lot more in maintenance and if you are not doing at least 20 MILES per year (so 32k kilometres) it's questionable if they are worth it imo.

Your budget also won't buy one of the newer smaller diesels, so tax will be significantly more as I *think* the smallest diesel you'll get is a 1.7 engine

Also have you any NCB?

Fluorescence

Mileage low-medium. I don't know the exact numbers, so petrol is an option. I didn't realise diesels were harder on maintenance though, so I'll definitely bear that in mind.

Budget wise, if I were to wait a few months or get a loan I'd spend 5-6k on the car for the sake of more longevity. There's a possibility I'll need it sooner than that though.

Tax for the coopers seems to be circa €500 which is a little bit depressing :P

As for NCB I only have 1 year if I stick with my current insurer (I am only a named driver right now). I have none if I swap insurers afaik.

JohnBoy26

Stheno wrote: »

How much mileage will you be doing?

Diesels cost a lot more in maintenance and if you are not doing at least 20 MILES per year (so 32k kilometres) it's questionable if they are worth it imo.

Your budget also won't buy one of the newer smaller diesels, so tax will be significantly more as I *think* the smallest diesel you'll get is a 1.7 engine

Also have you any NCB?

not all diesels cost more to maintain than a petrol. Also why would a diesel not be worth it if doing less than 20k miles a year?

Stheno

Fluorescence wrote: »

Mileage low-medium. I don't know the exact numbers, so petrol is an option. I didn't realise diesels were harder on maintenance though, so I'll definitely bear that in mind.

Budget wise, if I were to wait a few months or get a loan I'd spend 5-6k on the car for the sake of more longevity. There's a possibility I'll need it sooner than that though.

Tax for the coopers seems to be circa €500 which is a little bit depressing :P

As for NCB I only have 1 year if I stick with my current insurer (I am only a named driver right now). I have none if I swap insurers afaik.

Tax once you go above 1.0 - 1.2 is depressing full stop if you are driving a pre - 2008 car, I drive a two litre and my tax is €700 per year.

I've had diesels and petrols and with the exception of my alfas the diesels did require more maintenance, I read something somewhere this weekend doing the maths ref the mileage.

Check out other insurers, my insurance is up this month so I'm quote searching at the moment, and Aviva ask for both main and named driver NCB, I'm sure they are not alone.

If you "need" a car or want to get more experience driving for the time being, I'd buy the best you can afford now as a run around, with a view to upgrading in 6-12 months time.

My first car was an ancient Daihatsu Charade, it was bombproof, and a great car to get experience in at the time.

At least if you get something solid that you haven't spent a lot on, those scrapes and bumps you'll inevitably get won't hurt so much.