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Petrol car advice - 4-5k ish budget

  • 21-01-2014 9:07am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,171 ✭✭✭


    Hi. Just looking for a little bit of help here. Been half looking for a car for the past few months while waiting for work to be done on the house.

    Background

    Driving a 1 liter Polo the past few years since i learned to drive. Feel it's time to move onto something bigger and faster. Have read a lot of threads here and the 2 stand out cars that seemed to tick the boxes for me have been a Honda Civic Saloon 1.8 and a Mazda 6.

    Requirements

    The requirements i've been looking for is a car that is reliable, cheap enough to maintain if serviced on time, decent fuel efficiency and no big known issues. Also something with a bit of overtake and speed in it when necessary. Barely passing OAP's in Yaris's at present.

    Road usage

    5 day commute from Santry to Citywest along M50/N7. Leave early enough so miss bulk of traffic unless there are crashes. Weekend would be a mix of both city/M50/M1. No big trips. Santry to Swords/Malahide. Some short runs to gym and shops midweek also. I'd be well under 15k KM a year so not in diesel territory. Looking for a petrol car.

    Particulars

    Male, 30's, no kids as of yet but would like something that could accommodate them just in case i'd still have it in a few years. Tax cost isn't an issue within reason so not going to argue over a few hundred here and there. 5 years NCB so insurance should be ok. Budget would be 4-5K. Maybe stretch a bit further.

    A car that caught my eye is a Honda Accord 2.0 i-vtec DOHC.

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-accord-2-0l-petrol-executive/6293401

    Any input on the above? Heard they are pretty indestructable if one has been well serviced, comfortable ride and quite fast. But can be expensive for parts and are quite heavy on juice. 20's MPG for combined? Any of that accurate?

    Thanks for any replies.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Good solid machines, I'd say the Honda is a tad more reliable (and better mpg (late 30s, early 40s)) but both still good.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,861 ✭✭✭Irishcrx


    The Accord is a better car than the Civic and prices for them are very reasonable, the 2.0 IVtec is a solid unit once maintained and pushes out 150 bhp which isn't bad, most come with a leather interier a well.

    Mazda 6 is also a good car and reasonably priced. If it was my money though I'd be looking at the Honda, it's a lot of car for the money at the minute.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 992 ✭✭✭MrDerp


    I have a petrol 1.8 s40 (note: not the FFV) which is reasonably nippy, without setting the world on fire. It was a nice step up from my previous Focus, which annoyed me by being slow as fook. 3 years on and I'm not annoyed by the car, which helps to resist the ever-present urge to upgrade. It's perfectly adequate for getting up to speed and overtaking etc

    I've had it from 90,000km to 166,000km without any issues so far. I used to do a commute from Raheny to Clonee @ 7.8-8.0 L/100km or 35-36mpg. Start to hit the motorways at speed though and you'll know about it. I'd do Dublin to Cork at 130-140km/h and only get about 9.5L/100km or 30mpg.

    It's a comfortable car though, seats are good so it's fine for long journeys, and they tend to come with a good few toys. I'd watch out for the 17inch wheels though, it's an odd size of tyre so something to be aware of with respect to running costs.

    Also, I'm not sure I'd recommend one as a baby mobile. They're very very safe cars, but the boot opening is a pain for awkward loads, despite being a reasonable size inside.

    Good example here
    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S40/S40-1.8-/201348219984317/advert?channel=CARS


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,171 ✭✭✭Neamhshuntasach


    Thanks for the replies. I'll add that Accord to the list and arrange a viewing. Any idea of the kind of MPG or L/100KM you'd get out of it?

    I like the S40's. Lovely car externally. Find the right one and the interior isn't too bland either. I had a mate that had terrible trouble with one though. Mostly just down to bad luck on his part. But when close to something like that it can kind of put you off it. Either way i'll be having a mechanic giving whatever car i decide on a full going over so i can add them to the list.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,362 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    The S40 is a lot smaller than and Accord or 6 though.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 866 ✭✭✭renofan


    I'd check out an Audi A4 1.8 petrol. You'd get a B7 model (2005 on) in around your budget. They came in N/A and turbo but I know the turbo models (on older models) had oil sludge problems and the N/A ones are reliable. Not sure if the problem still exists with the B7 turbo though. I think the N/A has around 130bhp and the turbo around 170bhp.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Thanks for the replies. I'll add that Accord to the list and arrange a viewing. Any idea of the kind of MPG or L/100KM you'd get out of it?
    You can check on sites like www.fuelly.com for actual mpg entered by people. Remember to set site to UK mpgs.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,791 ✭✭✭JJJJNR


    this, DSG 2.0, plenty of room to grow into, 5 star ncap also.


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