First car

BANNERMAN98

I'm 31 and currently learning to drive, I have the option of going down the loan from the credit union route and get €2000 or save for a few weeks and hope to get up to €1500 together and have no loan to repay but will I get a decent enough car for between €1200 and €1500?

Alanstrainor

Forget the loan I'd say! You say it's your first car, but have you done any lessons or driven at all before? If not, you may want to wait before purchasing as the car would most likely sit idle for a lot of the time before you get your full license.

You should be able to get something with your budget, there are a lot of people on the lookout for cheap run about cars so you would need to go with your eyes wide open, and maybe someone in the know about cars in general by your side.

BANNERMAN98

Never driven before at all and I am currently undergoing lessons, I've 4 done so far

Dia1988

Here is a sample within budget:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-corsa-1-0-2001/6945648

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-fiesta-new-nct-taxed/6945272

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mitsubishi-lancer-1-3-new-nct/6946327

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/02-volkswagen-polo-with-new-nct/6943394

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-punto-1-2-active-5dr/6942688

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/clio-02/6941728


Let me know what you think! :-)

I@ll let you know then which one I'd pick!

BANNERMAN98

Fiesta or polo and possibly the corsa in Offaly, I'd pick but between them it's hard

Dia1988

BANNERMAN98 wrote: »

Fiesta or polo and possibly the corsa in Offaly, I'd pick but between them it's hard

I'd pick the Polo

BANNERMAN98

Dia1988 wrote: »

I'd pick the Polo

Quite a spin from bray to limerick though :eek:

Green farmer

Polo / fiesta . Nice handy cars

Dia1988

BANNERMAN98 wrote: »

Quite a spin from bray to limerick though :eek:

Especially with no full licence! :-)

Polo or Yaris are always a safe bet

Fiestas tend to rust around the rear wheel arches

BANNERMAN98

Probably best to stick to limerick and maybe Clare

Alanstrainor

OP, just realise that you will have insurance and tax+ maintenance to pay on this car that in all honesty will not get much use given how early you are in learning. You could be down 3k+ very fast, for something that will sit in your drive.

ProudDUB

OP, what about your motor tax and insurance? Have a look at some of the cars that are in your price range. Then call the insurance companies and see how much it will be to insure it. Your age is in your favour, as will your owning a car that is not worth all that much. But your not having a license and no driving history to rate you on, will also drive up your rate. Are you factoring all that into your over all budget too. It's not just about the price of the car.

Tipsy McSwagger

I'm in the same boat and have been looking on done deal for the last couple of weeks. I've my sixth lesson today but I really want my own car to practice in. My budget is €2500, the insurance with AA is around €1200, tax is €200 for a 1ltr Micra and €1000 for the car.

Cars go up every day on done deal but you really need to be wary off most of them to be honest. Some people are looking for too much money or the NCT hasn't been done in a long time or the fact that nearly every seller is a lady owner looking for a quick sale because they are emigrating. I'm happy enough to wait before I buy my first car rather than jump in and buy a car that has a load wrong with it.

BANNERMAN98

I did a mock quote on an 05 corsa(auto) on chill.ie and without comp for me on my own insurance policy just over €1100 and with fully comp just over €1300

BobSmith128

Hi OP,

I am 31 like yourself and I've recently passed my test (first time might I add - sorry feeling very happy with myself).

I bought a ford fiesta 07 and it helped me big time passing my test.
Nice small handy car - low tax and easy to manoeuvre - especially for that round about turn. Nothing like having your own car and getting used to it.

I was concerned with insurance as I had a learners permit.
My driver instructor mentioned this company to me - firstireland DOT ie
Had never heard of them before - but a quote for fully comp. came back at sub 800 euro.
Other crowds chill.ie / 123.ie had ridiculous quote of close to 2 grand.

I might add that I have been on a learners permit for 3 years and during this time was a named driver on my father's policy - so this helped reduce it.

In the end I didn't go with First Ireland as I got it cheaper with my company's insurance deal.
Still hope this is of some help to you.
Good luck with the driving and the test.

Greenmachine

Dia1988 wrote: »

Here is a sample within budget:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-corsa-1-0-2001/6945648

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-fiesta-new-nct-taxed/6945272

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mitsubishi-lancer-1-3-new-nct/6946327

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/02-volkswagen-polo-with-new-nct/6943394

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-punto-1-2-active-5dr/6942688

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/clio-02/6941728


Let me know what you think! :-)

I@ll let you know then which one I'd pick!

2 removed and 1 sold. Is your fav still there.

BANNERMAN98

Greenmachine wrote: »

2 removed and 1 sold. Is your fav still there.

I'd love the fiesta

BANNERMAN98

BobSmith128 wrote: »

Hi OP,

I am 31 like yourself and I've recently passed my test (first time might I add - sorry feeling very happy with myself).

I bought a ford fiesta 07 and it helped me big time passing my test.
Nice small handy car - low tax and easy to manoeuvre - especially for that round about turn. Nothing like having your own car and getting used to it.

I was concerned with insurance as I had a learners permit.
My driver instructor mentioned this company to me - firstireland DOT ie
Had never heard of them before - but a quote for fully comp. came back at sub 800 euro.
Other crowds chill.ie / 123.ie had ridiculous quote of close to 2 grand.

I might add that I have been on a learners permit for 3 years and during this time was a named driver on my father's policy - so this helped reduce it.

In the end I didn't go with First Ireland as I got it cheaper with my company's insurance deal.
Still hope this is of some help to you.
Good luck with the driving and the test.

Thank you very much , all that does help, can I ask what the car cost?

BobSmith128

BANNERMAN98 wrote: »

Thank you very much , all that does help, can I ask what the car cost?

Cost €5,450
The mileage was very low - sub 20k miles.
Only had one previous owner who barely drove it.
So the car is in very good condition.

BANNERMAN98

I'd be a while getting that amount together

BANNERMAN98

http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Clare%20Limerick/Yaris

Advice please

BANNERMAN98

How do you even remotely calculate the annual mileage and be in some way accurate with it?

SpitfireIV

Bannerman, the way I see it is like this; you're not gonna be lucky enough to settle on the first car you view, whats more, you'll need to bring someone with you who knows about cars; knows where to look, knows the sounds to listen for and importantly can bring it for a good test drive and make sure its sound.

When purchasing my first car a few years back I viewed a number of cars, it took a while to find one that was right. I looked at Fiesta's, Polo, Peugeots etc; they all had issues, but, back then issues I wouldnt have known about or known what to look for only I had a competent mechanic with me, but still, even the viewings were a learning curve. I eventually settled on a '98 Toyota Starlet that cost me a pricely sum of €500, it had over 170k on the clock but looked decent was clean (have had people of all ages compliment me on how smart it looks! ) and going on the Starlet reputation of reliablity I jumped on it. Over two years later and a few little cosmetic tweeks she's still going strong and has not caused me any issues.

Prices on Donedeal are usually pulled out of the sky! Take the price as the figure you wont pay and start well below and work up to a price! Dont let your heart rule your head!!! Just because you want a car and something looks like a good deal and has nice pictures on DD, take a breath and get sound mechanical advice!). If it sells, then, no hassle, there'll be plenty more.

Oh and another thing, a number of adverts on DD etc are (how do I say this correctly?!) spoofers? Just trying to flog a car and will tell you exaclty what you want to hear!! Buyer Beware!

BANNERMAN98

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2001-mitsubishi-colt-1-3lt/6967545

Dia1988

BANNERMAN98 wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2001-mitsubishi-colt-1-3lt/6967545

No!


For a start it's twice the price.

BANNERMAN98

So no go on the colt there?

BANNERMAN98

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio/6918546

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2000-renault-clio/6941027

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-fiesta-1-25-lx/6537309

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mitsubshi-colt-1-3/6804167

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugot-206-02/6940382

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugeot-206/6459105

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/corsa-01-with-new-nct-and-tax/6802541

Dia1988

BANNERMAN98 wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio/6918546

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2000-renault-clio/6941027

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-fiesta-1-25-lx/6537309

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mitsubshi-colt-1-3/6804167

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugot-206-02/6940382

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugeot-206/6459105

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/corsa-01-with-new-nct-and-tax/6802541

Do you like the 206?


Maybe consider this

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2005-daihatsu-sirion-tax-and-test/7021836


It's basically a Toyata Yaris underneath

BANNERMAN98

Yes I like the 206 a lot and that is a very good car from what I can tell with the ad, of the options I put up in a previous post, what would recommend I remove from my saved ads on donedeal

Dia1988

BANNERMAN98 wrote: »

Yes I like the 206 a lot and that is a very good car from what I can tell with the ad, of the options I put up in a previous post, what would recommend I remove from my saved ads on donedeal

They are all reasonably good cars but some of the cars you quoted are over-priced by a good bit

Example: the 00 Clo and Fiesta.

Also, the Clio and that model Fiesta is quite cramped inside.

Cars such as the Yaris and The Sirion have reasonable knee and head room with the added reliability. The Sirion would be my choice because its shares the engine and mechanics of the Yaris, at a reduced price.

BANNERMAN98

My budget is €1500 and as it's my first car Ive no idea if what I'm seeing is over priced or not

Dia1988

BANNERMAN98 wrote: »

My budget is €1500 and as it's my first car Ive no idea if what I'm seeing is over priced or not

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/car/7010663

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/02-seat-ibiza/7022477

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/seat-ibiza-for-sale/6858358



Here are a few others you may not have considered.

uli84

Are there any relatively reliable used automatic cars on the low budget out there that anyone can point to me? I know nothing about the topic but heard any cheap/used automatic will probably require some sorta fixing sooner rather than later that will be more costly than the price the car was purchased for.(?)

ProudDUB

What do you mean by cheap? Two years ago, I paid 4,500 euros for a 2007 automatic Ford Focus. I have done a fair amount of driving in it & I haven't had a moments bother with it. It is not the most glamourous or powerful of cars, but it sure is reliable.

If you go to donedeal.ie or carzone.ie, you can filter your search based on certain search criteria...price, make, model, automatic or manual, location, engine size, number of doors etc etc. That should give you an idea of what is available in your area & in your price range.

BANNERMAN98

Just had lesson 7 in the instructors 1.4 focus and found it much much easier than the 1.0 micra I used in previous lessons, so I'm set on a focus now

BANNERMAN98

When to view an 01 focus on Sunday and it was fine, my friend said all was good with the clutch, steering, tyres, no vibrations or anything but the guy selling it, who seemed very genuine and not trying to hide anything or distract me said he had to get the clock changed and I can't remember why so instead of showing 124000 it's now showing just over 69000

colm_mcm

Far as I remember there is an issei with the instrument clusters on focuss, fair play for him pointing it out to you.

BANNERMAN98

It raised immediate alarm bells with me

BANNERMAN98

I've settled on a 2004 focus saloon 1.4 few dents and scratches, recently passed nct, 146 k on the clock and €2000