Buying VW Golf or Similar - €5-6k budget

ImDave

Hi Folks,

So having been driving handed down cars since I started driving I am finally about to buy my own car for the first time. I've always been looking up cars on Adverts, Carzone etc. but never had the money to purchase but finally have about €5,000-€6,000 to spend on a car.

I'm looking at a Golf, but I would also be interested in something like a BMW 3 Series (either 316 or 320D), or even a BMW 1 Series, having seen one or two in this price range.

This Golf in particular caught my eye.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/1.4-COMF/45113970440293990/advert?channel=CARS

Is there anything in particular to look out for in a used Golf like this when viewing?

Any tips appreciated.

bazz26

That's just stupid money for a 9 year old Golf especially the underpowered 1.4 litre.

I'd rather spend my money on something like this:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1-4-2006/6843610

ImDave

bazz26 wrote: »

That's just stupid money for a 9 year old Golf especially the underpowered 1.4 litre.

I'd rather spend my money on something like this:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1-4-2006/6843610

Yeah I don't really know. From having a look around I thought it was fairly ok value given the low mileage. You're right though, I have driven the 1.4 in that model before and it wasn't very lively.

Another option I found was this 316:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/316i---L/42813935183610630/advert?channel=CARS

Low mileage is high up my list as every car I have had in the past was 100k miles plus and gave trouble at one point or another.

bazz26

You have got to be realistic about mileage. You are looking at 9 year old cars, even with only average mileage most cars of that age will be approaching 100k miles. Also people seem to think that low mileage = better condition, it doesn't. I'd rather buy a 100k mile car with a full service history than a similar car with only 40k miles that never had an oil change.

Regarding that BMW, there is nothing special about it, it's a basic spec 3 Series with an entry level 1.8 litre engine that slightly performs better than the 1.4 Golf.

Moneymaker

Spend 3000-4000 on a better car(the 1.4 Golf and 316 are abysmal to own and drive) and the rest of your budget can cover tax and insurance.

ImDave

Moneymaker wrote: »

Spend 3000-4000 on a better car(the 1.4 Golf and 316 are abysmal to own and drive) and the rest of your budget can cover tax and insurance.

Thanks for your reply. I'm happy to spend the full budget of say €5-6k on the car as my insurance for the year is already paid and shouldn't have to pay much extra for an increase in cc or value and tax I can afford out of day to day income.

I'll look at other options outside of the smaller engined Golf's and BMW's. Is the 1.6 petrol Golf a much better car or still not great?

Cheers

Moneymaker

Yeah it's a better drive. 101bhp or 117 for the 1.6 FSI. Generally comes with a better spec too.

ImDave

Having been looking at a couple of Golf's, I have decided that I am going to abandon that idea and go for a car I have always liked.

I am going looking at this 2005 320i this evening:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320I-SE./44213956715471100/advert?channel=CARS

Does anyone have any tips as to what to look out for on viewing?