€5k for a 2006 -what would you buy?

chic chick

Hi All

Got some great advice on here before that I really appreciated.

Here’s my story…
Haven’t a clue about cars but have max €5000 to spend. Looking for a reliable, economical, low tax etc……
I do average to small mileage. Mainly just for me and my 5 year old son

Hoping for around a 2006 was thinking of a ford focus hatchback. Anyone got any words of wisdom on model etc. to look at.

Or besides a focus any suggestions?

Thanks 

Moneymaker

The Focus can be a bit of a mixed bag. The 1.4 petrol is notoriously underpowered and the diesels can give any number of issues. The 1.6 petrol is perfectly fine however.

I'd probably look at the VW Golf(same deal with the 1.4, it's underpowered) or the Renault Clio. The Toyota Corolla hatchback is an excellent choice too.

The Clio will be a lot cheaper, every bit as safe and is one of the best cars Renault ever made.

The Golf and Corolla will be more expensive(you're unlikely to get an 06 Golf for 5k, if you do it'll be a ****eheap), but have better resale value then the Clio and that particular version of the Corolla is an excellent car.

chic chick

Thanks if i'm looking for the focus I'll keep and eye out for a 1.6. Which model - lx, zetec, style??

Sinister Pigeon

I'd be looking at something like this, young chick:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/yaris-07-fresh-nct-need-quick-sale/7031242

'07 Yaris 1.0L, 80,000 miles, NCT'd til April 2016, €199 tax p.a.

Reliable motor for around four and a half.

bazz26

Hard to beat a Kia Ceed or Toyota Corolla for reliability in that budget.

chic chick

Think the yaris might be a little bit too small. Im very tall so need a bit of leg & head room

firestarter51

my mate has a yaris he is 6 foot 3, he said there is enough room. obviously no chance of anyone sitting behind him

Idbatterim

yeah can vouch for the headroom, the gf drives one, I am 6 foot and it has far more headroom than my 3 series... The 1.3L yaris might be a better bet power wise.

bazz26

I'm not gone on the MkII Yaris, don't think it was a particularly well built car compared to the original and the interior feels very cheap. Alot of cost cutting went on with the MkII Yaris.

Ardeehey

I have an 06 1.6 petrol Focus, saloon version. Still has a big boot, plenty of head and leg room, solid and reliable engine once it's regularly serviced, easy enough on fuel if your milage isn't big, tax is about 500 a year. Great value car I think.

chic chick

My search continues. Can't say I'm having fun!!! Another question what's the max mileage/kms you'd consider on a 2006?

Thanks

deckycoop

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-mazda-3-nct-2016/6907416
mazda 3 are a great wee car for running around.. 1.6 engine is easy ran and taxed. 2 year nct.
how about 3k for a 2007
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-nissan-almera-1-5-3dr-h-b-tax-nct/6876572

nissan almera hatchback. great car. nissan are good long established car maker,

another 3k car.. a nice girls car in my opinion.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-sport-1-4-2006/7097529

and then a boy racers car..
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/exclusive-2006-vauxhall-vectra-1-9-tdi/7088510?sv=1

its a buyers dream market out there.. take your time find a car u like and look for it cheaper because the cars are out there to be bought..

bazz26

I'd say you would buy this close to your budget:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Corolla/1.4-LUNA/51914018904224690/

Very reliable car, nippy and good on fuel.

Y2KBOS86

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd say you would buy this close to your budget:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Corolla/1.4-LUNA/51914018904224690/

Very reliable car, nippy and good on fuel.

Bit expensive for what your getting imo.

09 Tida here with a warranty for less.

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Tiida/1.6-SE/48213990465778250/

The Tida is a good buy secondhand as they have poor resale value, you will get a bargain.

They are solid, reliable, nothing fancy, look like crap but solid.

If you are female and don't have any interest in cars, it's worth looking at.

You would probably get the Tida above for just over 5k imo if you bargain hard.

zwind

how about this new shape honda civic.

honda petrol + manual = bulletproof.

and it looks good imho.

cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-for-sale/6766730

Moneymaker

chic chick wrote: »

My search continues. Can't say I'm having fun!!! Another question what's the max mileage/kms you'd consider on a 2006?

Thanks

Don't fall into the mileage trap.

I'd rather have a 120,000 car with a full(and verified) service history thats been well minded then a 70,000 mile ****ebox.

bazz26

Y2KBOS86 wrote: »

Bit expensive for what your getting imo.

09 Tida here with a warranty for less.

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Tiida/1.6-SE/48213990465778250/

The Tida is a good buy secondhand as they have poor resale value, you will get a bargain.

They are solid, reliable, nothing fancy, look like crap but solid.

If you are female and don't have any interest in cars, it's worth looking at.

You would probably get the Tida above for just over 5k imo if you bargain hard.

The Corolla is a superior car to the Tiida especially an ex-rental automatic one. The Tiida was specifically designed for developing markets in the Far East but sold here to fill a void left by the old Almera. The reason the Tiida is cheap second hand is because nobody wants them and are nasty all round, newer doesn't always mean better value. I'm sure the OP wants to be able to sell the car on afterwards too, Corollas sell all day, Tiidas don't.