Bit of advice for choosing a car

nice_guy80

Hello.
I'm currently looking at buying a used car for work. I had my previous car for 5 years (sold it last year - Audi A4), so I'm a bit unsure of newer model types as I hadn't really been bothered about other cars on the road.

I'm researching what 1.6 diesel cars are available pre-2007
or decent diesel cars post 2008.

At the moment I cam just looking at makers and models, with a view to going test driving next week. I'm also considering importing (my last car was from the UK)
Any pointers would be appreciated.

Budget - up to €10k €13K is more realistic
Cheers

nice_guy80

no suggestions?

today I drove
two C5s - 2008 & 2009
passat - 2009
golf - 2010
auris - 2011

bazz26

Renault Laguna:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Renault/Laguna/RENAULT-LAGUNA/50514012805181950/

And a little outside of budget:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Peugeot/508/ACTIVE-1.6/45013970550924370/

nice_guy80

Test drove a Laguna today (thursday), no thank you.
Peugeot garage tomorrow hopefully

colm_mcm

What didn't you like about the Laguna?

nice_guy80

colm_mcm wrote: »

What didn't you like about the Laguna?

didn't like the drive, nor the level of spec.

nice_guy80

Today I drove

Mazda 3 - nice clean car.
Passat 1.9tdi - 2008 comfortline with leather heated seats
Insignia 2.0 hatch 2009 - 160 bhp with upgraded grey alloys
Lancer 1.8 - 2011

most impressed with the Passat to be honest. Thought I'd never say that.

JohnBoy26

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Today I drove

Mazda 3 - nice clean car.
Passat 1.9tdi - 2008 comfortline with leather heated seats
Insignia 2.0 hatch 2009 - 160 bhp with upgraded grey alloys
Lancer 1.8 - 2011

most impressed with the Passat to be honest. Thought I'd never say that.

Reliability wise it's probably the best on your list.

nice_guy80

drove a 2011 volvo s40 1.6 diesel yesterday, 80,000 miles, uk import.

nice car, though the trim level was a bit disappointing

bazz26

Most Irish spec S40s were better speced than most UK ones. Irish SE model came with leather seats whereas it was an option on UK SE models. S40 needs the 2.0d engine anyway.

nice_guy80

2012 Ford Mondeo 2.0 hatchback. Not a bad car.
2012 Volvo s40 1.6. uk import. black leather trim
2008 Passat 1.9 comfortline. cream cloth seats

Noccy_Mondy

nice_guy80 wrote: »

2012 Ford Mondeo 2.0 hatchback. Not a bad car.
2012 Volvo s40 1.6. uk import. black leather trim
2008 Passat 1.9 comfortline. cream cloth seats

What spec was the Mondeo?

nice_guy80

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

What spec was the Mondeo?

2.0TDCI ZETEC 140PS 80,000 miles uk import

Noccy_Mondy

nice_guy80 wrote: »

2.0TDCI ZETEC 140PS 80,000 miles uk import

Bit steep on the mileage!

bazz26

That's about right for a 2 year old UK rep's car. Anything with low mileage will sell for decent money in the UK meaning there is less profit in importing to sell on over here.

Noccy_Mondy

bazz26 wrote: »

That's about right for a 2 year old UK rep's car. Anything with low mileage will sell for decent money in the UK meaning there is less profit in importing to sell on over here.

Ya, suppose you're right. Mine was a reps too, but only did 22k p/a. Must never be off the road doing 40k!

bazz26

The UK has a larger land base and as such road network so 40k miles per year is not the same as say 40k miles per year over here. Still a fair amount of time spent in a car though.

just_did_it

nice_guy80 wrote: »

no suggestions?

today I drove
two C5s - 2008 & 2009
passat - 2009
golf - 2010
auris - 2011

What did you think of the golf?
What spec was it highline/SE etc.

nice_guy80

Golf was overpriced for the car
highline 1.6tdi M5F 105BHP 82k miles

just_did_it

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Golf was overpriced for the car
highline 1.6tdi M5F 105BHP 82k miles

Cheers mate, I'm thinking of buying a car like the above mentioned.

How did you find the 1.6 tdi engine power wise ?

Moneymaker

You said you didn't care for the Laguna, did you try the new model Megane? It's a major step up from the older model. The 1.5dci is nice and surprisingly refined in it.

nice_guy80

Moneymaker wrote: »

You said you didn't care for the Laguna, did you try the new model Megane? It's a major step up from the older model. The 1.5dci is nice and surprisingly refined in it.

to be honest, I just don't like Renault.

richardsheil

nice_guy80 wrote: »

to be honest, I just don't like Renault.

Pm sent

Trying to sell my golf 2010

nice_guy80

I'm still looking for a car

I've considered a Mazda 6 2.2 diesel, but they are meant to be unreliable.

So its either Seat Exeo (same as my old Audi), Mondeo or Octavia

MuppetCheck

The Mazda is fine once it's been serviced religiously at 15k since new and you're not going to be using it around town. It's really one for long distance and nothing else. Kind of limits it's appeal as otherwise it's a fantastic car.

Y2KBOS86

nice_guy80 wrote: »

I'm still looking for a car

I've considered a Mazda 6 2.2 diesel, but they are meant to be unreliable.

So its either Seat Exeo (same as my old Audi), Mondeo or Octavia

Have you looked at 2.2 diesel Accord?

Good looking cars and suppose to be a lot more reliable than VW group cars.

I like the Subaru Legacy, again like the Accord very reliable and a decent 150bhp diesel

nice_guy80

Y2KBOS86 wrote: »

Have you looked at 2.2 diesel Accord?

Good looking cars and suppose to be a lot more reliable than VW group cars.

I like the Subaru Legacy, again like the Accord very reliable and a decent 150bhp diesel

is that the new accord? I've heard they are pricey to service?

Oooo, Subaru. Never even thought of them

JohnBoy26

Avoid those diesel mazda's the engine is terrible in them.

nice_guy80

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Avoid those diesel mazda's the engine is terrible in them.

thanks for the heads up

Honda Accord 2.2 diesel?

EIREAROEIRE

passat all the way driving one for the last 4 or 5 years and not a bother from it oil change every 6 months and ur laughing

nice_guy80

I still haven't got a car sorted.

Most dealers I've gone to have overpriced their cars, based on the mileage, year and specs

nice_guy80

I've been offered a 2011 Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 for €12,000 from a private seller.

79,000 miles, uk import.

any thoughts?

Noccy_Mondy

Full Service History? I take it the VRT will be included in that price? Any pics?

nice_guy80

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Full Service History? I take it the VRT will be included in that price? Any pics?

FSH, its been on Irish roads since 2013 so two owners.

Noccy_Mondy

Looks to be in decent nick. From what I remember there was a 5 year warranty with the mk4.5 back in 2011, meaning you should have 2 years left on it. Don't tie me to that though, but it's something to look into. That was the "entry model Zetec" if you like, with the option being there to add nicer 5 spoke 17" alloys and front DRL's, which to me make the world of difference to it, maybe it doesn't bother you though. Did you get him down to €12k? Seems like a good deal if the car checks out. Do all the history checks and if you like it then go for it. To me it has the feel of an ex reps or someone similar's car, meaning that the FSH is usually fairly comprehensive and that it has gotten what was needed.

nice_guy80

Yeah. Those front DRLs and 17" alloys seem to be scarce enough over here on zetecs
There isn't much saving on bringing over a car from UK at the moment

Bought it today. €12k.
Great yoke to drive.

Noccy_Mondy

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Yeah. Those front DRLs and 17" alloys seem to be scarce enough over here on zetecs
There isn't much saving on bringing over a car from UK at the moment

Bought it today. €12k.
Great yoke to drive.

Best of luck with it, hope it treats you well!