Need a cheap car - Max €1500

chris85

Hoping some people can help with picking a car. We need a 2nd car which is a cheap run around to get to work sometimes and generally just when we need it. Cheap to insure and tax is good also. I am 29 so should not be too bad with insurance costs, had a few quotes and fine there.

Budget: €1500 max, few hundred cheaper the better

Looking for less than 1.4L engine also, been looking at some Polos, Golfs and Focus in early 2000's which look ok.

Any ideas?

Chris85

bazz26

Late 1990s Toyota Corolla, ugly as sin but they just keep on going. €1500 should get you a mint one.

chris85

bazz26 wrote: »

Late 1990s Toyota Corolla, ugly as sin but they just keep on going. €1500 should get you a mint one.

I have had a look at them but they are ugly and boring as anything. I know I am not going to get a fantastic car for this but at least something which wont make me shed a tear as I get into it :D

Had looked at some Polos/Golfs, something like below.

http://www.adverts.ie/car/volkswagen/golf/volkswagen-golf-1-4/5743540

JohnBoy26

Here's a clean looking example.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corrolla/7144285

bazz26

chris85 wrote: »

I have had a look at them but they are ugly and boring as anything. I know I am not going to get a fantastic car for this but at least something which wont make me shed a tear as I get into it :D

Had looked at some Polos/Golfs, something like below.

http://www.adverts.ie/car/volkswagen/golf/volkswagen-golf-1-4/5743540

Petrol VWs of that age are far from reliable, they can burn more oil than petrol and can be suffer from other issues too. I'd have a similar petrol Focus over a Golf of that vintage any day.

chris85

bazz26 wrote: »

Petrol VWs of that age are far from reliable, they can burn more oil than petrol and can be suffer from other issues too. I'd have a similar petrol Focus over a Golf of that vintage any day.

Wasn't aware of them burning through oil. Thought the engines were good and reliable. Focus is OK. Decent car for money these days and more spacious than a polo.

http://www.adverts.ie/5728175

JohnBoy26

chris85 wrote: »

Wasn't aware of them burning through oil. Thought the engines were good and reliable. Focus is OK. Decent car for money these days and more spacious than a polo.

http://www.adverts.ie/5728175

The 1.4 is very underpowered and sluggish in the focus.

bazz26

Seems expensive to me given it's age. This one is 2 years younger and has a fresh NCT for a few hundred more:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-nct-may-15/6905470

willfarmerman

Ford focus are a great car. Replace the anti roll bar links to stop em rattling and they are bulletproof

chris85

Thanks all, Focus is definitely an option, will keep the search up with these. I know possibly underpowered for a 1.4 but dont want any bigger for tax and insurance purposes.

Moneymaker

It's worth paying a few extra quid for something that will be far more pleasant to own and drive every day.

1.4 Focus is just...ugh.

chris85

Moneymaker wrote: »

It's worth paying a few extra quid for something that will be far more pleasant to own and drive every day.

1.4 Focus is just...ugh.

What car you thinking? Unfortunately limited on the budget front.

willfarmerman

Personally I wouldgo the 1.8 diesel. Well spec'd. Air conditioning on a lot of them. Extra tax and insurance alright but 55mpg and just feels solid on the road. Pick them up 1000 squid.

chris85

willfarmerman wrote: »

Personally I wouldgo the 1.8 diesel. Well spec'd. Air conditioning on a lot of them. Extra tax and insurance alright but 55mpg and just feels solid on the road. Pick them up 1000 squid.

To be honest this will be a 2nd car with limited enough mileage. May not be even used every day so couldnt justify higher tax and insurance on it. If I was doing many miles every week I could but this aint the case.

willfarmerman

chris85 wrote: »

To be honest this will be a 2nd car with limited enough mileage. May not be even used every day so couldnt justify higher tax and insurance on it. If I was doing many miles every week I could but this aint the case.

Yes the 1.4 is your car then.

Old diesel

chris85 wrote: »

I have had a look at them but they are ugly and boring as anything. I know I am not going to get a fantastic car for this but at least something which wont make me shed a tear as I get into it :D

Had looked at some Polos/Golfs, something like below.

http://www.adverts.ie/car/volkswagen/golf/volkswagen-golf-1-4/5743540

Have you actually driven one of these Corollas???

They are actually quite pleasant and agreeable to drive imo.

The pre VVTI ones don't break at all - important on a car like this at this price range - imo

Moneymaker

chris85 wrote: »

What car you thinking? Unfortunately limited on the budget front.

Corolla or Primera are the way to go.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/01-toyota-corolla-1-4vvti-new-test/7082754

Much livelier engine in the Corolla then the Golf or Focus too.

chris85

Also considering early 2000's Skoda Fabia, heard the 16v model is the better and not too bad.

bazz26

Same engine used in the likes of the Polo and Golf.