Need a new car asap

piafe

Hi,
Hope its OK to post here.

My car packed in last week and need to get a replacement asap.
I have very little to spend,1500 at most. A 1.4 engine has been my biggest yet, need to keep cost of petrol and tax down. Also need something that is big on enough for car seat.

Would anyone have any recommendations? Find it difficult to know what to check when go to see cars and can't keep calling mechanic friend to look at each car I think will be OK that ends up being a dirt box iykwim.

Tips would be appreciated, have been looking at bangrnomics thread but most are too big.

Thanks in advance.

colm_mcm

I'd be looking at Japanese stuff with that budget,

What part of the country are you in?

piafe

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd be looking at Japanese stuff with that budget,

What part of the country are you in?

Had a civic before kids came along,I loved it.have been looking at accents due to price not sure if any good though?
I'm in Dublin. Thanks for reply.

newfrontier

its a buyers market at the moment give us some guidelines and you will get some discussion on possible options lots on dd now but you need to watch out for the cowboys... is 1.4 your max engine size? And what year and rough location

colm_mcm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1999-nct-2-15/7209306

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1-3-petrol-n-c-t-02-15/7254201

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1996/7218341


Bombproof

piafe

newfrontier wrote: »

its a buyers market at the moment give us some guidelines and you will get some discussion on possible options lots on dd now but you need to watch out for the cowboys... is 1.4 your max engine size? And what year and rough location

That's what I'm afraid of,cowboy.
1.4 would be the Max,purely for tax reasons. I know I could get diesel and its more economical but from what I think I know,the tax would be higher. The 358tax on 1.4 is highest I could manage.
I don't mind the year once the cars clean and been looked after,last car was bora 2001 so I'd just like something I won't need to replace within the next 3-4 years at least.

I don't ask for much!

colm_mcm

Don't bother with diesel at that age/budget

newfrontier

great corollas and really good if you want a quick buy but what is the best spend for 1500?

piafe

colm_mcm wrote: »

Don't bother with diesel at that age/budget

OK great thanks for that advice. I'll have a look at those corollas and try to arrange to see them. Appreciate that,great prices too.

colm_mcm

You kinda have to swallow your pride at that budget. There are way fancier things you can get for the money, but old corollas are very unlikely to go wrong, and if they do a blind monkey could fix them.
You need to look for rust, but anything with a recent NCT should be ok

newfrontier

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/tyota-corolla/7270275 another one for consideration

piafe

colm_mcm wrote: »

You kinda have to swallow your pride at that budget. There are way fancier things you can get for the money, but old corollas are very unlikely to go wrong, and if they do a blind monkey could fix them.
You need to look for rust, but anything with a recent NCT should be ok

Yeah I don't mind driving an older reliable car,the other half does but beggars can't b choosers!
They are definitely worth a look from my perspective.

Moneymaker

Corolla really is the best choice if you need a car on a budget.

piafe

newfrontier wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/tyota-corolla/7270275  another one for consideration

Thanks new frontier

Mycroft H

Civic or corolla. Pick either and you'll be happy

piafe

Mycroft H wrote: »

Civic or corolla. Pick either and you'll be happy

I'd be delighted to get a civic again but the general consensus seems to favour corollas?

colm_mcm

For parts the a Toyota is cheaper and more plentiful - also a bit nippier in 1.4 form. The civic is a grand car though.
Civic also is dearer to insure, a stupid throwback to the 90s when they were the joyrider/youngfellas weapon of choice.

Moneymaker

Mazda 323 might be worth a look too.

alan partridge aha

I'm a VW man, but €1500 budget petrol Toyota Corolla is you're only man as said before Bulletproof.

colm_mcm

Moneymaker wrote: »

Mazda 323 might be worth a look too.

Yep, but 1.5 over the horrid 1.3 SOHC

piafe

Great I appreciate all the replies.

think I'll have to veer towards the Toyota so,its a real shame cars show the year on reg,like I said I don't mind but others do!

I've been looking at the Mazda 323 too but couldn't find many around. I love the appearance of them but a solid car is what I'm after.

Sam Kade

That 98 corolla with 195k miles sounds a crazy price at €650.

professore

Suzuki Liana? Won't win any beauty contests but should be reliable - timing chain too.

colm_mcm

professore wrote: »

Suzuki Liana? Won't win any beauty contests but should be reliable - timing chain too.

Good call.

piafe

professore wrote: »

Suzuki Liana? Won't win any beauty contests but should be reliable - timing chain too.

You're keeping me on my toes tonight! I'll have a look now thanks.
Hubby just found a Mazda 323 but 1.3 for 1100(2001). He likes the look of it but I'm not biting.

bazz26

Mitsubishi Lancer:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mitsubishi-lancer-03-tax-nct/7269794

Has a few marks on it and a short NCT but if a mechanic can give it the thumbs up it could be worth a punt.