First Car - Need advice

StoptheClocks

Hi There

Passed my driving test 8 years ago and never needed to drive since (Living in Dublin City centre!) Alas, my time to move to the suburbs in upon me and we now have a baby.

Need to buy a car. Something reliable, low tax, cheap to insure. Would be looking to hang onto to it for 1 or 2 years, then upgrade. Insurance is just too expensive without no claims bonus. I'd imagine I wouldn't be doing less that 5000 miles a year.

Focus, Corolla, avensis and Mazda 3 have all caught my eye.

Would like to pay around €4000 . Insurance looks to be coming in at around €1200 (Chill quick quote) on any car I check with 1.4 /1.6 engine.

Note: Past my driving test with 13 lessons, 8 years ago. Haven't driven a car since, know nothing about cars , apart from what I've read on boards! Going to take a few refresher driving lessons , starting next week.

Any advice welcome.

Thanks in advance

Moneymaker

Corolla hatchback.

4k should fetch a 2005 or so model. Get the Luna model.

Safe, reliable, easy to drive. By far the best choice.

1.4 petrol will do grand and is miles better then any of its rivals.

StoptheClocks

Hi Moneymaker

Why a Luna ? There seems to be a lot more terra's for sale. What the difference ?

Thanks.

colm_mcm

05 Lunas are very very rare, anyone with sense bought a Strata and added aircon,
in 06 toyota refreshed the Luna spec, and as a result you'll see a decent amount of them.

Terra models are utilitarian enough, no air conditioning, windey windows in the back (a consideration if you have kids, you can lock electric ones) plastic wheel and gearknob etc.

colm_mcm

Terra 02-04 (3/5 dr Hatch, Estate or Saloon) : Elec wins, elec mirrors, abs, 2 airbags, cd,

Terra 04-06 (3/5 dr Hatch, Estate or Saloon) : Remote locking, Elec wins, elec mirrors, abs, 4 airbags, cd,

Strata 04-06 (3/5 dr hatch only) adds to Terra: Alloys, Fogs, rear and side skirts, leather wheel & gearknob, and audio switches

06 Luna (1.4 VVT-i 5dr Hatch only) adds to Strata: Cimate Control, rear elec wins, armrest.

06 Luna (petrol or diesel, Saloon only) adds to Terra: Air Conditioning, Heated Mirrors, Alloys, Fogs. Rear elec windows.

02-05 Luna (3/5 door hatch and Saloon) adds to Terra, Aircon, Alloys, Fogs.

Buona Fortuna

If you're driving so few miles 20 per day??

Could you not go smaller 1000cc, get cheaper insurance for a year and then at least you've got a bit of NCB to get a car you might want.

Just my 2 pennorth;)

Moneymaker

StoptheClocks wrote: »

Hi Moneymaker

Why a Luna ? There seems to be a lot more terra's for sale. What the difference ?

Thanks.

Colm cleared it up for you there.

Basically avoid a Terra. They are an awfully bare place to sit.

colm_mcm

Look at uk spec corollas as they're well specced

bazz26

If you could stretch your budget a little then this would be worth a look at:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/kia-ceed-1-4-ex-5dr-tax-12-14-nct-07-/7438820

Very reliable car and petrol engine is nippy.

StoptheClocks

Great breakdown and summary Colm and moneymaker. Good to know these things.

Buona - My daily round trip to work is 11 miles. I will occasionally make a trip up to Derry once a month. I'll need room for a carrycot in the boot (For a few months). So small car might not work but I'm considering it .

Bazz26 - Thanks for the recommendation . How much is the tax on the Ceed. Is it worth trying to get a 2008 one or does it make a difference ?

bazz26

The tax is the same as any other pre 2008 1.4 litre car. Not sure spending thousands more to get a 08 in order to save a hundred in motor tax is that prudent to be honest.

StoptheClocks

bazz26 wrote: »

The tax is the same as any other pre 2008 1.4 litre car. Not sure spending thousands more to get a 08 in order to save a hundred in motor tax is that prudent to be honest.

Cheers Bazz.

There is one asking 5500 with a one year warranty and one year more on the nct. (It wont let me post link as i'm a new user ) It has more miles on the clock. Tax on 2007 is 385. Doubt the 2008 tax is much cheaper.

StoptheClocks

bazz26 wrote: »

The tax is the same as any other pre 2008 1.4 litre car. Not sure spending thousands more to get a 08 in order to save a hundred in motor tax is that prudent to be honest.

Cheers Bazz.

There is one on carzone.ie asking 5500 with a one year warranty and one year more on the nct. (It wont let me post link as i'm a new user ) It has more miles on the clock. Tax on 2007 is 385. Doubt the 2008 tax is much cheaper.

bazz26

That 2008 has 120k miles on it, it also costs €390 to tax.