Buy me a car on a 4k budget!

theduffer

Hi Folks,

Im looking at replacing my car. Budget is 4k max. Not sure if Petrol or Diesel is the best way to go!

My daily commute is 36 miles on motorway and the odd long journey once or twice a month. Was looking for something reliable and that doesn't have a "paddy spec" level of kit.

Was looking at maybe an astra but open to suggestions, there are some very knowledgable posters on here so what do you think?

Regards,
theduffer

colm_mcm

What's your upper limit on engine size and do you need rear seats?
Any problems getting insurance?

theduffer

Hi Colm,

Not really willing to go above 2.0 on engine size and yes rear seats are needed. There wont be any issues with insurance.

Comfort would be something id look to have as well.

bazz26

Your €4k would buy you a much tidier petrol car than a diesel one in my opinion so you really need to do some maths around petrol v diesel running costs and take everything into account rather than just the headline grabbing price difference at the pump and mpg.

bazz26

Something like this if it's genuine:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/1.8I-SES/201429225456078/

140bhp and they return good mpg figures for their size, also very reliable and fresh enough design for the money.

colm_mcm

Honda Accord 2.0 so

Rightwing

colm_mcm wrote: »

Honda Accord 2.0 so

Tax on that is way too high. If your budget is tiny I can't see why you'd pay €700+ on tax?

Go for a 1.6 mondeo or something standard like that.

Quazzie

colm_mcm wrote: »

Honda Accord 2.0 so

I'm not normally one to recommend Jap cars, but the Accord would be one I think would suit the OP perfectly. Style, Comfort, Doesn't break the bank, <2.0 etc. It ticks all your boxes

christy02

Rightwing wrote: »

Tax on that is way too high. If your budget is tiny I can't see why you'd pay €700+ on tax?

Go for a 1.6 mondeo or something standard like that.

He wants comfort so a 1.6 mondeo is as far from that as could be.

+1 on civic or accord depending on your needs.
1.8t Saab 93 would also be a good choice.
Alfa 159

colm_mcm

Rightwing wrote: »

Tax on that is way too high. If your budget is tiny I can't see why you'd pay €700+ on tax?

Go for a 1.6 mondeo or something standard like that.

Sometimes life's too short to be stuck in some underpowered misery box.
You'll save €200 a year by going 1.6.

Also, 1.6 Mundane-o didn't come out till 07, so any within budget will probably be right dogs.

Rightwing

Well if tax isn't an issue I'd go for a volvo, more comfort, more power than hondas.

But it doesn't make sense to restrict your budget so tightly and then hand the savings all over to the Govt in the form of car tax.

This car:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S60/2.0-T-SE/72514086403543430/advert?channel=CARS

Why not reg up though ?

theduffer

Rightwing wrote: »

Well if tax isn't an issue I'd go for a volvo, more comfort, more power than hondas.

But it doesn't make sense to restrict your budget so tightly and then hand the savings all over to the Govt in the form of car tax.

This car:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S60/2.0-T-SE/72514086403543430/advert?channel=CARS

Why not reg up though ?

Hi RightWing,

Thats a nice car, like the cream interior but its probably a little on the big size for my needs. I currently drive a 1.8 celica and would prefer not to spend more than i currently do on tax, i do take your point on budget. I could up it, dont really want to unless i get a car that makes going up reg / a lot lower mileage.

Anyway thanks for the responses so far, the civic is an interesting shout, not really thought about them before..

colm_mcm

I have the 1.8 hatch version of the Civic shown there and I get 43mpg easily.
They're as near bombproof as you can get nowadays.

The saloon is a bit more low slung than the hatch, but the interior is a bit tweedy