Car for for herself...

MuppetCheck

Just looking for ideas on this. Herself is looking at changing her car. The budget is up to 8k plus her trade in:

07 Corshita 1.2 SXi 3 Door
56k km
It was damaged when being serviced meaning the whole passenger side was sprayed - I wouldn't be happy with the quality of the job but she was so left it be. Lacquer peel on the other side around the rear window moulding - possible respray there too but came back clean when it was checked over when buying and to my eyes the paint looks factory. Overall average nick.
Blower motor inside is intermittent and she refuses to get it fixed (wont be mentioning it if trading in mind).
Needs 2 front tyres shortly.
NCT'd
Otherwise it's pretty sound.

The car will get very little use. She's done 16k km in the 3 years she's owned it, 95% of that is on long spins.

Her wants:
Stylish.
Safe.
As low as possible on he budget side, although it could be upped for something really nice.
To move up a couple of years so 08+.
A slightly larger car.
Economical and not too mad on the motor tax.
Capable over long distance.
Reliable and low maintenance.
Not a Mini.

This car will get dogs abuse, wont be driven with mechanical sympathy or have any regular checks bar me giving it a once over every so often. An Alfa 147 would tick a lot of boxes but I don't think it would last given the lack of any form of mechanical sympathy.

I don't mind the idea of a diesel for her - I have a long drive every day and can take it a day a week to save any issues. She will probably keep the car for 3-5 years. The ideas I have in my head are a Fiat 500, Hyundai Coupe or a Proceed.

Moneymaker

Proceed is a nice looking car and they've stood the test of time so i'd be going along with that I think. Plus even a 3-4 year old one will have a good chunk of warranty left on it.

Maybe a Golf 1.4tsi if you're willing to spend a few bob on something nice?

Toyotafanboi

the 500 would tick all the boxes bar being bigger than the corsa, they are small enough on the inside. it is very much like being in something the same size as an early 90's micra.

the new clios look fantastic i think, i don't know how they'd take punishment but they do have a 5 year warranty.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio-dynamique-with-red-custom/7472071

bazz26

Honda Civic Type S:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/1.8-TYPE/81014105249371570/

Motor tax is €570, 140bhp and 40mpg is not impossible.

MuppetCheck

OSI wrote: »

500 would fit the bill I reckon. A coupe isn't economical or cheap to tax, and ours wasn't particularly reliable either.

Interesting to know. Thought it might be a safe enough bet. Not a fan myself of them tbh though.

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

the 500 would tick all the boxes bar being bigger than the corsa, they are small enough on the inside. it is very much like being in something the same size as an early 90's micra.

the new clios look fantastic i think, i don't know how they'd take punishment but they do have a 5 year warranty.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio-dynamique-with-red-custom/7472071

She really wants a 500, and they are decent on a spin but most do seem to be rental fodder.

bazz26 wrote: »

Honda Civic Type S:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/1.8-TYPE/81014105249371570/

Motor tax is €570, 140bhp and 40mpg is not impossible.

I know she'll baulk at the motor tax but that looks ideal.

bazz26

VW Scirocco:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-scirocco-09/7610140

MuppetCheck

bazz26 wrote: »

VW Scirocco:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-scirocco-09/7610140

Legend! I didn't think one was within budget. I'm going to ring them in a little bit. Exactly fits the bill!

unkel

Scirocco and Civic are nice choices!

What about an A1? :cool:

Tax €200 and petrol => win win

MuppetCheck

unkel wrote: »

Scirocco and Civic are nice choices!

What about an A1? :cool:

Tax €200 and petrol => win win

She almost bought one last year, worth a shot. Expensive for what they are but she likes them...

ba_barabus

Fabia 1.2TSI

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Fabia/MONTE-CA/201431225849725/advert?channel=CARS

MiTo
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/Mito/ALFA-1.4/51714018920801450/advert?channel=CARS

Megane Coupe
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Megane/Coupe-Lu/82514109564628510/advert?channel=CARS

colm_mcm

bazz26 wrote: »

Honda Civic Type S:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/1.8-TYPE/81014105249371570/

Motor tax is €570, 140bhp and 40mpg is not impossible.

I can't get under 40mpg on mine - even when pushing on I'd easily get 43 and have gotten over 50mpg over a 200km trip driving like a saint.

finalfurlong

Moneymaker wrote: »

Proceed is a nice looking car and they've stood the test of time so i'd be going along with that I think. Plus even a 3-4 year old one will have a good chunk of warranty left on it.

Maybe a Golf 1.4tsi if you're willing to spend a few bob on something nice?

Wife has a 2011 golf tsi-only 40 k miles but water pump and timing chain had to be replaced-a known problem with them.Remember an audi a1 and seat leon, Ibiza have same set up.

MuppetCheck

Sorry for dragging this up. Over the last few weeks we've been looking around.

Audi A3 - she liked it but the one she was looking at sold fast as it had a nice spec. She wants one with leather...so that's hard to find.

Focus - too boring.

Astra GTC - likes them but found the 1.4 underpowered.

Copper S - somehow didn't like it.

Fiat 500 - too slow.

Renault Wind - had to be dragged away. Thankfully didn't buy.

Honda CRZ - really liked this but it sold.

Fabia TSI Monte Carlo - in the running.

Golf GTI - Liked it, almost did a deal but the salesman lied about a body repair. Showed him it and he still lied. End of that for something that actually was minor but the repair wasn't up to scratch.

Civic - found a nice one, seems a winner to me tbh. She does small mileage so it being a little leggy will average out. Good garage, full history.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/7930414

Thoughts or any other suggestions?

toyotaavensis

When my OH was car shopping I got her to get a corolla three years ago it was a 5 year old corolla with FSH (one a year from main dealer) and 16000km on the clock. I wanted to make sure i didnt get a call saying come rescue me if she was broken down. The car is always serviced on time (I make sure of that) and has never left her down. This is key with a girlfriends car, which is why I think the civic might be a good option for you.

MuppetCheck

toyotaavensis wrote: »

When my OH was car shopping I got her to get a corolla three years ago it was a 5 year old corolla with FSH (one a year from main dealer) and 16000km on the clock. I wanted to make sure i didnt get a call saying come rescue me if she was broken down. The car is always serviced on time (I make sure of that) and has never left her down. This is key with a girlfriends car, which is why I think the civic might be a good option for you.

Just made an offer on it. Few small bits need sorting but very minor. I'd agree - I don't want a phone call either!

toyotaavensis

Just noticed it is George Dalton is selling the car. He is a regular poster on boards and is very highly regarded so that is a plus.

http://www.samarins.com/reviews/civic_06.html says it is a chain.

Important when your other half has a car make sure you drive it once a month and check the oil coolant (girls wont) etc as they [women] wont notice any unusual noises etc and if they hear them they will ignore them.

toyotaavensis

I have occasionally been called sexist.

MuppetCheck

OSI wrote: »

Funny you say that, since herself started driving the GTI daily, she's constantly telling me she's hearing funny noises. Last one was her telling she thought the suspension might be fooked as it was making a clunk going over speed bumps. It was her plastic water bottle hitting off the wall of the boot :mad:


The Civic looks good MC. George should see you right.

Whenever I think there's a rattle in my car my first port of call is the passenger door pocket where I usually find a hair clip, pair of sunglasses or lipstick rattling around in there:D

micks_address

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Whenever I think there's a rattle in my car my first port of call is the passenger door pocket where I usually find a hair clip, pair of sunglasses or lipstick rattling around in there:D

A bit boring and slow but a Honda Jazz might be worth looking at.. my wife has a 08 1.2 Jazz... acceleration is non existent.. but its a really roomy car inside and very practical.. the newer model is nicer.. i am always amazed how much space is in the thing

MuppetCheck

micks_address wrote: »

A bit boring and slow but a Honda Jazz might be worth looking at.. my wife has a 08 1.2 Jazz... acceleration is non existent.. but its a really roomy car inside and very practical.. the newer model is nicer.. i am always amazed how much space is in the thing

I don't think she'd drive a boxy car like that, she wants something that looks nice too. The Civic still looks fresh to my eyes. Either way, she's had a bit of a change of heart again this morning on it. She has these regularly though.

micks_address

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I don't think she'd drive a boxy car like that, she wants something that looks nice too. The Civic still looks fresh to my eyes. Either way, she's had a bit of a change of heart again this morning on it. She has these regularly though.

Understandable... it is a real mum + 2 kids in the back car.. i dont like the shape of the civics from 06 to 13 but the current shape isnt bad..

Old diesel

Has she driven the Civic????

They have a reputation for having a VERY firm ride - although ive never being in one.

Something to note if she hasn't tried it on a bad road yet.

Thus if she liked the Golf enough to do a deal - then id see if another decent one could be found.

And YES I realise the Honda will on reputation be more reliable - but im assuming that wasn't a deal breaker when it was the lie about the repair that scuppered it.

If shes happy with the ride on the Honda then by all means go for it.

Bad ride would be a deal breaker if I was buying though - I can't stand cars that crash over bumps

MuppetCheck

Old diesel wrote: »

Has she driven the Civic????

They have a reputation for having a VERY firm ride - although ive never being in one.

Something to note if she hasn't tried it on a bad road yet.

Thus if she liked the Golf enough to do a deal - then id see if another decent one could be found.

And YES I realise the Honda will on reputation be more reliable - but im assuming that wasn't a deal breaker when it was the lie about the repair that scuppered it.

If shes happy with the ride on the Honda then by all means go for it.

Bad ride would be a deal breaker if I was buying though - I can't stand cars that crash over bumps

She's driven the Civic alright. It's on 16's so it's not too bad - I wouldn't call it uncomfortable but it's definitely not overly soothing. It's still a step up on the 07 Corsa she had and she was more than happy with that.

colm_mcm

The civic ride isn't harsh as such, on bad roads or at speed its very comfy, but for some reason at low speeds, going over speed bumps etc its a bit clunky. Not uncomfortable by any stretch.

That's on 16s anyway. Anyone who's gone from 16 to 17 hasn't noted any great difference in ride.

MuppetCheck

Going to have a look again Saturday - cars going to be kept in overnight so it's dry as couldn't see much in the rain last week. More or less deal done depending on that.

In fairness to George and Tadgh there's no stress or issue they won't rectify.

You know anywhere good for buying a few OEM bits for it Colm? Just a new gearknob and small little trim bits is all.

bazz26

Honda Civic forum:

http://www.civinfo.com/forum/

colm_mcm

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Going to have a look again Saturday - cars going to be kept in overnight so it's dry as couldn't see much in the rain last week. More or less deal done depending on that.

In fairness to George and Tadgh there's no stress or issue they won't rectify.

You know anywhere good for buying a few OEM bits for it Colm? Just a new gearknob and small little trim bits is all.

I've gotten stuff from Coxs in the uk. They have an ebay store.
The black grille and facelift rear lights are a must-have. They're not cheap though (€350ish)

With the plastic arch trims, I think plastidip is the way to do it. The trims clip off very easily anyway. Mr. honda wants stupid money for new ones.
The facelift civics don't have this issue as the trims are painted grey.

micks_address

colm_mcm wrote: »

I've gotten stuff from Coxs in the uk. They have an ebay store.
The black grille and facelift rear lights are a must-have. They're not cheap though (€350ish)

With the plastic arch trims, I think plastidip is the way to do it. The trims clip off very easily anyway. Mr. honda wants stupid money for new ones.
The facelift civics don't have this issue as the trims are painted grey.

I've priced a few bits in the UK and from my local honda dealer and it was as cheap buying locally.. What the feic is it with civics and modifications.. I've always added bits to mine

Sunny Dayz

Seen you were initially thinking of a Proceed. They seem to be very hard to come across second hand. My hubbie had this car on his "some day I will own one" list and seen it one day in his car dealer's forecourt - that was the left overs of wedding savings gone. (we were married by then - it was the extra we had left over)


Have to say, it is a great car to drive. I drive a little clio and I find the step up to the Proceed for myself manageable. It is a bit wider so I have to be extra careful parking. It turns some serious heads and he gets loads of compliments about the car. It does seem to hold value quite well, it gets some abuse from us as it goes on long road trips, with a child in the back also. We marshal sometimes at rallys so it gets plenty of mucky boots, rally tape, signage etc chucked into it. Loads of room in the boot, its great.

MuppetCheck

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Seen you were initially thinking of a Proceed. They seem to be very hard to come across second hand. My hubbie had this car on his "some day I will own one" list and seen it one day in his car dealer's forecourt - that was the left overs of wedding savings gone. (we were married by then - it was the extra we had left over)


Have to say, it is a great car to drive. I drive a little clio and I find the step up to the Proceed for myself manageable. It is a bit wider so I have to be extra careful parking. It turns some serious heads and he gets loads of compliments about the car. It does seem to hold value quite well, it gets some abuse from us as it goes on long road trips, with a child in the back also. We marshal sometimes at rallys so it gets plenty of mucky boots, rally tape, signage etc chucked into it. Loads of room in the boot, its great.

Yeah, found it tough to find a good one with low miles for the budget alright, even private they seem hard to knock the price down on. Was very tempted by a high mileage one but it was just over the mileage limit on the warranty so held back in the end.

commited

Tbh, with her usage you might be on to a winner if you pick one that seems a bit high mileage now as in 3 years time, it may well seem low mileage compared to what else is out there! Those Civics are really appealing to me recently tbh.

MuppetCheck

commited wrote: »

Tbh, with her usage you might be on to a winner if you pick one that seems a bit high mileage now as in 3 years time, it may well seem low mileage compared to what else is out there! Those Civics are really appealing to me recently tbh.

That's my thinking exactly.

It might be 19k miles a year average now, but when she sells it in 2 or 3 years it will be 12k miles so bang on average.

Breffnigolfer

Old diesel wrote: »

Has she driven the Civic????

They have a reputation for having a VERY firm ride - .........

Maybe that's what the OP's wife likes?

Old diesel

Breffnigolfer wrote: »

Maybe that's what the OP's wife likes?

if she does - then great

Anyway they are happy with it - so its all good.

MuppetCheck

Colm, what's the story with the exterior trims? Is it they fade or something?

colm_mcm

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Colm, what's the story with the exterior trims? Is it they fade or something?

Yeah, they go kinda light grey. Actually I've never tried gtechniq on them.

MuppetCheck

Ah right, easily sorted so! Thanks.

Going to get the silver door pulls wrapped to cover them as they are hard to get and bloody expensive!

colm_mcm

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Ah right, easily sorted so! Thanks.

Going to get the silver door pulls wrapped to cover them as they are hard to get and bloody expensive!

What colour would you wrap them?

You should do the petrol cap if you're doing the door handles.

MuppetCheck

It's the interior handles. They're scratched - someone took the key out when they opened then door. Getting the front of my own wrapped so I'll get those done at the same time in silver again.

colm_mcm

Oh. Maybe just swap the front and back handle.

MuppetCheck

It's the ones with the window and climate switches.

colm_mcm

Oh. Like the door pull. Mine has a little bit of paint missing on the pass side one. Guessing it was a wedding ring or something.

Had considered looking in scappies but most specs didn't have the climate control on the door.

MuppetCheck

colm_mcm wrote: »

Oh. Like the door pull. Mine has a little bit of paint missing on the pass side one. Guessing it was a wedding ring or something.

Had considered looking in scappies but most specs didn't have the climate control on the door.

Yeah, rings gave gotten these.

Getting some wrapping done on my own anyway so I'll get them done then.

colm_mcm

Will be interested to see how you get on. Surface isn't smooth though, its kinda ridged but very finely.

MuppetCheck

colm_mcm wrote: »

Will be interested to see how you get on. Surface isn't smooth though, its kinda ridged but very finely.

She's suddenly car proud...it will last a week...be grand!

colm_mcm

What way are the exhaust tips?

MuppetCheck

colm_mcm wrote: »

What way are the exhaust tips?

They seem to be pointing the same way they usually do:pac:

colm_mcm

Are they filthy though?

MuppetCheck

colm_mcm wrote: »

Are they filthy though?

Can't remember to be honest. Didn't pay then much heed.

colm_mcm

You disappoint me

George Dalton

Bit of Autosol, be grand :pac: