Buying a 2nd Hand Car, €3000

Wilde86

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a second hand car. My price point is approx. 3000 euro. It would be a car for weekend use primarily and commuting from Dublin to Cork every now and again.
It is my first time buying a car. Could anyone recommend a good second hand car dealer?
Cars that I have been considering are Ford Focus, Citroen CX, Volkswagen Golf etc.
A 1.4 litre engine upwards would be a sufficient starting point.
I'm not too gone on buying private so if anyone knows of any dealerships that would be most helpful. Thanks.

bazz26

You will get better value with €3k buying privately. A €3k car from a dealer will not have alot in the way of warranty.

self3137

For motorway driving something like a focus would be ideal, plenty of 2nd hand ones and they seem to be fairly reliable as you see plenty of 00,01,02 and 03's on the road. A new / recent nct would be a must.

bazz26

In that class of car I'd be looking towards a 2002/2003 newer shape Toyota Corolla. Something like this:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Corolla/1.4-TERRA/201438227108034/

Wilde86

Thanks for the feedback.

Can ye recommend a good website for sellers?

self3137

donedeal or carsireland

Wilde86

Do you think that it is important to have a mechanic present when purchasing?

self3137

I would think it would be wise to do so or at least someone that knows there way around a car. You could get the AA to carry out a comprehensive check but that costs about €200.

If buying from the trade you may get a limited warranty of maybe 3-6 months.

Wilde86

Thanks for all the replies. Would something like this Fiat Stilo cause any undue concern, alarm bells or other?


http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1060313&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D25%26o%5B%5D%3D233%26d%3D2000%26e%3D3000%26nn%3D6%26g%3D0

ba_barabus

Wilde86 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. Would something like this Fiat Stilo cause any undue concern, alarm bells or other?


http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1060313&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D25%26o%5B%5D%3D233%26d%3D2000%26e%3D3000%26nn%3D6%26g%3D0

With all due respect, and I drive an Alfa, those Stilos are Shyte.

Too many niggly and major issues.

colm_mcm

Wilde86 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. Would something like this Fiat Stilo cause any undue concern, alarm bells or other?


http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1060313&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D25%26o%5B%5D%3D233%26d%3D2000%26e%3D3000%26nn%3D6%26g%3D0

Don't bother, the cons outweigh the pros

Also, I never bother with carsireland, much better selection on donedeal.

colm_mcm

Worth a look. Saloon is generally less desirable than hatch on Corollas - on the other hand this is luna spec so has aircon/alloys etc. usually more mature owner than a hatch.

Twould want to be nctd though-which it isn't according to the nct site

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-saloon/7899099

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

Don't bother, the cons outweigh the pros

Also, I never bother with carsireland, much better selection on donedeal.

Sometimes there is cars on there that are not on donedeal. It would be a decent site if there was more cars on there as it's layout and search is the best of any site here imo.

bazz26

colm_mcm wrote: »

Worth a look. Saloon is generally less desirable than hatch on Corollas - on the other hand this is luna spec so has aircon/alloys etc. usually more mature owner than a hatch.

Twould want to be nctd though-which it isn't according to the nct site

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-saloon/7899099

It's sold now, I wonder did the OP get a chance to view it.

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Sometimes there is cars on there that are not on donedeal. It would be a decent site if there was more cars on there as it's layout and search is the best of any site here imo.

It wouldn't be my first port of call when searching for a car but I sometimes troll through it in the off chance it has something listed that isn't on the usual sites. Rare enough the case though.