Buying a used car - opinions?

Notorious

Hi folks! I'd really appreciate someone's opinion on my thoughts here.

Had some engine trouble with my '04 Skoda Fabia last week. A cylinder went through the block and it looks like it's as good as a write off (I know I could get an engine from a breakers yard, but I don't think I'm willing to risk the headaches). Suddenly I'm in the market for a new car - this is where I'm looking for advice.

I'm not looking to spend a fortune on a car. I've recently started a new job and I don't want to tie myself down to massive loan repayments. I'm not too picky about the car I go far (I'm a 27/m and ideally would love a Golf not keen on a Micra). After some searching, I've come down to two financial choices.

• I've been offered finance on an '09 Golf 1.4 3 door from a VW dealer - the rates are competitive. Car costs €13,000 (finance costs under €1,000 after 4 years) with just under 75,000km on the clock, full service history, 1 year warranty, tax is up at the end of Nov. and NCT is due next February (the dealer will put it through). I've also been promised 4 fresh tyres on the car as the wall of one of the current tyres is cracked. All in all it looks like a good reliable car that'll cost me €275 per month.
  
  
• My other choice is a bank loan. I can take out up to €10,000 (loan would cost over €3,000 after 5 years). I was considering taking out around €8,000 and seeing what I could get with that. Seems like some decent cars out there (probably looking at '06/'07 - I saw a nice spec Clio & a Corolla with similar mileage to the Golf above).

tl;dr It's the first time I've had to take out a loan and I'm unsure what to do. I'd love the Golf. I'm torn between spending a larger sum of money on a car that I'll (hopefully) get more life out of or spending less on a car with a bit less life (and the possibility of trouble sooner along the road).

Anyone have any input?

colm_mcm

Mother of Jaysus how is the Golf that expensive? Should be around €10k or less.
Is it a mk6 or mk5 Golf?

Also 1.4 Golfs are not any more reliable than a 1.2 Fabia.

Does the vw finance have a deposit/final payment? How many months?

Do you actually need to spend 13k?

I'd have more faith in an 05 Corolla for 5 years than an 09 a Golf 1.4 for 5 years

Notorious

colm_mcm wrote: »

Mother of Jaysus how is the Golf that expensive?

Also 1.4 Golfs are not any more reliable than a 1.2 Fabia.

Does the vw finance have a deposit/final payment? How many months?

Do you actually need to spend 10k?

I guess they're so expensive because they're in demand. The same dealer was selling a slightly newer Passat at the same price. The Fabia was an absolute joy until it started needing work about 6 months ago. I had no issues until the timing chain went.

VW finance has an initial 10% down-payment and then a standard rate for 48 months. You can settle early with a two month interest penalty (probably around the €40 mark). That particular Golf was a mk6.

No, I definitely don't have to put that much money into a car - that's how much I enquired about; I'd rather not spend that much. What I don't want to do is buy a car for €2k that's going to be unreliable and just going to cost me money.

colm_mcm

Is it this one?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-golf-trend-1-4-manual-5speed/7488497

There will be some clowns who pay over the odds, but that car is simply overpriced.

corsav6

Notorious wrote: »

I guess they're so expensive because they're in demand. The same dealer was selling a slightly newer Passat at the same price. The Fabia was an absolute joy until it started needing work about 6 months ago. I had no issues until the timing chain went.

VW finance has an initial 10% down-payment and then a standard rate for 48 months. You can settle early with a two month interest penalty (probably around the €40 mark). That particular Golf was a mk6.

No, I definitely don't have to put that much money into a car - that's how much I enquired about; I'd rather not spend that much. What I don't want to do is buy a car for €2k that's going to be unreliable and just going to cost me money.

The Passat is a lovely car in fairness, is your heart set on a Golf?

Notorious

No, it's similar but that looks like a 5 door. It's not listed online, but it's from MSL on the Grange Rd.

corsav6 wrote:

The Passat is a lovely car in fairness, is your heart set on a Golf?

I actually love the Passat, but I'm not keen on paying the higher rate of tax. I used to get to drive them a lot and they were a great drive. I was hoping to keep the engine size down to a 1.4 to try and keep both the tax and insurance down.

colm_mcm

I'd be looking at stuff like this
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/kia-ceed/7845230