Hatchback with a big booty

Raminahobbin

I am in the market for a hatchback with a decent boot for my dog. I'm looking for something along the lines of a Focus/A3/Mazda3/Corolla. I'd prefer to buy from a dealer as it's my first time changing my car and I'd like the simplicity of being able to trade-in instead of having to sell my car myself.

Budget is about 4000, can stretch it depending on how much I get for my own car as trade-in allowance (2001 Honda HR-V).

Criteria:

• Engine max 1.6 Petrol
• Ideally 2005 +
• Big boot- to fit cocker spaniel but occasionally bigger/multiple dogs so the bigger the better.
• 5 door
• Not leather interior
• Has to have a decent reputation for being as reliable as possible, I don't have the cash to be popping in and out of the garage every few months. My own Honda has needed very little other than services / tyres.
• Definitely not silver (preferably not red but can deal if it's a nice car :P )

Was looking at this focus and it seems pretty nice, would consider it if they put it through the NCT. Anyone got any tips on what to watch out for if I went to view it? I've only ever driven the one car, not too confident on being able to spot things, although I will have someone check the car once I think I've found what I'm looking for.

Any other decent suggestions/tips?

Noccy_Mondy

5K for a practically 10 year old petrol focus with only 3 months test left? I think you can find better examples.

Wailin

From a dealer I don't think you will do much better on price unless you go for higher mileage. Try carzone.ie, there are slightly cheaper focus's out there. Regarding boot size, you won't get much bigger in a hatchback than that model focus, bigger even than the current model. I'd run a cartel report to be safe and make sure it has full service history. Goodluck!

Raminahobbin

Thanks for the replies

If I search on carzone for a petrol, 1.6L focus with 5 doors and at least a zetec spec I only get a handful of cars, all in the 4000/5000 range more or less. This one is a possibility too, if I want to go private and sell my own car myself.

I'd been advised by a friend that the 1.6L engine is better than the 1.4L, and to stick with zetec or ghia instead of bottom spec. Would that be the general consensus?

Wailin

Raminahobbin wrote: »

Thanks for the replies

If I search on carzone for a petrol, 1.6L focus with 5 doors and at least a zetec spec I only get a handful of cars, all in the 4000/5000 range more or less. This one is a possibility too, if I want to go private and sell my own car myself.

I'd been advised by a friend that the 1.6L engine is better than the 1.4L, and to stick with zetec or ghia instead of bottom spec. Would that be the general consensus?

Make sure to have someone check the car out for you, especially buying private. You'll have no comeback. NCT on that one is up next month so something to consider also. Do not pay the full asking price when buying private, haggle! (Also when buying from a dealer, but they can be stubborn). Full service history is important, and if any doubts, walk away. I would go for the 1.6 also, and at least a zetec.

pajosjunkbox

Did you try the civic. I bought a 2006 honda civic 1.8 a couple of weeks ago. Boot can take a dog - I have a Bernese mountain dog and no probs. Magic seats can also transform it into a little van. Can be picked up for around 4 / 5 grand from main dealers . Mine had 2 years NCT .
Great reliabilty too . 1.4 civic might've a little bit more expensive though.

Raminahobbin

Was interested in the Civic for a little bit too, but I think I've more or less settled on a focus. I'll check out a few this weekend and see how I like driving them, and go from there.

Sorta kinda fell in love with this one now so I might have to see if I can rustle up the change... If it's still there in a couple of weeks it could be a runner...

Thanks for the tips Wailin

Raminahobbin

So I'm going to have a look at a car from a trader tomorrow that I'm really interested in, and since I'm going by myself to see it I did a cartell check so I'm a bit better armed- should I be concerned that the car has been sitting in this particular dealership since March, and that the tax has been up since Feb 2014? I assume I couldn't possibly be liable for that tax if I were to purchase it?

It says the car has had 2 previous owners, but if that's the case then the purchase history is a bit weird, I don't understand it- see attached.

Can anyone shed some light?

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

Seems fine. Owner bought from new, traded into garage. Garage had it for one month, sold it on. Second owner held onto it for 13 months, then sold it back to a dealer.

Raminahobbin

The Cunning Linguist wrote: »

Seems fine. Owner bought from new, traded into garage. Garage had it for one month, sold it on. Second owner held onto it for 13 months, then sold it back to a dealer.

Yes, except that the report says it's had one previous owner, plus the current owner. It says if I buy it, I'll be the third owner. But the screenshot I attached makes it seem like I'll be the 5th owner (if garages are listed as owners?).

Also, no sale date listed before 2013- is that just a standard way to tell you it's been the one owner from 2007-2013?

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

That's how it'd seem to me alright. Garages not counted as owners, rightly so, and yep the first owner kept it for nearly 7 years which is a good sign.

Raminahobbin

The Cunning Linguist wrote: »

That's how it'd seem to me alright. Garages not counted as owners, rightly so, and yep the first owner kept it for nearly 7 years which is a good sign.

Ah that's ok then, I always thought garages would be counted. Thanks for clearing that up!

bazz26

Proper registered garages/dealers use a recognised code number when temporarily transferring ownership over to themselves after they have bought a trade-in. This means they don't get registered as an extra owner on the car's log book. However they will still show up on car history checks as the checks are not smart enough or allowed to tell the difference yet.

Raminahobbin

Thanks, I went through it all with the garage this morning and am happy enough. Will be picking up my shiny new 07 Focus on Friday!

Wailin

Best of luck with it, looks nice and clean, good colour too:)

Raminahobbin

Thanks

Yeah, I couldn't find a single thing wrong with it this morning (although I'm sure something small will turn up!) and I got a really good deal IMO as the car has been used by the garage as a loan car for most of this year and they were willing to sell lower.

Can't find any other focus online with the same details for the price I'm paying, so I'm very happy.

And... Dat boot! My dog is going to love it.

Noccy_Mondy

Best of luck with it Lovely car, that dash upgrade makes a big difference. I've seen very few kitted out with that radio/climate combination.

Raminahobbin

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Best of luck with it Lovely car, that dash upgrade makes a big difference. I've seen very few kitted out with that radio/climate combination.

I can set different temperatures for the passenger and driver seat!!

This level of fanciness is beyond me!

Noccy_Mondy

Raminahobbin wrote: »

I can set different temperatures for the passenger and driver seat!!

This level of fanciness is beyond me!

Yap tis neat enough. The two separate controls have to be within 4 degrees of each other. If you try to increase the gap beyond 4, the other one will automatically adjust, so that it stays within 4 degrees.

So basically, you can't have the passenger side freezing with a/c and the drivers side roasting hot!!