2k budget, Auto, 5dr, Need help please

randomstuff

Looking for a first car for the other half.

Main requirements would be that it would be Auto and 5 door. Something easy to maneuver with through the city.

She gave me a budget of up to 2k, but preferably something lower.

Had a look on donedeal and found these 2:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-polo-auto-nct-tax-fsh/8298970

Looks good, just for the sunroof and the dent on the non drive side door?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-punto-2002-automatic/8344153

The short nct is worrying...


Feel free to critique the above cars, am I looking in the right direction?

Thank you, and happy holidays.

punisher5112

With 150k on punto I would walk away.
Never have I seen one with that sort of mileage they done very well.

The polo is near 15 years old.

With cars this age they will have additional costs to keep them going in most cases as they are getting on at this stage.

Atlantic Dawn

I would go with a Micra, will be reliable but slow.

christy02

Fwiw my missus has a 5 door auto micra. 03 k12 model. Would be worth less than 2k as we only paid about 3.5k 3 years ago for it.

Dreadfully slow and gutless......but reliable. Apart from normal service items not a bother.
She loves it as well.

randomstuff

Thank you for the replies.

So I should be looking at something like this:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-micra-automatic-2003/8338279

bazz26

Small petrol automatics are always in short supply so prices tend to stay strong for decent ones.

Gael23

With a budget like that she's only buying trouble. Better to wait a while and save money to increase the budget

colm_mcm

There are plenty decent €2k cars.

punisher5112

If interested in micra 2003 model upwards check timing chain as these give trouble.

61k sounds good though but be well worth getting it checked over by a good mechanic.

christy02

punisher5112 wrote: »

If interested in micra 2003 model upwards check timing chain as these give trouble.

61k sounds good though but be well worth getting it checked over by a good mechanic.

Chain can give trouble but not as much as can be quoted. Usually at higher mileage. To be honest for close to 1500 quid should be safe enough with the micra.

Listen for it rattling also check car starts ok from cold. Can give trouble draining battery.

kay 9

The cvt box k11 micra is hard to beat in reliability stats. Great little cars and ideal run around. Try get one with the overdrive as they tend to scream a little @ motorway speeds. The mk1 yaris is also a good car but might prove difficult to get a clean one for sub 2k on automatic

christy02

kay 9 wrote: »

The cvt box k11 micra is hard to beat in reliability stats. Great little cars and ideal run around. Try get one with the overdrive as they tend to scream a little @ motorway speeds. The mk1 yaris is also a good car but might prove difficult to get a clean one for sub 2k on automatic

03 micra is k12 not k11. For 2k op will easily get k12

dogmatix

punisher5112 wrote: »

If interested in micra 2003 model upwards check timing chain as these give trouble.

61k sounds good though but be well worth getting it checked over by a good mechanic.

I have a 2003 micra and the timing chain went at 40K miles a few years back - cost nearly 1000 euros to replace. This is a known issue with 2003 and some 2004 micra models - apparently the timing chains required an oil change every 6-8k miles instead of the actual oil change recommended. So if buying this car i'd check to see of the chain has been replaced in the past.

kay 9

christy02 wrote: »

03 micra is k12 not k11. For 2k op will easily get k12

I didn't suggest the '03 was k11, I merely recommended an alternative to the latter. Yes, for 2k he should get a decent k12 but not an automatic yaris for sub 2k. Ps. I personally think the k11 is a better car.

bazz26

Jap import Yaris (Vitz) here within budget:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris-vitz-automatic/7953403

randomstuff

Appreciate all the replies. Looking at micras and yaris. Would a specific engine be recommended?

Quite like the look of this one http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-micra-automatic-2003/8338279

Is there anything to detract me from that car?

wonski

I know you posted it in your original post but does it really have to be an auto?

I remember few more posters looking for a cheap, low tax auto and it really is a mision impossible.

Not to mention that - never had a chance to drive one but have to trust other who had - these are not as good as proper cars with auto boxes.

Any chance you can change your criteria with that budget or no chance at all?

kay 9

randomstuff wrote: »

Appreciate all the replies. Looking at micras and yaris. Would a specific engine be recommended?

Quite like the look of this one http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-micra-automatic-2003/8338279

Is there anything to detract me from that car?

The 1.0 micra or yaris is only 199 tax p/a and it's ideally suited for what you require. However, the 1.3 would be better and lighter on go go juice in longer/faster journeys but in a higher tax band. Happy motoring whichever you decide on.

RayCon

dogmatix wrote: »

I have a 2003 micra and the timing chain went at 40K miles a few years back - cost nearly 1000 euros to replace.

Yip ... happened to my wife's 03 Micra too @ 45K ... managed to get it replaced for €500 (was originally quoted €750).

kerten

Go for 99-05 yaris automatic even you need to stretch your budget a little bit as they won't cost you too much after buying. They are well built and capable cars for what they are.

Just check with your insurance company about japanese imports(they are called Toyota vitz and all 1.0 litre automatics(torques converter) are vitz) if you plan to go for one of them.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

ryanf1 wrote: »

With a budget like that she's only buying trouble. Better to wait a while and save money to increase the budget

Rubbish.
I've bought great cars for less than half that, and cars that needed a lot of work for 5-10 times that. (in fairness it was expected in some cases)

2k will get you a grand car. May not be flash but certainly functional and working fine.

handyman2

GO FOR FIAT PUNTO IN PIC NO 2,CHEAP PARTS MY WIFE HAVE ONE,HAVEN T GOT ANY PROB EVER ,VERY COMFORT TO DRIVE
Y

Cleveland Hot Pocket

handyman2 wrote: »

GO FOR FIAT PUNTO IN PIC NO 2,CHEAP PARTS MY WIFE HAVE ONE,HAVEN T GOT ANY PROB EVER ,VERY COMFORT TO DRIVE
Y

Will do hoss, cheers!

punisher5112

handyman2 wrote: »

GO FOR FIAT PUNTO IN PIC NO 2,CHEAP PARTS MY WIFE HAVE ONE,HAVEN T GOT ANY PROB EVER ,VERY COMFORT TO DRIVE
Y

Is it yours?

handyman2

no is not

Cleveland Hot Pocket

punisher5112 wrote: »

Is it yours?

I'm just holding it for a friend!

christy02

handyman2 wrote: »

GO FOR FIAT PUNTO IN PIC NO 2,CHEAP PARTS MY WIFE HAVE ONE,HAVEN T GOT ANY PROB EVER ,VERY COMFORT TO DRIVE
Y

Lol. So blatant!!!!

colm_mcm

I wonder is that punto 16v?
Think we only got the Sporting and HLX speedgear in Ireland. That looks like an ELX, maybe its imported.

randomstuff

Thank for all the replies, wishing all of you a Happy New Year !

Had a look at some micras and small cars, found a few interesting ones

http://www.adverts.ie/car/nissan/micra/2000-nissan-micra-for-sale/7044005 our favourite at the moment, problem is we're based in Dublin, so it's quite a trip.

http://www.adverts.ie/car/nissan/micra/2001-nissan-micra-for-sale/7087009 similar but more $ but in Dublin...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/kia-picanto-2005-1-0-petrol-automatic/8313572 Like this since it's the youngest car... has quite a lot miles though

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-micra-2002-automatic/8361975 Are small (or is it a big one?) bumps in bodywork a concern? Most of the small cars I've been looking at have bumps around...


Regarding the asking prices, I assume if I turn up with cash for the test drive, I can offer 70-80% asking, not including work needed to be done to the car, and that should usually secure the car?

colm_mcm

Just be aware the micra is being sold by a wheeler dealer.

It also looks rough out.

kerten

randomstuff wrote: »

Thank for all the replies, wishing all of you a Happy New Year !

Had a look at some micras and small cars, found a few interesting ones

http://www.adverts.ie/car/nissan/micra/2000-nissan-micra-for-sale/7044005 our favourite at the moment, problem is we're based in Dublin, so it's quite a trip.

http://www.adverts.ie/car/nissan/micra/2001-nissan-micra-for-sale/7087009 similar but more $ but in Dublin...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/kia-picanto-2005-1-0-petrol-automatic/8313572 Like this since it's the youngest car... has quite a lot miles though

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-micra-2002-automatic/8361975 Are small (or is it a big one?) bumps in bodywork a concern? Most of the small cars I've been looking at have bumps around...


Regarding the asking prices, I assume if I turn up with cash for the test drive, I can offer 70-80% asking, not including work needed to be done to the car, and that should usually secure the car?

These seem expensive. While it is reliable, this era of micra is from beginning of 90's technology wise.

High mileage in this class can be problematic as smaller cars are more prone to wear with high mileage(IMHO). If there is no low mileage option, focus on japanese brands only.

what about those :

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/car/7028616 - low mileage, clean looking

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/daihastsu-sirion-2000-1-0-l-automatic-new-nct/8187840 - reliable cheap option if budget is short.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mitsubishi-colt-1-3-automatic/8352053 - Japanese import but reliable, safe option.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-jazz-1-3-litre-petrol/8266014 - reliable and spacious small car.