Need a car- Urgent

TRS30

As you might have seen in my thread in the Motor forum the family car was stolen yesterday so need to replace it asap.

Was planning to upgrade early next year after moving house later this year so looking for something for about a year.

Budget 5k max

Must haves;

-4/5 doors
-petrol as low mileage (would take a diesel if met all/most criteria)
-1.6 or smaller
-average size i.e. Focus or a bit bigger
-big enough boot for buggy
-safe for wife with baby in car

Nice to have;

-NCT till early next year
-ISOFIX
-A few months tax
-low depreciation
-recent service

Any and all suggestions welcome.

Toyotafanboi

where in the country are you?

remembering your thread, you lost a 07 focus ghia? 5k could easily buy you another one of those if you were satisfied with it.

edit: check my signature :pac:

bazz26

Corolla Luna hatchback, 12 months NCT, safe enough bet:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/06-toyota-corolla-nct-01-16/7899471?offset=10

colm_mcm

bazz26 wrote: »

Corolla Luna hatchback, 12 months NCT, safe enough bet:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/06-toyota-corolla-nct-01-16/7899471?offset=10

Its a colour collection model (better again) but indeed a very good car.

Consider another Focus too, the saloons boot is bigger than most stuff and a lot of rivals are smaller overall.

TRS30

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

where in the country are you?

remembering your thread, you lost a 07 focus ghia? 5k could easily buy you another one of those if you were satisfied with it.

edit: check my signature :pac:

In north county Dublin.

Yes, that's the car that was stolen.

Had a quick (very quick) look yesterday and didn't see any Ghia's for that cheap. Will look again.

bazz26 wrote: »

Corolla Luna hatchback, 12 months NCT, safe enough bet:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/06-toyota-corolla-nct-01-16/7899471?offset=10

Thanks- assume this would be a reliable enough car?

Sorry dont know much about Toyota's.

Anyone know if you can add ISOFIX points to this car?

colm_mcm wrote: »

Its a colour collection model (better again) but indeed a very good car.

Consider another Focus too, the saloons boot is bigger than most stuff and a lot of rivals are smaller overall.

Thanks. Is 'Colour Collection' a higher spec?

Again from a very quick google last night, the consensus seems to be the Focus has one of the biggest boots for a car that size.

Thought it might be an opportunity to try something different however was very happy with the Focus for the year we had it, no issues and cheap enough motoring which is a high priority for this year.

Any other suggestions welcome.

TRS30

Any thoughts on this one?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Corolla/1.4-TERR/201447228769573/advert?channel=CARS

MuppetCheck

TRS30 wrote: »

Any thoughts on this one?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Corolla/1.4-TERR/201447228769573/advert?channel=CARS

Much more basic than the other one, given they are pretty similar in spec, age and mileage I'd look at the black one first. A basic Corolla will be miserable compared to your Ghia Focus.

TRS30

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Much more basic than the other one, given they are pretty similar in spec, age and mileage I'd look at the black one first. A basic Corolla will be miserable compared to your Ghia Focus.

Thanks- don't know anything about Toyota's.

I know this is a basis enough Focus so again assume the black Corolla would be a better bet?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.4-%23%23-F/125214205696863420/advert?channel=CARS

colm_mcm

TRS30 wrote: »

Anyone know if you can add ISOFIX points to this car?



Thanks. Is 'Colour Collection' a higher spec?

.

Corollas have Isofix as standard.

That UK "Colour Collection Limited Edition" is essentially the same as the an Irish "Luna 06" model except its got the 1.6 over 1.4, its also got curtain airbags, locking wheel nuts and double locking that aren't on the Luna.



I would feel hard dine by if I ended up going from a ghia to an LX focus. The corolla terra is way too basic as well.



I would recommend you get an Avensis 1.6 Strata. They're plentiful and cheap. They're a bit bigger than the Focus, and are a good safe reliable car.

You'll be missing a few bits from the Ghia, but you'll have 9 airbags, aircon, 4 elec windows, alloys, fogs etc.

TRS30

colm_mcm wrote: »

Corollas have Isofix as standard.

That UK "Colour Collection Limited Edition" is essentially the same as the an Irish "Luna 06" model except its got the 1.6 over 1.4, its also got curtain airbags, locking wheel nuts and double locking that aren't on the Luna.



I would feel hard dine by if I ended up going from a ghia to an LX focus. The corolla terra is way too basic as well.



I would recommend you get an Avensis 1.6 Strata. They're plentiful and cheap. They're a bit bigger than the Focus, and are a good safe reliable car.

You'll be missing a few bits from the Ghia, but you'll have 9 airbags, aircon, 4 elec windows, alloys, fogs etc.

Thanks Colm.

When you say the ISOFIX is standard do you mean the bars are there so you can just click on the car seat base or that the joints are welded to the car and still have to get the bars fitted?

The Avensis, looks a good bit bigger than a Focus, not sure the wife would be comfortable in a car that 'big'.

Assume this is what you are talking about?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/MC-1.6-S/201435226593178/advert?channel=CARS

bazz26

Those Corollas are reliable, though they can suffer from gearbox bearing problems. On the test drive, if you notice the gearbox noisy or notchy then chances are the bearing is on it's way out.

If going for an Avensis then take note that on the pre facelifted ones from 2003 to early 2006 they did not have a split folding rear seat unless it was the Luna model. They only got the split rear seat as standard with the facelifted one from mid 2006. Easiest way to tell a pre facelift v facelift model is that the facelift model has a different front grill and the side indicators are built into the exterior mirrors.

Personally if you don't need a car the size of the Avensis then I'd go with something like the Corolla I mentioned earlier. It's better equipped than most Avensis and the boot is practical for taller items and hatchback is easier to park. 1.4 litre is nippy enough in them so there should be plenty of power in the 1.6 litre.

TRS30

bazz26 wrote: »

Those Corollas are reliable, though they can suffer from gearbox bearing problems. On the test drive, if you notice the gearbox noisy or notchy then chances are the bearing is on it's way out.

If going for an Avensis then take note that on the pre facelifted ones from 2003 to early 2006 they did not have a split folding rear seat unless it was the Luna model. They only got the split rear seat as standard with the facelifted one from mid 2006. Easiest way to tell a pre facelift v facelift model is that the facelift model has a different front grill and the side indicators are built into the exterior mirrors.

Personally if you don't need a car the size of the Avensis then I'd go with something like the Corolla I mentioned earlier. It's better equipped than most Avensis and the boot is practical for taller items and hatchback is easier to park. 1.4 litre is nippy enough in them so there should be plenty of power in the 1.6 litre.

Thanks Bazz.

Is the gearbox bearings a big job?

I would be getting any car checked by a local mechanic before buying.

Boom_Bap

I've had a Corolla hatchback for nearly 7 years now. Not one bit of trouble. Just peripherals and consumables that need to be looked after as with any car. Has a bit of life about it as well compared to other cars in that engine size. Plain on the inside though.
Plenty of boot space as well for a buggy, we had one of thise ridiculoulsy large buggies which fit in and plenty of room to spare.

bazz26

You would probably be looking at getting a reconditioned gearbox. Plenty of these cars out there (though high spec ones are rare) but don't be pressured into buying one with an issue like that. You should be able to tell if the bearing is knackered, the gear change will be clunky or noisy.

colm_mcm

Is the op coming from a focus saloon?

TRS30

Boom_Bap wrote: »

I've had a Corolla hatchback for nearly 7 years now. Not one bit of trouble. Just peripherals and consumables that need to be looked after as with any car. Has a bit of life about it as well compared to other cars in that engine size. Plain on the inside though.
Plenty of boot space as well for a buggy, we had one of thise ridiculoulsy large buggies which fit in and plenty of room to spare.

Thanks.

bazz26 wrote: »

You would probably be looking at getting a reconditioned gearbox. Plenty of these cars out there (though high spec ones are rare) but don't be pressured into buying one with an issue like that. You should be able to tell if the bearing is knackered, the gear change will be clunky or noisy.

Good to know- as said would be getting a mechanic to check it out as I would know enough about engines.

what about Open Astra's? My Mum drove one for a few years with no issues

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sale/2006-opel-astra-1-4-65000-mls/8434764?offset=4

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-club-1-4i-16v-5dr/8396198?offset=11

I know the second one is a bit over budget and NCT is only till August however looks a nice spec'd car.

TRS30

colm_mcm wrote: »

Is the op coming from a focus saloon?

Hatchback.

TRS30

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/opel/astra/used-2006-opel-astra-sxi-1-4-i-16-dublin-fpa-109214170140150740

I assume they would NCT it before sale?

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/opel/astra/used-2008-opel-astra-life-1-6-i-e-dublin-fpa-65014072510324650

Garage on the Longmile road would worry me!

bazz26

The Corolla imo is less likely to let you down.

TRS30

bazz26 wrote: »

The Corolla imo is less likely to let you down.

Thanks. I will look at the Corolla first however if that falls through is there any known issues with Astra's of that age?

Toyotafanboi

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/06-toyota-corolla-nct-01-16/7899471?offset=12

this is still looking like the best bet in the thread, it is a very well finished car in terms of spec and appearance. the grey corolla and those astra's don't have a great spec. those astra's are a rough enough place to be too, not very nice imo.

that said, the boot in the corolla is a fair chunk smaller than that of the mk 2 focus, but still possible to get a buggy into, but you wouldn't get a weeks shopping in on top of the buggy, which you would in the focus.

Boom_Bap

The more I look at that black Corolla, the more I start to like it.......


......but i've promised myself not to change cars for a while.....


.....but it would be a nice upgrade on the Punto I have and could become a dual Corolla family.

TRS30

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/06-toyota-corolla-nct-01-16/7899471?offset=12

this is still looking like the best bet in the thread, it is a very well finished car in terms of spec and appearance. the grey corolla and those astra's don't have a great spec. those astra's are a rough enough place to be too, not very nice imo.

that said, the boot in the corolla is a fair chunk smaller than that of the mk 2 focus, but still possible to get a buggy into, but you wouldn't get a weeks shopping in on top of the buggy, which you would in the focus.

Thanks for the fedback.

I assume at this kind of price/age etc I should be able to shift in a years time for not much less then I buy it for.

Boom_Bap wrote: »

The more I look at that black Corolla, the more I start to like it.......


......but i've promised myself not to change cars for a while.....


.....but it would be a nice upgrade on the Punto I have and could become a dual Corolla family.

Hands off I saw it first (kinda!)

Boom_Bap

TRS30 wrote: »

Hands off I saw it first (kinda!)

Dont worry, you have dibs.

I still need to sell part of, or all of a kidney to fund my upgrade.

Toyotafanboi

TRS30 wrote: »

Thanks for the fedback.

I assume at this kind of price/age etc I should be able to shift in a years time for not much less then I buy it for.

if you take care of it, you'd probably still get the high side of €4k for it in a private sale in a years time.