Advice

deeks

Hi all,

Just looking for a bit of advice. I'm not hugely car savvy and am about to change the car (just had a new arrival so need a bit more space).

Ideally I'm looking to spend in the region of €7,000 - €10,000 on a 1.4 / 1.6 saloon. Preferably wouldn't want anything older than '08 / '09. I don't do a huge amount of long distance driving - most days would be just around town with the odd long trip thrown in.

Any help appreciated with regard to where I should be looking / ones to avoid etc

Thanks in advance.

deeks

Something like this maybe?

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/opel/vectra/used-2010-opel-vectra-1-6-16v-clu-waterford-fpa-139614230659706210

deeks

Or this?

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/renault/megane/used-2008-renault-megane-sport-1-waterford-fpa-86914119913357730

deeks

Or this?

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/corolla/used-2009-toyota-corolla-vvti-ter-waterford-fpa-127914208289338200

bazz26

The Vectra was around since 2002 and not a very good car in petrol form. Those Megans were iffy with electrics and the Corolla is really not very spacious.

I'd be looking at something like this Passat, plenty of interior space, large boot and the 1.4 TSi engine is turbo charged so plenty of go in it:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Passat/1.4TSI-CL/115514181337014480/

Jasper79

bazz26 wrote: »

The Vectra was around since 2002 and not a very good car in petrol form. Those Megans were iffy with electrics and the Corolla is really not very spacious.

I'd be looking at something like this Passat, plenty of interior space, large boot and the 1.4 TSi engine is turbo charged so plenty of go in it:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Passat/1.4TSI-CL/115514181337014480/

Agree, bought a TSI passat last year and is great car, solid comfortable decent on petrol. Got the highline too for within your budget which would recommend getting.

deeks

Thanks lads. Will have a look at some Passats so.

deeks

Jasper79 wrote: »

Agree, bought a TSI passat last year and is great car, solid comfortable decent on petrol. Got the highline too for within your budget which would recommend getting.

Whats the difference with the highline model?

bazz26

The Highline model is the top spec model - comes with half or full leather heated seats, auto wipers, auto lights, etc.

deeks

Thanks - will definitely check that out so.

For those who might know - I won't be trading in against the new car cos I'm passing the old one on to the Mrs. who is only starting to drive now. What kind of "cash" discount could I expect from a dealer. Is there a standard amount?

Scorpion Sting

deeks wrote: »

Thanks - will definitely check that out so.

For those who might know - I won't be trading in against the new car cos I'm passing the old one on to the Mrs. who is only starting to drive now. What kind of "cash" discount could I expect from a dealer. Is there a standard amount?

That's a toughie mate, go with your gut instinct I say.

bazz26

There is no standard amount of formula. It will depend on well priced the car is against others, how much the dealer paid for it and how popular it is. A popular car is easier to sell so a dealer can afford to wait the right price.

deeks

I've seen a car that might be suitable online. The one issue I have is that the price is actually a little lower than I expected for the age / mileage etc on the car. It's a private seller and the car is a good bit away from me (i.e. over 3 hours drive).

Owing to the price and the fact that it's a private seller I'd like to get the car checked out by a mechanic first. I have a mechanic locally that I normally deal with but not sure if he'd be interested in travelling to look at a car for me. I'm sure I'm not the first person to have this issue. How does it normally work? Do mechanics generally travel to check out cars? Are sellers willing to meet halfway to facilitate the car being checked etc?