What second car for €4k?

Independent1

Hi all,
Myself and my OH currently share a car and are looking to get a second car. Looking for any recommendations. Our current car is a 2010 fiesta and we are looking for a bigger car for the second one. Will be used for mainly Dublin driving but we do travel to the west about once a month.

So far we really like the look, size and feel of the Vectra as the sister in law has one. The avensis, newer mondeo, passat and accord are also possibilities. Think hatchback would be more practical for boot space.

Don't think we would really be doing the milage for a diesel. Ideally would like 2008 model for cheaper tax but 2006/2007 would be fine if it was a good car. We are hoping to spend €4k but could possibly stretch slightly more at a real push!

Don't know very much about cars but could 'hopefully' bring along a friend who knows a bit. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions? I like the Octavia but the OH hates them!

Thanks in advance

bazz26

Your not going to get a 08 especially diesel for €4k and if doing all town driving a diesel is not recommended anyway.

Independent1

bazz26 wrote: »

Your not going to get a 08 especially diesel for €4k and if doing all town driving a diesel is not recommended anyway.

Yes I said I don't think we would do the milage to justify a diesel but a lot of the larger cars seem to be diesel. Really like the accords but most seem to be 2.2 diesel. That's why I was thinking a 1.9 petrol vectra could be a contender. Have actually never drove a diesel but know that city driving is not meant to be ideal due to the Dpf (I think that's way it's called!) Do you think I would get a decent petrol 07 or 08 for €4k?

colm_mcm

A 1.6 petrol avensis would be grand for your needs tbh

bazz26

I'd focus more on the car than the year to be honest. Looking for newest car that closest to your budget will probably just result in buying rubbish or a knackered yoke. Anyway alot of the 08 petrol models probably are not any cheaper to tax than a 06 or 07.

Independent1

Thanks for the help. Any other pointers? I like the avensis but a lot seem to have quite high milage. Any thoughts on the vectra?

colm_mcm

The vectra was underwhelming when it was launched. Time didn't improve them much. They're cheap though.

bazz26

Avensis was popular as a taxi or hackney, even the petrol models so your bound to find knackered high mileage ones for sale. They were also popular as privately owned family cars. If you want a good one be prepared to drop back a year for one, the cheap newest ones always tend to be the tired old dogs.

bazz26

Clean looking 07 Mondeo petrol here:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/Mondeo/2.0-ZETEC/136414224522562180/

Independent1

Thanks for all the advice. That mondeo looks very nice - a definite contender. Just played around with my figures a bit more and could probably stretch to €5k if I held off for another week or two. Do you think this would make much of a change to what I could get?

bazz26

Honda Civic saloon:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-honda-civic-saloon-1-8i-ses-price-drop/9118074?offset=2

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-honda-civic-1-8-ses-i-saloon/9093602?offset=5

fran oconnor

bazz26 wrote: »

Your not going to get a 08 especially diesel for €4k and if doing all town driving a diesel is not recommended anyway.

Can I just ask one question on this, as I'm not that well up on things. Why is nearly every Dublin taxi a diesel and they average small enough distances. I take it because of commercial reasons

colm_mcm

Taxis do long runs daily too.

bazz26

And they are constantly on the run for alot of hours per day. You will also find that some taxis are still petrol or hybrids.

RayCon

I'd recommend an Accord ... Ive just scrapped a 2001 - trouble free ownership for the 8yrs I owned it ... finally became to uneconomical to repair.

Shopped around for 3 weeks solid ... considered Mazda 6's , Mondeo's and Accords ...

Finally got a replacement Accord for €4800 :

2007 Honda Accord 2.0 Type S 4DR
FSH , 1 owner
80K miles
NCT 03/17
Tax 06/15
3 Mth warranty

Collected it last Fri in Waterford ... it's an absolute dream to drive. Love it.

Independent1

Not a huge fan of civics, I don't know why I just don't like the interior.

Do you minde asking was the accord you bought petrol or diesel? Sounds like great value. I HATE trying to get places down on price, it just never happens properly for me, I think they see me coming.

bazz26

The Accord diesel is 2.2 litre only so presume it was a petrol he bought.

RayCon

Independent1 wrote: »

Do you minde asking was the accord you bought petrol or diesel?

Petrol ... sorry, should have said.

By the way there's a 07 Accord 2.0 Petrol (Blue) for sale in a Mitsubishi Garage in Avoca, Co. Wicklow - asking €4950.

Don't waste your time traveling down to see it ... it's rough - and there's a fishy story about previous ownership.

RayCon

Here's an 05 in VW Dealer in Cork ... €3250 before you start to haggle ..

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/honda/accord/used-2005-honda-accord-2-0-sr-cork-fpa-156714292838964460?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_FPA_FROM_FEAT_LIST

Independent1

Ah thanks so much for all the help. Keep them coming guys.

That accord is gorgeous but I don't think I want to go as old as 05. The one you bought sounds perfect. Thanks also for the advice re the one in wicklow. There are very few petrol accords for sale out there.

Think I'm gonna go view the mondeo that was mentioned earlier in the thread tomorrow coz I'm off work though not sure about the colour.

Think I'm set on an accord or a mondeo now!

RayCon

Independent1 wrote: »

Thanks also for the advice re the one in wicklow. There are very few petrol accords for sale out there.

If you search Honda Accord 2.0 SR 4DR SR/AW (2007) on carzone ... you'll find the blue one that I was talking about ... it's now listed as "private sale" - location Dublin ...

thread carefully.

Independent1

RayCon wrote: »

If you search Honda Accord 2.0 SR 4DR SR/AW (2007) on carzone ... you'll find the blue one that I was talking about ... it's now listed as "private sale" - location Dublin ...

thread carefully.

Found it. Thanks for the heads up

Just had a test drive in a friend of a friends mondeo. It's not for sale but just wanted to see what it was like to drive. I absolutely loved it. Now I'm even more confused....

Independent1

Just to update, I bought a 2008 Mondeo today and absolutely delighted with it. Thanks for all the help and advice