Car recommendation - 3k budget

Sync

Small budget so doesn't leave a lot of options, but I will potentially be traveling around 800km a week (a car share with others might cut back somewhat)

Budget is around 3k but preferably less if possible.
Hoping for something with around 40mpg +

Open to any suggestions, I would be doing a small bit of motorway driving (120kmh) so I would need a car that won't shake me to my bones at that speed.

Any ideas welcomed

mhackett102

Im kinda within the same budget atm and Im considering buying a 2005 Ford Focus 1.6tdci

Was let take it away for an hour from a local salesman and I went driving on both rural and main roads. Great to drive and very smooth. Im definitely considering buying it

Sync

mhackett102 wrote: »

Im kinda within the same budget atm and Im considering buying a 2005 Ford Focus 1.6tdci

Was let take it away for an hour from a local salesman and I went driving on both rural and main roads. Great to drive and very smooth. Im definitely considering buying it

Just having a look on done deal, seems a decent car but the few I clicked into have pretty big mileage, were they all taxi's or something? Any idea how reliable they are into the higher mileage.

mhackett102

Sync wrote: »

Just having a look on done deal, seems a decent car but the few I clicked into have pretty big mileage, were they all taxi's or something? Any idea how reliable they are into the higher mileage.

The one I test drove had very high miles, higher than any of those on donedeal - but still drove A1. 1 owner from new and is going for NCT this weekend.
I would always stay away from high miles on a car, but then again its a 10 year old car.
If you are buying privately then make sure you do a motor-check report online!!

bazz26

Sync wrote: »

Just having a look on done deal, seems a decent car but the few I clicked into have pretty big mileage, were they all taxi's or something? Any idea how reliable they are into the higher mileage.

10 year old diesel cars are going to have high mileage on them at this stage and is to be expected with your budget, its the low mileage ones I'd be more suspect of.

The 1.6 Tdci Focus of that vintage can be hit and miss around reliability. It really depends on how they were minded and that engine is very unforgiving around maintenance and servicing.

I'd be looking at something a bit more robust like these:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-1-9-tdi-ambient-nct-04-16/9230970?offset=20

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-1-9-tdi-ambiente-105-bhp/8903341?offset=22

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-jetta-1-9-tdi/9269977?offset=4

fran oconnor

bazz26 wrote: »

10 year old diesel cars are going to have high mileage on them at this stage and is to be expected with your budget, its the low mileage ones I'd be more suspect of.

The 1.6 Tdci Focus of that vintage can be hit and miss around reliability. It really depends on how they were minded and that engine is very unforgiving around maintenance and servicing.

I'd be looking at something a bit more robust like these:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-1-9-tdi-ambient-nct-04-16/9230970?offset=20

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-1-9-tdi-ambiente-105-bhp/8903341?offset=22

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-jetta-1-9-tdi/9269977?offset=4

Some nice cars there. Might be tempted with one a bit newer less mileage.