Need advice/ideas buying a car

.E_C_K_S.

Hi guys/girls,

I'm in the market for a used car but pretty clueless when it comes to knowing what is decent these days. Have about maybe 13-14k to spend, 15k max if it is justified.

I love the looks of the Audi A4/A5's and BMW 3 Series 5dr/Coupes. (Links below are just for reference to style that appeals to me)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/audi/a4/used-2008-audi-a4-2-0-tdi-se-141b-mayo-fpa-201509231385759
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320d-se-coupe/8676390?offset=4

Just a little about me: Newly qualified driver but have been driving for 3 years without issue,24yo so I know insurance will be quite high.

Would just love some pointers when looking at the above ranges in terms of the year/mileage to look out for /road tax/engine size or any other cars that people may have in mind, cheers!!:)

bazz26

Both those cars are overpriced imo, especially the A4 given it's mileage.

bazz26

What about a Scirocco? Ok maybe not as a glamorous as an A5 or 3 Series coupe but they are still fairly sleek, rare and the one below is less jaded looking than the two examples above:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Scirocco/SPORT-2.0TDI/160714302408200490/

.E_C_K_S.

Hey bazz, thanks for the reply! I just linked those cars as they were the type of car I was after, not necessarily expecting to buy them.

Do you know anything about those models in general? Would they be reliable and at what price point would I be doing well for one?

Scirocco just doesn't do it for me personally and for 15k I wouldn't consider it, thanks though for the suggestion.

.E_C_K_S.

Ok, over the last month or so I have been looking here and there for the particular cars above and realise they are a bit out of my reach. (jumping the gun big time!) I've been talking to a few people and since its my first car on my own I have started to look at something more realistic! :P

Revised Budget: 7.5k - 8k (cash) but can stretch to 9k max
Petrol or Diesel: Either or, I wouldn't be commuting large distances too often
Size Engine: Would prefer 2.0 or less to keep insurance down but wouldn't like to sacrifice power etc so something with a bit of pep would be nice.
Maintenance costs: Would prefer something that's generally reliable and economical and without being killed on Tax!

Cars I like (but I know soem may be unrealistic): Audi a3/a4, Bmw 3 series, Golfs, Passats, Jettas, Opel Astras/Insginias

All other suggestions Welcome!

.E_C_K_S.

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1288182&r=s.php%3Fm%3D93%26o%3D817%26r%3D2008%26g%3D0%26z%3D9

1.4 Passat Highline, anyone have any thoughts on this?

(would probably have to ring dealer to ask about NCT/If work has been done on the timing belt)

Atlantic Dawn

.E_C_K_S. wrote: »

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1288182&r=s.php%3Fm%3D93%26o%3D817%26r%3D2008%26g%3D0%26z%3D9

1.4 Passat Highline, anyone have any thoughts on this?

(would probably have to ring dealer to ask about NCT/If work has been done on the timing belt)

Looks good, only thing it doesn't seem to have that I have seen on other Highlines is multifunction steering wheel with the radio controls.

bazz26

Multi-function steering wheel was a rarity on VW's back then. Only really became standard on higher spec Mk VI Golf and B7 Passat models.

commited

My recommendation: Honda Civic 1.8
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/honda/civic/used-2008-honda-civic-1-8-type-s-dublin-fpa-148314257299253700
(type S has most of the looks of the Type R without the awesome engine and stupid suspension)

About as reliable as you get while still being engaging to drive. 140bhp so will be swift and I believe that they easily achieve high 30s MPG. The 2.2 diesel is also worth a shout, meant to be superb but I'd always pick petrol if I could.

Advice for any car you buy:
- less no of previous owners generally better
- full service history a must (ideally dealer)
- buy on condition rather than mileage (I'd prefer an immaculate, well taken care of 100k mile car over a rough car with 50k miles)
- Test drive lots of whats in your budget
- You don't have to conquer the world with your first car, nice to have a future upgrade path in mind!

.E_C_K_S.

Hi guys going to take a look at this later, with the idea of offering 7k (quite a limited offering in Cork)

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/price-dropvolkswagen-passat-1-4-tsi-comfortline/9561386?offset=6

Looks like the tax is incorrect (should be 385) and it has had 2 other owners but low mileage. Anything else to look out for??

bazz26

If you plan to go to pay no more than €7k, then I would make an opening offer below that. That way it allows you to make a second or final offer of the max amount you are willing to pay.

Also it says it has a full dealer service history so along with doing a cartell or motorcheck report, give the dealer who serviced it a ring. They will have it on their computer system to verify it all adds up.

.E_C_K_S.

OSI wrote: »

Just know that a 1.4 Petrol Passat of that vintage and spec is going to be impossible to sell.

Hi Osi, could you expand on this a bit further? The TSI 1.4 comes recommended around these parts, the car is 2009 also so in the cheaper tax bracket in another 4 years time it will only be 10 years old at that stage. Thanks

Would I be right in saying the wrong tax is listed?