€5,500

Ethics11

Hey

I have a maximum of €5,500 to spend on a car and was wondering if someone could recommend a comfortable car that comes within that price limit.

What is very important to me is that it's a high-spec model in terms of extras (leather seats, air con, heated seats (maybe), arm rest).

I'm also looking for a relatively small engine @ 1.8l (mostly for tax purposes).

I'm not particularly bothered by the year, although I suppose 2005 onwards would be good.

Mileage, I'd like to stay under 100,000 miles (or 120 at most).

Anyone got any suggestions? I had been looking at maybe a BMW 318 (although most are 2.0L) or maybe a Mercedes C180, or Audi A4 or something, but it can be daunting looking for something when you don't know exactly what you're looking for.

Thanks

E11

ironclaw

Just putting this out there, anything 'high spec' that is keenly priced, is probably going to have issues. Most cars I have looked at, for myself and others, that fell into the high spec realm but at that price point had problems. Its a generalization, granted, but it rang true a few times.

You should be able to get what you want in the 2005 / 2006 range. An Audi A3 for example sits in that price point. I'd be wary however.

Ethics11

ironclaw wrote: »

Just putting this out there, anything 'high spec' that is keenly priced, is probably going to have issues. Most cars I have looked at, for myself and others, that fell into the high spec realm but at that price point had problems. Its a generalization, granted, but it rang true a few times.

You should be able to get what you want in the 2005 / 2006 range. An Audi A3 for example sits in that price point. I'd be wary however.

Thanks for your input, much appreciated. Do you think that being high spec, a car in that price range more likely to have issues than a lower spec model?

Anybody else with any suggestions? Thanks.

sdanseo

Ethics11 wrote: »

Hey

I have a maximum of €5,500 to spend on a car and was wondering if someone could recommend a comfortable car that comes within that price limit.

What is very important to me is that it's a high-spec model in terms of extras (leather seats, air con, heated seats (maybe), arm rest).

I'm also looking for a relatively small engine @ 1.8l (mostly for tax purposes).

I'm not particularly bothered by the year, although I suppose 2005 onwards would be good.

Mileage, I'd like to stay under 100,000 miles (or 120 at most).

Anyone got any suggestions? I had been looking at maybe a BMW 318 (although most are 2.0L) or maybe a Mercedes C180, or Audi A4 or something, but it can be daunting looking for something when you don't know exactly what you're looking for.

Thanks

E11

I picked up a decent '05 E90 320i last month for €5,700. Granted petrol, but the six-speed box means I'm getting a fairly solid 30mpg with mixed driving. It's not great, but it is what it is for the car.

As a machine, could not recommend it more highly. Amazing car.

Ethics11

sdanseo wrote: »

I picked up a decent '05 E90 320i last month for €5,700. Granted petrol, but the six-speed box means I'm getting a fairly solid 30mpg with mixed driving. It's not great, but it is what it is for the car.

As a machine, could not recommend it more highly. Amazing car.

I don't think I want to go to that size of engine.....is that a 2.0 or a 2.2? I didn't actually realise the E90s even came out in 2005.....somebody had told me they were 2006 onwards.

sdanseo

Ethics11 wrote: »

I don't think I want to go to that size of engine.....is that a 2.0 or a 2.2? I didn't actually realise the E90s even came out in 2005.....somebody had told me they were 2006 onwards.

2.0. She moves. Nope. 02/2005 onwards for the saloon. E91/2/3 came out a bit later as far as I can tell.

Tax is €710 a year or an even €200 a quarter.

goochy

what about a volvo s40 - 1.8 petrol or 1.6/2.0 dsl. ? se model has leather wood air con, has ford focus chassis so should be good to drive. or maybe saab 9-3 1.8t se ?

bazz26

Volvo S60, if this is genuine then it's worth a look. Low mileage, leather, air con, etc:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volvo/S60/2.0-T/134514225421524690/

Granted it's 2.0 litre but remember that there is only about €125 difference spread over 12 months between 1.8 litre and 2.0 litre.

sdanseo

S40 diesels have some issues you should check the status of before you buy, DPF/DMF. Sounds like a similar quandary to the Passats in the rate of failure depending who you listen to.

Drove an A4 and a Mondeo when I was looking, both felt really good on the road. Mondeo wouldn't be as well equipped but you'll get more for your money.

If you do go Beamer avoid N47 engines.

sdanseo

I can't edit on mobile - avoid 07-09 N47. Massive timing chain issues.

bazz26

The only N47 BMW the OP will find within €5500 will be one that is in need of a new chain.

bazz26

I think you need to sit in more cars.

goochy

dodge caliber ?? are you american ? no american car has a nice interior !

sdanseo

bazz26 wrote: »

The only N47 BMW the OP will find within €5500 will be one that is in need of a new chain.

Good point, I was forgetting his budget.

wandererz

How about Jag x-type, 2.0 Diesel.
If you keep an eye out you should be able to pick up a low mileage one in the UK.
VRT is low.

Look for sport version with cream/beige leather, sat navigation (so navigation, radio, climate will all be touch screen).

Very efficient car based on Mondeo engine and certain other gear.

No dpf, timing belt etc to worry about.

As an example, check this one out :
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201504022286422?keywords=Nav&postcode=cm201dn&search-target=usedcars&page=1&fuel-type=diesel&price-to=4500&channel=cars&model=x-type&maximum-age=up_to_10_years_old&maximum-mileage=up_to_80000_miles&onesearchad=used&sort=atcustom&radius=1501&make=jaguar&logcode=p

goochy

plenty of jags here for good prices , doesnt make sense to import at this price level.

MTBD

https://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-159-1-8-turismo-full-crea/9691849

I'd save some money and go for that. I'd say that colour looks better in reality too and that is a seriously low mileage car for that money. Pretty decent spec and the nicest interior in it's class. Anyway there are plenty of them in other colours on Donedeal in that price range. And before anyone says it the 159 is a statistically more reliable than an A4 or a 3-series according to warranty direct. The repair bills are certainly smaller too. I think it's by far the most interesting and overlooked car in that category.

Otherwise, i'd agree about an s40. Good cars with high spec. I'd avoid BMW from that era like the plague, there is nothing good about them.

g.a.b.e.

I agree that Alfa Romeo have an incredible interior. I miss my Alfa GT .....