Looking for a run around car

Tiger12

So unfortunately need to free up some money so looking at selling my 07 Nissan Almera and picking up an older car with what ever money I have left. We have a family car already so only need something to get me to work and to drop and pick up kids. I live and work in the same town so my journey time is only around 10/15 minutes a day. Am currently looking at Renault Megane's, but don't know if they are any good. Have seen a couple of 2006 just under 2k. Realistically my budget will probably be around 1500 but may be able to stretch to 2k. Anyone got any advise as to what I should look at and stay away from?

bazz26

That model Megane and Renaults in general of that era, are well known for not being very reliable especially around electrics.

Personally I think you should look at freeing up money elsewhere, selling your current car and replacing it with an older car might free up a few quid in the short term but long term there is no guarantee that the older car will not cost you money in repairs. Better the devil you know and all that.

Tiger12

Unfortunately due to circumstances I have no choice. Have nowhere else to free the money up from, has to be the car. Hopefully I can pick up a decent run around that will get me through the next couple of years

Sleepy

If you're going down the money saving car route, your best bets are late 90's / early 2000's Japanes cars i.e. Corollas, Civics or Almeras. You can pick one up for under a grand with an NCT.

That said, there wouldn't be much in the difference price wise between those and your own Almera, here's one with low mileage, 2 years worth of NCT and 3 months of tax with an asking price of a 2,250 so, in all honestly, you'd buy it for 2k: http://www.adverts.ie/car/nissan/almera/nissan-almera-for-sale-or-swap/7930730

You're really probably best to stick with what you have as long as it's not giving any trouble. Maybe pick up a bike to use for your normal commute and save on petrol that way?

Tiger12

Bike would help get me fit alright, lol, but have to drop kids to childminder, school and playschool so have to have a 2nd car. The joys

Sleepy

The danger at the end of the market you're looking at is that, unless you've a friend/family member who's a mechanic, you could have higher bills to fix any issues on whatever you buy than you'll clear in the price difference between what you can get for yours and what you buy... A smaller engine might save a few quid on tax / insurance but it's a bit of a gamble.

What's the "family car", that might be the better option to trade down on?

Tiger12

Need a decent reliable Family Car so won't be trading that down. As I said I only need something to get to work and drop and collect kids. My car is parked up much of the time if its not at work with me. Won't be buying anything without a mechanic looking at it first, either our own or someone from the AA depending on where the car is that we decide on.

Sleepy

Keep an eye out on the Bangernomics thread so! Sometimes see small cars like Ka's, Pandas, Escorts etc. posted which might suit the job. Realistically, you'll be doing extremely well to free up a grand from the sale of your own and purchase of something else after the costs of the sale and purchase (ads, mechanic, service of new car etc.) but lower motor tax and insurance may save a few hundred a year on top of that....

There's simply not that much equity left to free up from an 07 Almera unfortunately!

Atlantic Dawn

Had a look on Donedeal, cheapest private 2007 Almera is going for €2050, most expensive is €3700, there's really not that much to gain by selling it and buying something else especially if your own is well maintained your taking a big risk buying something for €1500 that will need to money put in to it for a few years.

Tiger12

Unfortunately as stated, needs must. If I can get the figure I've in my head, than I will sell, if not then I won't.

colm_mcm

What figure is in your head