First car, first time to buy

wicklowwonder

I know nothing about cars. I am buying my first car, have a budget of around €4k. A guy I know has offered me a 06 Ford Focus 1.4l petrol for €3275. He originally wanted over €4k from others for it but there is a bit of history there between us and I trust him and all. Car has about 200k but they are gunuine as the guy has the car from new. He also changed the timing belt, he hasn't the exact km to hand when it was changed but will check and let me know. NCT'd for another 11 mths and he will get it fully serviced and get new tyres before he sells it. Any thoughts? Really appreciate it. I read the buy a car guide sticky which is great too.

Most of my driving will be around the city with a long trip (about an hour each way) maybe three times a month.

wicklowwonder

Any advice here please?

BrendanD

Since no one is helping ill try

Quick search on done deal for those specs shows average price about 3600 ,
Also are you set on a focus ? would a smaller engine/more economical car be better for town driving ?
Am no expert but i would think something like a 1/1.1 liter would be cheaper to insure and give more mpg ?
i like this myself and could be got within budget




link

bazz26

If going down the Yaris route then I'd rather buy one of the last of the 1st generation models than the 2nd generation. The first generation is vastly better built and has a 4 cylinder engine as opposed to the noisier 3 cylinder found in the 2nd generation.

Fiesta is also worth looking at, a bit smaller than the Focus but the 1.25 litre engine is alot more lively than the 1.4 litre in the Focus. The Focus needs a 1.6 litre engine.

toyotamechanic

Both Yaris would be better consider Ford mileage and the same in Yaris but ther is much more cars for that age who could be better more suitable for city/
As bazz26 said that's too small engine for Focus.

wicklowwonder

Thanks guys for all the help, will continue looking!

Nody

Don't forget to check the insurance as well before buying or you may be in for a very nasty surprise...

katana1

Hi, Any 1.4 can b heavy on petrol in city driving..I have a 1.6 and mpg is poor enough.I had a gen 7 fiesta and found it thirsty as well.my wife has a 2010 skoda fabia 3 cylinder ..little power but good and nippy in town...yaris is an excellent suggestion,...my friend has a gen 1 with about 170k miles on it and it's going like a clock.
insurance is cheap..tax is cheap and good mpG is great. Also lovely to drive with a fab smooth gear change.
In the yaris you get the feeling of a bigger car when driving..only negative really is they have a fairly limited boot space.
Hope this helps ya. And try bring a mechanic friend to look over what you pick out.
good luck in buying.

willobrien1

I would agree that a 1.4 focus is probably the wrong choice for small city driving. Going down the road of 1-1.2 litre Yaris, Clio or Corsa type car would suit your needs better.

kavanada

OP, personally speaking, the 1.4 focus you're being offered by your friend (owner you know and owner of the car since new) is a much better purchase for you.

You are being offered a 06 car for €3275. The Yaris's being suggested will be a lot older and have more owners that you don't know the history of.

The difference between a 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 in acceleration is tiny. Ask yourself, do you really need to go from 0-50km/h in 6 seconds as opposed to 7? Really, think about it.

The 1.4 focus will do 120km/h on the motorway. It'll be quieter than the Yaris too on the motorway. The 1.4 petrol focus will do 3000rpm at 100km/h which is reasonable.

Certainly, check out insurance before you buy, as mentioned by nody above.

One thing I might suggest regarding the price of the focus.....maybe suggest a lower price but say you'll get the tyres yourself. Not speaking badly of your friend but he'd probably end up buying Triangles for €50 each to keep his costs down. Maybe offer €2900-€2950 cash and go buy a good set of four kumho or similar for €350-ish.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth! You could spend hours and euros on fuel driving around your area and beyond for that cheap 1.0L.

biko

It sounds like you''re getting a pretty good deal OP.
I'd buy it in your shoes. As the guy has had it from new he will know everything about the car.

Just note that when you buy from friends and something happens it can cause "friction" between yous.

wicklowwonder

Thanks guys again. Loads of options. I am going have a look around and have a further think. Thanks.

kavanada

Come back and tell us what you bought in the end OP.