Recommend a car

adocholiday · 07-10-2015 4:03pm #1

Hi all,

I have been told by my mechanic that it's time to look at changing the motor. It's almost 14 years old now and will cost too much to fully repair all of the minor issues with it. I've been thinking about it for a while now so I guess this is the kick in the backside I needed.

The thing is I'm not really sure what to get. I've been driving for 8 years now and I've never owned a car that was less than 10 years old. Given the insurance increases for older cars etc. I was thinking about going for something a good bit newer, maybe something around 2010 or that. I'd be willing to forego a couple of years for the right car though, but ideally stay within the new tax bracket.

I only do about 10k miles per year and it's pretty much all motorway driving so I'd like something with a reasonably big engine. Don't mind if its petrol or diesel and I'd also prefer a manual over an auto. Absolute max budget would be 10k, but prefer to stay under that if possible.

Would appreciate your input.

duffman3833 · 07-10-2015 4:09pm

what was your previous car, do you need a saloon or hatchback, any ideas yourself what type of car you would like? just to narrow the list

adocholiday · 07-10-2015 4:45pm

duffman3833 wrote: »

what was your previous car, do you need a saloon or hatchback, any ideas yourself what type of car you would like? just to narrow the list

Oh I forgot to put that in! It's a 2002 BMW 318CI. Ideally I'd prefer a coupe in fact but my next preference would be a saloon. I'd consider a hatchback if it met my other requirements though.

colm_mcm · 07-10-2015 9:11pm

2010 premium cars won't usually be €10k though.
I assume you're open to mainstream stuff?

adocholiday · 07-10-2015 9:17pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

2010 premium cars won't usually be €10k though.
I assume you're open to mainstream stuff?

Well as I said I'd be happy to lose a year or 2 for the right car. If there's a decent example of an 08 or 09 3 series for example I won't rule it out. But on the other hand I'm absolutely open to mainstream cars yeah

adocholiday · 07-10-2015 9:22pm

Something like this would certainly be considered for example. Even though it's over my budget might get it down to 10 ha!

http://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series-320-D-E92-SE-2DR/201537236758802

bazz26 · 07-10-2015 9:53pm

Make sure the timing chain has been replaced on any 2.0 litre diesel BMW of that age.

Personally I think you need to review some of your criteria, 10k is not going to get much in the way of a coupe from 2010 onwards. Most diesel models will cost more or ones in budget will be rough or have very high mileage while petrol examples really died off after 2008 here when motor tax changed to the co2 system.

duffman3833 · 08-10-2015 11:51am

adocholiday wrote: »

Something like this would certainly be considered for example. Even though it's over my budget might get it down to 10 ha!

http://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series-320-D-E92-SE-2DR/201537236758802

had a quick look myself, that's a good deal there and you could get it cheaper

adocholiday · 08-10-2015 12:06pm

I'm aware of the timing chain problems with that generation of BMW's alright. Realistically such cars will be out of my budget though. While I'd take an immaculate 2008 car, I probably won't get an immaculate 3 series - and even then it'll be 8 years old in a few months time. I think I need to be more realistic and aim for a nice mainstream saloon with a bit of power. Something like a Passat/Modeo/Mazda 6/Accord. The thing is I have no idea which cars in that category are 'good' cars, so that's really where I need some guidance.

Recommend a car

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