Astra/Focus/Auris etc..best car best deal?

Furtzy2

Possibly in the market for an Auris/Astra/Focus size car. We have a 10 year old Fiesta to trade in or scrap so wondering on people's opinions on the best car to buy combined with the best trade in/scrappage deals available. Real world experience of the cars would be great also :-D

colm_mcm

I30 would be worth a shot. Scrappage extended till end of jAn.

Furtzy2

i30 is in the running. Nissan Pulsar as well. €4k off list price but unsure if that's only with a straight no trade in deal

colm_mcm

If it s a no trade in deal it's even better. You'd get a nice few quid for an 05 fiesta.
I reckon the i30 would be the better car in terms of longevity.

Furtzy2

The fiesta is 06 high spec only 55k kms on it. Couldn't be arsed selling it privately. The key thing for the new car is reliability..no real interest in looks or performance etc

colm_mcm

Surely you could be arsed if you're at least a grand up?

I'll take it off your hands for free if it helps you out.

Furtzy2

:-D I think you know I meant I couldn't be arsed with the donedeal route! With expect something for it either scrappage or trade in

colm_mcm

Shop around, Some garages may just offer you the standard scrappage figure. They're not obliged to give you any more but they may.
These schemes are a thorn in the side of the average salesperson as they make feck all on them and just boost registration numbers.

Don't get too caught up in the cheapest deal. Make sure you like the car too. Drive as many as you can. Even cars that aren't public offering scrappage deals.

bazz26

It would be a travesty to scrap a 2006 Fiesta with only 55k km on the clock unless it's in bits.

colm_mcm

They don't actually scrap them though.

Furtzy2

Exactly they just sell them off to the trade hence the need for them to be running and nct'ed

bazz26

Well in that case if you can get 4k "trade in" allowance for it then it's worth considering.

Furtzy2

It's my wife's car so looking for something ultra reliable. Both front springs recently snapped on the fiesta thankfully while stationary could have been horrific if happened while driving. So while it has very low mileage things like that are concerning

colm_mcm

On the other hand, you got 10 year out of it. Springs often break. People don't usually notice till they hear clunky noises or the NCT tell them.

Furtzy2

It snapped leaving razor sharp edges millimetres from the inner tyre wall. It was due to corrosion on the cup welds so age related
The car was practically touching the ground and undrivable

So yeah if dealers are offering up to 4k trade in or scrappage we've definitely got our value out of it. So just looking for a slight steer on best cars/deals out there. The favourite would be the Auris as I'm a recent convert to Toyota and very impressed with the mega mileage I do

dar83

That's a known issue with the mk6 fiesta's but generally only on imported ones or ones based in the UK. There's a pretty simple fix for it anyway but it can be a potential concern alright if it would happen while driving it.

Furtzy2

dar83 wrote:

That's a known issue with the mk6 fiesta's but generally only on imported ones or ones based in the UK. There's a pretty simple fix for it anyway but it can be a potential concern alright if it would happen while driving it.

It would seem so also E class of the mid 2000's and Berlingo vans!

easygoing39

And rear springs in 3 series beemers,happened to the wife of a mate of mine with a 07 example.He/she didnt even know till it failed the nct.

easygoing39

Or you could go for another Fiesta,Ford giving them away for next to nothing at the moment,

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056944165

Furtzy2

So the 4k off the Pulsar equals a very low trade in price..figured that would be the case

colm_mcm

That's the thing. It's geared towards cars that are worth nothing. It may be worth phoning around a few different dealers to see if they'd give something on top of the 4k. It's still 4k off that a straight deal customer can't get though. Don't lose sight of that.

vistaphotos

- I made the decision to trade in a 15 year old Corolla for a new i30, delivery next week, availing of the €4k scrappage (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=97836134). Clearly I was trading a much older car compared to your 05 so I'm not sure whether the scrappage would be as attractive to you. Hyundai did have a 5-year free servicing deal prior to 31/Dec (which they seemed to offer for trade-ins worth more than €4k) but that's no longer listed on www.hyundai.ie
- My final choice was between Corolla & i30 and the i30 won out for me since it was cheaper with superior spec. & warranty compared to the entry level Corolla. I did briefly look at an Auris but I've never liked the look of the car I'm afraid and found it quite small in the back. I think the i30 is a better looking car with better room inside.
- Pulsar spec & price is also good, but it struck me that Nissan never seem to push them at all.
- Best of luck

Furtzy2

Yeah it's a tough one. Pulsar deal geared towards a straight cash deal while others go the scrappage route. Have more of a look around next week but probably just get another year from the fiesta and see how the scrappage deals are next year

jonseyblub

Anyone any opinions on the new Astra? I test drove most of the hatchbacks in that category and I was very impressed with the spec of the Astra (Sri model). It's between it and the the Auris and I'm leaning more towards the Astra. The golf was just that bit too expensive for me. Looked at the pulsar too and was neither impressed nor put off. The €4000 off is giving me something to think about.

Furtzy2

Have owned a lot of Opels over the years and have a soft spot for them. The new Astra is lovely and especially in Sri spec. Definitely much more of a looker than the Auris however if you want more reliability and better future resale the Auris is a better bet

jonseyblub

Furtzy2 wrote: »

Have owned a lot of Opels over the years and have a soft spot for them. The new Astra is lovely and especially in Sri spec. Definitely much more of a looker than the Auris however if you want more reliability and better future resale the Auris is a better bet

Thanks for the reply. Is reliability a big issue with Opels? As regards resale value are we talking a serious difference in resale values? I must add I know feck all about cars so if if its a known issue excuse my ignorance!!

Furtzy2

I've had the same issues with all Opels..suspension. Bushes, tie rods and shock absorber mounting cups. Nothing serious or expensive to replace. Opel suffered a bad period for reliability from mid 90s to early 00's so people's perception of them suffered. The resale values of any Toyota will always be higher than that of an Opel unfortunately. Come trade in time a non Opel garage will not look favorably on an Opel however with an Auris you could trade it in anywhere

colm_mcm

The Auris gets expensive once you spec it up to the level of an 05 fiesta though.

Furtzy2

They are a bit stingy on spec but spec isn't really important factor at all. Two main things are reliability and secondly decent boot space. Another option is a Skoda fabia. Surprisingly large boot on the hatch and then there's the combi option. Although no deals at the moment which is surprising considering the emissions scandal!

vistaphotos

Furtzy2 wrote: »

They are a bit stingy on spec but spec isn't really important factor at all. Two main things are reliability and secondly decent boot space. Another option is a Skoda fabia. Surprisingly large boot on the hatch and then there's the combi option. Although no deals at the moment which is surprising considering the emissions scandal!

- Skoda have been doing 0% finance for a few months
- Have you considered a Hyundai i20, same class as Fiesta, Fabia etc. with very roomy interior & boot. A lot bigger inside than it looks from outside
- Next model up is the i30 also available in a Tourer estate, larger than the Fabia Combi I think
- Considering warranty, Hyundai offer 5 years unlimited mileage, Toyota 3 years, Skoda 3 years, Opel 2 years

Casati

Dont write off the Focus - Ford are offering very good deals at the moment and the 1.0 petrol would be good engine for your needs. if you are going with the Auris, the new 1.2 petrol is getting good reports but its not cheap.

I'd go with the Astra if I was in your shoes- the 1.0T SRI is a great car and you will get more than the 3500 scrimmage they are offering - I'd think you'd get 4500/ 5000 off with your Fiesta. Its a super car to drive and have loads of advanced toys to play with

Furtzy2

Casati wrote:

I'd go with the Astra if I was in your shoes- the 1.0T SRI is a great car and you will get more than the 3500 scrimmage they are offering - I'd think you'd get 4500/ 5000 off with your Fiesta. Its a super car to drive and have loads of advanced toys to play with

Casati wrote:

Dont write off the Focus - Ford are offering very good deals at the moment and the 1.0 petrol would be good engine for your needs. if you are going with the Auris, the new 1.2 petrol is getting good reports but its not cheap.

Very wary of those small capacity turbo units. Much rather the old fashioned 1.6 in the focus. They have a pretty small boot as well

colm_mcm

I think yoyre right tbh. a good vvt engine like the 1.33 in the auris or the 1.4 in the i30 would probably be a safer bet.

NIMAN

Been doing a bit of reading up on the new Astra, seems to be getting excellent reviews.

I like a lot of the features in it, although I was reading a UK review that said it car allows you to connect with 4G wifi, assume that'll not be an option in Ireland?

jonseyblub

NIMAN wrote: »

Been doing a bit of reading up on the new Astra, seems to be getting excellent reviews.

I like a lot of the features in it, although I was reading a UK review that said it car allows you to connect with 4G wifi, assume that'll not be an option in Ireland?

According to the salesman I was talking too it is coming to Ireland early this year. It is supposed to be free for the first year.

vistaphotos

NIMAN wrote: »

Been doing a bit of reading up on the new Astra, seems to be getting excellent reviews.

Have to hold my hands up and say I've gone with a Hyundai i30 so I'm biased in that regard. Astra was not an option because it only offers 2 year warranty and their scrappage deal was limited to cars 12 years or newer. Looking at the Sunday Times Top Cars list today I wonder whether reviews are sometimes Utopian in their outlook and not grounded in the realities of cost of ownership, warranty etc. For example, their top electric car was the Tesla S followed by the Nissan Leaf in 2nd. The Leaf outsells the Tesla 2 to 1, I imagine because it's price is within reach of many more motorists and a realistic option to buy, while the Tesla is not. There are similar examples across many of the other categories they had listed. Of course owners sharing their real world experiences are really brilliant.

jonseyblub

vistaphotos wrote: »

. Astra was not an option because it only offers 2 year warranty and their scrappage deal was limited to cars 12 years or newer.

Are you sure its only two years. I was told (again by the salesman) that its three years or 100,000km.

vistaphotos

jonseyblub wrote: »

Are you sure its only two years. I was told (again by the salesman) that its three years or 100,000km.

Surprised me too, hard to find the information on Opel.ie, go to http://www.opel.ie/owners/customer-care.html, click on "Warranty" at the bottom of the page:

Your New Opel Warranty

1. Opel guarantees that your new car will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 24 months (following delivery or the first registration, whichever occurs first).

colm_mcm

Pretty sure it's a 5 year warranty on the Astra. It was this time last year anyway.

Edit, just looked at the brochure and it says 2 years.

vistaphotos

jonseyblub wrote: »

Are you sure its only two years. I was told (again by the salesman) that its three years or 100,000km.

Also on page 52 of the Astra brochure https://www.opel.ie/bypass/download/ie/Opel-Astra-2016-Ed1.pdf

New Vehicle Warranty.
2-year new vehicle warranty. This warranty
applies to any new Opel car for a period of 24
months without any mileage restrictions, as from
the day on which it was either registered for the
first time or delivered to the customer by the
dealer, depending on which date comes first.

I find it very surprising that it's so short compared to what's on offer with other manufacturers. I can't see why a salesman would say 3 years if that wasn't the case, maybe it's part of some offer at the moment?

Edit: I see I was typing a reply while colm_mcm was looking at the brochure too

vistaphotos

Emailed Opel who replied:

Active from the 1st January 2016, the standard new vehicle warranty is three years, for the first two years an unlimited mileage, for the third year mileage is capped at 100,000 km’s.

Unfortunately there is no link for this on the website however you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact an Opel Dealership

Furtzy2

Anyway I reckon the Fiesta stays for another year. Talking to car salesmen sucks away any enthusiasm for buying a new car...it's all smoke and mirrors these deals