2nd car advice. what to get for 5k or less.

peteb2

So I posted about my car dilemas last week.

Decided to change our second car, which was a 2002 1.6 Ford Focus hatch. Big enough for a second car. So looking to pick up something a bit more economical. Its for the missus, she only drives 20km return to work. And maybe once or twice to go down the country.

I've been looking at 2006/7 Toyota Yaris', 2008 Mazda 2, Micra. The wife is not a big fan of micra or yaris, thinks they are granny cars. She only learned to drive years ago in the Focus so she's spoilt for size!

I want to spend 5k max really and keep tax low. Are the fiesta's any good? they look a little bare on the inside.

All suggestions welcomed!

CiniO

Take under consideration, that the smaller the car, the higher the chance of being injured or killed in the accident.
F.e. head on collision of Micra with Mondeo - how do you think - who has more chance of coming out of it unharmed?

peteb2

The Mondeo obviously. But this isn't the family motor. I have a Mondeo estate (petrol for my sins). This is just for going to and from work and really because we have to have a second car, not because we have a desire to have one out of choice.

CiniO

peteb2 wrote: »

The Mondeo obviously. But this isn't the family motor. I have a Mondeo estate (petrol for my sins). This is just for going to and from work and really because we have to have a second car, not because we have a desire to have one out of choice.

I understand what you're saying.
I just wanted to point out to you, that bigger cars are generally safer which many people just either don't know or try to ignore.

I was on a lookout for second family car. Just for my missus to travel to work and to carry kids to school. Very similar like you.
Small cars, are usually bit cheaper to buy (not always in Ireland due to motortax rates they hold value good), cheaper to maintain (tyres, servicing, tax, insurance) and cheaper to run (more economical on fuel).
But even though, I went for 06 Peugoet 407.
Why? - only one reason - because it's big, comfortable and safe.
I know my wife has much bigger chance to come unharmed from accident in that than in a micra.
Car cost us very little to buy (€1600) but will cost us much more to maintain especially on tax, petrol, and repairs.
But sure - I could have bought bit newer smaller car for €5k, and save much money on tax and fuel over next few year.
But instead buying for €1600, extra I'll spend on tax, fuel and repairs will probably even out, and in the end car will cost me the same, while keeping safety of my wife at reasonable level.

colm_mcm

Most modern superminis will be safer than an 02 focus.

Didn't your wife have an original model Bravo before the 407 Cinio?

peteb2

Unfortunately I've ran that gauntlet already. The 2002 Focus failed the NCT and with a bill of 800 to repair its time to move on. At some point the family may become a one income family and I need to keep that in mind so I gotta keep an eye to my overheads.

CiniO

colm_mcm wrote: »

Most modern superminis will be safer than an 02 focus.

Well, comparing 07 yaris with 02 focus, safety would be probably similar.
Both cars nearly the same weight.
Focus bit bigger, but yaris bit more modern.
I'd put them equal.

Didn't your wife have an original model Bravo before the 407 Cinio?

We did have a Bravo of course as a second car.
However I loved that car so much, that it was mostly me who drove it. I left the Honda for the wife.

CiniO

peteb2 wrote: »

Unfortunately I've ran that gauntlet already. The 2002 Focus failed the NCT and with a bill of 800 to repair its time to move on. At some point the family may become a one income family and I need to keep that in mind so I gotta keep an eye to my overheads.

Well, if you want to spend €5k, my advice would be to buy some nice petrol Volve f.e. S80 from around 02-04 times. This should cost you less than €2k, and you can keep remaining €3 to compensate for higher running costs than yaris or micra.

peteb2

She'd really love a 2007 Focus but it would have be a 1.4. And having owned a few 1.6's over the years I would think the 1.4 is probably a bit heavy on the juice versus the super minis?

bazz26

Suzuki Swift:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/suzuki-swift-glx/12060625

Renault Clio:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio-3-1-2-16v-monaco/11882906

flazio

Bit of a marmite car but Honda Civic might be worth a look, got myself an 03 last year with low mileage for €2.5k and that has side airbags. I presume the airbags are still there in subsequent models. But as I say the design launched in 05/06 has divided opinion on looks.

peteb2

bazz26 wrote: »

Suzuki Swift:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/suzuki-swift-glx/12060625

Renault Clio:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio-3-1-2-16v-monaco/11882906

Nice. Thank you.

The think with the Swift is that the tax is about the same as a 1.4 so then I end up thinking I should just get the focus (Dammit I'm waivering.....)

Whats the feeling on the Clio's these days? I was always brought up on the basis Renaults had electric probs.

I'm trying to keep miles as low as possible as this is staying for the next 10 years!!

bazz26

Renault always got the Clio right.

I wouldn't focus too much on low mileage. With many of these cars they can be used as second cars used for school runs, shopping etc. While they don't get driven far they can still get plenty of abuse and lack of servicing so low mileage is not always a true indication of a good car.

peteb2

Do they have isofix? not that its a deal breaker.

bazz26

No idea, probably not standard on that class of car back then.

colm_mcm

Renault are always good with stuff like isofix, I'd be shocked if it didn't have it.

peteb2

So are we saying renault over focus?? Someone talk me out of a 1400 cc focus.

colm_mcm

Ok, for godsake don't buy a mk2 focus 1.4
The only advantage you'll have over the old one is that it's a bit safer. . .

It's also heavier and slower, and all the flair that made the focus great in 1998 is missing from the mk2. They're as dull as dishwater.

The Clio feels fun to drive, even in 1.2. It's a happy car. It's also consistently been a good car, Renault always got the Clio right in my opinion.

CiniO

colm_mcm wrote: »

Ok, for godsake don't buy a mk2 focus 1.4
The only advantage you'll have over the old one is that it's a bit safer. . .

It's also heavier and slower, and all the flair that made the focus great in 1998 is missing from the mk2. They're as dull as dishwater.

The Clio feels fun to drive, even in 1.2. It's a happy car. It's also consistently been a good car, Renault always got the Clio right in my opinion.

Woudln't Clio be a class smaller than a Focus?
I always thought that Focus would be in the same class/size as Civic, Astra, i30, Corolla, Bravo, Ceed, A3, 3series, etc...
And Clio would rather fall together with Jazz, Yaris, Punto, i20, Corsa, Swift, etc...

peteb2

In terms of reliability how's the clio?

colm_mcm

CiniO wrote: »

Woudln't Clio be a class smaller than a Focus?
I always thought that Focus would be in the same class/size as Civic, Astra, i30, Corolla, Bravo, Ceed, A3, 3series, etc...
And Clio would rather fall together with Jazz, Yaris, Punto, i20, Corsa, Swift, etc...

Of course it is
I think that's the whole point, OP is downsizing.

Or else I'm way off

peteb2

Im attempting to down size!

We have discounted all others and are down to 2008 fiesta and mazda 2. Only think os most mazda 2s are jap imports which means auto and insurance issues too.

The opel corsa any good? Again always told opel engines suffered.

crabbypaddy

Whats wrong with the focus thats supposed to cost €800 youd get a good low mileage engine fitted for 700 with timing belt pulleys and auxillary belt done. You'd be far better off doing that than getting a 1.4 .they are underpowered and very uneconomical.

peteb2

Im taking the opportunity to to go a smaller engined car for tax insurance etc

bazz26

Fiesta and Mazda2 are mechanically similar. My sister has a 08 Fiesta for over 5 years with minimum servicing and it hasn't missed a beat.

I'd have a Clio over a Corsa all day long.

History Queen

Would you consider a toyota corolla? I drive one myself 1.4 diesel 2006 averages 50mpg very reliable. Now i drive the saloon version perhaps you would prefer the hatchback. I think it has isofix but not certain. I've had no problems whatsoever just keep it serviced regularly.

Looking at done deal you should be able to get one of that age in your budget. Tax is €385 per year. Just a suggestion based on my own experience.

peteb2

Diesel is out as its a second car and my wife would not do the mileage.