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Let's Focus Here...

  • 04-08-2016 10:15am
    #1
    Myrddin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭


    So I reckon it's time to change the vehicle. Here's what I'm looking for:

    2008-2011
    Petrol
    Hatch
    Reliability (very important)
    Non-VAG
    Budget - circa 8/9k

    Ideally, I'd like a Prius, but any of the 1.8 Luxury's with low mileage are beyond my budget. I'd be open to an Auris hybrid also, but again, a nice low mileage one is beyond what the budget allows.

    That brings me to a regular Auris. Tbh, I'm not overly impressed with the quality of these, and I feel Toyota have cheaped out, certainly with the interior. How is the reliability of these engine wise (1.4)? I think I remember reading that the previous engine (in the Corolla) was a better/more reliable one?

    I'm similarly drawn to the Focus. I'd be open to the 1.6 if it was worth getting, but have no idea about the engines in these...are they any use, or are there any issues to look out for with a Focus?


Comments

  • #2
    grogi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,616 ✭✭✭grogi


    Myrddin wrote: »
    Ideally, I'd like a Prius, but any of the 1.8 Luxury's with low mileage are beyond my budget. I'd be open to an Auris hybrid also, but again, a nice low mileage one is beyond what the budget allows.

    Get an older Prius then. They are as reliable as a car gets.

    The Tax difference between 2008 and 2007 is not that massive - it's 413 vs 180 - but the purchase price will vary a lot. Very cheap to service: air and pollen filter can be changed on the driveway for €25? Quality oil and filter at an independent for ~€75. Tyres are in weird size 195/55/R16 - but insurance should not have an issue with much more popular and cheaper 205/55/R16.

    The only thing to be careful about is A/C. Those NEED to be serviced at the competent dealer, otherwise the electric compressor will be damaged.


  • #3
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,362 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    If your going 2008 to 2011 Auris petrol then go for the 1.33 litre engine rather than the older 1.4 litre. The 1.33 litre engine has a bit more bhp, 6 speed, is more fuel efficent, has stop/start and €280 motor tax. It was available only with the facelifted Irish Auris sold from mid 2010 onwards but was available on pre facelfited UK models since mid 2009.

    The Focus is similar, 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre petrol models had high emissions so anything on the new tax system will have circa €500 to tax. Most petrol Focus were gone by the end of 2009 here as people opted for the cheaper to tax diesel versions instead.


  • #4
    Myrddin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    grogi wrote: »
    Get an older Prius then. They are as reliable as a car gets.

    The Tax difference between 2008 and 2007 is not that massive - it's 413 vs 180 - but the purchase price will vary a lot. Very cheap to service: air and pollen filter can be changed on the driveway for €25? Quality oil and filter at an independent for ~€75. Tyres are in weird size 195/55/R16 - but insurance should not have an issue with much more popular and cheaper 205/55/R16.

    The only thing to be careful about is A/C. Those NEED to be serviced at the competent dealer, otherwise the electric compressor will be damaged.

    Mod of the pre 09 Prius I'm seeing are the 1.5's, how do they fare against the 1.8's? Plus, can you even get the luxury spec in the 1.5's? What needs to be done re the AC?
    bazz26 wrote: »
    If your going 2008 to 2011 Auris petrol then go for the 1.33 litre engine rather than the older 1.4 litre. The 1.33 litre engine has a bit more bhp, 6 speed, is more fuel efficent, has stop/start and €280 motor tax. It was available only with the facelifted Irish Auris sold from mid 2010 onwards but was available on pre facelfited UK models since mid 2009.

    The Focus is similar, 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre petrol models had high emissions so anything on the new tax system will have circa €500 to tax. Most petrol Focus were gone by the end of 2009 here as people opted for the cheaper to tax diesel versions instead.

    Personally I wouldn't touch a diesel, so will be buying either petrol or hybrid. The 1.33 Auris sounds interesting, though at mid 2010 onwards I can see it being hard to get within my budget


  • #5
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,362 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Myrddin wrote: »
    Mod of the pre 09 Prius I'm seeing are the 1.5's, how do they fare against the 1.8's? Plus, can you even get the luxury spec in the 1.5's? What needs to be done re the AC?



    Personally I wouldn't touch a diesel, so will be buying either petrol or hybrid. The 1.33 Auris sounds interesting, though at mid 2010 onwards I can see it being hard to get within my budget

    There are a good few used UK Auris 1.33 litre models from 2009 onwards for sale too.

    For example:
    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-auris-tr-stopstart-vvti/12634644


  • #6
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,520 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    you can get the luxury pack on the old model prius. it added cruise control, front fogs and a kickin JBL 9 speaker 6 cd system.
    that's about as high spec as Irish ones got in real life but you can get learher and stuff on uk cars.


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  • #7
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,362 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Hyundai i30 is worth a look at too:
    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/hyundai-i30-1-4-litre-petrol/11742214


  • #8
    grogi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,616 ✭✭✭grogi


    Myrddin wrote: »
    Mod of the pre 09 Prius I'm seeing are the 1.5's, how do they fare against the 1.8's? Plus, can you even get the luxury spec in the 1.5's? What needs to be done re the AC?

    The engine
    1.5 and 1.8 provide similar power and performance. The advantage of the 1.8 is it has slightly more torque in low rev range, thus the car can cruise with a bit lower engine speed. That contributes to the minimal increase in fuel economy.

    AirCon
    With typical service of AirCon (what am I writing about?! AirCon service?! The service is just oil and filters, right?), the cooling agent and the oil are sucked from the system and fresh pumped back. This allows for the whole system to be dehumidified as well... It is a good practice to do it every 5 years or so...

    The issue here is that the typical oil used in aircon is conductive and causes voltage bridges inside the electric compressor. Even smallest contamination might damage it. Only Toyota garages have dedicated machines to service hybrids - and it is not that pricey - I've paid €70 for the whole operation if I recall correctly...


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