Reliable 'stupid' car

cjmcork

no kids, single, female - brutal job, social life non existent due to work so fancy changing my car to something a bit stupid but something that I will be able to trade in 3 years time

have a 11 Focus to trade in and will put about 10k with it, Cork dealers only - looking for recommendations - has to be diesel, relatively inexpensive to service (was looking at a Lexus IS until I heard the parts are an exorbitant price) - there's a Focus Zetec S around but it's in white, so not sure I could look at it for 3 years...........ideas?

Soarer

If I was you, I'd sell the focus privately, and get a 335D or something from the UK.

Does it really have to be diesel? 'Cause you'd get a lovely Lexus IS300h in the UK for your budget.

RobAMerc

why does a single girl need a saloon, and why does it have to be diesel ?

Do you do big mileage ? I think in 3 years the attitude to diesels may have changed significantly too.

How bout you actually buy something a bit flashy and fun ( stupid you might call it ) that you might enjoy.

Mazda Mx 5, Merc SLK or maybe a Boxster ?

Not a 4 door saloon family car ffs ! the only thing stupid about that is the fact a single girl is buying it. there is more than enough time for that surely.

colm_mcm

Just for reference, here is the OPs other thread.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=102664015

Professor Moriarty

cjmcork wrote: »

no kids, single, female - brutal job, social life non existent due to work so fancy changing my car to something a bit stupid but something that I will be able to trade in 3 years time

have a 11 Focus to trade in and will put about 10k with it, Cork dealers only - looking for recommendations - has to be diesel, relatively inexpensive to service (was looking at a Lexus IS until I heard the parts are an exorbitant price) - there's a Focus Zetec S around but it's in white, so not sure I could look at it for 3 years...........ideas?

If you buy a Lexus you won't be needing parts.

RobAMerc

how about this ?

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/2-series/used-2014-142-bmw-2-series-bmw-218d-s-waterford-fpa-9153334024468468047

or

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/peugeot/rcz/used-2013-131-peugeot-rcz-gt-2-0-hdi-wexford-fpa-7428845107749727376

or

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/scirocco/used-2015-151-volkswagen-scirocco-waterford-fpa-6266691209490650553

Not exactly a 911 but if you go out and buy a lexus , I promise you you'll look out the window in 3 months time with a car loan and a feeling you totally blew a perfectly good mid life crisis on a boring family mans car.

Professor Moriarty

RobAMerc wrote: »

how about this ?

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/2-series/used-2014-142-bmw-2-series-bmw-218d-s-waterford-fpa-9153334024468468047

or

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/peugeot/rcz/used-2013-131-peugeot-rcz-gt-2-0-hdi-wexford-fpa-7428845107749727376

or

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/scirocco/used-2015-151-volkswagen-scirocco-waterford-fpa-6266691209490650553

Not exactly a 911 but if you go out and buy a lexus , I promise you you'll look out the window in 3 months time with a car loan and a feeling you totally blew a perfectly good mid life crisis on a boring family mans car.

The Beamer is a no-brainer of those three. And will have better residual value.

bazz26

Professor Moriarty wrote: »

If you buy a Lexus you won't be needing parts.

You will if it's a diesel one. EGR valve, head gasket all go wrong.

Professor Moriarty

bazz26 wrote: »

You will if it's a diesel one. EGR valve, head gasket all go wrong.

Didn't know that. Lexus are always in the top three manufacturers when it comes to reliability surveys. But I suppose everyone can have a lemon.

walus

Audi TT?

cjmcork

walus wrote: »

Audi TT?

would love one - MAD money though

walus

cjmcork wrote: »

would love one - MAD money though

Fits the bill though...

cjmcork

I know but so does a second hand DB9 (I would like to be able to eat a little bit over the 3 - 5 years of the car loan!)

eviltimeban

Depends on the Audi TT - you can get an older one for a lot less than you think you would.

Mazda Mx5?

Peugeot RCZ?

Mini Cooper S?

Audi A5? (an older one)

bazz26

Professor Moriarty wrote: »

Didn't know that. Lexus are always in the top three manufacturers when it comes to reliability surveys. But I suppose everyone can have a lemon.

They only sold one model with a diesel engine and that was in Europe to battle the likes of Audi and BMW in the premium diesel sales explosion. They didn't design a diesel engine themselves but rather fitted one from parent company Toyota that was rubbish. Lexus status in reliability is earned with their petrol and hybrid models.

walus

How about Lexus CT200h - less stupid but reliable and very good looking car?

grogi

walus wrote: »

How about Lexus CT200h - less stupid but reliable and very good looking car?

It is screaming 'I AM NOT A PRIUS', although everyone knows it is Prius' baby sister... It is practical and economical. It is comfortable... It makes a lot of sense. It in this case it is an awful choice.

My answer is MX5. Reliable and RWD. Not practical - aka stupid. Not a diesel - cheaper to maintain... But as cheerful as can be. If you can fit in one of course.

Supergurrier

Go on, treat yourself

Cee-Jay-Cee

You state you want something 'stupid' and say you were looking at a Focus Zetec S, which is a boring regular car. You say in your other thread you do less than 170km a week but say it has to be a diesel even though you do virtually no mileage? Your single yet considering an Avensis. the most boring mundane family saloon out there.

I have no idea what to recommend you as your story is so confusing, its impossible to suggest anything.

cjmcork

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

You state you want something 'stupid' and say you were looking at a Focus Zetec S, which is a boring regular car. You say in your other thread you do less than 170km a week but say it has to be a diesel even though you do virtually no mileage? Your single yet considering an Avensis. the most boring mundane family saloon out there.

I have no idea what to recommend you as your story is so confusing, its impossible to suggest anything.

it's 110km a day Monday - Friday and about 50 at the weekends, hence the diesel, because sometimes I do the Cork / Dublin road during the week for work - I have zero mechanical skills and there isn't a second car available to me, so I need something reliable that looks good - thanks

bazz26

Mercedes A Class:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/A180-D/9176196213278380900/

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/180-CDi/3167872061154398510/

CalamariFritti

cjmcork wrote: »

would love one - MAD money though

Not cheap but not impossible.

If I was you I would have gotten one. I'm not single though. So I got an estate.

Anyway go to autotrader uk and have look at 2.0 TFSI ideally the stronic quattro. Something like this.
You get a MkII with low mileage albeit 2013 or 2012 even for 16kish sterling. VRT won't be cheap but you should get it cleared for under 25k.

Its pure class all around. The interior oozes class, too. You would love it, anyone would. And age wouldn't matter. You'd get one with 30k miles that's barely broken in. 2012 wouldn't bother me one bit in that kind of car.

A diesel would be cheaper too if you must. Just personally think its a bit inappropriate for a TT.