Help with buying please!

ItAintMeBabe

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice. Thinking about viewing this over the weekend as my own car is on its last legs (04 Audi A3, 1.9tdi).

I wanted to downsize a bit and didn't want to go over 5000. I do approx 300kms a week. Possibly viewing this car Saturday and just wanted to get opinions here first and maybe some info on what I should look out for (young girl, going to look at car by myself. Not totally clueless but would appreciate guidance all the same!)

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/reduced-2009-new-shape-ford-fiesta-reduced/14264179

Mileage is what's worrying me most, and I also have zero experience with fords.

Four Phucs Ache

It's on NI plates so vrt will have to be paid.

He recently sold a Mazda as per a Google search and this car was in the background so probably is the wife's car.

Mileage is avg/normal for a 9yo car.

Being Donegal very little stop start driving so should feel tight to drive.

All cars have problems new and old.Some develop issues more than others.Fords are generally cheap to service and fix.

If your near Donegal go view it with somebody for a second opinion.It's very easy to get excited and be blind to issues others will spot.

Plenty of them to be had on Irish plates for your budget if you were viewing it knowing it needed VRT paid.

punisher5112

Don't buy private off a dealer that is pretending to be.

That car will likely be covered in rust from the north.

If you want to buy northern go and buy yourself as these do be dodgy getting brought in and all of a sudden they no longer need it yada yada.

ItAintMeBabe

Thanks for the replies folks.

I am in no panic to buy and won't be rushing into anything. I'm in Donegal myself and will be passing where this car is on Saturday and think I will view it out of handiness.

I'm aware of the vrt, 900, so I would be hoping to knock him down to 3000, bringing it to 3900. As I said, I'm in no rush and it's only because it's easy for me to view. Anything in particular I should look out for?

Thanks again for the replies.

ItAintMeBabe

punisher5112 wrote: »

Don't buy private off a dealer that is pretending to be.

That car will likely be covered in rust from the north.

If you want to buy northern go and buy yourself as these do be dodgy getting brought in and all of a sudden they no longer need it yada yada.

Was also considering going over the border myself for a fiesta, or a 1.3 civic also a possibility.

Another possibility was this, I really like the look of this car. Over my budget but I could get a few pound from the credit union if it was a better buy in the long run. Just unsure of the 1.4 diesel engine?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-fiesta-2012-1-4-tdi-titanium-diesel/14688480

punisher5112

Whatever choice you make get a mechanic to look it over and also do a hpi check.

Also be careful of northern cars as they have no system of mileage records like over the water now does.

You can check all previous tests if from the UK.

The 1st fiesta was bog standard and look terrible on steel wheels IMO.