Considering buying a car

job seeker

Looking for some opinions, please.

What do ye think of this?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/01-honda-civic-fresh-1-year-nctd-amp-3-mnths-taxd/14639186

Thanks

Zurbaran

More than likely clocked and if the speedo is KM it must be a Jap import. None of that matters though if it is in good enough nick and you can get an insurance quote that suits.

If you can afford the tax and insurance you could get an Accord for around the same money.

job seeker

Zurbaran wrote: »

More than likely clocked and if the speedo is KM it must be a Jap import. None of that matters though if it is in good enough nick and you can get an insurance quote that suits.

If you can afford the tax and insurance you could get an Accord for around the same money.

Thanks for your reply.

I'd not be on for buying a clocked car if I'm honest.

I like the accords, what engine and year would we be talking about?

Thanks!

Zurbaran

job seeker wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

I'd not be on for buying a clocked car if I'm honest.

I like the accords, what engine and year would we be talking about?

Thanks!

At that age and price it really doesn't matter if it's clocked. It's current condition and how much to insure would be the most important thing. Find one you like, test it yourself and if it's one you would buy then get it checked by a professional.

I'm not sure how old you are or your driving experience but if you have a bit of experience I would look at the accord. https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-accord-sport/15239986

bazz26

It's not a Japanese import as the clocks are in mph/kph. At that age condition is more important than the mileage on the clock.

Seller has a number of vehicles for sale so is likely a part time wheeler dealer type. At this end of the market you really need to know your beans when it comes to spotting a good car versus a bad one, as you more than likely are dealing with a shrewd seller.

I'd have a look at something like this:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1-4-litre-petrol/15224649

They are tough little cars that are well able to take high mileage. The only real weakness is the gearbox which can suffer from bearing failure. If the gearbox is notchy or noisy then more than likely it's a bearing. The VVTi engine has a chain instead of a belt too so no change interval.

job seeker

bazz26 wrote: »

It's not a Japanese import as the clocks are in mph/kph. At that age condition is more important than the mileage on the clock.

Seller has a number of vehicles for sale so is likely a part time wheeler dealer type. At this end of the market you really need to know your beans when it comes to spotting a good car versus a bad one, as you more than likely are dealing with a shrewd seller.

I'd have a look at something like this:



They are tough little cars that are well able to take high mileage. The only real weakness is the gearbox which can suffer from bearing failure. If the gearbox is notchy or noisy then more than likely it's a bearing. The VVTi engine has a chain instead of a belt too so no change interval.

Hi Bazz, the corolla would be ideal. But I would be looking for something with a little less miles. I see what your saying, but to me 150k still seems alot for a petrol.

Thanks for your reply.

bazz26

You need to be realistic here, your looking at 15 year old cars, 150,000 miles on a 15 year old car is 10,000 miles a year which would be below average for the age. Irish people see 6 digits on the odometer and automatically shy away. There are plenty of low mileage cars out there that have had plenty of dog's abuse, you don't have drive a car far to abuse it.

job seeker

bazz26 wrote: »

You need to be realistic here, your looking at 15 year old cars, 150,000 miles on a 15 year old car is 10,000 miles a year which would be below average for the age. Irish people see 6 digits on the odometer and automatically shy away. There are plenty of low mileage cars out there that have had plenty of dog's abuse, you don't have drive a car far to abuse it.

I see, do you reckon you'd get it by offering about 1200ish? Like it is a 15 year old car to be fair..

EDIT: It is spotless though!

bazz26

Assuming the car checks out, you could go in with a cheeky offer of 1100 and see what they say. The passenger front headlight is a bit faded and might need some attention so maybe try and use it as a bargaining tool. If you waved 1200 cash in front of them and be ready to drive it away they probably would accept it.

goz83

Before you wave any cash, get an insuarance quote. A chunk of them won't insure 10 year old cars, let alone 15 year old ones.

job seeker

bazz26 wrote: »

Assuming the car checks out, you could go in with a cheeky offer of 1100 and see what they say. The passenger front headlight is a bit faded and might need some attention so maybe try and use it as a bargaining tool. If you waved 1200 cash in front of them and be ready to drive it away they probably would accept it.

I see what you mean. But to be honest I'd not be too concerned if it suffered light damage and had a panel replaced. As it would be extremely hard to get a car of that age that hasn't had a tip or two in it's time imo.

goz83 wrote: »

Before you wave any cash, get an insuarance quote. A chunk of them won't insure 10 year old cars, let alone 15 year old ones.

Definitely, I'll call them tomorrow. However, I've been told by a member of staff at FBD that I'm safe enough as I insured a 1999 Yaris under my own name last October two years ago with them and it was after I took out my policy with them that they started to refuse insurance on cars that age.

Thanks for the advice.

goz83

job seeker wrote: »

Definitely, I'll call them tomorrow. However, I've been told by a member of staff at FBD that I'm safe enough as I insured a 1999 Yaris under my own name last October two years ago with them and it was after I took out my policy with them that they started to refuse insurance on cars that age.

Thanks for the advice.

That doesn't mean anything. They will always quote you on a car you have insured with them. This will be a new quote. Sit down before they quote you.

selectamatic

job seeker wrote: »

Looking for some opinions, please.

What do ye think of this?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/01-honda-civic-fresh-1-year-nctd-amp-3-mnths-taxd/14639186

Thanks

That's a local car to me I can't say I know anything of note about it but it seems to be the standard school run type yoke.

I dunno really is it something a young fella would be happy in. If it was me I'd try and use this opportunity to get something a bit more fun.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris-t-sport/15216019

Something like this maybe

Recent enough ownership change and only tested till october but it's kinda along the lines of what I'd be thinking.

colm_mcm

An ignis sport might be worth a look, sure they look like a toaster, but they're a really good car to drive.

job seeker

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I've been thinking, so I'm going to raise my budget to 3500. Also, I hope to be moving to Clonakility Co. Cork at the end of June. So I'll be travelling home about once a month and to/from work in Cork. I hope to rent a house no further than 20 miles from work. The reason I'm telling ye this is that I'm wondering if I'd be better getting a deisel car? Thanks so far.

corks finest

job seeker wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I've been thinking, so I'm going to raise my budget to 3500. Also, I hope to be moving to Clonability Co. Cork at the end of June. So I'll be travelling home about once a month and to/from work in Cork. I hope to rent a house no further than 20 miles from work. The reason I'm telling ye this is that I'm wondering if I'd be better getting a deisel car? Thanks so far.

Get a fairly decent Fabia for that money

job seeker

corks finest wrote: »

Get a fairly decent Fabia for that money

Am I as well to get a petrol or diesel fabia? Which is better? I perhaps I've no real need for a diesel car..

job seeker

What about this?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vauxhall-astra/15253511

bazz26

Your 3500 will go a lot further with a buying a petrol car over a diesel one. Overall cost of ownership could be lower on the petrol car too. 3500 would get you a 06/07 Corolla, Mazda3 or Civic.

For example:


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-3-2008-sakata/14943737

colm_mcm

job seeker wrote: »

What about this?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vauxhall-astra/15253511

Junk.

job seeker

colm_mcm wrote: »

Junk.

Why is that?

colm_mcm

Engines are prone to issues.

bazz26

Very soft petrol engines in those Astras. Hard to beat Japanese stuff in that price range.

dazza161989

Buy a 2006-> shape civic 1.4 petrol. Absolutely bullet proof. Best car out there for that money!!!

colm_mcm

Insurance is sore on Civics considering how little performance a 1.4 offers.