1.6 - 2.0 petrol, 2006 and up, €3.5k budget

Sexual Chocolate

Folks, need a few inputs and suggestions here.

Will be looking at buying another car in July/August. My current one needs over €1500 worth of work done to it so I'll be moving on from it.

Criteria is :

~ 2006 or newer

~ 1.6 to 2.0 petrol

~ Manual

~ Max €3500

~ Hatch (not a liftback) or Saloon


Cars I will be avoiding are Golfs, anything French and for insurance reasons BMW and possibly Civics and Accords.

What does interest me is the MK2 Focus in Ghia or Titanium spec, ideally a 2.0 petrol but finding a decent one in here will be very difficult, however I would be prepared to go across the water for one as vrt is only about 600 on them. Failing that the 1.6 115 bhp would be my next best bet.

Online quotes (not that they should be took as gospel) for me on a 1.8 ivtec Civic, which I would love are coming in a lot more then other similar cars so I'll have to probably steer clear of them.

I don't do much mileage but would like something that has some sort of pick up as I'll be coming from 170 bhp.

Thanks

colm_mcm

My insurance on a 1.8 civic was €585. 35 with 10 years no claims. Allianz.

They're relatively quick but there's plenty diesels out there with less bhp that would feel quicker. They are seriously well built and reliable though so they're not much of a gamble.

Sexual Chocolate

colm_mcm wrote: »

My insurance on a 1.8 civic was €585. 35 with 10 years no claims. Allianz.

They're relatively quick but there's plenty diesels out there with less bhp that would feel quicker. They are seriously well built and reliable though so they're not much of a gamble.

Unfortunately im apart of the under 25 category.

How does yours fair out on juice colm ?

colm_mcm

Not bad on juice, used to get 43mpg average when I was doing a good mix of open road driving and city driving, but averaging 37 now that I do a lot of city driving.

Sexual Chocolate

Are all 1.8 Focus the FFV models?

colm_mcm

No. There's non FFV too in the uk. The FFV ones in Ireland were LX spec if I remember right, but in the uk you could get Zetec, Ghia etc in normal or FFV 1.8, the latter being a bit harder on fuel running on petrol as far as I know.

Worth noting that the 1.8 engine is only 123bhp vs 138 on the Honda. A 1.6 TI-VCT focus would make more sense than a 1.8 IMO

Sexual Chocolate

I'm going to look into insurance on the honda with my own company before I write them off altogether. The soloons do seem to go for cheaper on Donedeal.

colm_mcm

The hatch is nicer overall in general.

You will get the argument that the saloon has independent rear suspension and built in Japan so is therefore better. I have experience of both as my friend has the saloon and I have the hatch. Like for like the hatch will be better equipped, more economical and more spacious.

Neither of them are overly comfortable on long journies though.

Sexual Chocolate

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/seat-ibiza-fr-1-8-147bhp-3dr/14652395

Any opinion on these? They use the same 1.8t from the gti I guess ?

colm_mcm

Yeah, I'd imagine it would be similar to a mk4 GTI, now with those you really need to get one that's been properly looked after, and apparently their downfall is vacuum/pressure leaks. That generation Ibiza is known for having suspension that needs plenty replacement bits, bushings etc.

A "sold as seen" jobbie from a main dealer where they don't want to stand over it would have me running a mile.

Wouldnt be a massive fan of that generation Ibizas interior

bazz26

Was that engine not the newer 1.8 TSi engine as opposed to the older 20v unit from the MkIV Golf GTi/Audi TT?

colm_mcm

No, they're the 20v 1781cc engine, the TSI was on the newer 08 model. That gen Ibiza was out since 2002

Sexual Chocolate

How are the 04 - 08 1.8 140hp Astra's ? Do they give head gasket problems like the 1.4 ?

walus

Subaru Legacy?

selectamatic

2.0 Mazda 3 hatchback or small saloon

Sexual Chocolate

selectamatic wrote: »

2.0 Mazda 3 hatchback or small saloon

walus wrote: »

Subaru Legacy?

Would the mazda be the same duratec engine as the ford i wonder ?

And would parts for the Subaru be quite expensive compared to common car makes ?

Sexual Chocolate

colm_mcm wrote: »

My insurance on a 1.8 civic was €585. 35 with 10 years no claims. Allianz.

Looked into this and as assumed one of these is a 400 odd increase onto my policy. Taking into account that im coming down in engine size a considerable bit I'd have to think on it.

bazz26

Honda Accord:


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-accord-2-0-type-s/15427098

Mazda 6:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-6-1-8-nct-2018-quick-sale/14761201

colm_mcm

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

Looked into this and as assumed one of these is a 400 odd increase onto my policy. Taking into account that im coming down in engine size a considerable bit I'd have to think on it.

Not worth it tbh.

Did you try any other company than the one you're with now?

Sexual Chocolate

colm_mcm wrote: »

Not worth it tbh.

Did you try any other company than the one you're with now?

Is there any point in that though ? Dont I have to serve out my full year for ncb purposes?

Funnier thing is that I also priced a 08 2.0 petrol mondeo and was told id be refunded 150 quid

Sexual Chocolate

bazz26 wrote: »

Honda Accord:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-accord-2-0-type-s/15427098

Mazda 6:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-6-1-8-nct-2018-quick-sale/14761201

On my renewal a few months back I priced an accord and they wanted 2400 opposed to the 1k I pay now.

The mazda 6 is a car that I do and dont like at the same time. I've never drove one so I wont knock it just yet. It does however look quite a big car for a 1.8

selectamatic

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

Would the mazda be the same duratec engine as the ford i wonder ?

It is. They seem to be nicely spec'd in that sport trim they come in too

colm_mcm

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

On my renewal a few months back I priced an accord and they wanted 2400 opposed to the 1k I pay now.

The mazda 6 is a car that I do and dont like at the same time. I've never drove one so I wont knock it just yet. It does however look quite a big car for a 1.8

Mazda put their cars on a diet a few years ago, so the 6 only weighs 1395kg. Around 100kg less than the equivalent Passat.

Sexual Chocolate

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-1-8t-2006-s-line/15388190

Yay or nay ? They do look the best of everything I've considered so far .


Do insurance companies tend to consider these in a similar category or grouping like Hondas ?

bazz26

Short NCT on that A4.

What about an Alfa 159 petrol? Tax is 750 a year but it's a cheap 2009 car with a long NCT, low mileage and claims to have receipts for a recent timing belt change:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-159-nct-timing-belt-full-service/15180464

Sexual Chocolate

That alfa looks great. What specifically is it that Alfas give trouble on ?

Cee-Jay-Cee

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

Would the mazda be the same duratec engine as the ford i wonder ?

And would parts for the Subaru be quite expensive compared to common car makes ?

Parts for Legacy's are on a par with most other cars. I had one for 5 years and it was ultra reliable costing me next to nothing in that time (except the usual servicing, brake pads/discs, a few ARB bushings and drop links etc.

07> models can be bought very reasonably as the market for them is virtually zero and so people will drop prices to make a sale. There are a good few on DD at the moment. I wouldn't give more than €3500 for one unless it was absolutely mint with a full SH.

grogi

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

That alfa looks great. What specifically is it that Alfas give trouble on ?

Not sure if still the case in 2009 - the M32 gearbox. Around a grand to have it fixed when it comes to it...

Sexual Chocolate

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201704284912293?fuel-type=Petrol&model=FOCUS&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&maximum-badge-engine-size=2.0&make=FORD&year-to=2009&price-to=4000&sort=sponsored&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=ll651dq&year-from=2006&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.0&page=3

A bit too mundane to be worth the hassle ? Around 600 VRT

*Anyone on touch site won't be able to open link for some reason*

bazz26

Cannot see the appeal of importing that to be honest, probably just over 3k to clear it for an 11 year old Focus?

Here is a year younger Mondeo 2.0 litre Ghia with higher mileage but still average for the year, asking 2k:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-mondeo/15306687

Sexual Chocolate

Cheers bazz and to others who have posted here.

I was sort of thinking the same myself, if I was importing one I might as well look to the facelift MK2.

Regarding the Mondeo, im in two minds about them at this stage. I know I mentioned earlier on that I got a quote for one but I dont fancy going from one to another, or third time in my case.

I have for a long time being toying with the idea of bringing in a Fiesta ST 150. VRT on them is 1.1k for 06 or 1.5k for 07. That good or bad for a hot hatch that basically non existent the roads here ?

And oddly enough insurance seems to be coming in a fair bit cheaper for then the 1.8 Civic.

Sexual Chocolate

S40 1.8 ?

There are plenty of these up for sale between 06 and 08 however they range from as low as 1500 to 6000. Are these know to give much bother ?

Are the biofuel engines really that thirsty? I had the same 1.8 in the Mondeo before and didnt find it that bad.....

Cee-Jay-Cee

They are supposedly very thirsty and the bio-fuel means nothing unless you can get E85 which I think is very difficult to find these days. The rear of the S40 is also very cramped and small, there is virtually no leg room and the width of the door opening is very tight but they are fairly reliable, plentiful and cheap and so the trade off is slightly poor fuel economy.

Sexual Chocolate

Are they still 125bhp on regular fuel or is that only on e85 ?

H3llR4iser

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

That alfa looks great. What specifically is it that Alfas give trouble on ?

grogi wrote: »

Not sure if still the case in 2009 - the M32 gearbox. Around a grand to have it fixed when it comes to it...

The 1.8mpi doesn't have the M32 gearbox, it uses an F17 394 one. As far as I know it doesn't suffer from the same bearings issue; The drawback is that it's only 5-speed instead of a 6-speed.

I've never specifically driven the 1.8mpi 159, but I've seen it reviewed and described as possibly the best "balanced" offering along with the 2.0 JTDm. The engine is a full on GM unit, rather than a proprietary Alfa one (like the 1.8TBi) or a heavily modified platform (a-la-JTS).

The specific car is a 2009, so it's already the "second series" of 159 featuring a number of small improvements; it's also the lightest of 159s at "just" 1385kg (for the 1.8 specifically).

For 3k it's a LOT of car, you may want to test drive it.

Sexual Chocolate

Just looking for some more info on the Mk4 Mondeo 2.0 petrol. One has come up for sale that slightly interests me.

Does 145bhp get these cars around nicely enough considering how heavy they are ? Anyone here know what they are like on fuel ? Some online reviews state they are a pig while other say different.

Are they regarded a better car in many ways then the Mk3 ?

As previously mentioned I'll be coming from a 170 bhp V6 so I don't want to end up with something underpowered or brutal torque.

bazz26

Wouldn't be the best on fuel. Wouldn't have the grunt of a V6 so will feel a bit flat.

flyingsnail

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

Just looking for some more info on the Mk4 Mondeo 2.0 petrol. One has come up for sale that slightly interests me.

Does 145bhp get these cars around nicely enough considering how heavy they are ? Anyone here know what they are like on fuel ? Some online reviews state they are a pig while other say different.

Are they regarded a better car in many ways then the Mk3 ?

As previously mentioned I'll be coming from a 170 bhp V6 so I don't want to end up with something underpowered or brutal torque.

I would say if you are coming from a 170 V6 it will feel slow, I recently moved from a 1.8 mk3 125hp to the MK 4 2.0 Mondeo 145hp, both petrol. The extra weight is definitely noticeable but its more when you are starting off 1st/2nd gear the mk3 seemed faster but from 3rd gear up the mk4 seems to have much more grunt. The 145 is plenty to haul it around it’s just not the fastest thing out there.



Power aside the mk4 feels like a good upgrade on the mk3 in pretty much every respect. I haven’t had it long enough to properly asses the fuel consumption but the computer says I am getting about 33-35 mpg (85% N road / 15 % town).


All of the 2.0 I saw were GHIA spec which is nice, but Bluetooth was not standard even though the buttons are on the front of the radio for it. If it is fitted it should have a dedicated Bluetooth stalk on the steering wheel.

Armchair Andy

Theres a nice 3.0 v6 for sale on donedeal 07. Drove one today was very surprised at it.
Dunno if it floats your boat.

Sexual Chocolate

Armchair Andy wrote: »

Theres a nice 3.0 v6 for sale on donedeal 07. Drove one today was very surprised at it.
Dunno if it floats your boat.

The blue one ?

Funny you suggest that as I have the 2.5 which I'm still in two minds to get repaired and keep if I dont find anything I like.

The only reason that hasnt shifted is because of the tax, which I couldn't justify myself. He's even dropped it by 2500 since it went up a couple of months ago and still no joy. Insurance is also decent on it them as well for a 3.0

corks finest

Remember cars 10 yrs and older, hard to unsure

Sexual Chocolate

corks finest wrote: »

Remember cars 10 yrs and older, hard to unsure

Havent heard of anyone with difficulty on 10 year old cars but 15 I have.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

Havent heard of anyone with difficulty on 10 year old cars but 15 I have.

Me. I had a 2005 Legacy and was told several times by various insurers that the ridiculously high quote they gave me (despite the fact that I owned the car for the previous 5 years, have zero penalty points, zero accidents in 27 years driving etc) was because my car was over 10 years old. I explained that if I were to buy the 08 version of the car, it would only be 8 years old but exactly the same technology and safety features so their reason is bullshít and a pathetic excuse for their greed.