What's my best option?

Lilmiss82

So I'm looking for a cheap run around. €1500-€2000 I haven't got a CLUE when it comes to buying a car so what am I best off looking for? I've two kids so want something family friendly. Cheap to run and Cheap on Insurance. Preferably a 1.4 litre.
At the minute I've been looking at Peugeot 307, Ford Focus, Renault Clio, Opel Astra, and Citroen C5 Picasso. Would any of you be able to advise which would be best for my requirements please? or have any other suggestions for me?

Stallingrad

From that list a Focus is the safer bet, I'd be avoiding older French cars in the price bracket. Seek out cars with new NCT and a documented service history, if it has those two things and you get it checkout out there is not much to be gained by buying from a dealer. Check out insurance before buying too, as the car will be around/over 10 years old.

Lilmiss82

Stallingrad wrote: »

From that list a Focus is the safer bet, I'd be avoiding older French cars in the price bracket. Seek out cars with new NCT and a documented service history, if it has those two things and you get it checkout out there is not much to be gained by buying from a dealer. Check out insurance before buying too, as the car will be around/over 10 years old.

Excellent thanks for all the info. I was definitely favouring the focus. When you say avoid the French cars... do you mean the Peugeot and Citreon? Sorry for sounding dumb but that's how little I know about cars :eek:

Lilmiss82

Also do you have any other suggestions in my price range other than those that I listed ?

Stallingrad

Lilmiss82 wrote: »

When you say avoid the French cars... do you mean the Peugeot and Citreon?

Yes.:)

Consider a Toyota Corolla too.

Lilmiss82

Great thanks so much. Am I best off looking at the likes of Adverts and done deal? Are there any other good websites that you may know of?

bazz26

donedeal.ie will have the most choice in that price range but just be aware that there is alot of rubbish for sale that are being sold by clever dishonest sellers who prey on non savvy buyers. Make sure you have somebody who knows their way around cars and/or a mechanic check the car out first.

Lilmiss82

bazz26 wrote: »

donedeal.ie will have the most choice in that price range but just be aware that there is alot of rubbish for sale that are being sold by clever dishonest sellers who prey on non savvy buyers. Make sure you have somebody who knows their way around cars and/or a mechanic check the car out first.

OK thanks... Are there any signs to look out for with the dodgy sellers?

Notch000

A recent NCT cert should give some piece of mind that a car has been recently tested and has pased inspection.
Buying form a garafe should also yield a warrently but its unlikely you will find much for your price range. Also chjeck out you insurance as cars 10-15 yrs old are getting pretty difficult to cover. Yuo might get covered now but get rejected or jacked prominums in a yr or twos time.

As stated the japaneese cars (mitibushi,honda, nissan and toyotas) or much better then the european equivalents in terms of reliabiily

Kamili

I'd advise checking the NCT status on the NCT site before ringing the seller, at least then you'll know its valid and correct too.

https://www.ncts.ie/1096

Just enter the reg and the site will do the rest for you. It will tell you when it expires.

There are some Gems out there but some lemons too.

Take a look at the bangernomics thread, the guys on there are great at sourcing and advising, and have eagle eyes for spotting issues in the photos and anything on here is less than 2k, and has a valid NCT

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057493741&page=659

theres also some helpful hints on what to look out for when buying a car at the below thread too:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056198864

Happy car shopping!

Lilmiss82

Wow thanks For taking the time to give me all that insightful information.... will definitely check it all out before I buy anything

Kamili wrote: »

I'd advise checking the NCT status on the NCT site before ringing the seller, at least then you'll know its valid and correct too.

https://www.ncts.ie/1096

Just enter the reg and the site will do the rest for you. It will tell you when it expires.

There are some Gems out there but some lemons too.

Take a look at the bangernomics thread, the guys on there are great at sourcing and advising, and have eagle eyes for spotting issues in the photos and anything on here is less than 2k, and has a valid NCT

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057493741&page=659

theres also some helpful hints on what to look out for when buying a car at the below thread too:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056198864

Happy car shopping!

Wow thanks

Lilmiss82

So I've been looking at this....
What do ye all think?
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-1-4-new-nct-07-18/16014137

kerten

If insurance is not a huge constraint, I would look into 1.6 ghia spec focus which is a better package and most likely cheaper than those 1.4s due to huge engine it has.

Those focuses has couple of common issues but they should be surfaced at and addressed at that age.

bazz26

Maybe it's just the photos but some of that Focus appears to have different shades of silver which could suggest a poor crash repair.

Mazda 3 is worth a look at too:


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-3-nct-07-18/16044845

Nissan Note is another:


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-note-2006-1-4-l-new-nct-07-2018/16028537

Lilmiss82

Love that mazda.... Thanks for taking your time to do a little search for me.... I went to a couple of garages, and found a nice little Toyota corolla d4d for €1950. It's a 1.4, '06 nctd until May next year, took it for a spin and everything seemed perfect, until I hit the brakes, there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel when breaking... Anyone any idea of what this might be?
I really liked the car over all except for the brake issue.

Del2005

kerten wrote: »

If insurance is not a huge constraint, I would look into 1.6 ghia spec focus which is a better package and most likely cheaper than those 1.4s due to huge engine it has.

Those focuses has couple of common issues but they should be surfaced at and addressed at that age.

The OP is looking for a cheap to run car, the 1.6 Focus drinks petrol like its going out of fashion.

mloc123

Is the Micra still the king of 1500e runabouts?

Stallingrad

mloc123 wrote: »

Is the Micra still the king of 1500e runabouts?

Yaris is King, Micra just behind.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Del2005 wrote: »

The OP is looking for a cheap to run car, the 1.6 Focus drinks petrol like its going out of fashion.

No it doesn't. They're actually easier to run than the 1.4 as you don't need to rev the nuts of the engine to get it up to speed.

Idbatterim

the 1.4 engines in the fords are a joke. would a yaris be an option op?

kerten

Del2005 wrote: »

The OP is looking for a cheap to run car, the 1.6 Focus drinks petrol like its going out of fashion.

Ford petrol engines in general are not the most economical ones(especially for short runs) including 1.4 in a heavy focus mk2.

That said, for that kind of budget single issue can take away all the saving you do with fuel consumption(depending on mileage of course)

I always buy cheap cars myself as I hate idea of depreciation, and at this budget reliability is more important than fuel consumption in general. If fuel consumption is so important, it makes sense to go for smaller MPVs like Note as weight is more important factor than the efficiency of naturally aspirated petrol engines.

OP,

d4d diesel engine is in general reliable engine but any diesel engine at this price range is a risky choice comparing to petrol engines. And a car with vibrating brakes points to a dealer who doesn't care the state of the car he is selling due to low price tag.

Don't buy this car with assumption of it is sold by a dealer and he will look after you when other issues surfaces. Find someone car savvy or pay a mechanic to check it out if you really want to buy the car

Lilmiss82

Thanks for all your help Boardsies.... I went with the D4D corolla. Bought a mechanic out with me and said the car is perfect, just needed new brake pads and discs (hence the vibration) which would cost 100, the garage knocked 100 off the price because of this... Got the brakes sorted straight away and am now very pleased with my purchase... only one owner, nct'd until may next year and taxed till October. Really miser on diesel too!

Stallingrad

Lilmiss82 wrote: »

Love that mazda.... Thanks for taking your time to do a little search for me.... I went to a couple of garages, and found a nice little Toyota corolla d4d for €1950. It's a 1.4, '06 nctd until May next year, took it for a spin and everything seemed perfect, until I hit the brakes, there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel when breaking... Anyone any idea of what this might be?
I really liked the car over all except for the brake issue.

You really need to get a mechanic to look over the car. That could be a number of things from warped/worn disks to worn suspension parts. No-one here will know for sure.

Lilmiss82

Stallingrad wrote: »

You really need to get a mechanic to look over the car. That could be a number of things from warped/worn disks to worn suspension parts. No-one here will know for sure.

Thanks for the advice ... Look at my advice post