Help choosing a used car please

rusdeol77

Hi all,

Looking for some advice with purchasing a used car. I'm currently driving an 06 Skoda Octavia 1.4, and looking to get something with a budget of about 13k, probably from a dealer as I wouldn't be confident enough looking at private sales.

I haven't looked at cars for years, so I really don't know what's reliable these days, or what's best to avoid, but I'm open to any make. Looking for a petrol engine, something at least medium sized and will have a couple of young teenagers in the back. Decent boot space would be nice, but I know I'll never have the boot that I currently have again!

Passed the closest garage to me a while ago, and pricewise, had a quick glance at a Nissan Juke, a Qashqai and a Renault Fluence (all 2013) - any feedback on those specifically? Or any suggestions really.

Would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

bazz26

Nissan Juke and Qashqai are crossovers and don't offer anything really in the way of space especially compared to your Octavia. Renault Fluence is a mid size saloon so the boot access won't be as practical as the hatchback of the Octavia.

Why not a newer Octavia?
http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1770085&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D80%26o%5B%5D%3D682%26f%3D1%26s%3Dd%26yn%3D2009%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

rusdeol77

Thanks for your reply. To be quite honest, I've had so many issues with the car in the last 18 months, it has just turned me off another one. I may end up coming back to it if I don't find anything else out there, but for now, it's not top of my list!

bmwguy

Ok you are clearly not a petrolhead car fan so just want something reliable. You looked at crossovers and saloons so I think you are open to anything.
With your 13k budget I think you should be looking in the direction of Hyundai. Perhaps an i30 or an i40. Even an i30 estate. Should get a 2013 in either of them under budget but I'm not sure so look them up on the sites.
Decent looking cars, won't set your world on fire though but should still have a few years manufacturers warranty too.

Larbre34

The solution is simple, a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta 1.2 TSI 105 bhp. €13k will easily get you one of those, especially if you arent trading in the Skoda.

Similar or better solidity than your Octavia, little bit quicker too, enormous in the back for a couple of stretching teens. They are a little rare, but worth a national search, or maybe see about bringing in a UK import through one of the specialist dealers who will source one for you. UK prices are cheaper even with import costs and engine is more powerful 1.4 TSI with 122hp. Avoid less than comfortline spec

bazz26

To be fair the Mk3 Octavia is a good car. They only thing to watch out for with the early Tsi petrol engines is that the timing chain can stretch and may need to be replaced. Other than that they tend to be solid enough.

rusdeol77

bmwguy wrote: »

Decent looking cars, won't set your world on fire though but should still have a few years manufacturers warranty too.

Thanks. I don't mind too much what the car looks like, as long as it's reliable! I will take a look at Hyundais, thanks.

Larbre34 wrote: »

The solution is simple, a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta 1.2 TSI 105 bhp. €13k will easily get you one of those, especially if you arent trading in the Skoda.

Well I was probably going to use the Skoda as scrappage really, as it's over 10 years old and I don't think it's worth anything really.

bazz26 wrote: »

To be fair the Mk3 Octavia is a good car. They only thing to watch out for with the early Tsi petrol engines is that the timing chain can stretch and may need to be replaced. Other than that they tend to be solid enough.

Is the Mk3 the newer model? I assume it's not the one I had anyway, as it has a timing belt. As I said, I probably will look up the newer Octavias anyway!

bazz26

Mk3 Octavia is the current one out since the beginning of 2013. The 1.4 engine in your one was never a great engine, very soft and dates back to the late 1990s Golf.