Looking for recommendations - 15k

Benzino

Hi,

I'm looking to buy my first car* with a budget of 15k. I know nothing about cars so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Mostly walk/bus to work within Dublin, so it'd be mainly for weekend driving, I'm guessing I'd be doing the lower end of 10 - 20km a year.

I'd like to have Bluetooth, parking sensors, steering wheel controls, sat nav and leather seats would be a bonus. Any thing from a coupe, hatchback or saloon, but I'm open to suggestions

I've been looking at Renault Megane Coupe, Opel Astra Coupe, V40, Golf. However, I really like the look of the CC, with some nice specs available in UK seems like it'd be the better option over the above (besides the Golf perhaps, but they seem more expensive).

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

*It'll be my first car, but I've been driving for about 7 years.

bmwguy

Unless you are really going for looks and style, don't get a coupe or any 2 or 3 door car. Can be a bit impractical. That's my main point. They do look nice though.

At 15k you pretty much have choice of anything out there. Personally with 15k budget I would only spend half your budget and drop back in years for something a bit upmarket like the big Germans and keep money for running them. Although I do accept you will have high insurance for a while so maybe not practical.

It's really down to what you like.

List for us in order of your priorities

Style
Comfort
Power
Space
Reliability
Badge and prestige
Age
Running costs

Also, how long will you keep it for?

Benzino

bmwguy wrote: »

Unless you are really going for looks and style, don't get a coupe or any 2 or 3 door car. Can be a bit impractical. That's my main point. They do look nice though.

At 15k you pretty much have choice of anything out there. Personally with 15k budget I would only spend half your budget and drop back in years for something a bit upmarket like the big Germans and keep money for running them. Although I do accept you will have high insurance for a while so maybe not practical.

Yeah the looks is what got me interested in them, but they don't seem worth it when compared to non-coupe in a similar price range. I would like the gadgets such as the parking sensors, bluetooth and satnav if possible. Would they be in the older German cars?

bmwguy wrote: »

List for us in order of your priorities

Style
Comfort
Power
Space
Reliability
Badge and prestige
Age
Running costs

I'd probably go with the following:
Comfort
Reliability
Style
Power
Running costs
Age
Badge and prestige
Space

bmwguy wrote: »

Also, how long will you keep it for?

I'd be hoping for 5 years at least. After that, I'd only get rid if it's causing hassle or I'm bored.

bazz26

OP, have you got insurance quotes on any of those cars? If it's your first car then insurance might be a problem or at the very least it maybe very expensive.

Benzino

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, have you got insurance quotes on any of those cars? If it's your first car then insurance might be a problem or at the very least it maybe very expensive.

Hey, I've gotten a couple of online quotes from Liberty. Megane coupe (131) was 960, Golf TDI (142) was 1125 the CC (12) was 1250 for full comp. I've no idea how that compares on average to other drivers with 7 years NCB. Seems a tad high though. I hear Aviva are the best at the moment but I have to ring them for a quote, which I haven't gotten around to yet.

Edit: A bit more shopping around and I can get the CC for 900 on Its4Women.

Benzino

Going to give this a bump. I was looking at a CC but an inspection raised a few issues with it, and it's got me re-evaluating some things. I'm now thinking a hatchback may be more suitable due to been located in a city with street parking.

What would be the recommended hatchback? I'm not sure about a Focus, I just don't like the dash on Ford's circa 2013. Whereas I really like the dash of a VW, Audi, Skoda. Because I was initially looking at a CC, I think the Golf is a logical choice (although it's pricer compared to a CC which surprised me a bit).

ba_barabus

Seat Leon would be worth a look especially in petrol.

bazz26

Seat Leon FR:


http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1797422&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D78%26o%5B%5D%3D673%26f%3D1%26yn%3D2014%26yx%3D2016%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Benzino

Oh, never considered a Seat. Very nice looking car. I will have a look around, thanks

Shefwedfan

You mention weekend driving only and you live in Dublin. Just wondering if you would actually do 10k-20k km per year? I live outside Dublin, use car everyday for work/school runs etc and I would struggle to get over 10k on it.

When driving at weekends is it long distance driving or mostly around Dublin?

As it is your first car it might be worth looking at electric. If you check insurance should be cheap, also you will save with fuel costs.

I know its a lot but if you moved up to 20k you could look at eGolf or potentially BMW i3. You could maybe get one cheaper but they are rare

There is the standard Leaf which is, well a Leaf! but if you don't mind it there will be loads in price bracket.

Also the Renault Zoe which is a better looking car to Leaf if you ask me.

Another advantage is electric majority of cars come fully loaded in terms of spec.

Zoe option up north: https://www.usedcarsni.com/2015-Renault-Zoe-i-Expression-5dr-Auto-194054136
Also because it is elecrtric there is no VRT

Shefwedfan

Forgot to add, if not going full electric then hybrid. I would guess you are doing majority of city driving so hybrid/electric is the way to go

Yaris is small car in Hybrid
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/yaris/used-2014-141-toyota-yaris-hybrid-lux-dublin-fpa-4374267674509885704

Auris either, bigger version of Yaris and similar size to Golf
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/auris/used-2013-131-toyota-auris-1-8-hybrid-dublin-fpa-3848596851280910802

Lexus CT200H is similar to what you are looking at
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lexus/ct200h/used-2013-131-lexus-ct200h-f-sport-5-dublin-fpa-6920232293559888551

Benzino

It would most likely be at the lower end of 10k, as I would be traveling outside of Dublin frequently enough.

I don't think I could go full electric, as I park on the street and am not guaranteed a spot outside my house, and there is no charging points near, so charging while could be problematic.

Hybrid would definitely suit, but I'm not sure I could stretch to 20k. I do like the look of the Lexus, and no vrt is a very nice extra.

Just looking at some cars in the North, some say the price includes VRT. How does that work, they register the car for you?

bazz26

I'd doubt it, they are just giving interested southern buyers an indication of the all inclusive cost. VRTing a car down here is not a big or complicated process.

Benzino

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd doubt it, they are just giving interested southern buyers an indication of the all inclusive cost. VRTing a car down here is not a big or complicated process.

Ah ok, fair enough. Thanks.

Shefwedfan

Benzino wrote: »

It would most likely be at the lower end of 10k, as I would be traveling outside of Dublin frequently enough.

I don't think I could go full electric, as I park on the street and am not guaranteed a spot outside my house, and there is no charging points near, so charging while could be problematic.

Hybrid would definitely suit, but I'm not sure I could stretch to 20k. I do like the look of the Lexus, and no vrt is a very nice extra.

Just looking at some cars in the North, some say the price includes VRT. How does that work, they register the car for you?

Dont need 20k for Hybrid, some idea's below

Lexus
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lexus/ct200h/used-2012-lexus-ct200h-other-s-de-galway-fpa-2457859893138474114

Auris
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/auris/used-2012-toyota-auris-1-8-hsd-4d-mayo-fpa-7487811754563658183

Benzino

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Dont need 20k for Hybrid, some idea's below

Lexus
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lexus/ct200h/used-2012-lexus-ct200h-other-s-de-galway-fpa-2457859893138474114

Auris
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/auris/used-2012-toyota-auris-1-8-hsd-4d-mayo-fpa-7487811754563658183

Not a fan of the dash on the Auris (I think I am very picky with interiors, find a lot to be ugly), but I do like the look of the Lexus.

Is there anything I should look out for when buying second hand hybrid, in addition to the usual when buying a non-hybrid?

Thanks for your suggestions by the way, really appreciate it and very helpful!

bazz26

The electric motor is pretty much a sealed unit so there is no maintenance on it, the petrol engine is a standard non complicated 1.8 litre unit so standard servicing on that. CVT automatic gearbox can take a bit of getting used to but the CT and Auris hybrid have the same running gear as the Prius which has proven to be ultra reliable over the years.

Shefwedfan

Benzino wrote: »

Not a fan of the dash on the Auris (I think I am very picky with interiors, find a lot to be ugly), but I do like the look of the Lexus.

Is there anything I should look out for when buying second hand hybrid, in addition to the usual when buying a non-hybrid?

Thanks for your suggestions by the way, really appreciate it and very helpful!

At bazz mentions there is nothing major. The petrol engine can be checked over by any mechanic.

In terms of servicing the Lexus is same as Toyota so any dealer will be able to service no problem.

Benzino

Thanks! I just need to test drive these now I guess.

Benzino

Reviving this old thread, as other things have distracted me and took my focus off this. I have decided against the Lexus, I just don't love it.

I do really like the Leon though, however the missus is not very keen on it and would prefer a Golf (so would I, but not sure it's worth the extra couple of grand for a similar spec).

Just wondering, what are people's thoughts on the Mazda 3 (3rd gen, 2013 - 2016)? They seem to be available for similar price as the Leon with just as good a spec (bit better in some cases with some including camera).

bazz26

Most of them for sale here are diesel though.

Benzino

Regardless of car, I will likely get it from the UK. Better spec and prices over there in general.