Petrol hatchback 3.5k-ish

frozenfrozen

Currently just looking at this https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-120i-m-sport-new-nct-amp-big-spec/15708582

any other options in and around that price range? Insurance quote for that I'm getting is 1300 quid.. I have 8 months of a policy left that I paid 1200ish for so could swap for not much.. so any other options would have to be similar on insurance

other than that open to any suggestions about my options around that price bracket

3500ish, petrol, decent enough spec.. I do pretty low miles

thanks

colm_mcm

You'd get a 1.8 civic hatch within budget and it'd be faster than that 120i, more economical, more reliable and cheaper to tax. The 120 will be more refined though it's RWD which is a novelty, and the brand is more desirable to most.

bazz26

Just for the record that 1 Series is a Sport model rather than M Sport that the seller is claiming. Looks clean though.

What about a Golf GTi?



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-golf-gti-5dr-excellent-condition/16289595

frozenfrozen

colm_mcm wrote: »

You'd get a 1.8 civic hatch within budget and it'd be faster than that 120i, more economical, more reliable and cheaper to tax. The 120 will be more refined though it's RWD which is a novelty, and the brand is more desirable to most.

thanks, chill quote for a 1.8 civic hatch came back as 1250 so would be similar to switch to and has the 100 euro cheaper tax. At the moment the higher spec of that 120i is appealing though. Not at all against the idea of a civic with high spec, just from looking it seems the higher spec ones are asking a bit more money

Thankfully I do so few miles economy isn't a big deal... :cool:

bazz26 wrote: »

Just for the record that 1 Series is a Sport model rather than M Sport that the seller is claiming. Looks clean though.

What about a Golf GTi?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-golf-gti-5dr-excellent-condition/16289595

Thanks for pointing that out about m sport... how can you tell / how do they think they have an M sport? Might be something to knock price down a bit if they've been comparing it to m sports for sale...:o

I'm open to all options, I've been using chill online quotes just to get an idea and it won't quote me on that gti so that might mean the quote would be a little higher or I won't get quoted at all. I'm 22 so that's probably it

bazz26

The easiest giveaway regarding a genuine M Sport is that the interior roof headlining will be a charcoal/dark grey colour rather than the standard beige on the non M Sport versions. It also doesn't have the M Sport multifunction steering wheel or the rear genuine M Sport bumper. It seems to have an aftermarket body kit on it but it does have the sport seats from the M Sport. Putting the reg into motorcheck.ie confirms it also.

frozenfrozen

bazz26 wrote: »

The easiest giveaway regarding a genuine M Sport is that the interior roof headlining will be a charcoal/dark grey colour rather than the standard beige on the non M Sport versions. It also doesn't have the M Sport multifunction steering wheel or the rear genuine M Sport bumper. It seems to have an aftermarket body kit on it but it does have the sport seats from the M Sport. Putting the reg into motorcheck.ie confirms it also.

Thanks Bazz. I should ring and ask what the story is with all of that being aftermarket, there might be a straightforward reason.. or could be crash repair? I had only noticed the missing multifunction wheel, but only because I thought it was odd to have the likes of keyless entry without that..

bazz26

I'd say it was just something a previous owner did, it's very common with BMWs as genuine M Sports were quite rare back then.

frozenfrozen

I've tried to call and sent a message for that 120i to ask if it's still for sale with no reply so this may be a waste of time but anyway;
I suppose I would have to declare the modifications to insurance & it would then end up probably becoming a crazy price? If I get word back about whether its still for sale I'll call the insurers and ask for a quote against the reg number to start off.

Other than that I have done a lot of trawling through donedeal in general at everything, I can't really find anything in and around my budget with nice spec. Not the end of the world but would like to get something with a few toys

frozenfrozen

120i from the first post has been sold and the ad wasn't taken down so back to the drawing board!

frozenfrozen

Wrong plate on this civic - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-1-8i-vtec-es/16732599

Plate on car 06MH3680, plate on NCT cert 06LH3680

Looks like insulating tape on top of the steering wheel

frozenfrozen

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-1-8i-se-executive-5dr/16822649

decent spec but 3950 .. looking like the best option at the moment

colm_mcm

I'd prefer the ES spec to the executive, the leather doesn't really suit them and you're losing out on panoramic roof, cruise, fogs, folding mirrors, auto lights/wipers and dual climate

bazz26

What about a Corolla?

This is obviously a 2007 despite the ad saying 2006. It's a Luna model which is well kitted out for the class and has low mileage. Being 1.4 litre it should be cheap enough to insure. Asking price is a bit high but I'm sure there is room for negotiation and the dealer is reputable so there is probably a decent warranty on it:

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1816228&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D88%26o%5B%5D%3D730%26f%3D1%26b%3D2%26yn%3D2006%26yx%3D2006%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

frozenfrozen

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd prefer the ES spec to the executive, the leather doesn't really suit them and you're losing out on panoramic roof, cruise, fogs, folding mirrors, auto lights/wipers and dual climate

I had assumed it had all the ES stuff plus heated leather seats, I need to actually look up what the different spec levels are, thanks again. Cruise, fogs, and auto wipers would be a shame to lose for leather. There aren't many ES on dd to choose from

bazz26 wrote: »

What about a Corolla?

This is obviously a 2007 despite the ad saying 2006. It's a Luna model which is well kitted out for the class and has low mileage. Being 1.4 litre it should be cheap enough to insure. Asking price is a bit high but I'm sure there is room for negotiation and the dealer is reputable so there is probably a decent warranty on it:

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1816228&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D88%26o%5B%5D%3D730%26f%3D1%26b%3D2%26yn%3D2006%26yx%3D2006%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

interesting...... It would definitely be cheaper to insure and tax is the same as my current car but at 4.5k I don't think there'd be enough room built into the price for me but I do know the higher price would quickly be cancelled out because of economy / reliability / insurability, now on my list of options.. I have driven an automatic luna spec avensis from 07 and thought it was grand

---

I'm trying my best not to get feature creep, & the idea of the 120i with all the toys probably spoiled me. At the end of the day it's a runaround and also something I can get into in the dark on a freezing evening this winter and drive home from Cork or Galway in bad weather in relative comfort which wasn't the case with the fabia

A few people in person were telling me to look into commercial hatches like a focus van etc but it would never be above board with my private insurance


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic/16321168 not sure what spec this civic is



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fresh-nct-185-bhp-gti-engine/16824823 Seat leon? quote is coming back as 1500 on chill, might be worth ringing my insurers to see what it would actually cost? still though one proper key, basic spec all that's going for it is the fact it has more power than most things I can get quoted on

colm_mcm

I seriously doubt that Corolla is there 50 days. You'd be eaten alive for one of those in Kildare.

JohnBoy26

frozenfrozen wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic/16321168

The es has dual climate control and front fogs. The one above has neither. The panoramic roof is missing too. It could also be missing the auto light and wipers but it's impossible to say from the pics

colm_mcm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

The es has dual climate control and front fogs. The one above has neither. The panoramic roof is missing too. It could also be missing the auto light and wipers but it's impossible to say from the pics

You can tell it doesn't have auto lights and wipers as the windscreen is different.

That's an SE-S spec which is quite basic.as well as what you listed it has no cruise or leather wheel/gearknob or folding mirrors.
It does have nicer wheels than an ES though

bear1

Might be slaughtered for these suggestions but what about this:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-bravo-1-4-16v-t-jet-120/16186203

The bravo isn't very highly regarded but the engine is quite good and tbh not as bad as some people think. T jet is turbo petrol btw.

120 not enough? Then there is its bigger brother with 150bhp and claimed new belt and pump plus 1 owner

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-bravo-1-owner-t-jet-sport-1-4-turbo-150bhp-6/15103257

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

You can tell it doesn't have auto lights and wipers as the windscreen is different.

That's an SE-S spec which is quite basic.as well as what you listed it has no cruise or leather wheel/gearknob or folding mirrors.
It does have nicer wheels than an ES though

you are correct, It is indeed. That one is lacking the sensor.

frozenfrozen

thanks for all the help I think I have my head around the spec levels now..

is it worth avoiding the leather or just not worth paying any more for it? over my budget at list price but this looks nicely minded and low miles https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-1-8i-se-executive-6-speed-manual-ful/16657323

edit.. I must be dyslexic I saw se as ES when I looked first

frozenfrozen

bear1 wrote: »

Might be slaughtered for these suggestions but what about this:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-bravo-1-4-16v-t-jet-120/16186203

The bravo isn't very highly regarded but the engine is quite good and tbh not as bad as some people think. T jet is turbo petrol btw.

120 not enough? Then there is its bigger brother with 150bhp and claimed new belt and pump plus 1 owner

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-bravo-1-owner-t-jet-sport-1-4-turbo-150bhp-6/15103257

ill do quotes for these now on chill

120 - 1,105 quote from chill
150 - 1,166

...interesting

bear1

Curious what the quotes will be.
Thing about leather is its good and bad at the same time.
Good: usually comfortable, easy to clean and if kept in good condition really sets the car apart.

Bad: too cold during the winter unless heated, too warm in the summer and your ass sticks to it.

bear1

frozenfrozen wrote: »

ill do quotes for these now on chill

120 - 1,105 quote from chill
150 - 1,166

...interesting

Not bad, is that 3rd party?
Obviously for the sake of 61e I'd take the 150 as it just looks better but I think the 120 would be fine too and probably more frugal.

frozenfrozen

bear1 wrote: »

Not bad, is that 3rd party?
Obviously for the sake of 61e I'd take the 150 as it just looks better but I think the 120 would be fine too and probably more frugal.

that's a quick online quote at fully comp I think 3 party was the same prices give or take 1 or 2 euro weirdly.

I have 8 months left on my current policy with britton so I'd be swapping over so would have to check with them what these things would actually cost..

what are fiat bravos like comfort / build quality wise?

Quotes for Skoda favia VRS are 900 odd euro and they're like 185 bhp but this model was only from 2011 I think so prices are a lot higher so not really an option, just funny since it's not at all linked to power output for insurance quotes

JohnBoy26

frozenfrozen wrote: »

thanks for all the help I think I have my head around the spec levels now..

is it worth avoiding the leather or just not worth paying any more for it? over my budget at list price but this looks nicely minded and low miles https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-1-8i-se-executive-6-speed-manual-ful/16657323

edit.. I must be dyslexic I saw se as ES when I looked first

An 08 can be had for not much more and the tax is cheaper. But that car does look good even though it isn't an es.

frozenfrozen

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

An 08 can be had for not much more and the tax is cheaper. But that car does look good even though it isn't an es.

I think I'll have to actually sit into one of these cars at some stage to see the difference! I need to be careful with my budget creeping up I started off last week thinking I'd be spending less than 2k incl. changing over insurance that 07 price would need to come down so I couldn't stretch it even more to an 08

Something low miles would suit me though because I do so few, in a couple years the car would still be low mileage and would have a bit of value still from that aspect.

bear1

frozenfrozen wrote: »

that's a quick online quote at fully comp I think 3 party was the same prices give or take 1 or 2 euro weirdly.

I have 8 months left on my current policy with britton so I'd be swapping over so would have to check with them what these things would actually cost..

what are fiat bravos like comfort / build quality wise?

Quotes for Skoda favia VRS are 900 odd euro and they're like 185 bhp but this model was only from 2011 I think so prices are a lot higher so not really an option, just funny since it's not at all linked to power output for insurance quotes

You have people that love them and people that hate them.
The regular 1.4 were just a bag of crap which were mostly used as rental cars.
Early versions had a few electrical issues but I can't find many bad reviews for the 150.
This guy did an extensive review:

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/fiat/fiat-bravo-14-t-jet-150-2008-road-test/

selectamatic

If you're getting decent quotes on some of the cars mentioned here so far you should try getting one for a corolla tsport. They're not too bad insurance-wise supposedly easier than a celica or type r civic anyways. Good reliability if half looked after at all and decent performance. Not too bad on petrol either.

colm_mcm

bear1 wrote: »

Curious what the quotes will be.
Thing about leather is its good and bad at the same time.
Good: usually comfortable, easy to clean and if kept in good condition really sets the car apart.

Bad: too cold during the winter unless heated, too warm in the summer and your ass sticks to it.

The leather just doesn't suit the car. It's very shines on them and is at odds with the design of the car. The standard seats hold you tight, the leather ones don't. You do get heated seats though.
Even if the other spec was the same, I'd still go for the cloth ones, the must-have on these is the panoramic roof. Don't buy one without that. Transforms the interior plus you don't get the possibility of rust behind the windscreen.

frozenfrozen

selectamatic wrote: »

If you're getting decent quotes on some of the cars mentioned here so far you should try getting one for a corolla tsport. They're not too bad insurance-wise supposedly easier than a celica or type r civic anyways. Good reliability if half looked after at all and decent performance. Not too bad on petrol either.

Tried an online quote there for a t sport and it wouldn't quote me, is there anything else out that would be easier insured?

06 octavia vrs I'm getting quoted 1217 on chill fully comp...

colm_mcm wrote: »

The leather just doesn't suit the car. It's very shines on them and is at odds with the design of the car. The standard seats hold you tight, the leather ones don't. You do get heated seats though.
Even if the other spec was the same, I'd still go for the cloth ones, the must-have on these is the panoramic roof. Don't buy one without that. Transforms the interior plus you don't get the possibility of rust behind the windscreen.

ok no more leather! and the pano roof wouldn't have bothered me at all but it sounds like it is a must have

frozenfrozen

2006 octavia vrs €1,214 quote - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-vrs/15660617
2007 octavia vrs https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-vrs-only-68k-miles/16208772 quote €2,152
online quotes from chill, just randomly picked those two to use their reg numbers for online quotes

I'll have to put a little list of reg numbers together and ring my current insurers and see what the prices would actually be for all the cars so far.


I think a vrs looks like an option if the cheaper of the above quotes is right.. there are some close to my budget but overall none seem to be as clean as the civic options. I didn't know the octavia vrs was a hatchback.

mostly just like the idea because of the claimed ~200bhp, no idea what they're like to drive

bear1

I wouldn't go for the 07.
Guessing it's remapped power would turn me off then you've the whole do don't I tell the insurance company.
Also is be afraid if the car had the balls driven out of it.
06 would be my choice but crap photos

frozenfrozen

bear1 wrote: »

I wouldn't go for the 07.
Guessing it's remapped power would turn me off then you've the whole do don't I tell the insurance company.
Also is be afraid if the car had the balls driven out of it.
06 would be my choice but crap photos

Just picked those randomly for the reg numbers to do quotes I'd have to find a stock one yeah I'm goody 2 shoes with insurance knowing everything but they are way higher power than anything else I can get a quote on at around that price

frozenfrozen

long story short thread now is up to 5k/6k budget with wiggle room, 710 tax max, something you can stick a christmas tree into every now and again...

---

I'm looking again after the free opel corsa I moved to ate a valve on the motorway on Saturday.

Insurance is up in May 2018
had a few long calls earlier and got a quote of 2700 odd for an rx8 and I cant remember what else

On a 30 minute call this evening with chill getting a few different quotes I ended up with
Subaru Impreza WRX - Will not quote (I did a quick quote out of interest and then they called so couldn't really say don't do a full quote for this..) took absolutely ages for this quote to come back too... as in maybe 15 minutes start to finish just for this quote......that I didn't want
BMW 320i - 3pft 1839 with kennco 750 euro excess fully comp 2075, Asgard 2413 3pft, AXA 2700~ (stopped listening)
Ran out of time at this point and so I now have the guys email to send him reg numbers and he will send quotes back. He asked did I want to pay a deposit on the quote for the 3 series.. no man I'm looking at a picture of it on donedeal...

going to get a quote for a civic tomorrow and an octavia vrs and check golf gti again, corolla tsport and anything else mentioned earlier in the thread already

A hatchback van would still suit me but they'd ask 1000000 questions about business use which I don't need / have / want

I also wouldn't mind a big fook off 4x4 type thing

with the higher budget now is there anything I missed before? Just seems like I'll have a better chance of getting a decent example of some of the already mentioned things

the killer is getting a real quote since the chill quick one can't be trusted..

the killer is also this long post sorry if you read it all