Which car?

fifigogo

Hi guys, just need some advice on choosing a car. I currently cycle to work but I will be moving in a couple of months and will have to commute from either Arklow or Gorey to Tallaght for a few months, possible 6 months. I am on bit of a a budget so I can't really be fussy. I've looked at a couple of cars online and I'm trying to choose between a 2003 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 COMFORTLINE NCT OCT 18, 2004 Nissan Micra 1.5 SE DCI 65PS 5DR NCT OCT 18 and a 2005 Nissan Almera 1.5 SX. FRESH NCT June 18. Given that I will be doing a fair bit of commuting soon I need something reliable but also economical. I don't know much about cars so your suggestions/advice are greatly appreciated. Thanks

Toyotafanboi

I would steer clear of the Almera,they're crap. That said the Micra and Golf are worlds apart, the Micra would be more efficient on that commute but the Golf would be a nicer place to be for 3+ hours a day.

I think you need to go back to the drawing board a bit.

colm_mcm

Roll the dice again I'd say.

The almera and Golf aren't worth it, particularly the Almera, which leaves the Micra. It will certainly be economical and that engine isn't particularly unreliable.

There has to be other cars out there. What's the budget?

fifigogo

There has to be other cars out there. What's the budget?[/QUOTE]


The cars I mentioned are all below 2k and have low(ish) mileage. There's a Mitzubishi Colt I was looking at; 2006 Mitsubishi Colt 1.3I INFORM

See I haven't been driving for a couple of years because I was living abroad so I don't want my insurance to cripple me either. I have a full clean license, female and 39. Never an accident when I was driving.

What would you suggest?

colm_mcm

Don't get too hung up on mileage. For €2k if the Micra doesn't offend you and if it's straight then you could do a lot worse.
As someone else said though, it's not a great long distance cruiser, but your budget is limited so you can't have it all!

bear1

Out of all those I'd take the colt.

But if you want as cheap as possible and an ok place to sit and quite economical then you can take a look at this:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-s-40-1-9-diesel/16880044

500e with a years nct left and quite a strong car.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-punto/16880016

If engine size is an issue then there is this which is a grand car to drive around and it's quite frugal:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-punto/16880016

Finally there is this. Uk import so won't be basic spec and as mentioned has aircon.
The 1.3 engine in this is a fiat multijet engine and they are very economical.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/corsa-cdti-new-nct/16879859

colm_mcm

This would fit the bill in terms of being a bit bigger than the Micra, mechanically robust and comfy enough, good driving position.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/hyundai-matrix-crdi-new-nct/16863574

chicorytip

Toyotafanboi wrote:

I would steer clear of the Almera,they're crap. That said the Micra and Golf are worlds apart, the Micra would be more efficient on that commute but the Golf would be a nicer place to be for 3+ hours a day.

Never mind that nonsense. A well maintained Almera would be, by far, the best option of those you mention particularly for the type of driving you intend doing.

colm_mcm

Have to disagree, the Almera has almost no redeeming features. I know I posted a Martrix, but the Almera isn't safe, comfortable, economical or reliable.

Toyotafanboi

chicorytip wrote: »

Never mind that nonsense. A well maintained Almera would be, by far, the best option of those you mention particularly for the type of driving you intend doing.

It's hardly nonsense. That vintage Almera may as well be made from chocolate.

colm_mcm

1200kg of chocolate would be nice though, probably gone off at this stage though.

Greybottle

A 1.4 petrol engined Golf or equivalent will cost you €85 a week on petrol.

A 1.4 Audi A2 TDi will cost about €43 a week for the same journey, saving about €1100 over 6 months. I'm using a distance of 83 km door to door here.

The A2 is a comfortable car for the journey. Failing that I'd be looking at a car in the size range of an A3 or A4 diesel, possibly a Passat, Auris, Avensis or similar.

The extra tax on a 2.0 vs a 1.4 is about €170 over 6 months, but the insurance may be an issue.

I'm going on the basis that you'll be looking at a pre 08 due to budgets, so tax is based on engine capacity.

bear1

chicorytip wrote: »

Never mind that nonsense. A well maintained Almera would be, by far, the best option of those you mention particularly for the type of driving you intend doing.

No they are a ball of ****e.
My parents have a 05 one from new and by Christ is it a horrible thing.
Drinks like a fish no matter what you do.
Headlights just melt.. and this is serious
Gearbox ****e.
Electrics ****e
Engine ****e
It's just a horrible car and it always has an issue.

Give me a corolla of the same era any day of the week.

Mooooo

fifigogo wrote: »

There has to be other cars out there. What's the budget?

The cars I mentioned are all below 2k and have low(ish) mileage. There's a Mitzubishi Colt I was looking at; 2006 Mitsubishi Colt 1.3I INFORM

See I haven't been driving for a couple of years because I was living abroad so I don't want my insurance to cripple me either. I have a full clean license, female and 39. Never an accident when I was driving.

What would you suggest?[/quote]

Whatever you do get quotes for insurance before buying.

phormium

Definitely check insurance first, you are a lot more limited with cars over 10 yrs old, some companies won't even quote for that age car, it's a pain!

fifigogo

Whatever you do get quotes for insurance before buying.[/QUOTE]


For sure!

The_Honeybadger

Might I suggest a Mitsubishi Lancer 1.3, you’d get a 2007 one for €2k easy. There has been one in my family for many years without a sign of trouble. It’s not the most exciting car in the world but it’s really reliable and a much nicer car than a Micra

bazz26

colm_mcm wrote: »

This would fit the bill in terms of being a bit bigger than the Micra, mechanically robust and comfy enough, good driving position.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/hyundai-matrix-crdi-new-nct/16863574

Ah Jesus!

colm_mcm

bazz26 wrote: »

Ah Jesus!

Pininfarina design like

bazz26

He must have been working in the dark on that one.

fifigogo

I really thought the Almera would be reliable and economical. I'll keep looking.

bear1

fifigogo wrote: »

I really thought the Almera would be reliable and economical. I'll keep looking.

Have you looked at the cars myself and Colm posted?

fifigogo

bear1 wrote: »

Have you looked at the cars myself and Colm posted?

Yes. Vauxhall Corsa was what I was looking at originally. They're nice cars and I've heard good reviews but the ones I was looking at were over my budget. I'll check with the seller on done deal because there's an issue with the flywheel. The Volvo is nice too. My bro has a volvo s40 and it's lovely to drive but I'd have to check the insurance costs.

What about Toyota Corolla or Nissan Primera?

fifigogo

bear1 wrote: »

Have you looked at the cars myself and Colm posted?

Thanks btw

punisher5112

Look at a fabia, Octavia or superb.

Even seat range.

Toyota yaris diesel or petrol they are going cheap these days.

Nissan I would only have to agree with above the almera is a horrible place to be and are terrible on fuel and clutches oh and choc choc gear boxes like the primera.

Thing is though with the old school Nissans they were extremely difficult to kill off.

bazz26

Toyota Corolla, this if the low mileage can be verified:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2004-toyota-corolla-1-4-new-nct-amp-tax-85k/16843514

Seller has another car for sale so could be a part time dealer or just selling both cars.

selectamatic

You're in a catch 22 situation really especially with the insurance side of things.

Anything older than 2003 is going to be very tough insure and unfortunately many of the properly reliable diesels are in that age bracket now.

That said if you could find a 2005 or 2006 1.4 d4d corolla saloon in budget with reasonable mileage and a decent bit of test and a service history it'd be the best fit for ya that I can think of but at 2k I just cant see that happening.

Anyways here is my left of field suggestion...



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/04-honda-civic-1-3-hybrid-nct/16715247

2004 hybrid civic
Tested till June 18
should be reliable and pretty good on fuel.
They're also a nice place to sit even on a long commute,
supposedly got a new clutch too.
Asking €975

Again insurance is definitely going to be your biggest challenge.

rizzodun

How about this? €1850 with NCT until Oct 2018

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugeot-207-1-6-hdi-sport-90bhp-taxd-amp-nctd/16757320

fifigogo

bazz26 wrote: »

Toyota Corolla, this if the low mileage can be verified:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2004-toyota-corolla-1-4-new-nct-amp-tax-85k/16843514

Seller has another car for sale so could be a part time dealer or just selling both cars.

That's a nice Toyota. I must check that out. Thanks.
Also looking at this:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-fabia-2004-only-44782miles/16848577?campaign=8

fifigogo

selectamatic wrote: »

You're in a catch 22 situation really especially with the insurance side of things.

Anything older than 2003 is going to be very tough insure and unfortunately many of the properly reliable diesels are in that age bracket now.

That said if you could find a 2005 or 2006 1.4 d4d corolla saloon in budget with reasonable mileage and a decent bit of test and a service history it'd be the best fit for ya that I can think of but at 2k I just cant see that happening.

Anyways here is my left of field suggestion...



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/04-honda-civic-1-3-hybrid-nct/16715247

2004 hybrid civic
Tested till June 18
should be reliable and pretty good on fuel.
They're also a nice place to sit even on a long commute,
supposedly got a new clutch too.
Asking €975

Again insurance is definitely going to be your biggest challenge.

Thanks for that

bazz26

fifigogo wrote: »

That's a nice Toyota. I must check that out. Thanks.
Also looking at this:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-fabia-2004-only-44782miles/16848577?campaign=8

Those 1.2 VAG engines are terrible and not particularly reliable either.

fifigogo

I've been looking at 2005 Citroen C5 diesel 1.6. I don't know anything about Citroen. Would it do the job do you think?

Got an insurance quote for a Toyota Corolla 1.4 saloon - €2669.29 comp icl service charge ie by DD. In full it is €2502.13. I haven't shopped around but I'm guessing they will all be around that price

tevey08

I have had all three mention and I have a Golf now and it's by far the best of the 3 with the micra in second. Golf's are nice cars. Not to small and plenty of room in the boot and leg space. I'm about 6'4 and fit very comfortably in it. Spend about 40 a week on fuel travelling about 25km to work and 25km home again.

Dravokivich

fifigogo wrote: »

I've been looking at 2005 Citroen C5 diesel 1.6. I don't know anything about Citroen. Would it do the job do you think?

Got an insurance quote for a Toyota Corolla 1.4 saloon - €2669.29 comp icl service charge ie by DD. In full it is €2502.13. I haven't shopped around but I'm guessing they will all be around that price

There do be some outliers. So don't be afraid to shop around, especially check out a couple of brokers.

Also, do you need Full Comp? There can be a big difference just going third party. If you feel dependent on a recovery service, you can just sign up to AA separate to insurance.

chicorytip

Toyotafanboi wrote:

It's hardly nonsense. That vintage Almera may as well be made from chocolate.

I don't get this. Yes, there are known but relatively uncommon issues with the timing chain and gearbox but taken in the overall context they are as good as most similar cars of that vintage. As regards longevity and reliability only the Corolla would outrank them.

bear1

chicorytip wrote: »

I don't get this. Yes, there are known but relatively uncommon issues with the timing chain and gearbox but taken in the overall context they are as good as most similar cars of that vintage. As regards longevity and reliability only the Corolla would outrank them.

You can't be serious?

punisher5112

bear1 wrote: »

You can't be serious?

Probably an almera driver.

I found them horrible to drive and suspension shockingly bad.