5k-6k budget, looking for some help

Mark_G

I'm in the market at the moment for a used car, am hoping to pick up something between 1.3 and 1.6 diesel.

Would I be mad to look for something more than 10 years old? I've been looking around the 2010, 2011 mark as I've had issues trying to get insured on older cars before. The only thing is I know I'd have a lot more options if I was to go a bit older.

I'm 22 and have my full licence nearly 4 years. Only have about 1 years experience as a named driver though. Been getting quotes of between €1600 and €1800 for my own policy on cars from around 2010/11. These quotes are coming from Kennco.

I'm living in Dublin and from Sligo and will be commuting between the two regularly enough. I'm mostly just looking in garages around the Sligo area and surrounding counties (Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim) as I would be probably happier getting something locally as I'd be able to bring someone along with me to have a look too. Wouldn't be able to do that in Dublin unfortunately even though it would give me a lot more options.

I've mostly been looking at getting a Fiesta, Focus, or a Polo (much harder to find).

Would any of these be any use?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2010-ford-fiesta-td-5dr-low-tax-nct-te-2020/17645636

http://www.curridmotors.ie/vehicles/ford/focus/sligo/1836614

Cheers!

Mickiemcfist

Don't really know much about those cars, but I got a great deal on insurance from a Broker called Brady insurance, think they're out the Leitrim direction? Worth giving them a shout as those quotes seem pretty high.

A car I do know are very reliable and quite nice to drive are the Toyota Yaris, so maybe have a look at those too?

bazz26

If I was doing that commute regularly then I'd want something a bit more comfortable than a Fiesta type supermini. A Focus class car would be more comfortable for long commutes.

I'd be looking at the Kia Ceed, Hyundai i30 and Renault Megane.

Mark_G

bazz26 wrote: »

If I was doing that commute regularly then I'd want something a bit more comfortable than a Fiesta type supermini. A Focus class car would be more comfortable for long commutes.

I'd be looking at the Kia Ceed, Hyundai i30 and Renault Megane.

There definitely seems to be a few more Focus' available, mileage does seem to be high on a lot of them though.

I'll keep the eye open for those too, they were what made up much of the other available cars at this price, I just haven't had much experience with them in the past.

colm_mcm

Dont go near a Focus. The i30/Ceed/Megane as mentioned above are much less risky.

micks_address

colm_mcm wrote: »

Dont go near a Focus. The i30/Ceed/Megane as mentioned above are much less risky.

Maybe a honda civic?

selectamatic

2008 cheap tax mk1 1.9tdi 100bhp octavia

Cheap to buy and reliable
Comfortable enough and can be made more comfortable (upgraded seats would be handy got for cheap)
Very easy car insure at the moment even for new drivers.

You'd easily get one for half your budget provided you can find one.

colm_mcm

micks_address wrote: »

Maybe a honda civic?

Insurance might be a bit horrendous.

micks_address

colm_mcm wrote: »

Insurance might be a bit horrendous.

For a 1.4 petrol?

Onthetreble

colm_mcm wrote: »

micks_address wrote: »

Maybe a honda civic?

Insurance might be a bit horrendous.

Agree with Colm, insurance for a Honda Civic under the age of 25 with only 1 years NCB will be extortionate.

I have listed a selection of suitable cars for younger individuals seeking cheaper insurance on as first named driver in todays current market -

Renault - Clio / Megane
Volkswagen - Polo
Toyota - Yaris / Prius / Corolla
Ford - Fiesta / Ka
Vauxhall - Corsa
Peugeot - 106 / 206
Fiat - Punto
Nissan - Micra

I would try and aim your search around those cars for starters. As finding a car worth 5 grand my be easy, but having to fork out over a £130+ a month on insurance is the dampener. Aiming for a car with low insurance premiums is great for saving money, as well as to build up the NCB, in turn helping to afford future powerful and expensive cars you want to treat yourself to without having to pay sky high premium prices. Keep in mind car modifications at all times when searching for a used car, as all the little “cool” things jist might romp that insurance premium up!

colm_mcm

Where did you get that list from?

bazz26

micks_address wrote: »

For a 1.4 petrol?

Didn't the OP mention diesel in their original post?

micks_address

bazz26 wrote: »

Didn't the OP mention diesel in their original post?

Just curious if civics are still insurance headaches.. They not really any different than focuses and golf's of the world these days..

bazz26

They are when young or inexperienced drivers try to insure them. Civics have a bad rep with insurance companies.

Mark_G

selectamatic wrote: »

2008 cheap tax mk1 1.9tdi 100bhp octavia

Cheap to buy and reliable
Comfortable enough and can be made more comfortable (upgraded seats would be handy got for cheap)
Very easy car insure at the moment even for new drivers.

You'd easily get one for half your budget provided you can find one.

Would there be issues with getting insured on a 10 year old car though? If not then I'd have no problem going a bit older but I don't want to pick up something to find out I won't be able to get insured.

Onthetreble wrote: »

Agree with Colm, insurance for a Honda Civic under the age of 25 with only 1 years NCB will be extortionate.

I have listed a selection of suitable cars for younger individuals seeking cheaper insurance on as first named driver in todays current market -

Renault - Clio / Megane
Volkswagen - Polo
Toyota - Yaris / Prius / Corolla
Ford - Fiesta / Ka
Vauxhall - Corsa
Peugeot - 106 / 206
Fiat - Punto
Nissan - Micra

I would try and aim your search around those cars for starters. As finding a car worth 5 grand my be easy, but having to fork out over a £130+ a month on insurance is the dampener. Aiming for a car with low insurance premiums is great for saving money, as well as to build up the NCB, in turn helping to afford future powerful and expensive cars you want to treat yourself to without having to pay sky high premium prices. Keep in mind car modifications at all times when searching for a used car, as all the little “cool” things jist might romp that insurance premium up!

Cheers for the list. Definitely gives me a few more options to look at. Keeping the costs of insurance down is a big one too. Had a few friends who got stung with modified cars as well even if it wasn't them who modified it!

Heres Johnny

Some of the cars on that list were discontinued nearly 20 years ago. Won't find one never mind insure it. Peugeot 106/Ford Ka.
They would be a nightmare Dublin to Sligo as well

colm_mcm

I would suggest the list isn’t comprehensive. For example the Toyota Yaris isn’t on it and that’s really cheap to insure. Not saying you should get one or anything. Best thing is get some quotes.

selectamatic

Mark_G wrote: »

Would there be issues with getting insured on a 10 year old car though? If not then I'd have no problem going a bit older but I don't want to pick up something to find out I won't be able to get insured.

A 20 year old friend of mine was getting quotes of €2200 in his own name with only a years named driving experience and the full license less than a year with liberty which I thought was very good considering its a 1.9.

the only car significantly cheaper to insure coming in at €1600 was a 2010 yaris but there's a lot more than €600 of a price difference between the two cars to buy so you're saving nothing. The mpg from the octavia is hard bet too.

15 years old is the realistic cut off point for first time insurers but really 10 years or under is ideal the octavia imo is the perfect balance between relatively "new" and cheap to buy.

Mk2 105bhp 1.9tdi Octavia's are handy insure too but they've an engine that likes to self destruct so I'd give them a wide berth.

Whatever you decide on make sure you get insurance quotes before pulling the trigger.