First car 2k budget advice

KonFusion

Hi all,

I'm a male in my 20's with a full licence and my budget is ~2k. I'm not sure if this is a lot for my needs or too low, but I'll be doing very low mileage - likely less than 5k per year.

I've been driving as a named driver for under a year using a friend's Corolla. Unfortunately I no longer have access to the corolla anymore.

My main mode of transport is a motorbike, and has been for years. However having the car was handy. So I'm looking to get my own first car. What kind of stuff should I be looking for in that price range?

I was thinking:

Renault Clio,
Toyota Yaris,
Nissan Micra,
Volkswagon Polo,
Ford Fiesta,
Suzuki Swift.

Insurance quotes for the above seem to be around the 1400-1700 mark. (Polo and Fiesta being on the higher end for whatever reason)

Any other suggestions, or any of the above I should go for above another?

And presumably I'd get better value going privately instead of a dealer?

I may do some motorway mileage, as I do weekend trips down the country sometimes and use the car instead of the bike if the weather is poor, so the likes of a Peugeot 107 or similar may not be suitable?

Thanks

Some I've come across below, seem ok?

Clio:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2005-renault-clio-1-2-5dr-nct-amp-tax-1100/17769314

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio-1-1-5dr-monaco-model-grey-metallic/17690937

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio-06-nctd-2-2019/17872296

Swift:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/07-suzuki-swift-1-3l-nct-10-18-mint-condition/17604574

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/suzuki-swift-2006/17783014

tonytiger81

Maybe have a look on the Bangernomics(sub2k) forum on here. They usually post up links to advertised cars and pros/cons of each. Recent chat here: https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057729711&page=242

KonFusion

tonytiger81 wrote: »

Maybe have a look on the Bangernomics(sub2k) forum on here. They usually post up links to advertised cars and pros/cons of each. Recent chat here: https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057729711&page=242

Aye thanks, have been doing just that

Would an 07 Focus interest you at all? Should be cheap enough to ensure and the extra space is nice.

biko

Also look in this thread where boardsies sell their cars. These adverts are usually better with more info and you can haggle on the adverts thread

colm_mcm

In terms of what you’d get for €2k the Swift is probably the best off that list. Mazda2 would be worth a look too.

racso1975

I drove a swift for a while. It was a fantastic car and very nippy albeit the 1.3 diesel. However trying to get first gear was a nightmare. Maybe it was just that car.

Had a Yaris too and I loved it!!!

gillen

came across this one earlier today

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-volvo-s40-1-8f-se-lux/17878577?campaign=3

Volvo S40, something a bit different, and if its as well maintained as the seller says it is might be worth a look. Its probably a bit safer than the other few cars you've mentioned.

I'm aware its a little over your budget at 3k, but its a buyers market and people won't turn down a reasonable offer

bazz26

S40 1.8 Flexi Fuel as a first car, the insurance and fuel will probably cost more than the asking price.

Dravokivich

bazz26 wrote: »

S40 1.8 Flexi Fuel as a first car, the insurance and fuel will probably cost more than the asking price.

The insurers don't follow their own advice. I've only passed my test in the summer and 1.8l petrols were far more cheaper for me to get cover on, than 1.2 polos/fiestas.

On his 5k a year, petrol costs would be negligble. My folks go through petrol more on their 1.2 ibiza than I do on my 1.8 e46. And that's down to how they are driving it.

bazz26

Have you seen the fuel economy of those flexi-fuel engines? Bio-ethanol is no longer sold here and they are heavy on unleaded. They also need servicing every 10k km or so.

Dravokivich

Dravokivich wrote: »

The insurers don't follow their own advice. I've only passed my test in the summer and 1.8l petrols were far more cheaper for me to get cover on, than 1.2 polos/fiestas.

On his 5k a year, petrol costs would be negligble. My folks go through petrol more on their 1.2 ibiza than I do on my 1.8 e46. And that's down to how they are driving it.

Yeah I got cheaper insurance for a 1.8 than the same car as 1.6 (both diesel, 1.6 lower spec.). Also would have been more expensive for whatever a Panda is. It's a total crapshoot.

KonFusion

Deleted User wrote: »

Would an 07 Focus interest you at all? Should be cheap enough to ensure and the extra space is nice.

Got a quote on one and it was significantly higher than the others I mentioned on the list unfortunately.

colm_mcm wrote: »

In terms of what you’d get for €2k the Swift is probably the best off that list. Mazda2 would be worth a look too.

Thanks, forgot about Mazda. No love for the Clio? Seems to be a lot of them available (perhaps a bad sign?)

racso1975 wrote: »

I drove a swift for a while. It was a fantastic car and very nippy albeit the 1.3 diesel. However trying to get first gear was a nightmare. Maybe it was just that car.

Had a Yaris too and I loved it!!!

Had similar first gear problem on the Corolla, so I'm well used to that anyway Great, will give the Yaris a spin so.



Thanks for the replies all.

KonFusion

This any use? : https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-volvo-c70-tax-amp-nct-bargain/17974482

2006 Volvo C70

Very oddly I'm getting the same quote on that (online & over the phone) as I am on a 1.2L Clio & Micra

The extra engine pep could be nice for the occasional spins down the bog. The convertible aspect I could care less about.

Also looking at these:

Fiat Grande Punto:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-grande-punto-nct-12-2018/17911966
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-grande-punto-2007-1-2-new-nct-2-19/17907933

Nissan Note:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/06-nissan-note-nct-passed/17889141

Peugeot 207 & 307:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-peugeot-207-1-4-5dr-low-mileage/17986728
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugeot-307/17889475

Opel Astra:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-2006-1-4-petrol/17867087

Micra:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-micra/17982345

Idbatterim

in your position, the biggest determening factor, would probably be what insurers will charge you for your various different options, I would give them a call or get online quotes and go from there...