My sad story (also recommendations for new car)

Tenigate

Well, I just need to get this off my chest.

Last week I was putting some windscreen fluid in my trusty astra (2008 1.7 diesel, 130k miles). So glanced at the coolant tank and really, it looked fine... turns out it probably wasn't, and it was either a shadow or wishful thinking that made me think it was full.

I had a problem with coolant leaking last year and had the radiator replaced. That's on top of a few other problems in the past year.

I drove 250km yesterday and the heater wasn't working, which had I known a thing about cars should have been my first clue. This morning, 30 km down the motorway and it packed in. I could see steam coming from a hose that it shouldn't be and the car won't start. I got it towed home and called my mechanic. He said the head gasket is probably blown not to mention the engine is probably fried & i could sink €2k into the car with no guarantee it will drive right again.

So, my €3.5k car I rely on for work and which may have gotten a decent trade-in price is now worthless.

Well, that's it off my chest.

What are my next steps. I'm thinking of a new car on credit. Perhaps as part of a scheme or deal that would give some scrappage on my existing car even though it doesn't start. I drive about 25000km a year and Im 35, so want something cheap, dependable yet respectable if that makes sense.

Any ideas?

Doctors room ghost

Tenigate wrote: »

Well, I just need to get this off my chest.

Last week I was putting some windscreen fluid in my trusty astra (2008 1.7 diesel, 130k miles). So glanced at the coolant tank and really, it looked fine... turns out it probably wasn't, and it was either a shadow or wishful thinking that made me think it was full.

I had a problem with coolant leaking last year and had the radiator replaced. That's on top of a few other problems in the past year.

I drove 250km yesterday and the heater wasn't working, which had I known a thing about cars should have been my first clue. This morning, 30 km down the motorway and it packed in. I could see steam coming from a hose that it shouldn't be and the car won't start. I got it towed home and called my mechanic. He said the head gasket is probably blown not to mention the engine is probably fried & i could sink €2k into the car with no guarantee it will drive right again.

So, my €3.5k car I rely on for work and which may have gotten a decent trade-in price is now worthless.

Well, that's it off my chest.

What are my next steps. I'm thinking of a new car on credit. Perhaps as part of a scheme or deal that would give some scrappage on my existing car even though it doesn't start. I drive about 25000km a year and Im 35, so want something cheap, dependable yet respectable if that makes sense.

Any ideas?

Sorry to hear about your astra.on a good note now is a good time to be buying second hand if you go that route.garage forecourts are full of trade ins and if you have cash and are willing to take a punt you will pick up something decent that salesmen took in as a trade but want to move on to keep room for new cars.bring a mechanic with you if you are keen on one and have her looked at and if she passes mechanics check haggle hard with cash.

Alanstrainor

Sorry to hear, I moved your thread to the buying forum since it seems you're mostly looking for advice on what to do next.

Rotweiler

Hello,

I am sorry to hear about your astra. Those are rare to brake if you know what you are doing.
I suggest for your new car, even though it is a brand new one, check your fluid levels every week/month physically. It won't take too much time of of you.

Coming to your question, I suggest you take a look at toyota dealerships. They have huge campaigns going on this month.
And if you let me know your budget and expectations, I can suggest a specific car so you can go and test it.

Tenigate

Ah, the coolant was obviously still leaking and I didn't notice. Suppose it's best to learn that lesson on an older car than a new one.

Doctors room, I think you're right-to take a punt on a 2nd hand car if the dealer can put it through the NCT. I'd love a new car but I park in a dodgy carpark during the day, and obviously i need a car quickly.

Tenigate

Rotweiler wrote: »

Coming to your question, I suggest you take a look at toyota dealerships. They have huge campaigns going on this month.
And if you let me know your budget and expectations, I can suggest a specific car so you can go and test it.

Honestly I like the Corolla but I'm informed it's a woman's car :rolleyes:
And well, Opel, Ford, Toyota are the brands I know are decent. I don't like dinky cars but don't like big cars that are difficult to get parked or expensive to run.

My insurance seemed quite high but I assume it's because it was 1.7l astra. Was happy with the tax at €280.

Budget-wise, I've no idea. I figure I could pay a deposit of €8k and then whatever it costs per month over 4 years or so. I don't think affordability is an issue but prefer keeping costs down as my current job isn't too stable.

Doctors room ghost

Tenigate wrote: »

Ah, the coolant was obviously still leaking and I didn't notice. Suppose it's best to learn that lesson on an older car than a new one.

Doctors room, I think you're right-to take a punt on a 2nd hand car if the dealer can put it through the NCT. I'd love a new car but I park in a dodgy carpark during the day, and obviously i need a car quickly.

Have a look around a few dealers and see what’s available and pick one that suits you.dont be rushed into making a decision either.when you narrow it down to one or two cars that you like have a mechanic look it over for you and drive it for peace of mind.
Cash is king with dealers on second hand cars this time of year and There are decent cars out there.take your time though.forecourts are full of trade ins now and a lot of dealers will do good cash deals just to clear space where second hand cars are holding space on them.bargain hard with them if it’s cash deal and don’t give away your budget to them.know in your head what you want to spend and barter hard.best of luck

plastic glass

Very same thing happened me. Mine was only 4 months old (bought second hand though). Was gutted. The xsi from 2006 and 2007 seemingly has this problem wrt the coolant leaking and many the Astra engine has blown as a result. I could only afford the buy a cr@ppy 00 avensis that smelled of silage for 1k after this. Gem of a car though and went fit. It set me back years car wise as bought the car for 9k at the time.

The positives-could be worse you could have crashed into someone, wrote off the car, have a massive claim against you and have your premium go up for years.

Sorry I have nothing really constructive to add.
Best of luck with new car

Doctors room ghost

Tenigate wrote: »

Honestly I like the Corolla but I'm informed it's a woman's car :rolleyes:
And well, Opel, Ford, Toyota are the brands I know are decent. I don't like dinky cars but don't like big cars that are difficult to get parked or expensive to run.

My insurance seemed quite high but I assume it's because it was 1.7l astra. Was happy with the tax at €280.

Budget-wise, I've no idea. I figure I could pay a deposit of €8k and then whatever it costs per month over 4 years or so. I don't think affordability is an issue but prefer keeping costs down as my current job isn't too stable.

If you like the Corolla don’t be worrying what other people think.manys the farmer I saw pottering about in one of them.depending on the mileage you are doing but if it’s low enough don’t be afraid of a petrol.less maintenance overall and often easier to buy on account of lads being in love with the old weasel diesel

the_syco

Tenigate wrote: »

Honestly I like the Corolla but I'm informed it's a woman's car :rolleyes:

A womans car? LoL. Corollas are a great car for tall people! At 6' 6", it's one of the few I could drive comfortably (previous car was a Honda Civic saloon, and the only other car in my budget that I'd fit into would be a Ford Mondeo).
Also fairly reliable; I only sold mine nearly two years ago as I was moving to Toronto.

Nuw

As above, forget about the 'woman's car' nonsense... people with such opinions are not to be listened to imo.... Corolla is a great car (for what it is) and should get you from a to b with minimal hassle, it's a great option to consider be it petrol or diesel.

With 8k to put in it, I'd stick to second hand within that budget. I'd consider something like the corolla (as mentioned) or a skoda yeti (comfy, easy to run, not sure about this particular engine, but I'm sure others here will be able to advise on it), or anything with the 1.5DCI from Renault (megane, fluence, laguna... whichever you fancy) which should be within budget, reliable, enjoyable to drive, safe and on top of that, it sips diesel. If you want to go petrol, stick to something japanese (toyota, honda, mazda...subaru even?) and you should be fine.

I'm sure we would be able to narrow down the search if you give us more of your requirements (actual budget, size, how will the car be used etc...).

Rotweiler

Go for the corrolla then. Forget about those scums who think it is a women car lol
They offer hybrid upgrade for free these days and if you are not satisfied with it, they change it with diesel/petrol for free.

Lantus

There are some great deals on PCP at the minute so you can get zero interest on many marques. If your looking to buy outright a high deposit will allow you to save over the 3 years to accelerate gmfv pay off.

Skoda for a good budget car?

Doctors room ghost

Lantus wrote: »

There are some great deals on PCP at the minute so you can get zero interest on many marques. If your looking to buy outright a high deposit will allow you to save over the 3 years to accelerate gmfv pay off.

Skoda for a good budget car?

Only thing is op said they park in a dodgy car park and you would be killed with worry thinking about a new car left up in it.ill second the Corolla or Avensis if you can pick up a good clean one and run it as long as you can.should get years out of it

ourheritage

Tenigate wrote: »

Well, I just need to get this off my chest.

Last week I was putting some windscreen fluid in my trusty astra (2008 1.7 diesel, 130k miles). So glanced at the coolant tank and really, it looked fine... turns out it probably wasn't, and it was either a shadow or wishful thinking that made me think it was full.

I had a problem with coolant leaking last year and had the radiator replaced. That's on top of a few other problems in the past year.

I drove 250km yesterday and the heater wasn't working, which had I known a thing about cars should have been my first clue. This morning, 30 km down the motorway and it packed in. I could see steam coming from a hose that it shouldn't be and the car won't start. I got it towed home and called my mechanic. He said the head gasket is probably blown not to mention the engine is probably fried & i could sink €2k into the car with no guarantee it will drive right again.

So, my €3.5k car I rely on for work and which may have gotten a decent trade-in price is now worthless.

Well, that's it off my chest.

What are my next steps. I'm thinking of a new car on credit. Perhaps as part of a scheme or deal that would give some scrappage on my existing car even though it doesn't start. I drive about 25000km a year and Im 35, so want something cheap, dependable yet respectable if that makes sense.

Any ideas?

If you want something cheap then forget the year but not to much. I'd be thinking of an 06 - 08 golf or passat as they hold the same value & have the same size diesel engine.
The best deal of all is that there are Toyota Avensis 2 litre diesels for sale through dealers on Done Deal with 06 - 07's being offered for prices up to the late 3000's with 08 - 09s rising to about 7000's. I saw a very well looked after 98 Avensis today, and you could find a good 06 and if well looked after get another 10 years out of it. Worth checking out if your looking for something cheap & dependable

Tenigate

Thanks folks.
Pretty sure the cause of my woes was the "mechanic" (lisdoo, dundalk) who replaced the alternator/pump before xmas.
He gave it back with the breaks and turbo not working (due to not connecting a hose).
then he "noticed" the coolant he "topped up the other day" was leaking and he replaced the radiator.

I described the whole affair to my regular mechanic (who was sick when i got the botch job done) and given the leak was at the front of the car, he's fairly certain the conman fecked up fitting the pump, or mixed coolants

Anyway, went with an ex rental 161 astra for €14k.
The old 08, well, someone is going to look into fixing it up .. if i can pay 1k maybe I'll get 3k for it.