Looking for some opinions on this car

mkdon05

Hi All,

I'm looking for a second family car, something reliable with low tax would be preferable. Budget would be around the 5k mark.

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic-2.2I-CTDI-SE-5DR/137781614455369

The above looks fairly decent, would these be reliable considering mileage?

colm_mcm

They're reliable but they aren’t immune to problems, mainly clutch which can be known to slip. Look out for rust where the windscreen meets the roof.
I know that car is 9 years old but it nearly seems too cheap. A 1.8 would be a safer bet but they’re harder to find up the years than the diesels.

That said, it’s one of the least risky cars in that class even in diesel.

chicorytip

mkdon05 wrote:

I'm looking for a second family car, something reliable with low tax would be preferable. Budget would be around the 5k mark.

Ford Focus 2010-11 1.6 diesel. Spacious, reliable, economical and good to drive.

colm_mcm

Id have the focus 1.6 diesel in that price bracket as one of the riskiest buys you could look at.

mkdon05

colm_mcm wrote: »

They're reliable but they aren’t immune to problems, mainly clutch which can be known to slip. Look out for rust where the windscreen meets the roof.
I know that car is 9 years old but it nearly seems too cheap. A 1.8 would be a safer bet but they’re harder to find up the years than the diesels.

That said, it’s one of the least risky cars in that class even in diesel.

Thanks for that, would you think this one would be a better buy?

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic-1.8I-GREAT-CONDITION-CIVIC--FULLY-SERVICED---NCT-D--WARRANTY--TRADE-INS-WELCOME--/292570447363417

colm_mcm

Arguably yes. The 1.8 is inherently very reliable. The saloon isn’t as practical as the hatchback its a little harder on petrol(but still good) and the tax is higher though. The saloon has softer suspension so is way better over speed bumps etc.
Don’t rule out private sales, if you can get a newer civic for your €5k.

SomethingElse

colm_mcm wrote: »

Id have the focus 1.6 diesel in that price bracket as one of the riskiest buys you could look at.

I'd stay well clear of the 1.6 diesel focus too.

mkdon05

colm_mcm wrote: »

Arguably yes. The 1.8 is inherently very reliable. The saloon is,n’t as practical as the hatchback its a little harder on petrol(but still good) and the tax is higher though. The saloon has softer suspension so is way better over speed bumps etc.
Don’t rule out private sales, if you can get a newer civic for your €5k.

Cool, thanks a lot for your help! I'll have a search around!

PukkaStukka

SomethingElse wrote: »

colm_mcm wrote: »

Id have the focus 1.6 diesel in that price bracket as one of the riskiest buys you could look at.

I'd stay well clear of the 1.6 diesel focus too.

The newer shape focus diesel from late '11 onwards is a fine car and very reliable. The engine was heavily revised and doesn't suffer with the gremlins of the earlier version.

colm_mcm

PukkaStukka wrote: »

The newer shape focus diesel from late '11 onwards is a fine car and very reliable. The engine was heavily revised and doesn't suffer with the gremlins of the earlier version.

You won’t get them for €5k though. My comment was in reply to the suggestion of a Mk2 Focus.

chicorytip

PukkaStukka wrote:

The newer shape focus diesel from late '11 onwards is a fine car and very reliable. The engine was heavily revised and doesn't suffer with the gremlins of the earlier version.

The engine problems mentioned affected models only up to late 2009 when a revised eight valve engine replaced the older sixteen valve unit. The older shape car 2008 - 11 is much better to drive than the newer version with better handling.

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This post has been deleted.

PukkaStukka

chicorytip wrote: »

PukkaStukka wrote:

The newer shape focus diesel from late '11 onwards is a fine car and very reliable. The engine was heavily revised and doesn't suffer with the gremlins of the earlier version.

The engine problems mentioned affected models only up to late 2009 when a revised eight valve engine replaced the older sixteen valve unit. The older shape car 2008 - 11 is much better to drive than the newer version with better handling.

The 8v unit wasn't fitted to Mk2 Focus, only the Mk3 from 2011 on.

8v units can be identified by the revised engine designation code of DV6b for 92bhp and Dv6c for 115bhp.

In addition to removing a cam and 8 valves, the lubrication system was completely redesigned and the"wet" EOLYS based DPF system was discarded for a dry one.

CiniO

colm_mcm wrote: »

They're reliable but they aren’t immune to problems, mainly clutch which can be known to slip. Look out for rust where the windscreen meets the roof.

It's a facelift model, which was factory fitted with newer clutch (325 model) which is considerably better and didn't really suffer from slipping problems.
At that mileage though, original clutch was either replaced for something else or close to dying if still original.
Cracking exhaust manifold issue was also resolved afaik.
Roof rust probably still issue on facelift models, so best to look for ones with glass roof.

I know that car is 9 years old but it nearly seems too cheap.

And it probably was, as adverts seems to be gone...

A 1.8 would be a safer bet but they’re harder to find up the years than the diesels.

That said, it’s one of the least risky cars in that class even in diesel.

Agree that 1.8 would be better and safer option on 9 years old highish mileage civic.


In relation to clutch my 2009 civic diesel is still on original clutch at 250k km mileage.

mkdon05

Very strange that the ad has been taken down!!
I think I'll keep the search to a 1.8 petrol civic. Thanks for all the input!