Car for weekend long drive

Nicknamed

Hi,
I'm looking for a car. Would be driving every weekend from Galway to Dublin and back and would be using it locally in Galway as well.
Not keen on spending a lot on tax/fuel and insurance(Have 5 year NCB), but don't want to spend time in workshop either.
Budget around 3k but can add up or down depending on the advise you give.
Thanks

bazz26

Who will be in the car with you? Do you need alot of space like an estate or would a coupe do?

Nicknamed

Hey bazz26
I’ll be on my own. My last car suggested by you is still running great corolla 2002 but thinking of changing that or should I just continue to use the same ?

bazz26

It's really up to you. A 2002 car is not really going to be worth much money these days and if it's not giving you any trouble it might be better to keep it until it dies or becomes uneconomical to repair.

Nicknamed

Cool. In case I opt for changing what would be the recommendations?

morritty

The next shape Corolla after yours if you've been happy with it.

colm_mcm

If going post 07 on the Corolla, the 1.4 petrol would be a step down in terms of performance and fuel economy. The diesel is no ball of fire but it would certainly cope with the motorway driving a lot better.
The newer Corolla is also less comfortable in my opinion, the adjustment on the seat isn’t as good, and the driving position is worse.

Nicknamed

Any recommended small economical car for use mainly in Dublin in 2-3k, light on tax, fuel and insurance (without involving distant long drive). Thinking of getting one for my wife

colm_mcm

Daihatsu Sirion/Perodua Myvi/Subaru Justy - newer model

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-diahatsu-sirion/18415213

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/daihatsu-sirion-2007-1-litre/18517462

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/perodua-myvi-nct-02-19/18483148

colm_mcm

Citroen C1/Peugeot 107/Toyota Aygo worth a look too, they’re all the same car basically. They’re smaller and more basic, but not unpleasant.

Nicknamed

colm_mcm wrote: »

Daihatsu Sirion/Perodua Myvi/Subaru Justy - newer model

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-diahatsu-sirion/18415213

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/daihatsu-sirion-2007-1-litre/18517462

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/perodua-myvi-nct-02-19/18483148

This will confuse me which make/model will be the best? Recommended ads from Dublin would be appreciated.
Many thanks

Nicknamed

colm_mcm wrote: »

Citroen C1/Peugeot 107/Toyota Aygo worth a look too, they’re all the same car basically. They’re smaller and more basic, but not unpleasant.

Which one would be most comfortable and gadgety if they are all similar?

colm_mcm

Nicknamed wrote: »

This will confuse me which make/model will be the best? Recommended ads from Dublin would be appreciated.
Many thanks

They’re all essentially the same thing, I’d prefer the last one as it’s a 1.3

Note that Daihatsu and Perodua do not have a dealer network in Ireland, you can get parts from Subaru dealers (there’s not many of them to be fair) or Toyota dealers. Wouldn’t put me off buying one though. Some parts are available in motor factors too obviously.

colm_mcm

Nicknamed wrote: »

Which one would be most comfortable and gadgety if they are all similar?

They are neither comfortable nor gatgety!

They do have an aux in socket though. Big news in 2006

Nicknamed

colm_mcm wrote: »

They are neither comfortable nor gatgety!

They do have an aux in socket though. Big news in 2006

Any recommended ads?

JohnBoy26

Coming from a corolla you will be disappointed with a sirion or any of the other small cars mentioned.

colm_mcm

Nicknamed wrote: »

Any recommended ads?

Slim pickings out there for newer ones

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-c1-1-0i-vtr/14184968

This is probably overpriced to be fair.

There are UK models that have stuff like air conditioning by the way

This is what comes up on donedeal. They’re not exactly cheap but they’re a nice car
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars?make=Peugeot;model:107&make=Citroen;model:C1&make=Toyota;model:Aygo&price_to=3000&year_from=2007&price_from=300&mileage_to=160000

Nicknamed

colm_mcm wrote: »

Slim pickings out there for newer ones

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-c1-1-0i-vtr/14184968

This is probably overpriced to be fair.

There are UK models that have stuff like air conditioning by the way

That was a GALWAY ad. Plz suggest in Dublin

colm_mcm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Coming from a corolla you will be disappointed with a sirion or any of the other small cars mentioned.

Two different queries I think John

Nicknamed wrote: »

That was a GALWAY ad. Plz suggest in Dublin

Aren’t you in Galway every weekend!

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

Two different queries I think John

Indeed, sorry, never read the part where he was looking for a car for his wife

Nicknamed

Can I ask which make/model will be most reliable out of all these small cars?
Thanks

colm_mcm

I think there would be little between the ones I’ve mentioned, they’re all very similar mechanically. The aygo/c1/107 have less electronics and are generally very simply constructed. I think the most reliable small car is the 00-06 Yaris but they are expensive for the year. If insurance isn’t an issue (some companies load older cars more) then a last of the line Yaris Blue or Yaris Strata would be a good option.

Just be aware, 15 year old cars see, to be getting a kicking from insurance companies, so even an 05 will be 15 years old in 2 years time.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yairs-1l-mint-condition-/18516707

kirving

I did that exact same drive for 4 years solid, every weekend in a 1.8 Volvo S40. Not the most efficient to fuel or tax, but you'd get something similar (2008 or newer) for 3k easily enough.

I wouldn't do that drive weekly in anything smaller than a D-segment car. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-segment

The motorway is very tiresome in a small car.

JohnBoy26

Nicknamed wrote: »

Can I ask which make/model will be most reliable out of all these small cars?
Thanks

They all have the same engine but the aygo/c1/107 are smaller and imo more flimsy.

I'd go for the sirion out of that lot.

colm_mcm

If it was my own money, I’d probably get the Perodua because the 1.3 engine would be a lot nicer and smoother too.

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

If it was my own money, I’d probably get the Perodua because the 1.3 engine would be a lot nicer and smoother too.

Didn't realize the perdodua is 1.3. In that case i'd agree with the above

Nicknamed

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/18268270

What do you think of this?

Nicknamed

colm_mcm wrote: »

If it was my own money, I’d probably get the Perodua because the 1.3 engine would be a lot nicer and smoother too.

What difference does it make between 1.0 and 1.3 L Engine?
Thanks

JohnBoy26

Nicknamed wrote: »

What difference does it make between 1.0 and 1.3 L Engine?
Thanks

The 1 liter is 3cylinder the 1.3 is 4cylinder

Nicknamed

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

The 1 liter is 3cylinder the 1.3 is 4cylinder

What does that practically mean?

bazz26

In layman's terms means the 1.0 litre engine is smaller than the 1.3 litre engine which usually means the 1.0 litre has slightly cheaper running costs.

Nicknamed

Cool.
So If I stay on 1 L Engine. Any more comfortable/gadgety/reliable option?
Why not hybrid?
i can go up on budget for a newer car as well may be up to 5k as I’ve noticed insurance goes up for older models. Thanks

bazz26

The only hybrids in your price range are a Mk2 Prius which is bigger and you will still be talking about 10 or 11 year old examples. What sort of mileage would you be doing? If it's only used as a second car for school runs, shopping, etc then a hybrid might be wasted given the cost of one over a regular petrol car.

Nicknamed

bazz26 wrote: »

The only hybrids in your price range are a Mk2 Prius which is bigger and you will still be talking about 10 or 11 year old examples. What sort of mileage would you be doing? If it's only used as a second car for school runs, shopping, etc then a hybrid might be wasted given the cost of one over a regular petrol car.

Yes that's the principal use!
So in petrol 1.0L going up on budget, what do you suggest ?

bazz26

This might be worth looking into:



https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1982604&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D19%26o%5B%5D%3D174%26l%5B%5D%3D10%26f%3D1%26b%3D2%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

If insurance isn't too much of an issue on it being 11 years old, the Sirion is basically a Toyota Yaris underneath, it has low mileage and looks clean from the photos. No idea about the garage selling it though.

If you want something newer and space is not a huge need then the Kia Picanto is worth looking at. Probably a bit of haggling to be done on this one but again not sure about the garage selling it and there are some shady garages in that area:


https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1939676&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D39%26o%5B%5D%3D1118%26l%5B%5D%3D10%26f%3D1%26b%3D2%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Nicknamed

bazz26 wrote: »

This might be worth looking into:



https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1982604&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D19%26o%5B%5D%3D174%26l%5B%5D%3D10%26f%3D1%26b%3D2%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

If insurance isn't too much of an issue on it being 11 years old, the Sirion is basically a Toyota Yaris underneath, it has low mileage and looks clean from the photos. No idea about the garage selling it though.

If you want something newer and space is not a huge need then the Kia Picanto is worth looking at. Probably a bit of haggling to be done on this one but again not sure about the garage selling it and there are some shady garages in that area:


https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1939676&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D39%26o%5B%5D%3D1118%26l%5B%5D%3D10%26f%3D1%26b%3D2%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Not having Daihatsu dealer as suggested by others could be a problem after buying cirion ?

bazz26

Mechanically they are not complicated so any decent mechanic should be able to do basic servicing. I cannot see them giving too many mechanical problems once regularly maintained. Body parts could be an issue though given the small dealer network and so few sold here.

Nicknamed

bazz26 wrote: »

Mechanically they are not complicated so any decent mechanic should be able to do basic servicing. I cannot see them giving too many mechanical problems once regularly maintained. Body parts could be an issue though given the small dealer network and so few sold here.

Reselling it may not be easy either?

Nicknamed

What about Ford Focus 1.0 ? They are pricier, but if they are better overall than these smaller ones I can spend higher. Thanks

colm_mcm

A focus 1.0 is turbocharged and has a lot more to go wrong than the likes of a Yaris.

Nicknamed

colm_mcm wrote: »

A focus 1.0 is turbocharged and has a lot more to go wrong than the likes of a Yaris.

What’s Turbocharged!

colm_mcm

It means it uses a turbocharger to make the engine more powerful. This adds complication.

The only thing it has in common with the other cars mentioned is that the engine is the same size.

JohnBoy26

Nicknamed wrote: »

What does that practically mean?

The 1.3 has an extra cylinder which means it's more refined and will be nicer to drive.

bazz26

This was posted in the bangernomics thread, worth looking at if a 3 door isn't a problem:




https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-twingo-nctd-march-2020-only-99k-km/18429583

kirving

I honestly wouldn't do that drive week in week out in that size of car, and that doesn't include day to day driving. I do the same commute every week and really think you should be going to a larger car around the size of a Corolla, Focus or Golf. A smaller car will be pushed around more by the wind, will be noisier, and other traffic tends to give you far less respect.

Nicknamed

Kevin Irving wrote: »

I honestly wouldn't do that drive week in week out in that size of car, and that doesn't include day to day driving. I do the same commute every week and really think you should be going to a larger car around the size of a Corolla, Focus or Golf. A smaller car will be pushed around more by the wind, will be noisier, and other traffic tends to give you far less respect.

Thanks Kevin, our discussed had digressed to a smaller car for Dublin city driving.
I'm still thinking of going for a larger car for weekly motorway to Galway rides and leaving the corolla for Dublin city driving.

What would be the recommendations? I was thinking of lexus RX or another SUV.
Thanks

Alanstrainor

Nicknamed wrote: »

Thanks Kevin, our discussed had digressed to a smaller car for Dublin city driving.
I'm still thinking of going for a larger car for weekly motorway to Galway rides and leaving the corolla for Dublin city driving.

What would be the recommendations? I was thinking of lexus RX or another SUV.
Thanks

I think you need to tell us again what you want, I just read through the whole thread discussing Citroen C1's/Yaris type cars and now you're looking at an RX or SUV? We need a list of requirements and updated budget.

Nicknamed

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I think you need to tell us again what you want, I just read through the whole thread discussing Citroen C1's/Yaris type cars and now you're looking at an RX or SUV? We need a list of requirements and updated budget.

Sorry !
Budget 5K-6K Lexus RX or likes? after all the inputs and considerations I've decided to keep the corolla for local Dublin travelling and to get a second heavier car for weekly intercity journeys. thanks

colm_mcm

Sorry, does that mean you’ll have 3 cars between you then?

Nicknamed

colm_mcm wrote: »

Sorry, does that mean you’ll have 3 cars between you then?

No just two!
Corolla (my current car, would leave it in Dublin for my other half for shopping and school etc. )
And a new car .. asking for advise on new car if an SUV would be a good choice?

colm_mcm

From your OP

Not keen on spending a lot on tax/fuel and insurance