Find me a 2k vehicle

Bluefoam

I know I've had another thread here looking for advice on a car purchase, but in the short term, I'm buying a house, so I need a runaround that won't come with big maintenance, tax or other bills... just something to get me around for a while.

My first thought was an Alfa Mito, but even a 10 year old model can be pricey. Next would be a Fiat 500. I have noticed a couple of decent value Alfa 159's, which I've owned in the past, the 1.8 is fairly bullit proof, if a little lathargic... But sportyness isn't my main concern...

Any Ideas? Is 2k too little?

Alanstrainor

To the bangernomics thread with you:

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057729711&page=424

elperello

Bluefoam wrote: »

I know I've had another thread here looking for advice on a car purchase, but in the short term, I'm buying a house, so I need a runaround that won't come with big maintenance, tax or other bills... just something to get me around for a while.

My first thought was an Alfa Mito, but even a 10 year old model can be pricey. Next would be a Fiat 500. I have noticed a couple of decent value Alfa 159's, which I've owned in the past, the 1.8 is fairly bullit proof, if a little lathargic... But sportyness isn't my main concern...

Any Ideas? Is 2k too little?

Have a look at this -

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057729711&page=425

Lots of sub 2k cars maybe something in your area.

aerofoiled

Don't get sidetracked by soul destroying Corollas, Octavias and the like that you'll find in the Bangernomics thread.
This is what you want.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-147-ti-1-6/20165603

Gonad

https://www.adverts.ie/15747143

KERSPLAT!

Gonad wrote: »

https://www.adverts.ie/15747143

Hasn't even an NCT, that's the last thing you want to be doing when you buy a car

Supergurrier

aerofoiled wrote: »

Don't get sidetracked by soul destroying Corollas, Octavias and the like that you'll find in the Bangernomics thread.
This is what you want.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-147-ti-1-6/20165603

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-toyota-avensis-d4d/20087149

Shhhhh

selectamatic

Supergurrier wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-toyota-avensis-d4d/20087149

Shhhhh

Tbf a d4d avensis is probably just as soulful as a 1.6 147

Bluefoam

Thanks for all the suggestions... I think I'll increase my budget to 5k, lol.

The 147 is one of the most enjoyable cars I have owned, but I won't be going back to tht generation of Alfas. Anything after that I'll happily drive.

aerofoiled

Bluefoam wrote: »

The 147 is one of the most enjoyable cars I have owned, but I won't be going back to tht generation of Alfas. Anything after that I'll happily drive.

You'll be disappointed with a 159 so.

Marcusm

Bluefoam wrote: »

I know I've had another thread here looking for advice on a car purchase, but in the short term, I'm buying a house, so I need a runaround that won't come with big maintenance, tax or other bills... just something to get me around for a while.

My first thought was an Alfa Mito, but even a 10 year old model can be pricey. Next would be a Fiat 500. I have noticed a couple of decent value Alfa 159's, which I've owned in the past, the 1.8 is fairly bullit proof, if a little lathargic... But sportyness isn't my main concern...

Any Ideas? Is 2k too little?

Purchase something mainstream and common so that any repairs can be sourced through second hand parts.

ba_barabus

Marcusm wrote: »

Purchase something mainstream and common so that any repairs can be sourced through second hand parts.

+1

The house will gobble up all spare cash. Just buy a car you find acceptable that'll cost as little as possible between NCT test. Buy something good when you've gotten the house into an acceptable shape.

I went from the 159 to an Avensis the same week I got the keys to our first home. I got as good a spec as was available and have found I respect it for its no nonsense approach to transport. I'll either repeat it again when changing or get a premium estate if I'm feeling flush. I never feel flush since getting the keys to the house.

Bluefoam

What about a mini... solid car? It's not my ideal car, but seems reliable enough. Plus there's
some cheap ones around.

httpsww.carbuyersguide.net/mini/one/2008-petrol-hatchback-1.4-kerry

Heiser

Get a Brera instead of a 159, can be bought pretty cheap and look fantastic

pah

ba_barabus wrote: »

. I never feel flush since getting the keys to the house.

And you never will

unkel

ba_barabus wrote: »

I went from the 159 to an Avensis

:eek:

Recently, so not during the great recession and not because you lost your job either?

Why did you do that if it wasn't because of economic necessity?

ba_barabus

unkel wrote: »

:eek:

Recently, so not during the great recession and not because you lost your job either?

Why did you do that if it wasn't because of economic necessity?

I was taking up a new job at the same time that required me to do a huge amount of driving and failure to show up wasn't an option. I'm not at all sorry. The Avensis is very easy to live with. Servicing is straight forward, nothing costs much to get, it's got a huge boot, easy access to the rear for lifting in and out a child seat and for me, I can drive it from Dunmanway to Falcarragh and get out with pains or tiredness. Trips like that are regular enough.

At the end of the day, they're both diesel rep saloons, ones a little sporty the others little comfortable

Bluefoam

The 159 is looking like a real option. How does the diesel stand up? I had the petrol before.

The brera is great but it generally has larger engine sizes... So saving on the cost of buying the car is countered by high tax...

ba_barabus

Bluefoam wrote: »

The 159 is looking like a real option. How does the diesel stand up? I had the petrol before...

If getting a diesel watch the gearbox. Bearings go and they're expensive to put right. On any model the wishbones can go. I didn't find any spurious ones that lasted any length to the point they were becoming a service items. Genuine ones are expensive and come from Italy. Other than that I loved mine. Rear access isn't great and the rear seat doesn't fold down. If you have to move stuff for the new house get an estate one.

Clutch is expensive too. Ant sign of electrical issues walk away too. My drivers electric window went twice. You'll hear a scraping noise if it's about to go.

I really did love mine but it was high mileage and starting to become expensive to run.