Next car. Help needed.

Sam Hain

Hi All, so here's my just another mundane done to death, what car next thread. I'm hoping the well advised good folk on this forum will point me in the right direction. Have had a ****e heap 1.4L 04 jalopy for a while now that owes me nothing and has served me well but it looks wrecked now and the death wish of trying to overtake anything other than a tractor has finally become a bore. Its time to put this one down. So I'm looking something shiny and newish. any suggestions welcome as I'm clueless.



- Pref Hatchback (not that fussed).
- Must be automatic and pref either Petrol or Hybrid
- 2015 upwards
- 1.6L upwards
- On average I do approx. 10,000 KM per year. Daily commute to work is 15k rural roads, a 260 KM round trip on national roads about 6 or so times a year and the odd road trip which is probably the only time I'd use motorways for any great deal of time
- Would be a bonus if it was nice to look at
- Something reliable, intend to keep for a good while
- Budget 15-20K

I've been looking at both the MAZDA 3 2.0L automatic and the Lexus ct200h. thats pretty much where my heads at so far.


Any thoughts or advice much appreciated. Thanks.

Duke O Smiley

The new model Mazda 3 is lovely and I hear they are very good. Tax on the 2.0 automatic is only €270 too. It is most likely what I would spend my money on but be warned, it’ll depreciate at an alarming rate. That shouldn’t be a huge concern if you plan to hold onto it for a while though. You’ll get a fairly newish one with warranty too within budget.

Duke O Smiley

These seem to get raving reviews over on the EV forum

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/hyundai-ioniq-se-hev-s-a/19870737

Duke O Smiley

This looks interesting too. Looks good, good spec, option of 40-50km of electric mode + hybrid otherwise AFAIK

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-golf-gte-phev-204bhp/20870139

Sam Hain

Thanks very much so your suggestions so far. I really do like the Mazda 3 but logically a hybrid electric would better suit my needs but it's hard to take myself away from the Mazda 3. Would it be worth while sourcing one in the UK?

Duke O Smiley

I wouldn't rule out the Mazda just because a hybrid might save you a few shekels on your commute each week. The Skyactive engine in the 3 is very good. The are largely overlooked by the average buyer because a 2,000cc engine is considered massive and must surely be a guzzler. I think they are rated at about 48 MPG mixed which isn't bad.

If you're going to hold onto it for a while you want to make sure you bought the right car. They say you should let your head rule your heart in these decisions, but I'd always consider it a bit of a 70:30 split. You want something sensible, within budget etc that you'll still be happy with next year, and the year after etc. If you buy an Ioniq and a Mazda 3 pulls up beside you at the lights, or parks beside you in work's car park every morning...you'll regret not buying the Mazda. I've been there!

You could probably source one in the UK where there would be a bit more of a selection. VRT on a 3 is around the low €2k mark afaik. You have to factor in flights, travel within the UK and a ferry home among other things, and really you won't see change from €500, slightly more. There is very little discount available on cars from dealers across the water, especially if they know you're coming from Ireland. And you'll have to find one near-ish to a port (Liverpool, Holyhead) for connivence.

If you were going down that route I'd recommend something like this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903286359218?make=MAZDA&sort=sponsored&radius=1501&fuel-type=Petrol&transmission=Automatic&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2016&postcode=l10aa&model=MAZDA3&page=1

You could fly to Liverpool with Ryanair for about €20, get a train out to the dealer in an hour, and a ferry back from Holyhead which is only a two hour drive from dealer.

Easily done for €15k including VRT.