Help with buying a used car please

doodledoo2

Hello I’d love some advice as my head is melted with this.
My old Peugeot 307 died a week ago so I’ve currently no car.
I’ve never chosen my own car before and am finding it hard to know what to prioritise (year vs mileage etc).
Unfortunately it’s hard to go looking at cars without a car....went to see a fiesta the other day on the Naas Roas, coming from swords. Due to a series of unfortunate events it was an 8 hour round trip and yer man turned out to be a chancer.
Have been looking at Dacias online but would like something a bit better spec and interior wise.

I’m a small lady but have 3 tall kids/teens (no boosters). The fiesta might have actually been a bit on the small side for their long legs.
I commute a 20k round trip to work a few days a week....from Swords to Dublin city so few miles of motorway and the rest in stop start traffic. Maybe 2 times a year might venture to Waterford or thereabouts.
Every few weeks will also have my mam in the car for a 30min journey.
Would like something fuel efficient. Have a house and driveway.
Would love air con.
Really want reliability.
Budget €10k. Am borrowing off my mam and she said she could stretch to €11.5k.
Been refused a bank loan and would be much too nervous for pcp.

Just spotted a 2014 Leaf, 141, 38km, €11.9k from dealer but unsure of size (and they’d need to drop price). Can’t post links.
All advice and suggestions welcome.

colm_mcm

The leaf is quite big inside.

Most cars advertised by dealers have some wriggle room on price. Usually but not always €1k at the least.

As a rule, I would avoid Naas Road sellers, and in your case I would look at a main dealer for a brand.

Also, don’t have a clue about your circumstances, but affordability of payments is often a reason banks refuse loans. You’d obviously need to be sure you can afford to pay the mother back in regular instalments, if not then maybe look at cheaper cars. You can get a very decent car for half your budget.

doodledoo2

Thanks Colm. Problem with loan is I’m stress tested on all of a large mortgage (that I don’t actually pay myself!) so will never meet criteria.
Very interested that you say I could get a v decent car for half my budget - what do I make less of a priority, mileage, year, spec? Sorry but I’m clueless and there’s so much reading up to do but often the advice is conflicting.

biko

I agree with Colm. Buy from a respected dealer that is more likely to help should there be an issue.
If you like we can recommend someone local to you.

This UK list will give you some brands that are less troublesome
https://www.reliabilityindex.com/top-100

This car magazine lists reliable (in their opinion) secondhand cars
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-cars/driver-power/86787/most-reliable-used-cars-2019

Is there something in the above lists that takes your fancy?

Heres Johnny

I'd echo the lads suggestions for main dealer just to drive home the point. Too many chances out there if they spot you don't know a huge amount about cars. I had a 307 which I bought new in 2002 as my first car and it was a lovely roomy car, as big inside as either of the much 'bigger' cars I have now. I'd suggest staying in the same class of car rather than fiesta so that means probably

Peugeot 308
Vw golf
Ford focus
Hyundai i30
Kia Ceed
Mazda 3
Toyota Auris
Skoda Octavia

Golf would be my pick but will be more expensive than the others like for like.
Loads of all those available so see what you like and come back for advice here plenty of solid advice available.

Or maybe look at the SUVs that are somewhat based on these cars anyway, although I personally don't like them you might.

Kia Sportage
Hyundai Tucson
Mazda cx5
Vw Tiguan

Won't be as fuel efficient but plenty to think about.

colm_mcm

doodledoo2 wrote: »

Thanks Colm. Problem with loan is I’m stress tested on all of a large mortgage (that I don’t actually pay myself!) so will never meet criteria.
Very interested that you say I could get a v decent car for half my budget - what do I make less of a priority, mileage, year, spec? Sorry but I’m clueless and there’s so much reading up to do but often the advice is conflicting.

I would prioritise the car model itself over all those other factors. I would also avoid anything turbocharged.
Honda’s are really good cars, and the Jazz is very spacious inside despite not being that big outside. I’d buy something like this low mileage example from a main Honda dealer.

Note that this isn’t the cheapest example of a Jazz out there, but the seller is reputable and you should be getting a very good warranty on it.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-jazz-1-4-i-vtec-es-5dr/22877928

appledrop

Definitely go with a main dealer, then you get a warranty. Why dont you head up to airside in swords. Near you if no car. Just about every brand up there + near you. Then you can view a few cars + see what you like.

Now they wont have huge range at your price range but each garage will have some from trade ins. Do your research first online for each garage. First example I looked up nissan there in airside + 11 cars under 12,000 varying from Leaf, Qashqai etc.

Best of luck with it.

doodledoo2

I really appreciate this help, thank you so much.
I was thinking of just heading to Airside for a few hours and then saw a couple of posts saying it's not the best idea just to wander from garage to garage.
Tomorrow I'm going to go through all the suggestions you've given and will narrow it down.

To demonstrate how awful I am at this...it's just struck me it was a Peugeot 507 I had, the 7 seater, not a 307! I don't need a 7 seater any more.

I've never been fussed before- my husband would choose the car the few times I needed one as he loved to research and I was always happy with whatever he brought back. Husband has v recently moved on and I guess I feel I really need to get this right as I don't have any financial buffer or back up car if something was to go wrong with it.
So thank you again, it means a lot to get the help and I will check it all out tomorrow.

appledrop

I would agree that just heading up with no idea probably not good as you could get overwhelmed. Instead go on different websites put in your price range, narrow it down + then discount cars due to mileage, dont want diesel etc. I also just checked Ford there in airside + again a good few cars in 9,000- 10,000 price range + not all Ford as trade ins.

The good thing is the car your buying is going to be out in forecourt so you wouldn't even have to talk to some dealers if you didn't want you could just have a mooch around initially!

Then maybe go for coffee etc + could then go back to test drive anyone you really like. Bring someone with you if you can for support even if they dont know a huge amount about cars.

appledrop

Even if you had a look + couldn't decide if you post back here people will try + help you decide what you want.

Looking at your mileage a petrol/electric is your best bet so that will narrow it down if you know not going for diesel.

doodledoo2

Ok so armed with some examples of the size car I want, I headed up to Airside and browsed in and spoke with all the main dealers. Problem is 98% of what they have in my size and price range is diesel. They've plenty of smaller petrol cars and plenty of dearer petrol cars. And plenty of my size my price diesel cars which I discounted. Do I continue to stay away from diesel?

I test drove an astra which I thought was really nice.
A Google search since I came back has shown up a few other Nissans that the Windsor group have and could bring to airside for a test drive so I will include them below.
Here's my options from today:
-Ford focus 2014, 60km, €11,250 (from €13,950), 1.0, Airside Ford
-Opel astra, 2015, 42km, €11,495 (from €12,495), 1.4, Airside Renault

From various Windsor locations, these are the prices listed online :
-Nissan pulsar, 2015, 88km, €10,495, 1.2
-Nissan note, 2015, 48km, €10,495, 1.2 sv
-Nissan note, 2013, 87km, €7,995, 1.4
-Nissan note, 2016, 62km, €10,495, 1.2 xe
-Nissan note, 2016, 22km, €10,995, 1.2 xe

A few of the dealership guys mentioned that Airside Motor Centre and O'Connell automotives (in airside) were reputable. But I ran out of time to go there today.

Heres Johnny

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars?price_from=10000&price_to=15000&source=trade&fuelType=Petrol&year_from=2014&year_to=2015&area=Dublin&engine_from=1.2&engine_to=1.6


There's a filter for cars for sale from Dublin dealers, 2014 to 2015,1.2 to 1.6 petrol between 10000 and 15000 euro asking price. See if anything in there takes your fancy, there's 174 cars in there. I'll have a look for 1 or 2 I think look good and from a good seller and post again for you.

doodledoo2

That would be brilliant heres Johnny, thank you.

Meant to say I know the Note wasn't in the size range suggested to me but I had read that it's good and roomy and it is - so much space in the back.

appledrop

I had a feeling this might be an issue. People are now starting to not buy diesel but in the years your looking at nearly everyone was buying diesel apart from small cars.

It's a personal choice really. Petrol would probably suit your needs better but at same time you might need to go for diesel if your choice is really limited.

appledrop

Did you drive the focus? I had a focus myself for years + was doing huge mileage + it was very reliable. It was a diesel. I'd imagine 1 litre petrol might feel sluggish though.

Astra at least seemed to have a decent size engine from your post.

doodledoo2

appledrop wrote: »

Did you drive the focus? I had a focus myself for years + was doing huge mileage + it was very reliable. It was a diesel. I'd imagine 1 litre petrol might feel sluggish though.

Astra at least seemed to have a decent size engine from your post.

No I didn't drive the focus as it was so far out of my budget. Soon as I got home the guy rang and dropped the price substantially.

I had no clue diesel has been so popular the last few years. I've never driven a diesel myself.

doodledoo2

Well today I bought the 2015 Nissan Note from Windsor.
I've seen the general view of boardsies on the Note (in particular Colm_mcm I feel I may be offending you!!) but my research on the Note in general, and this one in particular, just spoke to me:

Not the most stunning in appearance
Few miles on the clock but no damage
You wouldn't steal the keys to get the ride
Standard headlights
Reliable
Family-friendly
Very generous rear

I mean that spec could just as easily be written about me!

I want to thank you all again for the replies. While I didn't follow all the advice, it did make me see that I need the reliability of a main dealer, warned me where to stay away from, helped me narrow down the size of car I need, and overall just gave me the confidence to head over and speak to the dealerships rather than continue with the paralysis of analysis. :-)

appledrop

Congrats doodledo + safe driving. That's a good year you got for the money.

People will always have own preference on car they like but once your happy. I'm glad you went with a main dealer so at least you have a warranty + come back if any major issues.

Shefwedfan

Was just about to post....Windsor offer a 3 year extended warranty....ask them to throw in as part of the deal. I have both two cars off them and both of them they threw in the warranty

Piece of mind for 3 years

doodledoo2

Thanks! I only thought about asking for the extended warranty after the deal was done!
They did drop €500 off the price so got it for €10k.

Shefwedfan

doodledoo2 wrote: »

Thanks! I only thought about asking for the extended warranty after the deal was done!
They did drop €500 off the price so got it for €10k.

Maybe ring them up and see what they can do....its a pity as it is pure profit to them so if you ask normally they will throw in to sweeten the deal....maybe thye will give for 50% off