Getting back into the whirlwind that is car buying!

Ave Sodalis

My (not so) trusty Ford Fiesta is getting a bit tired so I think it's time to change it up. However, I'm dreading getting back into car buying! My current car has cost me a fortune with problem after problem. All just normal, niggly things that were down to bad luck, but it just seemed never ending and I'm dreading buying something and ending up with the same thing.



I'm looking for something over 2008, 5k budget, diesel, and reliable. It'll be doing a good few miles as my friends and family live all over the country, I will be travelling by ferry to the UK and back, and in the next few months, I'll be working mobile and covering a lot of the North, North West and West of Ireland so I'll end up doing a lot of miles.



A van or commercial SUV would be ideal for me space wise, but lacking a VAT number, an estate or spacious car would also work for the time being until the end of this year when I should be getting a VAT number.



Any advice on what I should be aiming for would be great! I'm based in Donegal if that helps?

Idbatterim

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

My (not so) trusty Ford Fiesta is getting a bit tired so I think it's time to change it up. However, I'm dreading getting back into car buying! My current car has cost me a fortune with problem after problem. All just normal, niggly things that were down to bad luck, but it just seemed never ending and I'm dreading buying something and ending up with the same thing.



I'm looking for something over 2008, 5k budget, diesel, and reliable. It'll be doing a good few miles as my friends and family live all over the country, I will be travelling by ferry to the UK and back, and in the next few months, I'll be working mobile and covering a lot of the North, North West and West of Ireland so I'll end up doing a lot of miles.



A van or commercial SUV would be ideal for me space wise, but lacking a VAT number, an estate or spacious car would also work for the time being until the end of this year when I should be getting a VAT number.



Any advice on what I should be aiming for would be great! I'm based in Donegal if that helps?

you might get suggestions for skoda superb , youd want something around the 2L mark with your driving I'd imagine, the cost of this fuel comes out of your pocket?

Ave Sodalis

Idbatterim wrote: »

you might get suggestions for skoda superb , youd want something around the 2L mark with your driving I'd imagine, the cost of this fuel comes out of your pocket?

Yup, the cost is coming out of my pocket. The fuel economy is pretty important, but my current car is horrendous (Donegal to Limerick cost twice as much as it did in my parent's old Passat) so anything is an improvement.

Idbatterim

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

Yup, the cost is coming out of my pocket. The fuel economy is pretty important, but my current car is horrendous (Donegal to Limerick cost twice as much as it did in my parent's old Passat) so anything is an improvement.

with that amount of driving, I wouldnt want to be in a fiesta any way, never mind actually being robbed on fuel, to do a lot of driving, in a fiesta...

this thread just popped up here funnily enough...

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058054601

Ave Sodalis

Idbatterim wrote: »

with that amount of driving, I wouldnt want to be in a fiesta any way, never mind actually being robbed on fuel, to do a lot of driving, in a fiesta...

Only in November I went to the UK via the ferry in Rosslare, drove from there as far east as London, and as far north as Derby, before going back to Donegal. A trip I've done 3 times now. I've also done a trip around the coast of Ireland in it, as well as fortnightly trips to Limerick and back for a year. It's as tough as iron boots in some ways and I'll definitely miss it when it's gone, but it's just not sensible to drive it when I'm hemorrhaging money into fuel and repairs, especially if my mileage is going to increase.

Ave Sodalis

Idbatterim wrote: »

this thread just popped up here funnily enough...

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058054601

I've read it but I figured my budget would severely limit me in that regard.

Idbatterim

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

I've read it but I figured my budget would severely limit me in that regard.

no, take a look below. If it is private in particular, you will get a decent bit off usually...
https://www.donedeal.ie/all?words=skoda%20superb&price_from=4000&price_to=6000

this one is 4500, but spec looks quote poor . I would want cruise control if I were you...

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/superb/fpa/202002067034081

motor tax seems to be E390 on the 1.9 and E200 on the 1.6 But 1.6 out of budget by looks of it ... they woud be down south any way. Just came across this, the only one in NI that you might clear for your budget...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002127240625?make=SKODA&radius=60&postcode=bt180lz&sort=relevance&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-from=3500&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=4000&model=SUPERB&page=1

Idbatterim

just bear in mind, depending on the driving its doing, the 1.6 wont necessarily be better than the 1.9 on fuel, certainly not at N road or motorway speeds! I assume...

industry accountant

Idbatterim wrote: »

no, take a look below. If it is private in particular, you will get a decent bit off usually...
https://www.donedeal.ie/all?words=skoda%20superb&price_from=4000&price_to=6000

this one is 4500, but spec looks quote poor . I would want cruise control if I were you...

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/superb/fpa/202002067034081

motor tax seems to be E390 on the 1.9 and E200 on the 1.6 But 1.6 out of budget by looks of it ... they woud be down south any way. Just came across this, the only one in NI that you might clear for your budget...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002127240625?make=SKODA&radius=60&postcode=bt180lz&sort=relevance&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-from=3500&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=4000&model=SUPERB&page=1

Don't forget any new nox emissions charge!

Idbatterim

industry accountant wrote: »

Don't forget any new nox emissions charge!

yeah definitely, vrt and the nox charge would have to be estimated....

Ave Sodalis

Idbatterim wrote: »

just bear in mind, depending on the driving its doing, the 1.6 wont necessarily be better than the 1.9 on fuel, certainly not at N road or motorway speeds! I assume...

A mix of both rural and N roads mostly, and the occasional run down a motorway a few times a year.

industry accountant

Just had a quick look there at the Superb, dunno how accurate the site I checked was but they gave nox emissions of 139mg/km giving a charge of €2,075. rough VRT calc gave €1,160, so €3,235 if all correct.
Including the car price you're looking at €7,673 for an 8 year old Skoda, mad!

Idbatterim

industry accountant wrote: »

Just had a quick look there at the Superb, dunno how accurate the site I checked was but they gave nox emissions of 139mg/km giving a charge of €2,075. rough VRT calc gave €1,160, so €3,235 if all correct.
Including the car price you're looking at €7,673 for an 8 year old Skoda, mad!

yeah those figures defo wouldnt stack up... So its probably back to a 1.9 from here with the op budget, the uk savings can be significant or obviously non existant or even more expensive now, with the older stuff...

just spotted this, on budget and the 1.6 L no mention of mileage though and where the touchscreen infotainment goes, looks to have been replaced by just a cd player?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb-2012-1-6tdi/22964929

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb-1-9-tdi-stunning-car-quotmust-see-quot/24320505?campaign=3

Ave Sodalis

Idbatterim wrote: »

this one is 4500, but spec looks quote poor . I would want cruise control if I were you...

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/superb/fpa/202002067034081

Would a lack cruise control be a big issue? I've only drove in a car with it once or twice so I don't know a huge amount about it.

Idbatterim

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

Would a lack cruise control be a big issue? I've only drove in a car with it once or twice so I don't know a huge amount about it.

it just means that on say n roads or particularly motorways, you just done have to keep foot on accelerator, adaptive cruise control is even better, where if the vehicle ahead slows down, your car will do likewise. do you use motorways much?

industry accountant

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

Would a lack cruise control be a big issue? I've only drove in a car with it once or twice so I don't know a huge amount about it.

It's not the end of the world if you don't have it but once you get used to it you won't want to do without it. I currently commute 1k miles per week all motorway and I'd be lost without it.

Idbatterim

industry accountant wrote: »

It's not the end of the world if you don't have it but once you get used to it you won't want to do without it. I currently commute 1k miles per week all motorway and I'd be lost without it.

yeah at the mileage and even well below it, cruise control is a must....

Odyssey 2005

I'd stay away from the 1.6 and if you can the 1.9 also. They are the older engine. The 2.0 6 speed is a brilliant mile munched quiet,usually well spaced and fairly frugal. Iv just bought another one. Far superior car to any Passat.

Ave Sodalis

Idbatterim wrote: »

it just means that on say n roads or particularly motorways, you just done have to keep foot on accelerator, adaptive cruise control is even better, where if the vehicle ahead slows down, your car will do likewise. do you use motorways much?

Not massively. There's no motorways near me (the odd dual carriage way), but I would use one on average around 10 times a year.

industry accountant wrote: »

It's not the end of the world if you don't have it but once you get used to it you won't want to do without it. I currently commute 1k miles per week all motorway and I'd be lost without it.

I can definitely see where you would find it useful here!

Idbatterim

so its not a deal breaker in your case, but preferable to have...

AMKC

@OP How about a Ford Mondeo?

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/ford/mondeo/fpa/202002197490357

Top of the range, leather seats, all electrics, alloys and lots more. Lovely car.

elperello

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

My (not so) trusty Ford Fiesta is getting a bit tired so I think it's time to change it up. However, I'm dreading getting back into car buying! My current car has cost me a fortune with problem after problem. All just normal, niggly things that were down to bad luck, but it just seemed never ending and I'm dreading buying something and ending up with the same thing.



I'm looking for something over 2008, 5k budget, diesel, and reliable. It'll be doing a good few miles as my friends and family live all over the country, I will be travelling by ferry to the UK and back, and in the next few months, I'll be working mobile and covering a lot of the North, North West and West of Ireland so I'll end up doing a lot of miles.



A van or commercial SUV would be ideal for me space wise, but lacking a VAT number, an estate or spacious car would also work for the time being until the end of this year when I should be getting a VAT number.



Any advice on what I should be aiming for would be great! I'm based in Donegal if that helps?

If you look up your local authority web site Motor Tax section you will find a list of documents required to tax a commercial. If you can provide that documentation and comply with the use restriction you will be entitled to commercial tax. A VAT number is not normally required.

Shefwedfan

You have a couple of option

Mondeo: I drove two of them, brother bought my last one and ran up over 300k miles on it. Was still going strong when traded in. They are a pure workhorse and cheap to repair as parts are easily available. You can get decent spec in the mid range and should pick up cruise etc

Passat: Again I had 2, loved them, really comfy inside and high spec. Again engine is very solid

A4: Step up from Passat so you will go down the years for same money. Step up in regards to interior and drive.

Skoda: Superb or Octavia: The Superb is a Passat and the Octavia is a Golf. Based on your requirement you could go for either,. Both have VW engines etc but interior is a step down from the VW/Audi. Loads of them on road so parts are easy to find/easy to repair etc

With all cars you can get lemons. Doesnt matter what model/type. So best in this price range before you start doing anything get yourself aligned to a good mechanic. In your price range the biggest issue is clocking. So history will critical.

PLenty of other options but they are the main ones I would start with and work from their

TheBoyConor

Toyota Corolla or Auris.
Base spec is simple a straightforward with no messing or gimmicks that are going to cause you a headache. Just simple reliable driving at a reasonable cost. There should be plenty of these around.

Ave Sodalis

AMKC wrote: »

@OP How about a Ford Mondeo?

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/ford/mondeo/fpa/202002197490357

Top of the range, leather seats, all electrics, alloys and lots more. Lovely car.

How would they compare to the aforementioned Superbs?

elperello wrote: »

If you look up your local authority web site Motor Tax section you will find a list of documents required to tax a commercial. If you can provide that documentation and comply with the use restriction you will be entitled to commercial tax. A VAT number is not normally required.

As far as I know, they have been clamping down pretty hard on it. I've know a few people who had a bit of hassle getting taxed as they were suddenly looking for VAT numbers instead of just sending their renewals. I'm not going to be set up as a business for another few months.

Shefwedfan wrote: »

You have a couple of option

Mondeo: I drove two of them, brother bought my last one and ran up over 300k miles on it. Was still going strong when traded in. They are a pure workhorse and cheap to repair as parts are easily available. You can get decent spec in the mid range and should pick up cruise etc

Passat: Again I had 2, loved them, really comfy inside and high spec. Again engine is very solid

A4: Step up from Passat so you will go down the years for same money. Step up in regards to interior and drive.

Skoda: Superb or Octavia: The Superb is a Passat and the Octavia is a Golf. Based on your requirement you could go for either,. Both have VW engines etc but interior is a step down from the VW/Audi. Loads of them on road so parts are easy to find/easy to repair etc

With all cars you can get lemons. Doesnt matter what model/type. So best in this price range before you start doing anything get yourself aligned to a good mechanic. In your price range the biggest issue is clocking. So history will critical.

PLenty of other options but they are the main ones I would start with and work from their

Thank you!

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Toyota Corolla or Auris.
Base spec is simple a straightforward with no messing or gimmicks that are going to cause you a headache. Just simple reliable driving at a reasonable cost. There should be plenty of these around.

If I can get a saloon, maybe. Otherwise, the hatchback will be much too small for what I'll be needing.