Circumstances changing. Budget of ~3k, looking for something smart and reliable

newboard

Hi all,
My circumstances are changing soon and I'll be doing a 150km drive a few times a week.

My 02 Corolla 1.4L is in terrible condition cosmetically but has been running great, flew through the 2 NCTs since purchase and only has around 80,000 miles on it. However it just looks in terrible condition and at this point I'd rather something more presentable.

Running costs are important, more than happy to sacrifice performance for something that is cheaper to run. I'd also consider paying more upfront if savings were to be made long term.

Initially thinking of a diesel saloon, but open minded.

Aesthetically I'd be very drawn to something like this 2011 Mondeo but others here have said the engine is terrible on that.

Do any models come to mind?

Thank you

bazz26

As well as reliability you should also be looking at something comfortable and with cruise control for driving that distance. I'll recommend the obligatory Renault Fluence. They are pretty reliable cars, cheap enough to buy these days and are comfortable, most trim levels bar the very basic models have cruise control.

Green farmer

bazz26 wrote: »

I'll recommend the obligatory Renault Fluence. They are pretty reliable cars, cheap enough to buy these days and are comfortable, most trim levels bar the very basic models have cruise control.

If the o.p liked these cars, what type of mileage are they good for ? Do they give any issues after a certain point or anything to look out for ?

bazz26

There is no set mileage for any car to expire or be good for. Like anything it boils down to how they were looked after by their owners. But to give an example take a look at them for sale on donedeal and take note of the mileage on them, plenty are well north of 200k/250k km. They are also popular enough with taxi drives which is a big plus point. You need to watch out for the usual consumables with modern diesel cars such as clutch and flywheel along with normal things like timing belt/water pump changes.

newboard

After watching a few reviews etc I'm considering this Accord which was recommended before. Initially thought it was too sporty looking for me, but it seems to have plenty of plus points to it that could make the drives a lot more tolerable and the reliability factor is a big plus too.

I'm wondering will there be a big insurance jump from my 1.4L Corolla though, will have to see.

hoodie6029

I've been running a 2066 Prius for 3 years. It's very cheap to run and reliable.

Here is the latest one on donedeal - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-prius-96988-low-miles/25118381

Allinall

hoodie6029 wrote: »

I've been running a 2066 Prius for 3 years. It's very cheap to run and reliable.

Here is the latest one on donedeal - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-prius-96988-low-miles/25118381

You should have a DeLorean :D

hoodie6029

D'oh!

newboard

Which Accord out of these would you go for?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/08-honda-accord-2-2l-dtec-es-gt/25173540

Or

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/08-honda-accord-2-2cdtisportnct-11-20clean/25173080

newboard

The search continues

Would anyone have an opinion on these;

Renault Fluence 1.5L diesel, 2011. Low mileage. Asking €3k
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-fluence-1-5-dci-110tomtom-ed-4dr/25276610

Similar Fluence but lower asking price of €2599
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2011-renault-fluence-1-5dci-tax-and-nct/24992290

Skoda Superb, 1.9L Diesel, 2008. 220k miles. Asking €3k
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb-2008-1-9tdi/25106698

Mondeo 1.8L, 200k kms. Asking €2295
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-mondeo-2008/25228547


Much appreciated

colm_mcm

The first Fluence.

newboard

colm_mcm wrote: »

The first Fluence.

Does 3 previous owners seem a bit much for less than 100k miles?

Edit: Just wondering why you think the 1st one is better than the 2nd - is it the mileage?

bazz26

3 owners on a 9 year old car is not excessive.

newboard

bazz26 wrote: »

3 owners on a 9 year old car is not excessive.

When you look at it that way I suppose it doesn't sound too bad. Do you think the first Fluence would be the better choice too if you don't mind having a look?

Thank you

bazz26

The first one has some service stamps, has lower mileage and is higher spec. The second one just has the timing belt change written in tipex written on the engine cover.

newboard

Might go for it. What's a realistic price to expect to get it for? I've never bought from a dealer before.

bazz26

Go look at the car first and base that on whether you want to make an offer on it. At this end of the market you are not going to get a huge amount off from a dealer. Depends how fast the dealer wants it gone too.

newboard

I don't even know what a huge amount is in this context though to be honest! €300 or so? It's a good bit out of my way and I'd have to take time off work so I'd go with the intention of buying.

bazz26

There is no fast or hard rule to haggling on the asking price. Remember it's a low value car and one of the cheapest 2011 models for sale so there might be little or no discount off that car from the dealer.

newboard

Rang about that Fluence today but it had just been sold unfortunately.

This one just went up on DD, thoughts?

2010, 113k kms, asking €2495

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-fluence-2010-high-spec-113kms/25312350

colm_mcm

I’d say it had more hits than Elvis.
I’d also never buy from a ‘trade cars’ setup. Buying off the owner that’s had it a few years gives you a way better picture.

newboard

This ticks all the boxes for me except really high mileage of 337k miles;

2011 1.6L Diesel Passat Comfort Line tdi asking for €3k.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-passat-comfort-line-1-6-tdi/25263310

colm_mcm

Early 1.6 TDI is a bit of a risk IMO.

newboard

How about this one?

Looks a little rough externally but seems okay otherwise.

2008 2L Passat, asking €2550 with 95k miles:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-passat-tdi-390-road-tax/25315530

newboard

Still not sorted unfortunately. Have a saved search on DoneDeal that I check every day but nothing much on offer. Hoping to get something sorted soon because I'm doing around 650km a week on petrol at the moment.

Pushed the price bracket up a bit and this popped up;



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/08-honda-accord-top-spec/25367428

08 Accord, asking for €3350. Not sure if I like the black alloys but otherwise looks nice, good specs it seems

colm_mcm

That’s an EX model which is one of the highest alright.
Last change of ownership in 2013.

Idbatterim

Have you checked out the bangernomics thread op ?

selectamatic

Cheap tax Mk1 tdi octavia or superb might suit. Well able for big mileage, economical, simple and parts are cheap compared to most other cars of that era.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb/25335057

This could be a decent buy if the price came down a bit. Seller claiming to have owned it for 5 years but it had a change of ownership in 2018 for some reason. The ad and seller seem pretty genuine though.

newboard

Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning towards a Fluence at this stage, seems to tick the most boxes for me in terms of something that is very economical to run, low tax, looks fairly respectable, and has plenty of the bells and whistles and safety features, for within my budget of 2.5-3k.

Any tips on what year/version I should be going for? I heard that the higher bhp one is a better choice. Is there an easy way to tell?

I'd nearly go for this one except I really dislike the colour;

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-flunanc-1-5d-new-nct/25398069

Coybig_

.

bazz26

Coybig_ wrote: »

.

??

Coybig_

bazz26 wrote: »

??

Meant to start my own thread rather than piggyback off someone else's.

newboard

Back again, this just went online and it looks like it could be the one for me;

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/10-renault-fluence-1-5dci-tomtom/25431161

Does the ad look legit enough though? It has the Greenlight but the reg is not displayed?

The ad details say NCT Aug 2020, but the description text says 08/2022.

They do have a lot of other ad listings in fairness.

Edit: the mileage is high enough at 187k miles, might be an ex-taxi?

California Dreamer

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-megain-monaco-1-5-dci-40000-miles/25296030

accensi0n

newboard wrote: »

Back again, this just went online and it looks like it could be the one for me;

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/10-renault-fluence-1-5dci-tomtom/25431161

Does the ad look legit enough though? It has the Greenlight but the reg is not displayed?

The ad details say NCT Aug 2020, but the description text says 08/2022.

They do have a lot of other ad listings in fairness.

Edit: the mileage is high enough at 187k miles, might be an ex-taxi?

I think the reg is 10-MH-2177

https://www.motorcheck.ie/free-car-check/?vrm=10MH2177

newboard

accensi0n wrote: »

I think the reg is 10-MH-2177

https://www.motorcheck.ie/free-car-check/?vrm=10MH2177

Well spotted. Only possible issue seems to be the mileage, do you think that'd be something to be concerned about?

Edit: Just to confuse matters, this one has also been listed, cheaper, lower mileage and 1 year younger : https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-flenuce-1-5-dci-ncttax-low-mileage/25431720

bazz26

That 2010 Fluence is overpriced imo given it's a 2010 and the mileage.

The 2011 silver one looks better value on the face of it but not sure if the bodywork over the rear passenger wheel arch is damaged or if it's just a reflection in the photo:

bazz26

BTW the seller of the silver one is a trader too. He has 20 other cars for sale too.

newboard

Silver one is gone now already it seems. Having second thoughts about the black one with the mileage so high. I'd like the car to do me for about 4 years and I'll be doing around 700km a week.

There's this one also with 100k miles but a little pricier:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-flunanc-1-5d-new-nct/25398069

Vikings

newboard wrote: »

Silver one is gone now already it seems. Having second thoughts about the black one with the mileage so high. I'd like the car to do me for about 4 years and I'll be doing around 700km a week.

It's done 18,700 miles per year on average with the same owner. If you religiously put up 700km a week for 50 weeks you'll be doing only a little above that 18,700 that's already been done.

If it's been maintained and you're willing to keep it maintained the mileage isn't an issue.

newboard

Back again I'm afraid

This one has popped up which is looking decent;

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/12-renault-fluence-nct/25487052?campaign=3

2012 Tom Tom edition, asking for €2950, a bit newer and 20k fewer miles than the previous one I was looking at



Edit: gone already

pah

If you've got 3k to spend and something like that last one pops up don't waste your time posting here just go and have a look at it.

newboard

Someone I know who knows a lot more about cars than I do, does work on cars for friends etc is recommending against the Fluence because of electrics issues.

He's recommending I get an Audi or BMW 3 series or Audi A4 because of reliability and fuel economy. Some very clean looking ones on done deal for my budget too.

However nobody here ever mentioned BMW or Audi so I'm still very unsure.

Any thoughts appreciated

colm_mcm

I Would suggest that an Audi or BMW is just as likely or even more likely to give electrical issues. You’ll also be looking at older higher mileage cars than you’re looking at now.

A good test is to ask him what particular issues they throw up. I think he’s talking arse based on the stereotype of older Renaults and his own preference for entry level premium cars.

kermitpwee

newboard wrote: »

Someone I know who knows a lot more about cars than I do, does work on cars for friends etc is recommending against the Fluence because of electrics issues.

He's recommending I get an Audi or BMW 3 series or Audi A4 because of reliability and fuel economy. Some very clean looking ones on done deal for my budget too.

However nobody here ever mentioned BMW or Audi so I'm still very unsure.

Any thoughts appreciated

I think your friend is away with the fairies tbh!!
A 3k Audi or BMW will not be any more reliable than a fluence, the fluence will certainly be much better on fuel.

bazz26

newboard wrote: »

Someone I know who knows a lot more about cars than I do, does work on cars for friends etc is recommending against the Fluence because of electrics issues.

He's recommending I get an Audi or BMW 3 series or Audi A4 because of reliability and fuel economy. Some very clean looking ones on done deal for my budget too.

However nobody here ever mentioned BMW or Audi so I'm still very unsure.

Any thoughts appreciated

Your friend's information is totally inaccurate and best ignored. The Fluence is generally a reliable car but in the event of a problem it would be cheaper to fix than a similar BMW or Audi. Just because premium branded cars are cheap to buy when they get old doesn't mean they are suddenly cheap to fix also.

newboard

His view was that electrics problems are very common, and what should be a simple fix can be a big job because of the configuration.

bazz26

His view is outdated, older generation Renaults were a disaster around electronics. However Renault turned it around with the Mk3 Megane and Fluence, they even gave 5 year warranties on those cars at the time.

kermitpwee

newboard wrote: »

His view was that electrics problems are very common, and what should be a simple fix can be a big job because of the configuration.

He is away with the fairies

selectamatic

08/09 cheap tax era 2.0 diesel bmw's and audi's are an absolute minefield that can throw up quite a few expensive and or catastrophic problems. Timing chain failure on the bmw, oil pump gear failure on the audi to name the big two.

If you're going this route you'd need to find something thats been well cared for and had the relevant preventative maintenance carried out. Finding such a car is very very difficult.

newboard

Back to the Fluences so! Thanks all