Replacing car - suggest me something reliable, economical and reasonably priced

CreadanLady

I have a 2004 nissan almera since 2014 that has been great and reliable but has failed the NCT due to rusting through in the front shock absorber top mounts. So it is finished.

I am now looking for a replacement. I am looking for a no-nonsense runabout.

The objective here is to get something functional that gets me A to B everyday reliably and economically.

• Petrol or diesel, something economical to run so probably 1.1/2ish petrol or no more than 1.5 in diesel.
• Must be a model with a widely proven record for excellent long term reliability and minimal servicing requirements.
• Preference for simple straightforward car - I've no need nor interest in superfluous gadgets or gimmicks or creature comforts. I'd be quite happy with a base spec Dacia Sandero if it fits the bill on the other points.
• Something where service parts are widely available and reasonably cheap, including tyres. So not interested in anything with expensive run-flats or low profiles. Steel wheels are fine.
• Hatchback or compact saloon.
• Looking to spend no more than € 2,500
• Would hope to get something that'll give at least 5 years of relatively trouble free motoring.
• I'd do about 25,000km per year. Most weekdays would be 10-50km drives. At weekends it would be usually 2x 120km drives and a few smaller spins.
• As with the Almera, I will be planning to keep this car until its uneconomical to keep it on the road. Drive it into the ground basically.

AMKC

I would say get a Toyota Corolla.

bazz26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118628566#Comment_118628566

You won't buy much of a Dacia for 2.5k. The OP's budget is basically bangernomics motoring.

bazz26

OP, maybe something like a Kia Rio or Hyundai Accent, both are practically the same car with no frills basic transport, cheap tax, etc:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2010-kia-rio-diesel-new-nct/29712822

CreadanLady

A Kia Rio sounds good. But are they reliable long term?

bazz26

They are basic enough mechanically but you have to be realistic here. Your looking at 12 or 13 years old cars on your budget so reliability will depend on the individual car and how it was looked after, rather than reputation. There are no guarantees with that age of car, you could get 5 years out of it or be unlucky and get only 1 year.

DoctorEdgeWild

The majority of cars are reliable if maintained correctly, the days of certain makes/models/brands being unreliable is almost gone. Maintenance history is the absolute most important factor if I were buying from your criteria above.

Dakota Dan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058232917/replacing-car-suggest-me-something-reliable-economical-and-reasonably-priced

what about a 08-09 quashqai 1.5d? You’d want to get the subframes checked though as they are starting to rust and nct mechanics are checking them, if you can get a reasonable mileage one with a good subframe it will meet your needs. 50mpg average driving and parts are reasonable.

Gant21

The new farmers proper suv.

monseiur

I would recommend a Skoda Octavia diesel, 2008 or younger with long NCT, lowish mileage and good service history, especially regular oil & filter change. It's one of the best diesel engines going, trouble free and a miser on diesel. Avoid all older French cars like the plague...they are dirt cheap for a reason. Another good option is a Toyota Avensis, Corolla or Auris or a low mileage VW Golf or Passat. Whatever model you go for ensure that it has recent NCT, service history, low no. of owners, genuine mileage etc. If you are not mechanically minded get a good mechanic to check it out.....but in fairness don't expect too much for your budget, it may be worthwhile in the long run to, at least, double you budget - if funds allow.

bazz26

Basic a to b motoring - Corolla:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-2008/30388076

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-toyota-corolla-1-4-petrol-new-nct/30381378

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118628848#Comment_118628848

Nothing wrong with that model Rio. My Mum has had one for years. It's not the most sophisticated drive do very basic really and not the quietest but it just keeps going and is very well built. Although she is saying she is getting it hard to put it into reverse now so it could be due a new gearbox or clutch still not bad considering how many people have driven it and how long she has had it with zero problems untill now. It is an 08. She has it I would say 7 years at least.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118630522#Comment_118630522

They are actually quite nice inside that Corolla. I remember sitting in one and being impressed with it. Much better than I thought it would be.

I would have the Corolla over the Rio if I was looking.

fryup

mitsubishi colt (04 - onwards) bulletproof

CreadanLady

Budget does allow in theory, I could go all out PCP if I wanted to, but i just want something basic and cheap as possible.

I'll definitely check out some Kia Rios in my area. What years were they produced up until? I could try find a late model.

I don't know about mitsubishi colt. I have a friend told me their family had one and it was a pain in the arse they were glad to see the back of it.

I have confidence in Corolla, they are pretty simple and have a good reputation. But they and Yarises also are expensive from looking on DD.

Anything VW is an absolute no no. Expensive and anyone I know with a VW all you hear about are frequent and expensive fixes.

I think Dacias, being only 2015 onwards, will be outside of the budget I'm willing to spend on a car, even if they are good.

What about Daewoo / Chevrolet. Are the basic hatchbacks from them any good for long term reliability? Kalos/Aveo/Lancetti? Or what about Suzuki Liana or something along those lines?

AMKC

@OP I really do think the best car for you is the Corolla especially if it really is a saloon you want.

I would stay away from Daewoo or Chevrolet. They were never very safe cars or well built and nothing nice either and they would seem like a big step down from your Almera. Also the fact they are not here anymore means parts are harder to get.

You would be much better going for the Kia Rio or Hyundai Accent if you went that root.

A Ford Focus Saloon is another good option and relatively cheap to run.

Your best bet is to look around and try a few. Get the one you feel happiest with. Make sure they have been well maintained and serviced.

CreadanLady

I think i'm narrowing it down to Kia or Corolla.

I won't touch Fords. I know a few people with Focuses and they are nothing but trouble. Even someone bought a brand new 202 one and it was a disaster with different problems and the garage agreed replace it with another identical brand new car and that also had faults which the garage could not seem to get to the bottom of, so my friend managed (after several face-offs) to get get them to take back the car, and they went off and bought a Corolla. So if that is how bad 2x brand new focuses are, I'll be steering clear of a 10 year old one.

colm_mcm

Have a look at a Kia Ceed / Hyundai i30 petrol too, the 1.4 is powerful for its size and it’ll be better finished and a bit bigger than the Rio.

Mad_maxx

You might get this for 2500

I know someone with one ,they bought it in 2016 for 7500 and never gave any bother, it's a Fiat in reality from bumper to bumper

Screenshot_20220216-192330_Chrome.jpg

colm_mcm

Ah stop.

bazz26

Lol.

Gant21

Horse and cart and pick up a bag of rolled oats on the way home.

kirving

Writing off VW and Ford as a whole is madness IMO.

In the bracket of 10yo cars, a Focus would probably be my first pick on balance of reliability, cheap to repair, and be a decent place to sit for 500k per week.

CreadanLady

Not interested in comfortable places to sit or any features or electronic gadgets.

I just want a basic reliable car for cheap.

Akrasia

Toyota yaris. They're nearly impossible to kill.

My mother had one and drove it for years without even changing the oil once. It only died because she drove it into a wall

And parts can be gotten dirt cheap because they're so common every breakers yard will have a few of them

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris-2007-full-years-nct/30282923

If you can find one with even a hint of service history you'll be sorted for years

chicorytip

Renault Clio 2006-10.

CreadanLady

Yaris are too expensive.