15k to buy a second hand motor, advice?

budgese

Currently drive a 08 Peugeot 207. It has minimal trade in value because it is a bit battered (most if which happened before it cane into my possession!)

My stipulation is it must be petrol, must be 1.4l and must have a boot large enough to accommodate a Newfoundland dog. Must be 5 door hatchback. And not automatic.My mother has me sold on a 2018 Astra with 40k Kms on the clock. I drive about 20k Kms a year for work. I am a dog walker and I have dogs in and out of my car daily.

I am a total noob though. I looked up modern Opels and they seem to suffer with the same central locking issue as my Peugeot is having now!

I am going to bed now but I will read each reply tomorrow and consider them carefully! Thanks in advance.

Buddy Bubs

It's a standard boards answer but for the first time I'm going to recommend a skoda.....octavia or superb estate. I'd take a hit on the year over an an astra for the extra space you'd get. Newfoundland is a large beast it would appreciate the space as much as you.

pawrick

Having a newfoundland myself I'd also recommend an estate, preferably something with a flat boot lip for access. Avoid suv types or high booted cars if you can as the height to jump in and out could become difficult for the dog depending on its age given they are prone to hip issues. I'd also avoid hatchbacks or anything which won't allow the dog look out easily either with no window access or slanted window making it difficult for them to sit up.

budgese

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118901126#Comment_118901126

Thanks! I have trained Frasier to use a ramp though so this is not much of a consideration, but because I regularly load other dogs of other breeds in and out I would always be looking for a low car.

alan partridge aha

Octavia hatch still has a massive boot, nearly 600 ltrs. The 1.0 ltr is meant to be very economical.

Leave the Astra where it is.

Killer K

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118901236#Comment_118901236

The Octavia hatch has a massive boot, however when you are carrying pets in the back (particularly in summer) they get the sun down right on top of them through the glass. Would therefore go for Octavia estate if you can find one.

An alternative would be a Fabia estate which might suit you very nicely coming from the 207. It is a small car with a 530 litre boot. You should be able to get a 2019/20 example with low mileage around your budget. They are 1.0 as opposed to 1.4.

djan

Octavia Estate is really the way to go here, excellent value with best in class space for the dogs. Good reliability and decently equipped too.

Killer K

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118902289#Comment_118902289

Not the easiest to come by a petrol Octavia estate within 15k budget however. Worth broadening the search a Little.

Car99

Wait a year

djan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118902608#Comment_118902608

That's fair, just over budget would be something like this if there's any flexibility: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-1-4-tsi-se-150ps-5dr-a-auto/30861366

Or with a smaller engine 115bhp 1.0 coming in budget but high enough mileage: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-1-0-style-estate-petrol-manual-115/30853014

Is there an option of diesel? Would give much more choice.

budgese

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply to me!

I am currently interested in a Hyundai i30, seems to tick all the boxes. One thing that happened with my Peugeot though, is the low front got battered and the plastic broken (and once lost the number plate) as I would frequently take it up the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. The i30 looks like it's a bit higher?

Zylias

Renault Megane estate is a much better option than on Octavia estate if you don't need the massive boot. Cheaper to run and maintain as well.

Here's a lovely example within your budget

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-megane-2018/30824649

alan partridge aha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118903203#Comment_118903203

Doesn't really stack up, looking at the petrol hatchbacks.

Megane mid 30s mpg

I-30 Low-mid 40s

Octavia Low 50s

Looking at Honest John website.

I will say the Megane has improved massively in reliability and quality from previous gens.

Killer K

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118903068#Comment_118903068

I have not compared ground clearance figures for the two but I think the i30 would not be significantly higher.

It sounds like you need something with a little ground clearance. Would a Dacia Sandero Stepway work for you? Not the biggest boot but might be enough.

budgese

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118904776#Comment_118904776

I had a look at one, it's too high to be practical for work, J St thinking of one particular large golden retriever who I had to manhandle into the car last week. Will just have to stop rallying around the hills I suppose and just be more careful.

marty whelan

Out of curiosity OP, why not an automatic? Have you driven one? Maybe I'm just lazy but I could never go back to a manual since I changed to auto.

budgese

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118905934#Comment_118905934

On the off chance that my husband wants to learn to drive any time soon, I'd rather he learn in a manual.

But no I actually never have driven an automatic!

berocca2016

Speaking of Dacias, what about a Logan estate, below is 13k for a 2019 diesel.

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/dacia/logan/used-2019-191-dacia-logan-signature-b-offaly-fpa-202203294087455

Slightly higher than normal ground clearance, huge boot, wipe clean interiors, there is a reason why the taxi drivers love them !

berocca2016

Or in petrol, mind you it’s a 1.0 but would be as powerful as the old 1.4s in the 207.

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/dacia/logan/used-2019-192-dacia-logan-signature-dublin-fpa-202202092324206

elperello

Have you considered the Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Peugeot equivalent?

Loads of space and they came in 1.4 petrol but mostly diesel so it might be hard to find a petrol.

Pinoy adventure

X5

budgese

Unfortunately an estate car is out of the question because I haven't got anywhere to park it. There's just enough space for mine and my neighbour's reasonably sized cars outside our houses.

berocca2016

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118908620#Comment_118908620

You could go for a brand new Sandero so.

https://www.dacia.ie/vehicles/sandero.html

14,990 brand new to you.

https://www.dacia.ie/assistance-services/warranty.html

3 year warranty.

tphase

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118908620#Comment_118908620

estate doesn't necessarily mean bigger. I've had estates that were shorter than the corresponding saloon model

elperello

OP

Just reading your post again I noticed that you drive for work.

Would a small van be an option?

Some of them have 3 seats and are very similar to a car to drive.

budgese

Thanks everyone for the advice, I ended up going with a Hyundai i30, plenty of boot space but still low enough to hoist stubborn dogs into when I need to.

Killer K

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118921861#Comment_118921861

They are a very nice looking car too. Well wear.