What to buy for about €8,000?

Tusky

My 2008 Hyundai i30 has decided to give up on life and I'm in the market for a new car. I can afford approximately €8,000. It will mainly be used for short trips around Dublin and for occasional weekend excursions to the countryside. I was thinking about something in the 1.2, 1.4 or 1,6 petrol range, although I'm open-minded. Priorities are something that is on the cheaper side to insure, tax and maintain. If it looks decent and is enjoyable to drive, that's a bonus.

My first car was a ten-year-old VW Polo which I bought for €3k and drove for four years. My second was a 12-year-old Hyundai i30 that I bought for €1,700 and also drove for four years.

I had thought €8k would get me something a bit nicer, but a quick glance at garages online seems I'm still looking in the 10-year-old space due to inflation in the market. Is that the case? What would yea recommend I look at?

User1998

Cars are definitely more expensive than a few years ago. Something like a Toyota Yaris or slightly bigger Toyota Auris would be the most reliable/cheapest cars to maintain. And if you want an automatic hybrid with cheaper tax then look at the Toyota Prius. All three cars are bullet proof.

Tusky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122707463#Comment_122707463

Thanks, will look at the Auris and Prius.

Would I be mad to consider VW Golf or Audi A3?

kaahooters

prius.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122708892#Comment_122708892

Not mad but it won’t be as reliable. Bit of a gamble with an €8k budget.