Recommend a car - or maybe not?

chasing_ghosts

Hi all,

New to this side of the forum.

Moving to up Dublin in a few months once I finish college, and will be fortunate enough to be living rent free so I've been flirting with the idea of finally buying my own car towards the end this year (23!!).

I'm hoping to get a car recommended to me as a first time buyer - my options are pretty open. I currently drive a family member's Citroen C3 for reference, we have a love-hate relationship but I'll miss her dearly.

Budget would be around 9k, I'm just not really interested in a Golf or anything like that - I love unique cars, which is probably not ideal given my budget. Secretly I want a Smart Roadster or an MX-5 but I suppose I do need something with a little space - I like to go fishing.

Am I being too general? I'd even just love to hear what your 1st/2nd car was - ideally I'm on the "I just got a degree job and may make a stupid financial decision" side. At the same time, I also have to consider that I will not need it for a daily commute - I'll be working right in town, and will be living a 5 min train ride away.

Thanks!

BlakeS94

Japanese petrol is the answer, and I'd imagine that's what most other folk on here will recommend too.

You're young and it'll be your first car, buy something uneconomical and fun if you want, you only live once.

My first car was a 2000 Fiesta 1.25 zetec, peppy little thing, loved it to bits

colm reilly

If moving to Dublin ,do you really need a car?? Insurance/tax/parking /mainstance for starters .IF you want/need a yoke .take the advice given by Blake .

chasing_ghosts

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123265911#Comment_123265911

Thanks a lot, I appreciate your comment. That is a lovely little machine there!

Yeah, I expected as much, it makes sense. I've always been told to go with Toyota, but they never really appealed to me, other than an old '05 Rav4 we used to have. I adored it.

I have since been looking at a Mazda 6, but prices are suspiciously low for the years I've found, which lead me down a rabbithole.

…I certainly don't feel young anymore ! 😅

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123265916#Comment_123265916

You're right Colm, if I was there full time I'd just live like a Dutch man and bike everywhere.

In reality I'll be driving home to the south east every weekend to see friends and family.

Thanks for your reply!

greasepalm

Another vote for Japanese as a yearly service is usually all they need , Mazda are connected with Ford are they not and remembering how much rust on the sump of a Mazda.

No harm in Googling car model issues to see how much the cost of repairs are.

goochy

DIesel mazda 6 are a disaster engine wise hence low prices .

chasing_ghosts

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123265933#Comment_123265933

A bit of a google told me that they had a joint venture but that Mazda are independent from Ford. Definitely just been going "XYZ problems/difficulties Reddit" to see what issues some have experienced. Cheers!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123266017#Comment_123266017

Heard. I suppose you're not obligated to say anything in the listing but like… I still feel like it's disingenuous to some extent.

I've since been looking at a Mazda 3, my friend has an older one which hasn't caused him any problems in years.

Thanks for your comment

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123266459#Comment_123266459

Petrol ones are fine

AMKC

This Is what you want,

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2017-renault-twingo-automatic/35824629

Easy To manovour, brilliantly packaged, good looking well specced,

Or if you want a bit more funky,

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2021-smart-forfour-eq-top-spec-pulse-premium/36932894

Here you go.

Del2005

Join GoCar or whatever short term company is closest to you. If you don't need a car for your commute you'd be mad to buy and insure one to sit all the time.

Your 1st insurance is going to be expensive no matter what. So unless you really want to build up a NCD I'd go without car till it's needed, a car is a money pit.

lisabiscuit

I've recommended my Honda Jazz anytime a thread like this pops up. It's so easy to drive and is so much more spacious that it looks. The back seats fold down and it almost becomes a mini van (handy for your fishing gear). Probably not the fun sexy car your thinking of but very reliable.

Good Luck with your decision. You are about to enter a very exciting and fun time in your life! Enjoy it, it goes very fast! :)

Busman Paddy Lasty

Don't forget something aimed at young hip folks. Think these had interiors designed for a bit of stuff like going beach or fishing.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-c4-cactus-puretech-1-2-petrol/35845819?campaign=3

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-c4-cactus-puretech-1-2-petrol/35845819?campaign=3

*recommending on style don't know if they have a good or bad reputation for reliability

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123267379#Comment_123267379

I would second this. It would be much more financially prudent to rent a car when you need one.

chasing_ghosts

Have to say guys, really appreciate the responses. Very thoughtful, just as you'd expect from Boards :)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123267379#Comment_123267379

Sorry, I should've been clearer - it won't be my first insurance. Will have my N plates off in November. I have been driving for over 3 years.

The this is I will be driving Dublin-Wexford and back on weekends so I guess I will need something for that.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123266945#Comment_123266945

I have to say I do love the Forfour. Wow - what a cute little car. I probably wouldn't fit my sea fishing gear in it though (15ft rods in half-length sections)! Thank you for your response :)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123267528#Comment_123267528

The C3 I drive is very similar to this, a little smaller, similar year and in red and white. I have to say they look really good - but I definitely want something with a little more power. They're such pretty cars. Thank you

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123267429#Comment_123267429

Have heard many good things about the Jazz, I appreciate the consideration for my gear. Maybe not sexy but as you said, reliability is paramount. Thank you - in a way I want to get something as fun as possible, considering I'm about to enter the rest of my life…!😥

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123268857#Comment_123268857

"I have to say I do love the Forfour. Wow - what a cute little car. I probably wouldn't fit my sea fishing gear in it though (15ft rods in half-length sections)! Thank you for your response :)"@OP again...going to try

You are welcome.

I actually prefer the Twingo. The Twingo and the Smart forfour share the same wheelbase and running gear but the Smart is wider and taller while the Twingo is longer. The smart has a built in rev counter though which the Twingo does not have strangely.

Maybe it's better that your fishing rods would not fit in them as they might not be great on such a long journey. Sounds like you need something bigger.

OP What is your budget?

A Seat Ibiza FR or Leon FR might be worth checking out or even a Skoda Octavia vRS