Accent or Escort

mr_angry

Hey everyone,

I'm in the process of buying my first (second hand) car at the moment, and for this reason, I think I'm a little inexperienced when it comes to identifying flaws and drawbacks. For my budget, I reckon I'm set on either a 99/00 Hyundai Accent or a 99 Ford Escort. The prices on both seem to be reasonable, but I have no idea which is considered the more reliable or better quality. The Escort seems to be ~€400 dearer than the Accent.

Has anyone got any advice, or experience with either of the models?

fletch

I've got a '98 Escort with 97k on the clock, in the last year since I bought it, I've not had one single problem with it, it starts every morning without fail. The only real drawback is the engine. It's an old 1.4 8valve engine & only returns about 32.5mpg on my weekly commute.
Other than that, it handles well, is well kitted out (in Ghia form anway, i've got alloys, sunroof, cd-player, elec windows, front fogs etc).
I have no experience of the Hyundai Accent so can't really comment

mr_angry

Well, this is a 1999 1.4L Escort with only 48k on the clock. By the sounds of that, fuel efficiency is the only noticeable drawback. In the near future, I'm probably going to be doing a fair few miles each day so that might be costly, but at the same time, its good to know that it will get from A to B in one piece.

Insuracnce will probably cost me more for the 1.4L Escort as compared to the 1.3L Accent, but I have a couple of years experience as a named driver under my belt with Hibernian, so hopefully it wont be too bad.

Paul (MN)

Both of those cars have very poor fuel consumption and with fuel costs generally rising can work out more expensive that paying slightly more for another car. I would just go for a Corolla 1.3 that is slightly older. Reliable and frugal.

The Accent would be considered very reliable.

Considering it's a first car I would guess you are trying to keep costs down (You should be paying about 3k privately for one of those right?) so have fuel consumption of 30-32 versus 38-40 does make a difference.

Lafortezza

Why are you limiting yourself to just the Accent or the Escort? If you do a scan over the recent pages of Motors, you'll see there's been plenty of threads about people wanting recommendations for 2nd hand cars. There must be better options out there within your budget?

mr_angry

Well, I wouldn't say I'm limiting myself to either, but having scanned around Car Buyer's Guide, Car Zone, and Auto Trader, I feel these two seem to provide the best value for money based on what I'm looking for.

Both are available from garages (not privately) with exactly or almost 2 years on their NCT and with a years warranty. Also, I'm starting a new job in Dublin on Monday and I need a way to get from Dundalk to there every day. This area isn't particularly accessable via public transport, and I haven't managed to get myself a house yet. Basically, I'm in a hurry to get myself a reliable car that isn't going to need work on it any time soon, and wont die its death on the motorway every day for the next couple of weeks.

Thats basically my reasoning so far. Feel free to point out the flaws that I'm sure are there.

fletch

On a recent long journey, I've gotten 38mpg...yeh the Escort is gr8 value for money cause everyone wants the Focus so you can pick up a fair loaded Escort for small money.
The 1.4 engine is the real drawback though, its very slow to get up and go, 0-60mph is quoted as 14.0secs, but i'd say it takes a fair few seconds more. Will cruise along happily at 75-80mph though

Paul (MN)

if i was doing that trip I wouldn't choose either of those cars. they will eat the fuel. but yes you can can them very very cheap.

Another cheap car is the Xsara.

Honestly I would go slightly older and get the corolla. You'll be easily able to sell it again. Or an Almera 1.4 you should be able to pick a 97/98 up easily enough and they are frugal and reliable.

BrianD3

Would you look at a Renault Megane. From 99 on most models had a 1.4 16v engine which is very economical and quite nippy (98 bhp) Car is also very comfortable and well equipped. Here's one which is a horrid colour with horrid hub caps and seems overpriced but you get the idea.
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=290063

If looking for something smaller, how about a 1995-2002 model Ford Fiesta with the 1.25 litre engine. Great little car and engine.

fletch

BrianD3 wrote:

Would you look at a Renault Megane. From 99 on most models had a 1.4 16v engine which is very economical and quite nippy (98 bhp) Car is also very comfortable and well equipped. Here's one which is a horrid colour with horrid hub caps and seems overpriced but you get the idea.
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=290063

If looking for something smaller, how about a 1995-2002 model Ford Fiesta with the 1.25 litre engine. Great little car and engine.

If reliability is an issue, not sure i'd be recommending a Renault, although it is an altogether more modern looking car than an Escort, depends on your priorities really

BrianD3

fletch wrote:

If reliability is an issue, not sure i'd be recommending a Renault, although it is an altogether more modern looking car than an Escort, depends on your priorities really

Renault are OK for reliability IMO (and I've had loads of experience with them)Most European cars are much of a muchness when it comes to reliability. Also, when a car gets to 5 or 6 years how it has been driven, treated and maintained by previous owners starts to become as important as the make.

fletch

BrianD3 wrote:

Also, when a car gets to 5 or 6 years how it has been driven, treated and maintained by previous owners starts to become as important as the make.

Would have to agree with ya there. Suppose everyone is gonna support the brand that they own if they've had a good experience with them.