Sub 1k Corolla vs sub 2k Fiat Bravo (or similar)

newboard · 01-04-2018 01:48PM #1

My 01 Focus failed the NCT, Boards folk are estimating costs to be around €600 so looks like I'm back in the market for a Bangernomics :mad:

I'm looking for something that would be a good economical choice for the next 2-3 years or so. I don't mind spending a little extra (but not more than 1k). My commute is around 40km round trip 4 days a week.

Should I be looking at dealers only?

If anything spots something I'd appreciate a link - I'm South Dublin.

bazz26 · 01-04-2018 02:10PM

Dealers selling 1k car will really be selling cars worth around €600 and the rest is their profit margin. Don't expect to go back to them with any issues either as there is no profit in offering warranty on 1k cars.

Buying any car in that price range can be a minefield and you really need to be able to tell a bad car from a good car fairly easily.

Toyotafanboi · 01-04-2018 02:18PM

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corrolla-1-4-petrol-nct-01-19/18150714

Something like that wouldn't be a bad shout. Dull and all but will last and last and last with very little maintenance.

bazz26 · 01-04-2018 02:34PM

This one looks a bit cleaner and saloons tend to be cheaper than hatchbacks, has a fresh 1 year NCT also:

ODI3NTAyNzRkYmFlNTNkYzJhMzRhMTQ0ZTNjYWYwYTXFuF7H-LVTdBy1zqTJflhuaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b185ODAzNDMyOXx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

ODI3NTAyNzRkYmFlNTNkYzJhMzRhMTQ0ZTNjYWYwYTXFuF7H-LVTdBy1zqTJflhuaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b185ODAzNDMyOXx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-nct-04-19-tax-03-18-low-mileage/18377095

newboard · 01-04-2018 03:01PM

Seems to be a good few Avensis cars on Done Deal.. are they any use?

bazz26 · 01-04-2018 03:08PM

Alot of the cheaper ones tend to be knackered old taxis.

newboard · 01-04-2018 05:04PM

bazz26 wrote: »

This one looks a bit cleaner and saloons tend to be cheaper than hatchbacks, has a fresh 1 year NCT also:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-nct-04-19-tax-03-18-low-mileage/18377095

This is still available, I texted the guy and he gave me a call, sounds like a genuine chap. I'm tempted to hold out for a while though and see what else pops up on this thread, I'm guessing the guards would be okay with me being between tests if they ask about the expired NCT?

ba_barabus · 01-04-2018 05:23PM

newboard wrote: »

This is still available, I texted the guy and he gave me a call, sounds like a genuine chap. I'm tempted to hold out for a while though and see what else pops up on this thread, I'm guessing the guards would be okay with me being between tests if they ask about the expired NCT?

It'll be hard to beat

selectamatic · 01-04-2018 05:31PM

newboard wrote: »

This is still available, I texted the guy and he gave me a call, sounds like a genuine chap. I'm tempted to hold out for a while though and see what else pops up on this thread, I'm guessing the guards would be okay with me being between tests if they ask about the expired NCT?

Nct out of date is all they look for. Having a test booked or being booked in for a retest went out the window as valid excuses about 3 years ago.

Toyotafanboi · 01-04-2018 05:36PM

To be fair, you'd be hard pressed to find something better for less than that Corolla.

newboard · 01-04-2018 05:37PM

What would be a reasonable offer for that Corolla?

Thoughts on this?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-loads-nct-tax-low-miles/18407986

ZGQ2YjI5NTQwYjczMTI3NmY4MGRlYTlhNWFlN2M4NTT-ZEpr09Ct2l-bvB1a2OPlaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b185ODIzMTAyNXx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

ZGQ2YjI5NTQwYjczMTI3NmY4MGRlYTlhNWFlN2M4NTT-ZEpr09Ct2l-bvB1a2OPlaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b185ODIzMTAyNXx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

also this diesel;

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-fabia-1-4-diesel-2005-tax-nct-/18405327

MWQ0ZjI4NDExYzEwZjEzNTE2ZDhmYmJjNzgzYjllOWIkQhGdK8K82WWiR2HwwbPXaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b185ODIxODM5Nnx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

MWQ0ZjI4NDExYzEwZjEzNTE2ZDhmYmJjNzgzYjllOWIkQhGdK8K82WWiR2HwwbPXaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b185ODIxODM5Nnx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

Toyotafanboi · 01-04-2018 05:42PM

It wouldn't hold a candle to the Corolla in terms of reliability or durability.

newboard · 01-04-2018 06:10PM

Fuel economy is a factor here as well lads as I'll be commuting in this for a couple of years during which I'll be saving.

I also wouldn't mind something that's a bit more presentable than the Corolla, but economy is the main factor.

ba_barabus · 01-04-2018 06:29PM

newboard wrote: »

Fuel economy is a factor here as well lads as I'll be commuting in this for a couple of years during which I'll be saving.

I also wouldn't mind something that's a bit more presentable than the Corolla, but economy is the main factor.

You won't find another 1.4 petrol that's cheaper to run in that class.

Honestly it's as good as it gets. I can't think of another car that age in that class that would be better

selectamatic · 01-04-2018 06:32PM

newboard wrote: »

Fuel economy is a factor here as well lads as I'll be commuting in this for a couple of years during which I'll be saving.

I also wouldn't mind something that's a bit more presentable than the Corolla, but economy is the main factor.

Them 1.4vvti's are grand on petrol and I dunno really but I'd still see a clean e12 be it a saloon or hatch as being presentable.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2003-vw-golf-tdi-highline/18046579

I had this in my saved ads that might be of interest to you. It's not that cheap and it's short on test but clean unmolested 150bhp tdi golfs are hard come by. I'd imagine there's plenty of room for a haggle too.

If you've a budget of say around the €1500 mark a presentable car well up in the years is doable but something is most likely gonna have to take a hit, be it fuel economy, looks or reliability.

Toyotafanboi · 01-04-2018 07:00PM

With €1000 budget and looking for a car that won't break your heart in maintenance a Corolla is really the only choice.

The 1.4vvti will do the guts of 40mpg which is very good for what it is.

You can't be too choosey in terms of looks with a budget like that.

Replace "fast" to "presentable"

newboard · 01-04-2018 07:12PM

selectamatic wrote: »

Them 1.4vvti's are grand on petrol and I dunno really but I'd still see a clean e12 be it a saloon or hatch as being presentable.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2003-vw-golf-tdi-highline/18046579

I had this in my saved ads that might be of interest to you. It's not that cheap and it's short on test but clean unmolested 150bhp tdi golfs are hard come by. I'd imagine there's plenty of room for a haggle too.

If you've a budget of say around the €1500 mark a presentable car well up in the years is doable but something is most likely gonna have to take a hit, be it fuel economy, looks or reliability.

I checked your ad after you posted and literally just saw it drive past me in Bray! Checked the reg and everything!

JohnBoy26 · 01-04-2018 09:20PM

newboard wrote: »

Fuel economy is a factor here as well lads as I'll be commuting in this for a couple of years during which I'll be saving.

I also wouldn't mind something that's a bit more presentable than the Corolla, but economy is the main factor.

Do you think a focus and a fabia are more presentable than a corolla? I've owned both a focus and corolla and I don't see the corolla as being less presentable. It's also much better screwed together, more comfortable, more economical and offers better performance.

I wouldn't like to be commuting in a fabia tbh.

newboard · 01-04-2018 10:49PM

Some nice links there lads thanks. Just on the phone here sure so will go through them properly again.

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Do you think a focus and a fabia are more presentable than a corolla? I've owned both a focus and corolla and I don't see the corolla as being less presentable. It's also much better screwed together, more comfortable, more economical and offers better performance.

I wouldn't like to be commuting in a fabia tbh.

I feel my 01 Focus is more presentable than a 01 Corolla (which I owned prior to the Focus). Granted it was that nasty green colour you see a lot of them in and had patchy paintwork.

newboard · 01-04-2018 11:01PM

joujoujou wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/just-nct-taxed-till-may/18408195

Yet another cheap saloon corolla. 2004, 1.4 petrol, test until Feb 2019, 825 asked.

However hidden number plates would put me off a bit.

This looks nice. Does that Greenlight Verified thing on Done Deal not mean it's okay (re the reg being hidden)?

colm_mcm · 01-04-2018 11:03PM

It means the seller has the VRC and it’s passed a basic check.

newboard · 03-04-2018 01:11PM

Thoughts on this?

1.4 2003 hatchback Corolla tax and NCT asking for 950

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/03-toyota-corolla-1-4-t2-tax-07-18/18128579

Toyotafanboi · 03-04-2018 01:17PM

newboard wrote: »

Thoughts on this?

1.4 2003 hatchback Corolla tax and NCT asking for 950

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/03-toyota-corolla-1-4-t2-tax-07-18/18128579

Not bad with the bit of tax on it, you could do a lot worse.

joujoujou · 03-04-2018 01:18PM

newboard wrote: »

Thoughts on this?

1.4 2003 hatchback Corolla tax and NCT asking for 950

[...]

Looks very, very tired.

Newer and cheaper examples were here before.

JohnBoy26 · 03-04-2018 01:40PM

joujoujou wrote: »

Looks very, very tired.

Newer and cheaper examples were here before.

Can't see how it looks very, very tired tbh. To me it looks ok for something with 180k miles. I agree about the cheaper examples though. €950 is a bit optimistic.

ELM327 · 03-04-2018 01:54PM

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Not bad with the bit of tax on it, you could do a lot worse.

+1 , the tax included, 950 is a good price.
The interior is quite nice looking, doesn't look like it has nearly 200k on the clock. It's no mark levinson but quite nice all the same.

LeakingLava · 03-04-2018 02:44PM

newboard wrote:

Thoughts on this?

I would check on insurance quotes. I know I am a young driver somewhat but I received a no-quote on a corolla of similar age when I asked my current insurer for quote to change cars

bear1 · 03-04-2018 03:57PM

It will be sold with an nct, so for now there is no nct?
I'd be a bit sceptical about that one. Much better ones posted previously.

colm_mcm · 03-04-2018 06:14PM

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Can't see how it looks very, very tired tbh. To me it looks ok for something with 180k miles. I agree about the cheaper examples though. €950 is a bit optimistic.

I’d agree, it could do with a polish, it’s obviously been repaired at the front, headlights need a compound, passenger side moulding is wrong and the drivers seat is worn but for a grand you won’t expect it to be pristine. It would tidy up well I think.

3 door adds to the appeal for a lot of the target market

JohnBoy26 · 04-04-2018 02:48AM

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d agree, it could do with a polish, it’s obviously been repaired at the front, headlights need a compound, passenger side moulding is wrong and the drivers seat is worn but for a grand you won’t expect it to be pristine. It would tidy up well I think.

3 door adds to the appeal for a lot of the target market

What makes you think it's been repaired at the front? It looks original to me or am I missing something?

Toyotafanboi · 04-04-2018 08:21AM

The panel gaps look very wide around the front of it?

Sub 1k Corolla vs sub 2k Fiat Bravo (or similar)

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