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

newboard

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.

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bazz26

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

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

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

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

bazz26

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

newboard

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

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

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

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

newboard

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

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

newboard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

newboard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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