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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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newboard

Thoughts on this? Asking €890. 200km mileage a concern?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/04-toyota-corolla-1-4-new-nct-3-19/18446801

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YzIxOWFhOWY4MDIzNDc0N2I2ODIyMDM4MWI1ZjI0NmVbq-M1bk8l7PDO_Gez-fc6aHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b185ODUyMDQ4Mnx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

Toyotafanboi

newboard wrote: »

Thoughts on this? Asking €890. 200km mileage a concern?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/04-toyota-corolla-1-4-new-nct-3-19/18446801

If you show that car any kind of respect it should do another 200k kms.

newboard

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

If you show that car any kind of respect it should do another 200k kms.

Thanks - what would be a reasonable offer would you say?

JohnBoy26

newboard wrote: »

Thoughts on this? Asking €890. 200km mileage a concern?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/04-toyota-corolla-1-4-new-nct-3-19/18446801

200k miles id say. They are well capable of high mileage so I wouldn't be overly concerned if the car is good.

Squatman

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

200k miles id say. They are well capable of high mileage so I wouldn't be overly concerned if the car is good.

looking at the nct disc. its 235k miles. Id stay clear to be honest. not that theres anything wrong with the mileage, just that if the owner doesnt want to be honest about mileage thats verifiable, what else will he hide. there would be no shortage of high mileage cars in that price bracket.

JohnBoy26

Squatman wrote: »

looking at the nct disc. its 235k miles. Id stay clear to be honest. not that theres anything wrong with the mileage, just that if the owner doesnt want to be honest about mileage thats verifiable, what else will he hide. there would be no shortage of high mileage cars in that price bracket.

I think in that price bracket you could pick up a better lower mileage corolla tbh.

Squatman

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

I think in that price bracket you could pick up a better lower mileage corolla tbh.

yup, i think so, i owned a 02 corolla in 2012, that i paid 1650 for, 160k miles - handle like crap tho

newboard

Question: What are the top 3 car models you'd expect to get for sub 1k? I think Corolla has been established! Anything else?

bear1

Punto I'd imagine, maybe a golf or a saab

JohnBoy26

Squatman wrote: »

yup, i think so, i owned a 02 corolla in 2012, that i paid 1650 for, 160k miles - handle like crap tho

I can't agree. I have a late luna spec model and find it handles very well whilst also being comfortable.

JohnBoy26

bear1 wrote: »

Punto I'd imagine, maybe a golf or a saab

Yeah but non will be as easy to live with as a corolla. I'd have a saloon civic up there though. Definitely as good as a corolla for reliable motoring.

bear1

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Yeah but non will be as easy to live with as a corolla. I'd have a saloon civic up there though. Definitely as good as a corolla for reliable motoring.

Ah it depends tbh but if you're looking at a sub 1k car then those I think are going to be the most popular.
Leaving Toyota aside, I'd say a punto is probably the cheapest you could get as long as it isn't showing hg signs.
If you're brave a saab 93 turbo or if you just don't like driving a 1.4 golf.

Squatman

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

I can't agree. I have a late luna spec model and find it handles very well whilst also being comfortable.

i expected a contrarian - well johnnyboy, it all depends on what you're used to. The short wheel base on the corolla does not lend itself to good handling - again depends on how you drive. but if you drive like a nun, and are used to match boxs, then "she'd Ate the road", but no, in reality it handles poorly

if you look it up on this website, then you can see independent reviews, which rate its handling lower than a Yaris

https://www.parkers.co.uk/toyota/yaris/hatchback-1999/review/

I rest my case.

Squatman

newboard wrote: »

Question: What are the top 3 car models you'd expect to get for sub 1k? I think Corolla has been established! Anything else?

fiesta, petrol or diesel, or fusion,
golf - normally high mileage - passat good buy imo
accord - abnormally cheap for such a good car

it depends on what you want really, petrol or deisel, big engine or small.
if you want small engine, cheap an cheerful
polo
yaris
fiesta

LArge, cheap cheerful
seat toledo
VW passat
golf
avensis
or
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-c220-cdi-auto/17858822
C220 on donedea

newboard

Thanks for the replies. Sorry, should have mentioned that I'd be looking around the 1.4L range, i.e not too slow/small, but something that won't drain me dry on fuel economy, insurance and tax.

JohnBoy26

Squatman wrote: »

i expected a contrarian - well johnnyboy, it all depends on what you're used to. The short wheel base on the corolla does not lend itself to good handling - again depends on how you drive. but if you drive like a nun, and are used to match boxs, then "she'd Ate the road", but no, in reality it handles poorly

if you look it up on this website, then you can see independent reviews, which rate its handling lower than a Yaris

https://www.parkers.co.uk/toyota/yaris/hatchback-1999/review/

I rest my case.

I take those reviews with a pinch of salt tbh. Real worl experience is what counts.

They rate the focus highly and my corolla handles just as good as both focuses I had.

But if you want to look at reviews honestjohn agrees with me
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/toyota/corolla-2002/?section=good

Btw there isn't a hope that these handle worse than a yaris that's coming from someone who owned both.

colm_mcm

Squatman wrote: »

i expected a contrarian - well johnnyboy, it all depends on what you're used to. The short wheel base on the corolla does not lend itself to good handling - again depends on how you drive. but if you drive like a nun, and are used to match boxs, then "she'd Ate the road", but no, in reality it handles poorly

if you look it up on this website, then you can see independent reviews, which rate its handling lower than a Yaris

https://www.parkers.co.uk/toyota/yaris/hatchback-1999/review/

I rest my case.

I’d have to disagree too, maybe it was the model you had, but I sold a good few of these new and used back in the day and would never have said they handle poorly. Sure they aren’t a sports car, but they’re well able to be flung into roundabouts and back roads.

sdraobs

So based on research. holy grail of bangernomics is a 2006 1.2 litre petrol car for 1000 euro on donedeal for reasons below:

1. 2006 - any older its hard to get a car insurance quote, or quote is so high that savings from an older car is wiped out.
2. 1l or 1.2 litre petrol - cheaper insurance and running costs relative to bigger engine. Diesels cost more to maintain, heavier ( more frequent tyre fitting) and turbos fail.
3. donedeal as going privately will save about 500- 1000 from a dealer.

if you need the cheapest way to drive a car the above seems to be the best choice. irrespective of enjoyment/comfort of driving

Squatman

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d have to disagree too, maybe it was the model you had, but I sold a good few of these new and used back in the day and would never have said they handle poorly. Sure they aren’t a sports car, but they’re well able to be flung into roundabouts and back roads.

mine was the same as the linked one, 1.4L (and yes, i would agree with the other post, it would handle slightly better than a yaris)

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d have to disagree too, maybe it was the model you had, but I sold a good few of these new and used back in the day and would never have said they handle poorly. Sure they aren’t a sports car, but they’re well able to be flung into roundabouts and back roads.

Not only do they handle well, they are also a fine stable car on the road too whilst also being comfortable.

newboard

What's the fuel economy like on that civic compared to a 01 Focus?.

JohnBoy26

newboard wrote: »

What's the fuel economy like on that civic compared to a 01 Focus?.

I found the civic better on fuel and mine was a 1.4. The 1.6 vtec sould be as good, if not better on fuel again than the 1.4

BorneTobyWilde

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bravo-08-diesel/18459740

Fiat Bravo diesel 08
Low tax 280 per year
Air condition
1780.00 nct jan 19

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bazz26

That's a tidy looking car for small money and the cheap tax.

ligertigon

I bought one of those fiats lately.
Beware if it is the 2l diesel, same as in Insignia.

ligertigon

No, just checked, its the better engine...

newboard

johndaman66 wrote: »

Bangers not busses and back to Civics

If this one is legit its a decent bargain given the generous amount of motor tax on it

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/03-civic-new-tax-02-19-new-nct-03-19-only-61-000-m/18453060
03 Civic 1.6 saloon;
61 k miles;
NCT 03/19;
Taxed 02/19
Good to go and asking €899

Would strongly consider this one if doesn't hike up the insurance loads from a 01 Focus. My broker doesn't open on Saturdays so wasn't able to get a quote.

johndaman66

newboard wrote: »

Would strongly consider this one if doesn't hike up the insurance loads from a 01 Focus. My broker doesn't open on Saturdays so wasn't able to get a quote.

I'd definitely agree that your best to check with your insurer before making a phone call on that Civic. Save wasting your time and the sellers.

You had asked about fuel economy of the Civic versus the 01 Focus which I'm guessing is a 1.4? My sister had a 1.4 Focus and while not terrible she did find it to be a bit of a pig on fuel, especially given its really lacklustre performance too. They are a pretty heavy car and it often struck me that the body was too heavy for the engine. As Johnboy26 alluded to the 1.6 Civic should be every bit as good on fuel as the Focus if not better.

I can't see the Civic hanging around too long at that price though...surprised its not gone already

newboard

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bravo-08-diesel/18459740

Fiat Bravo diesel 08
Low tax 280 per year
Air condition
1780.00 nct jan 19

Do you think I'd have to expect a big jump in insurance for this vs my 01 Focus 1.4L? This could be a solid investment for the next few years if it's got great economy and the low tax as well.

bear1

newboard wrote: »

Do you think I'd have to expect a big jump in insurance for this vs my 01 Focus 1.4L? This could be a solid investment for the next few years if it's got great economy and the low tax as well.

No one can answer whether that car will cost you more or less than what you have.
Do a quote a see, it's the only way.
Economy should be good and the jtd engine in general is quite robust.
What mileage are you doing? Does it justify a diesel?