Suggest a car that's cheap to own/run

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:07PM #1

Interested in picking up a car this year that will be used mainly at weekends or for occasional trips to the shops. I will be travelling across country quite a lot.

Despite the low-usage I'm not interested in renting cars, just want a car waiting outside my front door "ready to go".

My criteria are:

- Must have rear seats
- Lowest tax possible (within the range of cars matching my requirements)
- Hassle-free to run and not reliant on charge stations
- Cheapest fuel usage possible (within the range of cars matching my requirements)

It can be either new or second hand.

I was considering an electric vehicle, but the reliance on sporadic charge stations is a bit of a turn off as I'd like to be able to make a return trip from Dublin to, say, Sligo without having to search out for a charge station, and be able to use any standard petrol station no matter how remote I am.

Am I looking at Hybrids?

Henry Ford III · 08-01-2019 01:31PM

No car is cheap to run.

TheBoyConor · 08-01-2019 01:33PM

Nissan Tiida.

Cheap chearful economical reliable.

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:33PM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

No car is cheap to run.

ok to clarify.. I meant RELATIVELY speaking.

I'm sure some cars are cheaper to run than others, I'm asking what's the cheapest to run that matches my other criteria.

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:34PM

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Nissan Tiida.

Cheap chearful economical reliable.

cool, where's the best place to compare car specs? Miles / gallon etc.

Is there an all in one place you can compare all models / manufacturers in a tabular format?

Apiarist · 08-01-2019 01:36PM

I had great hassle free experiences with Nissan Micra (1997) and then Nissan Pixo (2011). No failed NCTs with a minimum upkeep.

However, even though both were small cars with 1L petrol engines, I find that my current car (2012 hybrid with 1.4L) uses even less fuel.

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:37PM

victor8600 wrote: »

However, even though both were small cars with 1L petrol engines, I find that my current car (2012 hybrid with 1.4L) uses even less fuel.

What's the 2012 hybrid model?

Tacitus Kilgore · 08-01-2019 01:37PM

Have you a budget for buying the car?

king_of_inismac · 08-01-2019 01:38PM

mrcheez wrote: »

cool, where's the best place to compare car specs? Miles / gallon etc.

Is there an all in one place you can compare all models / manufacturers in a tabular format?

Try honestjohn to see reviews of various makes/models.

Small Japanese/Korean petrol cars sound like a good match. They’re generally simple and reliable for A to B motoring.

Rows Grower · 08-01-2019 01:38PM

An early 90's Toyota Starlet or a mid 90's Nissan Micra, both 1.0 petrol.

With either of those there'll be two reasons if it won't go, it'll either have no fuel in it or it's the battery.

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:40PM

Rows Grower wrote: »

An early 90's Toyota Starlet or a mid 90's Nissan Micra, both 1.0 petrol.

With either of those there'll be two reasons if it won't go, it'll either have no fuel in it or it's the battery.

90s might be a bit past where I'm looking.. I'd be thinking around 10 years old max

Apiarist · 08-01-2019 01:40PM

mrcheez wrote: »

What's the 2012 hybrid model?

Honda Insight. But there are lots of new hybrids now, I have just picked the Insight because it was available for a right price.

troyzer · 08-01-2019 01:40PM

Tacitus Kilgore wrote: »

Have you a budget for buying the car?

This^

Pointless discussion without getting an idea of your budget and driving experience/NCB history.

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:41PM

Tacitus Kilgore wrote: »

Have you a budget for buying the car?

No budget, less than 50K ?

Tacitus Kilgore · 08-01-2019 01:43PM

mrcheez wrote: »

No budget, less than 50K ?

Sweet, I'd buy a 95 Lean Burn & do something fun with the rest.

That, or a Tesla model s, used ones are touching around 50k now.

Rows Grower · 08-01-2019 01:44PM

mrcheez wrote: »

90s might be a bit past where I'm looking.. I'd be thinking around 10 years old max

Kia .

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:44PM

Tacitus Kilgore wrote: »

Sweet, I'd buy a 95 Lean Burn & do something fun with the rest.

That, or a Tesla model s, used ones are touching around 50k now.

Ah I want minimal hassle so no modifying etc

Tesla is interesting, but isn't that tied to charging stations?

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:45PM

Rows Grower wrote: »

Kia .

I've rented a few of those over the years and they're not bad.. I'll add it to the list thanks

Rows Grower · 08-01-2019 01:46PM

mrcheez wrote: »

No budget, less than 50K ?

Jes*s C*rist, I should be charging you for replies!

troyzer · 08-01-2019 01:46PM

mrcheez wrote: »

No budget, less than 50K ?

So you're talking about new cars potentially?

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:47PM

troyzer wrote: »

So you're talking about new cars potentially?

Second hand primarily... but with minimal work required.

New if absolutely nothing matches what I'm looking for.

i.e. if all new cars are MUCH more efficient at energy usage (and have low taxes) then I'll go new but if I can a 2016 that's just as good I'll go with that

Tacitus Kilgore · 08-01-2019 01:48PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Ah I want minimal hassle so no modifying etc

Tesla is interesting, but isn't that tied to charging stations?

Minimal hassle? Sure ya don't even have to service a lane byrne :pac:

As for the tesla, wish I could advise but haven't a clue, tbh -

If it was me, I wouldn't be spending 50K on a garden ornament and then worrying about the running costs. I'd take an opposite kind of approach - spend 5k on a v8/10/12 yoke and enjoy recycling numerous dinosaurs through it on the rare use it would get. But that's just me

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:49PM

Tacitus Kilgore wrote: »

If it was me, I wouldn't be spending 50K on a garden ornament and then worrying about the running costs. I'd take an opposite kind of approach - spend 5k on a v8/10/12 yoke and enjoy recycling numerous dinosaurs through it on the rare use it would get. But that's just me

ah I want something that'll last me several years without much work involved.

troyzer · 08-01-2019 01:51PM

mrcheez wrote: »

ah I want something that'll last me several years without much work involved.

What's your NCB situation and do you have any insurance red flags like penalty points/under 25 etc?

mrcheez · 08-01-2019 01:52PM

troyzer wrote: »

What's your NCB situation and do you have any insurance red flags like penalty points/under 25 etc?

Don't have a car currently. Been driving my folks car for several years so I'm on their insurance

Last car I owned was in Oz 2003

Cycle everywhere but intend to make a few cross-country trips and need a car for the situations I require (buses etc won't do). Also fed up cycling with the shopping.

so eh.. no penalty points.

Tacitus Kilgore · 08-01-2019 01:55PM

mrcheez wrote: »

ah I want something that'll last me several years without much work involved.

Sure how about an aul Lexus LS400? find an 89 one - €56 p.a. tax, cheap classic insurance, super smooth and reliable v8 engine & a chassis that was over-engineered beyond belief - and will outlast most galapagos tortoises with minimal looking after.

ELM327 · 08-01-2019 01:57PM

mrcheez wrote: »

No budget, less than 50K ?

1995 Toyota Carina E Diesel. Non turbo.

Spend the remaining 49,505 on coke and hookers.

Tacitus Kilgore · 08-01-2019 01:57PM

ELM327 wrote: »

1995 Toyota Carina E Diesel. Non turbo.

Spend the remaining 49,505 on coke and hookers.

Get chaper tacks with the lane byrne though

ELM327 · 08-01-2019 01:59PM

Tacitus Kilgore wrote: »

Get chaper tacks with the lane byrne though

Yes but then there's less money left for coke, hookers, and padre pio stickers

troyzer · 08-01-2019 02:00PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Don't have a car currently. Been driving my folks car for several years so I'm on their insurance

Last car I owned was in Oz 2003

Cycle everywhere but intend to make a few cross-country trips and need a car for the situations I require (buses etc won't do). Also fed up cycling with the shopping.

so eh.. no penalty points.

So you're going to be fisted without any NCB. That means you're going to be limited to cars with a small engine to keep costs down.

Which also helps for tax reasons.

I think you should go for a Hybrid. Get a 2013-15 second hand Yaris/Auris/Prius Hybrid etc.

Something like this.

Nekarsulm · 08-01-2019 02:11PM

Something like this, considering you are a new driver.
Don't be surprised if the insurance is nearly as dear as the car.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris/20444145

Or this, great visability and a certain charm.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-panda-2010-only-33000-miles/20696110

Suggest a car that's cheap to own/run

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