Looking at finally changing my car. Please advise on car and dealer Charles Hurst

Macker1 · 16-04-2019 06:28PM #1

As thread title says I'm finally hoping to change my 07 Primera next month. Its frankly in bits and I've achieved my goal

of driving it into the ground. 313k KM on the clock and its creaking a lot. Not going to put any more money into it.

I was looking around online and earlier today just called into Charles Hurst on the Naas Road to have a look.

The car below has caught my eye so just looking for opinions on both the car and just as important the dealer. I was going to arrange my own finance but it would appear their APR rate of between 6-8% might be better that the loan rate from my own bank.

http://www.usedirectireland.ie/used-cars/9610157-toyota-corolla-1.4-d4-d-luna-4-dr-55/

Any advice / comments welcomed

McCrack · 16-04-2019 06:41PM

It's a lot of money to pay for a relatively bland car

Your paying significantly for a newish car that is nothing special

bazz26 · 16-04-2019 07:12PM

The OP is coming from a 12 year old Primera so maybe they just like the idea of a Corolla because it's simple dependable low risk a to b transport. I really don't see anything out there in the same segment that would set the heart racing or give you a boner.

16-04-2019 07:16PM

go for a similar mileage mazda 3 or 6. brilliant cars

McCrack · 16-04-2019 07:19PM

bazz26 wrote: »

The OP is coming from a 12 year old Primera so maybe they just like the idea of a Corolla because it's simple dependable low risk a to b transport. I really don't see anything out there in the same segment that would set the heart racing or give you a boner.

Fine

No need to drop 15k for that... On finance too

Macker1 · 16-04-2019 07:29PM

I'm not looking for anything flash.

I do around 25-30k KM driving a year so main points would be reliability, cost to run and comfort.

I was also thinking about other options like

Hyundai I40
Honda Civic
Kia Sportage
Toyota C-HR ..... this with be pushing my budget

Any opinions on dealer or alternatives

elperello · 16-04-2019 07:40PM

You won't go too far wrong with that Corolla.
Buy for cash and sell your Primera for what you can get.
Have you checked out a credit union loan?
Hurst are a reputable company.

colm_mcm · 16-04-2019 08:36PM

I found them terrible to deal with in Dublin and brilliant in Belfast.

They were only open a short while back then though.

bazz26 · 16-04-2019 10:24PM

McCrack wrote: »

Fine

No need to drop 15k for that... On finance too

I can see the OP's logic though. He is looking at buying a fairly newish and reliable car still under manufacturers warranty that he probably hopes to keep a long time just like his current Primera. What do you suggest he should buy on finance that will do that job better than a Corolla for somebody who probably values reliability above anything else?

McCrack · 17-04-2019 07:51AM

I certainly wouldn't drop 15k on a bland, uninspiring however reliable car it is when you can buy the same but older bland, uninspiring and reliable car for 2k that has been serviced and minded

bazz26 · 17-04-2019 09:19AM

Spending 15k on a fairly new, reliable, uncomplicated that the OP plans to keep probably for over ten years with the least amount of hassle and cost of ownership over that entire ownership period is certainly not a bad idea. Again what do you recommend for 15k that will server the same purpose for the OP?

Idbatterim · 17-04-2019 09:23AM

What about an ioniq?

ratracer · 17-04-2019 09:24AM

Haven’t used the Dublin shop, but we’ve bought twice from them in Belfast and wouldn’t have anything bad to say about them.
The cars have been spot on!

punisher5112 · 17-04-2019 09:26AM

Idbatterim wrote: »

What about an ioniq?

Or an i3.…

Toyotafanboi · 17-04-2019 09:30AM

McCrack wrote: »

I certainly wouldn't drop 15k on a bland, uninspiring however reliable car it is when you can buy the same but older bland, uninspiring and reliable car for 2k that has been serviced and minded

To be fair, just because that's what you'd do, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the OP's plan.

For someone who plans to keep a car for a very long time and putting a lot of useage on it, buying new or nearly new is often a very good option.

If I wanted a new-ish car that would have low running costs and stood a good chance of lasting 10 years/ 300k kms without any big financial surprises along the way then that Corolla isn't a bad shout.

It's also probably a more rewarding ownership experience than buying a 10 year old Corolla with 200k kms on the clock ever 24 months for the next decade for €2500 a pop.

If you don't hate that colour OP then the car itself is probably ok. Luna spec makes a nicer car out of it and it'll feel fantastic coming from your Primera. That reg screams ex-rental to me, I could be wrong but i'd be curious who the first owner was. Not that i'd let an ex-rental be a deal breaker if the car drives ok. I'd just watch out for a few things like is the clutch biting ok, has the car got 4x matching tyres, has it got 2x keys, any excess wear around the boot opening etc.

rgodard80a · 17-04-2019 09:32AM

Macker1 wrote: »

Any opinions on dealer or alternatives

I picked up a 2013 Prius for around €11k.
Only €170 road tax a year, only uses 4.5l of petrol every 100km, automatic gears is a lot nicer when commuting in heavy stop/start traffic.

A €15k budget would get you a 151 reg.

Happy to recommend http://www.easyautos.ie/used-cars/

Prius is supposed to be rock solid reliable, no accessory belts to wear out, the regenerative breaking means it's easy on brake pads. There's a reason a load of taxis use them.

17-04-2019 03:52PM

guy in work just came in with a top of the range 2012 VW golf, very nice car, got it for 10K with 100K miles on it. really nice car. TD I or something or other but very sporty all leather interior, just a lovely car.

leex · 17-04-2019 04:05PM

Check out 2 litre diesel Avensis also if you're looking for similar Toyota "reliability". We own 2 of them - pre 2015 facelift where they changed to BMW engines (not sure what they're like - N47 engine?). You may have to drop to a 15 reg for something decent/ low mileage.

You will find it a big change moving to a light Corolla from a Primera and you're doing decent mileage.

Examples

Aura: https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/avensis/used-2014-141-toyota-avensis-2-0d-4d-dublin-fpa-201902074713417
Icon Bus Edition (Uk car, Nicer spec than Aura - Cruise control , sat nav?, nicer upholstery) : https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/avensis/used-2014-142-toyota-avensis-icon-bus-dublin-fpa-201808239774570
Luna (similar to icon above - irish spec, 2 year toyota warranty mentioned) - https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/avensis/used-2014-142-toyota-avensis-avensis-limerick-fpa-201901304441461

colm_mcm · 17-04-2019 07:11PM

I would say the Corolla is more substantial than a Primera it won’t feel like a step down except maybe in the area of outright size.
Keep in mind the Primera was nowhere the likes of a Passat in terms of ‘feeling’ solid.

uck51js9zml2yt · 17-04-2019 10:22PM

Colleague bought a car from their Dublin branch unseen.
Went to collect and car wasn't nct'd as promised.
Took the car anyway as had travelled 4 hours to get there.
It failed the nct and needs shocks and a few other bits done. They are coming to collect it to do the repairs but it will have an additional 800 Km by the time it's back to her.

Put me off going near them.

elperello · 17-04-2019 10:25PM

Jayde Sweet Silk-screen wrote: »

Colleague bought a car from their Dublin branch unseen.
Went to collect and car wasn't nct'd as promised.
Took the car anyway as had travelled 4 hours to get there.
It failed the nct and needs shocks and a few other bits done. They are coming to collect it to do the repairs but it will have an additional 800 Km by the time it's back to her.

Put me off going near them.

That's messy.
Someone made a boo boo.
Did they give her a replacement car?

uck51js9zml2yt · 17-04-2019 10:30PM

elperello wrote: »

That's messy.
Someone made a boo boo.
Did they give her a replacement car?

Haven't arranged collection yet. Her mechanic could have done the job if they reimbursed her but they refused.
Saw a bit of rust on the bracket holding the driver seat to the floor.

elperello · 17-04-2019 10:33PM

Jayde Sweet Silk-screen wrote: »

Haven't arranged collection yet. Her mechanic could have done the job if they reimbursed her but they refused.
Saw a bit of rust on the bracket holding the driver seat to the floor.

She should get a courtesy car and look for a goodwill payment for the inconvenience.

monkeysnapper · 18-04-2019 08:16PM

Macker1 wrote: »

I'm not looking for anything flash.

I do around 25-30k KM driving a year so main points would be reliability, cost to run and comfort.

I was also thinking about other options like

Hyundai I40
Honda Civic
Kia Sportage
Toyota C-HR ..... this with be pushing my budget

Any opinions on dealer or alternatives

I bought a 131 Hyundai i40 estate back in October privately for €7000 and spent roughly 400 servicing / disks/ pads .

Seems like a decent car at good value in my opinion .

Toyotafanboi · 18-04-2019 08:25PM

elperello wrote: »

She should get a courtesy car and look for a goodwill payment for the inconvenience.

What inconvenience?

Hurst are collecting the car from the customer repairing it, testing it and dropping it back. The owner doesn't have to lift a finger.

uck51js9zml2yt · 18-04-2019 08:31PM

elperello wrote: »

She should get a courtesy car and look for a goodwill payment for the inconvenience.

They are refusing to give her a courtesy car and there's no goodwill payment.
They're sending a guy down in the train (maybe)
Customer service has been non existent.

I'm in the market for a car. I won't be going near them.

elperello · 18-04-2019 08:51PM

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

What inconvenience?

Hurst are collecting the car from the customer repairing it, testing it and dropping it back. The owner doesn't have to lift a finger.

I am basing my opinion on the poster's account of what happened.

The car was collected in Dublin with no NCT when an NCT was promised.
I am assuming the purchaser either had to NCT the car or return it to Dublin for Hurst to NCT it.

Either way the purchaser was inconvenienced by a failure on the part of the dealer and deserves some gesture of recompense.

I would have expected better from a reputable company like Hurst.

Macker1 · 19-04-2019 08:33PM

Thanks to all the responses so far. Some good points made........ I just want to purchase a relatively newish car so probably no older than a 161. Its just been so long with the Primera that I want to get something that will provide me with several years of hassle free driving.
I don't mind spending a decent sum of money but obviously would like a good deal. Top end of budget is around 18k but I would need something very nice for that.

I really like the look of the Toyota C-HR but it may be a bit too expensive for me.

What other dealers would people recommend that I could check out over the next month. I have got suggestions like

https://www.billgriffinmotors.ie/
https://www.kylemorecars.ie/

Both on Naas Road so should I be wary ?

elperello · 19-04-2019 08:39PM

Jayde Sweet Silk-screen wrote: »

They are refusing to give her a courtesy car and there's no goodwill payment.
They're sending a guy down in the train (maybe)
Customer service has been non existent.

I'm in the market for a car. I won't be going near them.

That is just unacceptable.
Surely they realise that she bought a car because she needs one.
They expect her to do without a car because they fouled up.

colm_mcm · 19-04-2019 08:40PM

Macker1 wrote: »

https://www.billgriffinmotors.ie/
https://www.kylemorecars.ie/

Both on Naas Road so should I be wary ?

Yes and no.

(In that order)

Macker1 · 19-04-2019 09:14PM

So Bill Griffin are ok and Kylemorecars are dodge ??? Have you had dealings with these dealers

I was previously looking at a Honda Civic Tourer at Kylemorecars which caught my eye. Its gone now but it seemed to be a good deal at the time.

Looking at finally changing my car. Please advise on car and dealer Charles Hurst

Comments