Buying a car, budget approx €3000

Pigwidgeon · 07-01-2013 12:27AM #1

So I'm a bit lost in trying to decide what type of car to buy.

I'm a 21 year old driver, full licence for four years, mainly named driver insurance since then. I'm still a student and working part time so I'm looking for something that's reliable and preferably cheap.

Instead of just buying a car for 1000, I'm going to save up a bit more and try and get something half decent, I was thinking a small enough engine, I'd say probably 1.4l max, for tax/insurance reasons.

I like the look of peugeout 206's but from what I've heard they're not the most reliable as an older car to buy. Other than that I was considering an almera or something similar. I'd rather not get a micra, yaris or fiesta, I'd prefer something I actually like.

I was just wondering if anyone here could point me in the right direction or have some suggestions of cars that I might not have considered before. I don't mind too much if it's petrol or diesel (from what I've seen there doesn't seem to be much smaller engine diesel cars around). Any advice you could offer me would be greatly appreciated.

Juwwi · 07-01-2013 12:55AM

You would get a 03,04 VW Polo for around that money.

Good reliable little car.

07-01-2013 01:33AM

Mazda 323, a little over a grand would get a decent one. Reliable and cheap

JohnBoy26 · 07-01-2013 02:13AM

I would recommend a Toyota Corolla. These are very reliable car and are easily maintained and cheap to run.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4367962

dgt · 07-01-2013 02:16AM

What mileage? Type of roads on most? Amount of doors?

GG66 · 07-01-2013 02:23AM

Pigwidgeon wrote: »

So I'm a bit lost in trying to decide what type of car to buy.

I'm a 21 year old driver, full licence for four years, mainly named driver insurance since then. I'm still a student and working part time so I'm looking for something that's reliable and preferably cheap.

Instead of just buying a car for 1000, I'm going to save up a bit more and try and get something half decent, I was thinking a small enough engine, I'd say probably 1.4l max, for tax/insurance reasons.

I like the look of peugeout 206's but from what I've heard they're not the most reliable as an older car to buy. Other than that I was considering an almera or something similar. I'd rather not get a micra, yaris or fiesta, I'd prefer something I actually like.

I was just wondering if anyone here could point me in the right direction or have some suggestions of cars that I might not have considered before. I don't mind too much if it's petrol or diesel (from what I've seen there doesn't seem to be much smaller engine diesel cars around). Any advice you could offer me would be greatly appreciated.

get yourself a ford focus, older version looks good with 3 door zetec and reliable. nice to dRiverstown too

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4184211

JohnBoy26 · 07-01-2013 02:25AM

robbie1977 wrote: »

You would get a 03,04 VW Polo for around that money.

Good reliable little car.

They aren't that reliable. Among other niggles they are well know to give timing chain trouble on petrol models.

Pigwidgeon · 07-01-2013 02:38AM

Yeah, I wouldn't go for a polo tbh, a friend of mine has one and has had a huge amount of trouble with it, so I'd be a bit reluctant to go for one.

As for mileage, it wouldn't be a huge amount, just to get me around without the hassle of buses, live in north wicklow, so pretty decent roads, would mainly be driving around this area/dublin.

Not really pushed on amount of doors, it doesn't make too much of a difference to me. I reckon I'm leaning more towards a hatchback though.

Juwwi · 07-01-2013 02:40AM

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

They aren't that reliable. Among other niggles they are well know to give timing chain trouble on petrol models.

I have a 1.2 petrol and in 70,000 miles the only problem l can think of was the coil going.

Is there a perticular time mileage wise the timing chain gives trouble do you know?

dgt · 07-01-2013 02:46AM

Almera hatch?

The Pontiac · 07-01-2013 02:47AM

Pigwidgeon wrote: »

Yeah, I wouldn't go for a polo tbh, a friend of mine has one and has had a huge amount of trouble with it, so I'd be a bit reluctant to go for one.

+1 on the Polo. Terribly overrated cars.

I'd be looking at a Mazda3 if I were you. I love the saloon version, think they're a great looking car.

An example, not a recommendation.

JohnBoy26 · 07-01-2013 02:47AM

robbie1977 wrote: »

I have a 1.2 petrol and in 70,000 miles the only problem l can think of was the coil going.

Is there a perticular time mileage wise the timing chain gives trouble do you know?

Im not sure exactly is there a certain milage that it goes at. I have seen one with around 85k miles with it gone though.

Jonny1384 · 07-01-2013 02:50AM

What about golf TDI, I know it a 1.9 but great engine if you afford the bit extra for tax.

JohnBoy26 · 07-01-2013 02:51AM

<Ollie> wrote: »

I'd be looking at a Mazda3 if I were you. I love the saloon version, think they're a great looking car.

Are the saloons not 1.6? The op stated they want an engine no bigger than 1.4. They Still are a fine car no doubt,

The Pontiac · 07-01-2013 03:03AM

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Are the saloons not 1.6? The op stated they want an engine no bigger than 1.4.

The difference in tax is only €129 per annum, about €2.50 per week. Why would that influence anyone? Surely depreciation, mpg, servicing costs and durability are a much bigger financial factor to consider?

Pigwidgeon · 07-01-2013 03:08AM

Yeah I'd be willing to go to 1.6 tax wise, just not sure how much of a difference it would make to my insurance. I'd say that will end up in being quite a big part of the car I end up going with.

I hadn't thought of a mazda before tbh, I'll definitely look into them more.

Joshua J · 07-01-2013 03:12AM

Pigwidgeon wrote: »

So I'm a bit lost in trying to decide what type of car to buy.

I'm a 21 year old driver, full licence for four years, mainly named driver insurance since then. I'm still a student and working part time so I'm looking for something that's reliable and preferably cheap.

Instead of just buying a car for 1000, I'm going to save up a bit more and try and get something half decent, I was thinking a small enough engine, I'd say probably 1.4l max, for tax/insurance reasons.

I like the look of peugeout 206's but from what I've heard they're not the most reliable as an older car to buy. Other than that I was considering an almera or something similar. I'd rather not get a micra, yaris or fiesta, I'd prefer something I actually like.

I was just wondering if anyone here could point me in the right direction or have some suggestions of cars that I might not have considered before. I don't mind too much if it's petrol or diesel (from what I've seen there doesn't seem to be much smaller engine diesel cars around). Any advice you could offer me would be greatly appreciated.

Had quick look around for you there. Came up with these three.

Diesel Megane

Mazda 2

Fiat Punto

All long NCT. Personally I'd have the Punto from the dealer. Would get at least 3 month engine/gearbox warranty for added peace of mind.

JohnBoy26 · 07-01-2013 03:15AM

<Ollie> wrote: »

The difference in tax is only €129 per annum, about €2.50 per week. Why would that influence anyone? Surely depreciation, mpg, servicing costs and durability are a much bigger financial factor to consider?

Well the op stated it wasn't only for tax but for insurance reasons also. Most of your other points are mooted by the fact that the hatchback would do the same job but comes with a 1.4 engine and actually depreciates slower than the saloon.

anniehoo · 07-01-2013 03:20AM

Honda Civic hasnt been mentioned. I've had 2 in 10 years and bar the first getting robbed, they've been the most reliable mechanically ive had.

Pigwidgeon · 07-01-2013 03:23AM

Joshua J wrote: »

Had quick look around for you there. Came up with these three.

Diesel Megane

Mazda 2

Fiat Punto

All long NCT. Personally I'd have the Punto from the dealer. Would get at least 3 month engine/gearbox warranty for added peace of mind.

That punto looks nice actually, didn't think I'd get something as new as that with my budget, nice to know I can get something that's ok for what I'm willing to spend.

While I'm here actually, for young drivers which would be the best insurance company to go with? I'm getting quotes of 1100 for that punto off 123.ie, would the likes of liberty insurance be better?

spiraleye · 07-01-2013 10:21AM

I'm also looking into buying a 1.4 reliable and cheap to run vehicle with the same budget

after asking 3 mechanics i know they said to go for the following

Focus
yaris
colt
corolla
civic
mazda 2 / 3

best of luck

Kevhog1988 · 07-01-2013 11:12AM

id go for a corolla, ive had every other model of car before and would never stray from toyota again...

Pigwidgeon · 07-01-2013 05:53PM

Thanks for all the advice folks. I reckon I'll probably end up going for a corolla/focus/punto, depending on insurance quotes I get and obviously which one I reckon is the best value. It'll be another while before I have enough saved up for it, but nice to know what I'm aiming for now.

The Pontiac · 07-01-2013 06:19PM

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Well the op stated it wasn't only for tax but for insurance reasons also. Most of your other points are mooted by the fact that the hatchback would do the same job but comes with a 1.4 engine and actually depreciates slower than the saloon.

You're correct. Totally missed the fact that the OP is 21, and was only a named driver up to now. Too many Sunday night beers again. :rolleyes:

The other points I was making was for cars in general, not the Mazda 1.4 vs 1.6. It seems all people think about is tax, not all the other factors.

The hatchback 1.4 would probably be the better option.

Max Power1 · 07-01-2013 06:24PM

theemigrant wrote: »

id go for a corolla, ive had every other model of car before and would never stray from toyota again...

Really?

toastedpickles · 07-01-2013 06:27PM

Get yourself an opel astra, I've one myself, and I'm in the same age bracket as yourself, I've had mine for a while now and the only thing gone wrong with it was the power steering pump needed to be replaced, they are unbelievably reliable, fuel efficient, and generally a good car, they're also not too steep on tax or insurance, and personally I think they look a lot better than any vw, but that's just me, you can pick up a few good ones for next to nothing on done deal nowadays

JohnBoy26 · 07-01-2013 08:34PM

<Ollie> wrote: »

You're correct. Totally missed the fact that the OP is 21, and was only a named driver up to now. Too many Sunday night beers again. :rolleyes:

The other points I was making was for cars in general, not the Mazda 1.4 vs 1.6. It seems all people think about is tax, not all the other factors.

The hatchback 1.4 would probably be the better option.

I agree with you on the tax for sure. I would never rule out a car on tax alone especially if the diffrence is small.

George Dalton · 07-01-2013 08:42PM

Another good option is a Mitsubishi Lancer. There is nothing fancy about them but they are one of the last examples of old school Japanese reliability. You can get a good 2004 1.3 model for sub €3k.

Buying a car, budget approx €3000

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