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Best car on student budget?

  • 06-09-2013 12:58PM
    #1
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭


    Good al' mammy and daddy want to get me a car for the commute to college (saves them on accommodation and ridiculous bus fares).
    But Ive been looking around and I really dont know what car to be looking for. I looked at some 98-00 Micras but MPG isnt great. Id be motorway into the city and then on to college from there. So a little bit of city driving is involved. Help please?!! :confused:

    P.S. Im on a strict student budget for petrol/diesel and im limited to what I can spend in the first place. Like if I was to spend 1000euro, it needs to have NCT and Tax for the year.


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Comments

  • #2
    Ded_Zebra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,773 ✭✭✭Ded_Zebra


    If I were you I would have another look at the cost of student accommodation. When I worked it out before the cost of fuel alone was going to be more than the rent for the room in my house. On top of the fuel cost you also have tax, insurance, servicing, tyres, parking etc etc. How far will your commute be daily?


  • #3
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭RayRay123


    Its a 35km commute. I think they would prefer me to have the car, as it would be handier for them if I was mobile...plus Im the eldest so they cant face me moving out just yet :)


  • #4
    166man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,569 ✭✭✭166man


    You should be working out the cost per week etc if you're to be in college 5 days a week. Just assume 35mpg or something and work it out. You could get a fright otherwise when you start commuting. College accommodation is what nearly €5k excluding what you'll spend in a week on food etc.


    Work out the figures yourself then we can recommend cars for you.


  • #5
    blades.ofglory
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32 ✭blades.ofglory


    RayRay123 wrote: »
    Its a 35km commute. I think they would prefer me to have the car, as it would be handier for them if I was mobile...plus Im the eldest so they cant face me moving out just yet :)

    By Yourself a pushbike, NO petrol cost, No insurgence, NO NCT, NO parking fee. :)

    BTW, I KNOW A GUY THAT CYCLES 45KM every day


  • #6
    Ded_Zebra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,773 ✭✭✭Ded_Zebra


    blades.ofglory wrote: »
    By Yourself a pushbike, NO petrol cost, No insurgence, NO NCT, NO parking fee. :)

    BTW, I KNOW A GUY THAT CYCLES 45KM every day

    Well the op will be going 35km each way from what I understand so...

    The best cheapest option would probably be an older (pre vvti) corolla. You could probably get a good example for your budget.


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  • #7
    Days 298
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,301 ✭✭✭Days 298


    blades.ofglory wrote: »
    By Yourself a pushbike, NO petrol cost, No insurgence, NO NCT, NO parking fee. :)

    BTW, I KNOW A GUY THAT CYCLES 45KM every day

    He's days he's doing mainly motorway driving.


  • #8
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,903 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    Ded_Zebra wrote: »
    If I were you I would have another look at the cost of student accommodation. When I worked it out before the cost of fuel alone was going to be more than the rent for the room in my house. On top of the fuel cost you also have tax, insurance, servicing, tyres, parking etc etc. How far will your commute be daily?

    i must agree. when i was commuting to college i was spending €80 a week in diesel, not counting the other associated running costs. last year my student accommodation was €75 a week and this year €65 a week, but there are associated "running costs" with accommodation too like ESB bills, food, heating etc...

    when commuting i had the focus diesel was was a handy car on diesel. i rembember being at kilmacanogue when the fuel light came on and i drove it to dun laoire when i had 4 liters of diesel in the boot which i then used to drive to gorey :) perfect car for a stingy man and the tax is just a cut below the usual 1.9


  • #9
    Ded_Zebra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,773 ✭✭✭Ded_Zebra


    Toyotafanboi wrote: »
    i must agree. when i was commuting to college i was spending €80 a week in diesel, not counting the other associated running costs. last year my student accommodation was €75 a week and this year €65 a week, but there are associated "running costs" with accommodation too like ESB bills, food, heating etc...

    when commuting i had the focus diesel was was a handy car on diesel. i rembember being at kilmacanogue when the fuel light came on and i drove it to dun laoire when i had 4 liters of diesel in the boot which i then used to drive to gorey :) perfect car for a stingy man and the tax is just a cut below the usual 1.9

    Not forgetting that you do technically have those costs at home too it just comes direct out of mammys pocket :pac:


  • #10
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,903 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    i couldn't believe how much spare cash i had when i came home for the summer :pac: i love my parents :P


  • #11
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭RayRay123


    Honestly Im happy to take the bus, coz its €840 for the academic year, where as a car would come in at 2700 for the academic year, taking tax, nct, parking and fuel, excl. the initial cost of the car! But my folks want to make the investment...They said keep the engine small and my fuel budget is roughly €80 a week, less if I can help it, and my initial budget for the car which should be driving, taxed and nct-ed is €1000.


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  • #12
    power pants
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,902 ✭✭✭power pants


    Could be quite difficult finding a car with nct and tax for 1k or less

    For insurance will be you insuring it in your own name or parents?


  • #13
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭RayRay123


    Im covered under my mams name for any car under 1.2L. I just have to confirm with them the car.


  • #14
    jimgoose
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,214 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    It doesn't always come down to dollars-and-cents. Your parents probably see it as money well spent for a couple of reasons. You get to start building up your NCB good and early, and you'd be surprised - that can be as good as money in the bank. You also get to live at home, with them, where they can keep an eye on you for another while, where life I presume is rather comfortable and pleasant, and not be handing over lumps of money to some shytehawk landlord in the Cit-aaah and have to argue with idiots every second week over bills, etc.


  • #15
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,903 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    lets face is, your own car is infinitely cooler than getting the bus.

    sorry to sound biased buy if you want a half decent car for under a grand with NCT it has to be an old corolla or starlet imo.

    for example my starlet costs around €55-60 to brim its very small tank when its nearly empty. and i get around 600km's to a tank which is good going. tax is €385 for the year and insurance despite the odds is cheap.


  • #16
    Ded_Zebra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,773 ✭✭✭Ded_Zebra


    RayRay123 wrote: »
    Honestly Im happy to take the bus, coz its €840 for the academic year, where as a car would come in at 2700 for the academic year, taking tax, nct, parking and fuel, excl. the initial cost of the car! But my folks want to make the investment...They said keep the engine small and my fuel budget is roughly €80 a week, less if I can help it, and my initial budget for the car which should be driving, taxed and nct-ed is €1000.

    Keep an eye on this thread. There should be things coming up there that will suit your needs.
    Note that there might be good value in things with slightly bigger engines than you are looking for at the moment as very small engined cars demand a premium.


  • #17
    jimgoose
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,214 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    Ded_Zebra wrote: »
    Keep an eye on this thread. There should be things coming up there that will suit your needs.
    Note that there might be good value in things with slightly bigger engines than you are looking for at the moment as very small engined cars demand a premium.

    Unreal value out there, but I'd say tax-and-insurance on anything with a half-way proper engine will murder her.


  • #18
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭RayRay123


    @jimgoose Jesus dont start!! Im getting a part-time job coz I really want to live out! I hope to next year. this is there way of trying to keep me home, as you say, to keep an eye on me :0 but sure its a nice way.

    @toyotafanboi I never thought of a starlet! nifty little things...thanks :) or maybe a yaris...


  • #19
    Ded_Zebra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,773 ✭✭✭Ded_Zebra


    jimgoose wrote: »
    Unreal value out there, but I'd say tax-and-insurance on anything with a half-way proper engine will murder him.

    I'm talking about up to a 1.6 not a 4l V8 :p


  • #20
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭RayRay123


    @jimgoose "her" not him :D thats why the folks are touchy!


  • #21
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭RayRay123


    @ded_zebra Im terrified to know what that might add to my insurance! mam drives a 1.3 so im covered on that but any car after that needs to be 1.2L or lower...


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  • #22
    jimgoose
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,214 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    RayRay123 wrote: »
    @jimgoose "her" not him :D thats why the folks are touchy!

    Oops - my apologies! I commuted to college meself for three years back in the day, about 14 miles each way on my little red 100cc Suzuki motorbike. To each their own, but I had no inclination to live outside home that time, and the joys of motoring were only savage! :D


  • #23
    jimgoose
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,214 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    Ded_Zebra wrote: »
    I'm talking about up to a 1.6 not a 4l V8 :p

    So am I, sham! :D


  • #24
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭RayRay123


    @jimgoose i know the RayRay is misleading! School nickname that stuck...:L


  • #25
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭RayRay123


    @jimgoose I would love a bike!!! But if i mentioned that, Id say my mam would have the canary islands!!!


  • #26
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,903 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/car-for-sale/5601569
    http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/1996-toyoya-starlet-sportif/5582642

    in my opinion :P


  • #27
    dgt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,978 ✭✭✭✭dgt


    Is the price of tax an issue? There was a Mercedes E200 I posted up in bangernomics for €1250, taxed till June.....

    Would you consider a diesel? Not necessarily a floppy beret wearing cheese eating example :pac:


  • #28
    Indestructable
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,390 ✭✭✭Indestructable


    If you are on a learners permit then you will not be let drive unaccompanied nor will you be let drive on the motor way so bear that in mind!!

    I would recommend a Ford Fiesta, the Ghia model. Has ABS, power steering, air con and electric windows. Can get a 00 for about a grand with NCT and a bit of tax too. Has a 1.25l engine.


  • #29
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭RayRay123


    Ill consider anything at this point!!! thanks for the links!


  • #30
    blades.ofglory
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32 ✭blades.ofglory


    RayRay123 wrote: »
    Ill consider anything at this point!!! thanks for the links!

    You will be crippled on insurance either way, due to your age

    Value of insurance can supersede the cost of the car easily


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  • #31
    RayRay123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭RayRay123


    I know...it sucks! especially since Im a girl and before the EU went and said thats unfair for boys, it was gonna be okay! I know theres gender equality and all the stuff but you cant argue with statistics!...better stop before I rant! ;)


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