Buying a used car in Ireland guide

L-M · 07-03-2014 10:21PM

gem898 wrote: »

Agreed. I'm already at my wits end! Almost ready to tell the parents to pick one and I'll pay for it. But I am a grown up so this is one of the things I have to do!

Is it mad to be calling someone about a car at half 9 on a Friday night?

Depends if they're mad or not, also.

colm_mcm · 07-03-2014 10:23PM

You need to be methodical.
Make a list, (spreadsheet if you can) with phone numbers, prices, colour, notes etc and cross off the ones that are sold.

Do a search on donedeal with filters on mileage, year, price and bookmark it and look out for new additions.

Like this
http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Ireland/Toyota%20yaris?filter%28max_engine%29=1.1&filter%28max_mileage%29=130000&filter%28max_price%29=3300&filter%28max_year%29=2004&filter%28min_engine%29=1.0&filter%28min_mileage%29=Min+KM&filter%28min_price%29=2700&filter%28min_year%29=2002&source=all

gem898 · 07-03-2014 10:28PM

Depends if they're mad or not, also.

Very true! But last thing I want is for the to get mad at me!

You need to be methodical.
Make a list, (spreadsheet if you can) with phone numbers, prices, colour, notes etc and cross off the ones that are sold.

Do a search on donedeal with filters on mileage, year, price and bookmark it and look out for new additions.

Yep absolutely. Reckon I'll start making calls tomorrow morning and try see as many as I can tomorrow if they are available. Everything happens for a reason so if a car I like isn't available it means it wasn't the one for me. *positive thinking*

colm_mcm · 07-03-2014 10:30PM

Call as many as you can now, rule out the sold ones.

gem898 · 07-03-2014 10:38PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Call as many as you can now, rule out the sold ones.

Yes sir!

Excel sheet set up!

Rang the blue one from earlier. (I'm ok with the blue) http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2003-toyota-yaris-1-0-5dr-61k-miles/6562788

Still available and going to see it in the morning.

Now to find the next one!

colm_mcm · 07-03-2014 10:45PM

Cool. If the service history stacks up, it could be a guddun.
Just about that one, despite what the ad says, it doesn't have ABS and the CD player is a horrid aftermarket one.
Possible part time dealer selling it, so expect strong selling technique.

This one worth a look too.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/03-toyota-yaris-for-sale-1ltr-3-door/6548335

gem898 · 07-03-2014 10:55PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Cool. If the service history stacks up, it could be a guddun.
Just about that one, despite what the ad says, it doesn't have ABS and the CD player is a horrid aftermarket one.
Possible part time dealer selling it, so expect strong selling technique.

This one worth a look too.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/03-toyota-yaris-for-sale-1ltr-3-door/6548335

CD player I'm not worried about. (Unless because of the fact its a "horrible aftermarket one" I can leverage that for negotiating. I'm a radio listener and have managed 5 years with a cassette player.

Ooh dun laoighre suits me well! Just rang him there but got voicemail left a message. Will call again in the morning.

Lads honestly I can't thank ye enough for all the help this evening. It has been way more that I hoped for when I hit submit earlier!

Signing off for the night but will let ye know how I get on! Thanks again!

L-M · 08-03-2014 12:20PM

Bring someone with you!

gem898 · 08-03-2014 02:03PM

Limerick man wrote: »

Bring someone with you!

I did, my housemate came with me! Went to see one of the silver ones. I like it, nice couple selling it. Passes your checklist. Just gonna run it past my mechanic now and make a decision. Its stretching my budget but it will be worth one month of beans on toast!

On a second note: Any tips on where to get rid of my current car?? I doubt anyone will actually buy it (apart from as scrap) And it needs work doing to it for it to be driven any long distance. It does however have NCT until end of sept.

colm_mcm · 08-03-2014 02:22PM

Stick the ka up on donedeal. Buyers love nct even if the car is a bag.

gem898 · 08-03-2014 02:30PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Stick the ka up on donedeal. Buyers love nct even if the car is a bag.

Will do, Will take some photos later.. but promise not to laugh at the state of it once its up!

L-M · 08-03-2014 04:12PM

Put it up for a couple of hundred after you've bought the Yaris

gem898 · 09-03-2014 07:21PM

Limerick man wrote: »

Put it up for a couple of hundred after you've bought the Yaris

Can I have 2 cars registered in my name at the one time?

colm_mcm · 09-03-2014 07:55PM

gem898 wrote: »

Can I have 2 cars registered in my name at the one time?

Of course

I have 3 at the moment.

You can only really insure one at a time though.

gem898 · 09-03-2014 10:03PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Of course I have 3 at the moment.

You can only really insure one at a time though.

Oh cool, that takes the pressure off!

Probably final question and not sure if I can even ask this here so please let me know if I can't.....

I want to take a mechanic out to have a look over one of the cars I've been to see. I really like the car and I'm 99.9% sold on it but want that extra piece of mind. Only problem is I don't know any mechanics in the South Dublin area or what kind of a garage is the best to go in and ask for someone to come check it out. It would have to be after work hours as well.

Is it better to go for someone like calloutmechanics or a mobile mechanic of some sort? But then how much can you trust them. I don't want to spend a fortune but know it will be worth it ultimately.

L-M · 10-03-2014 07:30PM

It'll be hard to find someone that won't rob you in that type of job... You could spend 10 percent of the value getting it checked out.

gem898 · 12-03-2014 09:04PM

Colm_mcm and Limerick Man,

Thank you guys so much. I am now the proud owner of a Toyota Yaris. I'm over the moon!
Ended up getting the one in DunLaoighre, so thanks for that Colm.

Limerick Man your advice was invaluable and really helped me feel more confident about buying privately.

Amazing advice, guidance and opinions.

Good Job guys!!

(Now going to go over to the "Selling your car" guide to see what I can do with my KA)

colm_mcm · 12-03-2014 09:29PM

Woop! Well wear, that looked like a lovely car.

L-M · 13-03-2014 09:14AM

Well wear!

As for the Ka, read the guide, then put it on donedeal for a couple of hundred and it'll be gone in no time.

HigginsJ · 13-03-2014 06:22PM

After considering not going for the 2008 Laguna I have come across a 2007 Ford Focus that looks nice.

It's 1.6 petrol Ghia model. NCT until February next year & has 44,000 miles on the clock. Priced up at 5,750 (dealer not willing to budge more than €100) Does the Ghia model have stiffer suspension that a standard focus as it seemed very firm on the road.

Seems like a nice car, 2 small issues (broken catch on cubby hole on the dash & the top of the gear lever is pulled off) Anyone have any experience of this car?

bazz26 · 13-03-2014 07:08PM

Had a 2005 diesel Ghia which is pretty much the same car. Most common problem was water finding it's way in through the rear hatch drain into the wiper assembly and then shorting out the boot lock. Only effected hatchback models and was supposed to be resolved by 2007.

Ghia has standard suspension setup (it was the Zetec that had stiffer and lowered suspension). The broken trim would bother me a little especially on car with such low mileage, could indicate the car had a hard life, any service history with it to verify?

HigginsJ · 13-03-2014 07:33PM

bazz26 wrote: »

Had a 2005 diesel Ghia which is pretty much the same car. Most common problem was water finding it's way in through the rear hatch drain into the wiper assembly and then shorting out the boot lock. Only effected hatchback models and was supposed to be resolved by 2007.

Ghia has standard suspension setup (it was the Zetec that had stiffer and lowered suspension). The broken trim would bother me a little especially on car with such low mileage, could indicate the car had a hard life, any service history with it to verify?

It's saloon model (probably should have stated that) Getting someone else to go & test it tomorrow but the broken trim was bothering me as well. Now I must say that the upholstery is in mint condition so it I am a bit confused by it.

It has had 2 previous owners & the garage it question got it from a local painter they were saying.

L-M · 13-03-2014 08:07PM

bazz26 wrote: »

Had a 2005 diesel Ghia which is pretty much the same car. Most common problem was water finding it's way in through the rear hatch drain into the wiper assembly and then shorting out the boot lock. Only effected hatchback models and was supposed to be resolved by 2007.

Ghia has standard suspension setup (it was the Zetec that had stiffer and lowered suspension). The broken trim would bother me a little especially on car with such low mileage, could indicate the car had a hard life, any service history with it to verify?

That would explain why a 05 Focus's boot would keep popping open! Any fix for it?

HigginsJ wrote: »

It's saloon model (probably should have stated that) Getting someone else to go & test it tomorrow but the broken trim was bothering me as well. Now I must say that the upholstery is in mint condition so it I am a bit confused by it.

It has had 2 previous owners & the garage it question got it from a local painter they were saying.

Funny, never knew a painter that had a saloon :pac:

Any link?

HigginsJ · 13-03-2014 08:12PM

Limerick man wrote: »

That would explain why a 05 Focus's boot would keep popping open! Any fix for it?

Funny, never knew a painter that had a saloon :pac:

Any link?

http://www.davidmurphycarsales.ie/used-cars/Ford/Focus/NT-GHIA/39713904069312320/

L-M · 13-03-2014 08:28PM

HigginsJ wrote: »

http://www.davidmurphycarsales.ie/used-cars/Ford/Focus/NT-GHIA/39713904069312320/

He must not have that long, I was looking for one of those last week :mad::P

Looks good. You can buy a new coil pack kit from Ford, if you can bargain that into the deal it would be a decent buy. Considering a dealer in Cork is looking for the same money for a car two years older with 3 times the mileage.

HigginsJ · 13-03-2014 08:53PM

Limerick man wrote: »

He must not have that long, I was looking for one of those last week :mad::P

Looks good. You can buy a new coil pack kit from Ford, if you can bargain that into the deal it would be a decent buy. Considering a dealer in Cork is looking for the same money for a car two years older with 3 times the mileage.

Yea was looking at one in Lyons of Limerick earlier today, 06 saloon focus with good mileage for 6,000 so this one does look good value.

L-M · 13-03-2014 08:57PM

HigginsJ wrote: »

Yea was looking at one in Lyons of Limerick earlier today, 06 saloon focus with good mileage for 6,000 so this one does look good value.

As I said they're well known to blow coils and Ford have brought out a new kit with them in it so if the dealer doesn't fit it I'd reccomend you fit it yourself.

HigginsJ · 13-03-2014 08:59PM

Limerick man wrote: »

As I said they're well known to blow coils and Ford have brought out a new kit with them in it so if the dealer doesn't fit it I'd reccomend you fit it yourself.

Yea the guy going looking at the car for me tomorrow is retired mechanic (handy I know) so I'll say that to him

L-M · 13-03-2014 09:02PM

Could be worth ringing Sheils and seeing if they have any history on it.

HigginsJ · 13-03-2014 09:13PM

Limerick man wrote: »

Could be worth ringing Sheils and seeing if they have any history on it.

Thanks I'll give it a shot

Buying a used car in Ireland guide

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