Opinions please - Corolla 1.4 D4D 2008

MrsG09 · 25-04-2012 1:00pm #1

hi all,

looking for opinions please. I was in a car crash last weekend and my 2002 Peugout 406 was written off

I am now looking to buy a Toyota Corolla 1.4 D4D, i got 1800 from the write off of my own car and i have about 6K of my own saved up

I cant believe the price of these second hand, but i have found the following in a nearby toyota dealership

2008, terra model, 1 owner (leased to a financial institution in dublin) 50K miles, regularly serviced at dealership - stamped records, guaranteed through nct in september this year. I have talked the sales girl down to 11K which would mean me taking out a loan for 3K to put with proceeds of written off car and my savings

Could you advise me is this a good deal? I need a good strong and reliable car as i drive home down the country a good bit and I have a small baby, I dont mind paying the money but i want to make sure its a good deal and im not paying over the odds

Thanks in advance

mrsG

weekaizer · 25-04-2012 1:14pm

that strikes me as slightly high for what is a base model corolla. does it come into the cheap tax bracket?(post july 08) i know you would probably rather buy off a dealer due to finance reasons but just to show you what you could get if you compare to private sale...http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3260797
luna model, less than 60000 miles, only €8500!

You may consider an avensis if looking for an 08 diesel toyota at that price bracket. bigger engine, better spec, 330 on tax however..
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/*D4D*LUN/6113348391186440/advert?channel=CARS

MrsG09 · 25-04-2012 2:07pm

weekaizer wrote: »

that strikes me as slightly high for what is a base model corolla. does it come into the cheap tax bracket?(post july 08) i know you would probably rather buy off a dealer due to finance reasons but just to show you what you could get if you compare to private sale...http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3260797
luna model, less than 60000 miles, only €8500!

You may consider an avensis if looking for an 08 diesel toyota at that price bracket. bigger engine, better spec, 330 on tax however..
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/*D4D*LUN/6113348391186440/advert?channel=CARS

Hiya thanks for the reply

I rang about that car it was sold the same day it was advertised. I don't mind privately at all. Any I have rung about have been sold and the insurance company are taking the rental car off me Friday so need to get something sorted.

I would prefer to get a smaller engine as it will drink less diesel, the 406 was very economical

-Corkie- · 25-04-2012 2:35pm

MrsG09 wrote: »

Hiya thanks for the reply

I rang about that car it was sold the same day it was advertised. I don't mind privately at all. Any I have rung about have been sold and the insurance company are taking the rental car off me Friday so need to get something sorted.

I would prefer to get a smaller engine as it will drink less diesel, the 406 was very economical

Would you consider another 406 there is plenty for sale. I would much prefer one over a bog standard Corolla.

MrsG09 · 25-04-2012 3:04pm

corkie to be honest i never even considered buying another 406, i know they stopped making them in 2004 and the 407 is meant to be a ball of sh!te so I assumed i just got lucky with the one that i had

i just looked up online there and came across what looks like a nice car

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3150146

i assume that its been off the road though as he is saying the nct is just done but it expires next year

Leonard Hofstadter · 25-04-2012 3:07pm

A Corolla Terra with its total poverty spec and general crappiness is a total waste of €11k.

It has nothing going for it apart from the perceived reliability because it's a Toyota.

An Avensis is a massively better car, and I think that despite the fact the Corolla is slightly smaller, it actually weighs more, so it will be much slower and will probably be heavier on juice than an Avensis in the real world.

The Corolla from that era only had a five speed gearbox so it will be less economical than say an Avensis from that era, because an Avensis has a six speed box, plus it has a lot more power, so it will be more frugal on longer runs.

Also, you say that a 406 is a miser on juice. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that because a Corolla is a 1.4 that it will be even moreso - smaller engines are only more efficient are lower speeds, and diesels aren't really suited to lower speed driving. Anyway all cars after 2008 aren't taxed on engine size, but on emissions, so the lower the tax on a car, in general the more efficient it will be (although as the above shows, it's only a general thing, it's not always true;)).

Leonard Hofstadter · 25-04-2012 3:10pm

MrsG09 wrote: »

corkie to be honest i never even considered buying another 406, i know they stopped making them in 2004 and the 407 is meant to be a ball of sh!te so I assumed i just got lucky with the one that i had

i just looked up online there and came across what looks like a nice car

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3150146

i assume that its been off the road though as he is saying the nct is just done but it expires next year

In fairness the 406 was a reliable car and in its day was considered to be one of the best cars in its class, you're right though about the 407. That car looks very well, but it will be fairly heavy on fuel. The other way to look at it is that while you will spend more on filling it up, you'll save an awful lot of money by buying this compared to what I think is a much worse car.

shedweller · 25-04-2012 3:12pm

I'm pretty sure the corolla will be far less likely to break down. Also has a timing chain on the 1.4 d4d so it should never need replacing.

MrsG09 · 25-04-2012 3:15pm

thanks amillion for all the advise and replies, im in a total panic as ill have no car in a few days

that 406 is in kerry so its a bit of a pain, im living in dublin at the moment.

captain speed thanks for your advise, ill have a goo at a few avensis models and see whats around in a 2ltd diesel

id prefer not to have to take out a loan so it would be great to stay under the 9K mark...

Zubeneschamali · 25-04-2012 3:16pm

Buy this 406 Coupé and save a bundle.

MrsG09 · 25-04-2012 3:18pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Buy this 406 Coupé and save a bundle.

hiya, its a lovely car but i have a baby so really need a 4 door :rolleyes:

MrsG09 · 25-04-2012 3:23pm

sorry now im all over the place looking at cars but i have always wanted a rav (wierdo i know i just think theyre so cool)

http://www.greenisleautos.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=784847&r=

if i got this for a good price would it be a good buy?

Leonard Hofstadter · 25-04-2012 3:26pm

OP, how much of your driving is in town? Because if you spend most of your time just driving around Dublin, then a diesel may not be such a good idea at all.

Modern diesels have particle filters, which are notoriously intolerant of constant stop/start urban driving. These can in some cases cost as much as €1,000 to replace. If you're doing regular runs out of Dublin and are driving at motorway speeds or even national road speeds fairly often, then there's no need to worry, but the particle filters will get clogged up if you do mostly driving in Dublin with the odd spin out into the country.

If you're looking to go up the years, but want something practical and reliable, look no further than a petrol powered Mazda 6 (avoid the diesel at all costs - it is spectacularly unreliable and very expensive to repair when it goes wrong). They're a very underrated car, and they'll run forever and ever. They're a little noisy but otherwise they tick all boxes. They'll be cheaper to buy than the likes of an Avensis or a Passat etc etc. If you do most of your driving outside of Dublin and want to go up the years, then an Avensis from 2006 onwards (the ones with the indicators in the mirrors - the diesels before that can give trouble with the clutches and gearboxes), or a Mondeo, or a Honda Accord are the best options.

Nissan doctor · 25-04-2012 3:29pm

MrsG09 wrote: »

sorry now im all over the place looking at cars but i have always wanted a rav (wierdo i know i just think theyre so cool)

http://www.greenisleautos.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=784847&r=

if i got this for a good price would it be a good buy?

If your looking for economy then a 1.8 petrol rav 4 won't be a good idea.

If your leaning towards SUV types, what about a suzuki grand vitara 1.9d

What sort of mileage to you do?

Leonard Hofstadter · 25-04-2012 3:34pm

MrsG09 wrote: »

sorry now im all over the place looking at cars but i have always wanted a rav (wierdo i know i just think theyre so cool)

http://www.greenisleautos.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=784847&r=

if i got this for a good price would it be a good buy?

I think that is mental money for an eight year old car, especially one with a "large" petrol engine (very undesirable now despite the fact that petrol makes a lot more sense for most people). Those engines can suffer from oil burning, and that kind of mileage is prime territory for the problem to begin. If it's a dud engine and is going to be an oil burner, it will start doing so at around 60-80,000 miles. Ironically a VVTi engined Toyota with higher mileage (> 100,000 miles) is better, because if it's gotten that far, then it's not an oil burner and those engines are reliable apart from the oil burning problem!

Apart from that the RAV4 is a very good car for what it is, although it will be heavy on fuel at motorway speeds.

MrsG09 · 25-04-2012 3:47pm

CAPTAINspeed thank you so much for all the advise

i will forget about the rav so!

i am from cork and living in dublin, i dont ever really drive in city centre, we live just off the m50 and only drive 10mins on the m50 for work, i usually go home about once every 2-4 weeks and i know it sounds morbid but i want a car that will fare well in a crash

i just rang about that avensis that was linked above

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/*D4D*LUN/6113348391186440/advert?channel=CARS

the dealer said give him a ring tomorrow as its going through the nct at the moment and he will tell me what kind of a price he will give me. he said the same as yourself that an avensis is much better than a corolla

bazz26 · 25-04-2012 3:48pm

OP, have a look at the Kia Ceed or Hyundai i30. Both are the same car underneath, they are as reliable if not more reliable as the Corolla but are better equipped and have longer warranties:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=5913345747536230

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201216207798890

MrsG09 · 25-04-2012 3:55pm

bazz thank you to be honest ive never even heard of the, i need a saloon, ill have a quick search now thank you

Nissan doctor · 25-04-2012 4:00pm

Opel astra saloon might be an option too.

Leonard Hofstadter · 25-04-2012 4:01pm

Your kind of driving is ideal for a diesel so - you won't have any problems with them as long as you keep doing that kind of driving. They do give a lot of problems when driven around town a lot, but you don't need to worry! Hatchbacks are much more versatile than saloons, especially if you need something practical.

That said, something like an Avensis, or much better, a Mondeo or Honda Accord, will be more comfortable on a spin to Cork than something like an i30 or a Ceed. Larger cars usually are quieter and just more comfortable in general. But something like an i30 or Cee'd will be well able for the job as well. The Cee'd in particular is well worth a look as it has a 7 year/150,000 km warranty as long as it's serviced on time. It also has a more powerful engine than the Hyundai, so it will be quieter and possibly more economical at speed.

weekaizer · 25-04-2012 4:03pm

I agree with the salesman, i have owned 3 avensis diesels before.. none of which ever gave me a moments bother..they were all sold on, only due to yearly upgrading.. They are affordable, reliable, economical, practical, 2 litre diesel engines have decent power. and if you get a high spec t spirit or luna model, it will be all the car you ever need!
ive never seen that car i recommended to you before but it looks like one i would persue if i had that money to spend..

bazz26 · 25-04-2012 4:08pm

The Ford Focus saloon is worth a look at so:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1013273129620840

Or a VW Jetta:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=813261898405330

Or a Citroen C5:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=6013330136506110

Nissan doctor · 25-04-2012 4:08pm

weekaizer wrote: »

I agree with the salesman, i have owned 3 avensis diesels before.. none of which ever gave me a moments bother..they were all sold on, only due to yearly upgrading.. They are affordable, reliable, economical, practical, 2 litre diesel engines have decent power. and if you get a high spec t spirit or luna model, it will be all the car you ever need!
ive never seen that car i recommended to you before but it looks like one i would persue if i had that money to spend..

Too be fair though, if you upgrade every year then an opinion on how reliable they are is pretty moot.

Francie Barrett · 25-04-2012 4:22pm

captainspeed wrote: »

An Avensis is a massively better car, and I think that despite the fact the Corolla is slightly smaller, it actually weighs more, so it will be much slower and will probably be heavier on juice than an Avensis in the real world.

The Corolla from that era only had a five speed gearbox so it will be less economical than say an Avensis from that era, because an Avensis has a six speed box, plus it has a lot more power, so it will be more frugal on longer runs.

Also, you say that a 406 is a miser on juice. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that because a Corolla is a 1.4 that it will be even moreso - smaller engines are only more efficient are lower speeds, and diesels aren't really suited to lower speed driving. Anyway all cars after 2008 aren't taxed on engine size, but on emissions, so the lower the tax on a car, in general the more efficient it will be (although as the above shows, it's only a general thing, it's not always true;)).

So much of that statement is just plain wrong.

A standard 5 door Corolla 1.4 D4D weighs 1200Kg - http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/toyota/corolla/hatchback-2002/28403/

O2 emissions are 128g, it will have 58 mpg.

A standard Avensis 2.0 D4D weights 1440Kg - http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/toyota/avensis/hatchback-2003/34722/

O2 emissions are 157g, it will have 51 mpg.

Honestjohn says the real world MPG for the 1.4 Corolla should be 55.6 mpg with the 2.0 Avensis being 48.8 mpg - http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/RealMpg/Results?manufacturer=toyota

If you're spending 90% of your time on the motorway, then for sheer comfort, you're going to be better off with the Avensis. If you're doing a lot short runs to pick the child up, to do the shopping, etc, then the Corolla is probably a better option.

Nissan doctor · 25-04-2012 4:25pm

Francie Barrett wrote: »

So much of that statement is just plain wrong.

A standard 5 door Corolla 1.4 D4D weighs 1200Kg - http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/toyota/corolla/hatchback-2002/28403/

O2 emissions are 128g, it will have 58 mpg.

A standard Avensis 2.0 D4D weights 1440Kg - http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/toyota/avensis/hatchback-2003/34722/

O2 emissions are 157g, it will have 51 mpg.

Honestjohn says the real world MPG for the 1.4 Corolla should be 55.6 mpg with the 2.0 Avensis being 48.8 mpg - http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/RealMpg/Results?manufacturer=toyota

If you're spending 90% of your time on the motorway, then for sheer comfort, you're going to be better off with the Avensis. If you're doing a lot short runs to pick the child up, to do the shopping, etc, then the Corolla is probably a better option.

If your doing that, then neither is the correct option.

Leonard Hofstadter · 25-04-2012 5:52pm

Francie Barrett wrote: »

So much of that statement is just plain wrong.

A standard 5 door Corolla 1.4 D4D weighs 1200Kg - http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/toyota/corolla/hatchback-2002/28403/

O2 emissions are 128g, it will have 58 mpg.

A standard Avensis 2.0 D4D weights 1440Kg - http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/toyota/avensis/hatchback-2003/34722/

O2 emissions are 157g, it will have 51 mpg.

Honestjohn says the real world MPG for the 1.4 Corolla should be 55.6 mpg with the 2.0 Avensis being 48.8 mpg - http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/RealMpg/Results?manufacturer=toyota

If you're spending 90% of your time on the motorway, then for sheer comfort, you're going to be better off with the Avensis. If you're doing a lot short runs to pick the child up, to do the shopping, etc, then the Corolla is probably a better option.

The Corolla diesel in fact weighs 1315 kg, the OP was looking at a 2008 model, you're qouting a model that hasn't been sold since the end of 2006! So the 'real world' mpg for the 'rolla will be lower because it weighs over 100 kg more.

Anyway, the OP said it will mostly be used for long runs, so the extra comfort is important. The Avensis is a far superior car in every conceivable measure as well, the current model 'rolla is one of the worst efforts at a 'car' Toyota has made in a very long time, the only thing worse than it has got to be the Auris. You know things are bad when even the Irish motoring press say it's not good!

25-04-2012 10:35pm

OP - you linked to a car for sale in Harold's Cross. I reckon that if you're going to buy from a secondhand car dealer who's not in the SIMI then you'd be probably be better off buying privately. While the SIMI are by no means the consumers best friend, they do offer some means of comeback in the event of a dispute with a dealer. I'm not convinced that your dealer's membership of the IMIA offers any reassurance.

Several Toyota dealers in Dublin have similar cars with less mileage, come with a full year's warranty and could probably be bought for not much more than the car you linked to if you were willing to haggle and ready to buy.

bazz26 · 25-04-2012 11:02pm

The SIMI thing is a mute point imo when buying a car from a garage. There are as many chancers with SIMI membership signs on their front door as there as those who don't.

MrsG09 · 26-04-2012 9:31am

245 & all thanks so much for all the advise

I sat down last night and did my sums and tbh we really can't afford 10k on a car. I loved my 2002 Peugeot 406 it was very reliable and was very economical even though it was a 1.8 petrol

I have decided (as corkie suggested) to buy another 406.

I have found this one for sale from a main Peugeot dealer in cork. I would really appreciate yer feedback. I am going to ask him to put it through the nct for me and he said he will put 4 new tyres on it as the ones on it are very worn. It was owned by an elderly couple who have bought a brand new peogout,

I was hoping to get it for 3.5k (what do ye think)

I wondered are the 406 2ltr diesels as good as the 1.8 petrol I used to drive?

Thanks a million

S

MrsG09 · 26-04-2012 9:35am

Sorry here is link

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=6213333804963160

MuppetCheck · 26-04-2012 9:37am

A diesel Peugeot will be a nicer car to drive. You will have to adjust your style of driving slightly compared to a petrol. You do not need to rev it as high as it will be at its peak in the mid range which makes is better for real world driving compared to a petrol equivalent in that class of vehicle.

MrsG09 · 26-04-2012 9:48am

Ah that's great news. Thanks for the reply. I got 1800 for my write off do this car is way more affordable than a newish Toyota.

Do you think 3.5k is a good price on it? I hope he'll put it through nct for me. He hasn't even driven it himself yet, he is going to give me a buzz today after he's gone for a spin in it

Zubeneschamali · 26-04-2012 10:37am

MrsG09 wrote: »

I hope he'll put it through nct for me.

Tell him you absolutely will not take it without NCT. It's much easier to do this upfront than have it fail and have to go back asking him to sort it.

MrsG09 · 26-04-2012 10:43am

zeb thanks i just spoke to him there and he is putting it through the nct for me

there are two things though

1. the car has no isofix for my baby seat - its funny as my own 406 which is 2 years older did have the iso fix

2. the car has 60K miles on it, i asked him about the timing belt and he said its not due til 120K miles, am i mental or is that due every 60K miles?

thanks a million

S

Zubeneschamali · 26-04-2012 11:20am

MrsG09 wrote: »

2. the car has 60K miles on it, i asked him about the timing belt and he said its not due til 120K miles

It depends on the motor. My Ford has a Peugeot 2.0 diesel, and the belt is not due until 200K km, which is 120 K miles, so he may be right.

I bet he's wrong about the Isofix, though, I'd say the car does have it.

MrsG09 · 26-04-2012 1:35pm

omg the saga continues

i rang where my own 406 came from he said that the timing belt needs to be done between 60-70K miles

i rang the dealer in cork back and he said that he will do it but is charging me 250 on the full price of the car so his best price to me is 4200 for a 2004 peugout 406 with a new nct & timing belt
is this a good deal?

am i stupid not to spend another few K and get a newer car? any advise would be great im finding this a complete mine field to be honest, i just want a safe (for the baby) reliable car that wont cost me a fortune to run

thanks a million

Zubeneschamali · 26-04-2012 1:42pm

MrsG09 wrote: »

am i stupid not to spend another few K and get a newer car?

Do you have another few K? Because you could keep going all the way to 40K and a brand new car!

You need to decide on a budget.

MrsG09 · 26-04-2012 1:55pm

hiya, i do, i got we'll say 2K for the write off and i could put another 4 or 5 with it, but id reallyneed to get a car for a good 5 years or so out of that.

i just dont know if the 406 is worth 4200 (i only got 1800 for mine as a write off and it had a fully stamped main dealer service history and only just passed the nct, however this one is 2 years younger and has a good 50K less miles)

i would buy it today only for the fact it has no iso fix this has really thrown me

Zubeneschamali · 26-04-2012 2:22pm

MrsG09 wrote: »

i would buy it today only for the fact it has no iso fix this has really thrown me

How do you know? I bet it does have isofix, why wouldn't it?

MrsG09 · 26-04-2012 2:33pm

Hiya, he's said it definitely doesn't he said he's surprised himself it doesn't. I'll be honest I got an awful fright when I crashed (thank god the baby wasn't with me) I'd die if he was hurt because u bought a car without the isofix

weekaizer · 26-04-2012 6:45pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3102543
you mentioned you would love a rav4.. this one looks alright, only downside is quite expensive road tax..

colm_mcm · 26-04-2012 6:47pm

If you're gonna tax a 2.3 there are infinitely better options out there

MrsG09 · 27-04-2012 9:42am

Found this advertised this morning

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=5413324504110720

Would appreciate any feedback or opinions please on the car and the dealer

Thanks s million

Zubeneschamali · 27-04-2012 11:18am

MrsG09 wrote: »

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=5413324504110720

190,000 km? That's why it's relatively cheap.

bazz26 · 27-04-2012 3:27pm

Bog standard model too.

Pottler · 27-04-2012 10:31pm

I had a 1997 2l NA diesel Corolla in the workshop this evening -serviced it, did away with the egr, tightened up all the linkages, fitted an oil catcher can to re-route the breather, tracked it and took it for a spin to see how it was running. It's an ex-garda yoke with 200k on the clock. Absolute bullet, steady as a rock and not one single rattle from anywhere. Says a lot for the auld corollas.:) There's a late 90s Peugeot 406 with 165k up, 2.1 tdi sitting in there at the mo as well and it has more issues than Sinead O'connor. Not sure what my point is, but I like Toyotas morer!

colm_mcm · 27-04-2012 10:34pm

Absolute bullet, really now...

The reason for their longevity is simple mechanicals, unfortunately a D-4D Corolla is an altogether different machine, emissions, safety, economy etc mean that like all modern diesels, they're a pandoras box of potential issues.

Pottler · 27-04-2012 10:49pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Absolute bullet, really now...

The reason for their longevity is simple mechanicals, unfortunately a D-4D Corolla is an altogether different machine, emissions, safety, economy etc mean that like all modern diesels, they're a pandoras box of potential issues.

Colm, I don't know if the Gards got a better engine(doubt it)but the car is a bullet. I test drove it down the same route I've run Celicas, an Elise or two, some nice Audis and many a Merc, and indeed, despite your scepticism, the Corolla 2.0 diesel, minus its emisions restrictions and fully sorted, is a bullet.:) In much the same way I had a Jap Carina 11 2 ltr in that was stripped and sorted and it would leave heavier new cars standing.

colm_mcm · 27-04-2012 10:52pm

I think it's the illusion of speed or the diesel fumes that fooled you

They always feel light and nippy, but they are quite slow.
(14.0 to 60 and 72hp on tap for the nerds)

Pottler · 27-04-2012 11:03pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think it's the illusion of speed or the diesel fumes that fooled you

They always feel light and nippy, but they are quite slow.
(14.0 to 60 and 72hp on tap for the nerds)

Not a hope!:) This aint mine and is going for a re-spray, lowering and fancy wheels next week- more like 7-8 to 60 and 100/120 on tap after certain pump/airflow adjustments. At 1200kg all up, it's brisk. Owner is going to spend a lot on it as a sleeper and anyway, it's going in the morning. Good friend owns it so if there's a motors meet I'll get a lend when its done and you can try it yourself. I bottled it at err 100(I'd say it's beyond its brakes and suspension at this stage but that can be sorted too. I'd actually like it myself

colm_mcm · 27-04-2012 11:12pm

A lot of petrol 170hp 1200kg cars cant do those sort of figures

Just to clarify, this is a 2.0D Corolla? (my turbod version of this engine put out 89hp)

Not sure if you're joking or you actually believe this

Opinions please - Corolla 1.4 D4D 2008

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