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Circumstances changing. Budget of ~3k, looking for something smart and reliable

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  • 28-06-2020 11:36am
    #1
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭


    Hi all,
    My circumstances are changing soon and I'll be doing a 150km drive a few times a week.

    My 02 Corolla 1.4L is in terrible condition cosmetically but has been running great, flew through the 2 NCTs since purchase and only has around 80,000 miles on it. However it just looks in terrible condition and at this point I'd rather something more presentable.

    Running costs are important, more than happy to sacrifice performance for something that is cheaper to run. I'd also consider paying more upfront if savings were to be made long term.

    Initially thinking of a diesel saloon, but open minded.

    Aesthetically I'd be very drawn to something like this 2011 Mondeo but others here have said the engine is terrible on that.

    Do any models come to mind?

    Thank you


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Comments

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    #2
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,147 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    As well as reliability you should also be looking at something comfortable and with cruise control for driving that distance. I'll recommend the obligatory Renault Fluence. They are pretty reliable cars, cheap enough to buy these days and are comfortable, most trim levels bar the very basic models have cruise control.


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    #3
    Green farmer
    Registered Users Posts: 4,005 ✭✭✭Green farmer


    bazz26 wrote: »
    I'll recommend the obligatory Renault Fluence. They are pretty reliable cars, cheap enough to buy these days and are comfortable, most trim levels bar the very basic models have cruise control.

    If the o.p liked these cars, what type of mileage are they good for ? Do they give any issues after a certain point or anything to look out for ?


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    #4
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,147 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    There is no set mileage for any car to expire or be good for. Like anything it boils down to how they were looked after by their owners. But to give an example take a look at them for sale on donedeal and take note of the mileage on them, plenty are well north of 200k/250k km. They are also popular enough with taxi drives which is a big plus point. You need to watch out for the usual consumables with modern diesel cars such as clutch and flywheel along with normal things like timing belt/water pump changes.


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    #5
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    After watching a few reviews etc I'm considering this Accord which was recommended before. Initially thought it was too sporty looking for me, but it seems to have plenty of plus points to it that could make the drives a lot more tolerable and the reliability factor is a big plus too.

    I'm wondering will there be a big insurance jump from my 1.4L Corolla though, will have to see.


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    #6
    hoodie6029
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭hoodie6029


    I've been running a 2066 Prius for 3 years. It's very cheap to run and reliable.

    Here is the latest one on donedeal - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-prius-96988-low-miles/25118381

    The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.



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    #7
    Allinall
    Registered Users Posts: 6,561 ✭✭✭Allinall


    hoodie6029 wrote: »
    I've been running a 2066 Prius for 3 years. It's very cheap to run and reliable.

    Here is the latest one on donedeal - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-prius-96988-low-miles/25118381

    You should have a DeLorean :D:D


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    #8
    hoodie6029
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭hoodie6029


    D'oh!
    :)

    The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.



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    #9
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    Which Accord out of these would you go for?

    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/08-honda-accord-2-2l-dtec-es-gt/25173540

    Or

    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/08-honda-accord-2-2cdtisportnct-11-20clean/25173080


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    #10
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    The search continues :(

    Would anyone have an opinion on these;

    Renault Fluence 1.5L diesel, 2011. Low mileage. Asking €3k
    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-fluence-1-5-dci-110tomtom-ed-4dr/25276610

    Similar Fluence but lower asking price of €2599
    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2011-renault-fluence-1-5dci-tax-and-nct/24992290

    Skoda Superb, 1.9L Diesel, 2008. 220k miles. Asking €3k
    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb-2008-1-9tdi/25106698

    Mondeo 1.8L, 200k kms. Asking €2295
    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-mondeo-2008/25228547


    Much appreciated


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    #11
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,388 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    The first Fluence.


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    #12
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    colm_mcm wrote: »
    The first Fluence.

    Does 3 previous owners seem a bit much for less than 100k miles?

    Edit: Just wondering why you think the 1st one is better than the 2nd - is it the mileage?


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    #13
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,147 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    3 owners on a 9 year old car is not excessive.


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    #14
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    bazz26 wrote: »
    3 owners on a 9 year old car is not excessive.

    When you look at it that way I suppose it doesn't sound too bad. Do you think the first Fluence would be the better choice too if you don't mind having a look?

    Thank you


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    #15
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,147 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    The first one has some service stamps, has lower mileage and is higher spec. The second one just has the timing belt change written in tipex written on the engine cover.


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    #16
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    Might go for it. What's a realistic price to expect to get it for? I've never bought from a dealer before.


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    #17
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,147 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Go look at the car first and base that on whether you want to make an offer on it. At this end of the market you are not going to get a huge amount off from a dealer. Depends how fast the dealer wants it gone too.


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    #18
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    I don't even know what a huge amount is in this context though to be honest! €300 or so? It's a good bit out of my way and I'd have to take time off work so I'd go with the intention of buying.


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    #19
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,147 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    There is no fast or hard rule to haggling on the asking price. Remember it's a low value car and one of the cheapest 2011 models for sale so there might be little or no discount off that car from the dealer.


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    #20
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    Rang about that Fluence today but it had just been sold unfortunately.

    This one just went up on DD, thoughts?

    2010, 113k kms, asking €2495

    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-fluence-2010-high-spec-113kms/25312350


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    #21
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,388 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    I’d say it had more hits than Elvis.
    I’d also never buy from a ‘trade cars’ setup. Buying off the owner that’s had it a few years gives you a way better picture.


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    #22
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    This ticks all the boxes for me except really high mileage of 337k miles;

    2011 1.6L Diesel Passat Comfort Line tdi asking for €3k.

    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-passat-comfort-line-1-6-tdi/25263310


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    #23
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,388 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    Early 1.6 TDI is a bit of a risk IMO.


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    #24
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    How about this one?

    Looks a little rough externally but seems okay otherwise.

    2008 2L Passat, asking €2550 with 95k miles:

    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-passat-tdi-390-road-tax/25315530


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    #25
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    Still not sorted unfortunately. Have a saved search on DoneDeal that I check every day but nothing much on offer. Hoping to get something sorted soon because I'm doing around 650km a week on petrol at the moment.

    Pushed the price bracket up a bit and this popped up;

    Zjk3YTEyMjU1ZTEwMzQ3NzAwNWZmMzBkN2QyMDM5OTiP22aKWd3fCDkDFreujpMfaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b18xNTE0MjM0MDR8fHwxMjAweDEyMDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/08-honda-accord-top-spec/25367428

    08 Accord, asking for €3350. Not sure if I like the black alloys but otherwise looks nice, good specs it seems


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    #26
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,388 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    That’s an EX model which is one of the highest alright.
    Last change of ownership in 2013.


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    #27
    Idbatterim
    Registered Users Posts: 17,843 ✭✭✭✭Idbatterim


    Have you checked out the bangernomics thread op ?


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    #28
    selectamatic
    Registered Users Posts: 3,895 ✭✭✭selectamatic


    Cheap tax Mk1 tdi octavia or superb might suit. Well able for big mileage, economical, simple and parts are cheap compared to most other cars of that era.

    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb/25335057

    This could be a decent buy if the price came down a bit. Seller claiming to have owned it for 5 years but it had a change of ownership in 2018 for some reason. The ad and seller seem pretty genuine though.


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    #29
    newboard
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭newboard


    Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning towards a Fluence at this stage, seems to tick the most boxes for me in terms of something that is very economical to run, low tax, looks fairly respectable, and has plenty of the bells and whistles and safety features, for within my budget of 2.5-3k.

    Any tips on what year/version I should be going for? I heard that the higher bhp one is a better choice. Is there an easy way to tell?

    I'd nearly go for this one except I really dislike the colour;

    https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-flunanc-1-5d-new-nct/25398069

    NmNjY2NmMDEzZGRlMjg4YmZlZjEzMDE0YzhkMDcxMzSHqPAu6HPstFw5xfr58pnlaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b18xNTE3MDUwMDV8fHw2MDB4NjAwfHx8fHx8fHw=.jpeg


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    #30
    Coybig_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 454 ✭✭Coybig_


    .


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    #31
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,147 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Coybig_ wrote: »
    .

    ??


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