Reliable taxed tested petrol bangernomics car up to €1750 - Limerick area

MiketheMechanic · 07-08-2020 7:07pm #1

Hi all,

I sold my car yesterday, and have my eye on a newer model in the UK
It may take a few weeks or even months to materialise,
so I need a car to keep me on the road for the next few weeks/months.

Main criteria as follows:
Reliable
Taxed preferably for 3-6 months
Tested - 6-12 months
My daily mileage is low, so petrol is preferred.
Easy to sell on in a few weeks/months
Needs to accomodate 2 cars seats - ISOFIX not needed,
but one seat is rear-facing, so a really small car won't work

Limerick area or surrounding counties
Budget up to 1750

I was thinking of a Civic, Corolla, Accord, Avensis, Auris, Octavia, Superb, Fluence, Saab 9-3, Volvo S40/S60

Can anyone recommend something suitable please?
Thanks, MtM

colm_mcm · 07-08-2020 7:23pm

Best thing is to use donedeal and filter by model/NCT/location/price

MiketheMechanic · 07-08-2020 7:38pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Best thing is to use donedeal and filter by model/NCT/location/price

Thanks @colm_mcm. Do you have anything that would fit the bill yourself at the moment?

colm_mcm · 07-08-2020 11:54pm

I’d be looking for a 1.6 mk2 Avensis.

colm_mcm · 07-08-2020 11:57pm

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-avensis-strata/25483316

Some of these had full resprays on warranty, the paint on this one looks super tidy so might have got it.

Obvs it’s 3 owners and not 1 as stated on the ad.

User1998 · 08-08-2020 12:53am

That’s some paint job! Looks fresh as a daisy

bazz26 · 08-08-2020 1:17am

Taken from the bangernomics thread,

MTM0ZWZjMjIyMTYxZTkwODliZGI0ZjNmMmJlZGVkNTEAp13bijNK8zV_8zo9jMVDaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b18xNTI5NjU2MTZ8fHwxMjAweDEyMDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

MTM0ZWZjMjIyMTYxZTkwODliZGI0ZjNmMmJlZGVkNTEAp13bijNK8zV_8zo9jMVDaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b18xNTI5NjU2MTZ8fHwxMjAweDEyMDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mint-1-owner-service-history-3-months-warranty/25548337

Not too far from Limerick, asking price is a bit high but it looks mint so worth seeing if you could haggle it done a bit especially if you can live without the warranty.

colm_mcm · 08-08-2020 8:42am

Wonder why it’s got the wrong wheels?
It looks very tidy to be fair.

JustLen · 10-08-2020 12:14am

colm_mcm wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-avensis-strata/25483316

Some of these had full resprays on warranty, the paint on this one looks super tidy so might have got it.

Obvs it’s 3 owners and not 1 as stated on the ad.

Incase you were thinking of looking at this don't bother. Absolute scrap.

It looks nothing like the pics, there must be a filter on the photos.

1. Paint fading
2. Scratches/marks on nearly every panel and the paint feels as rough as sand.

3. Fag burns on both front seats and in headliner
4. Stinks of cigarette smoke
5. Driver seatbelt doesn't work/ click in
6. The steering wheel is almost 90 degrees off centre when car is driving straight

7. One or more bearing or something making a scratchy metallic noise

8. Break pads down to nothing, metallic screech when you use the breaks.

9. Smell of exhaust fumes in the cabin
10. Missing the main key only has the second grey key.

All of this from a 90 second test drive.

The owner was highly offended that I wouldn't buy it. He told me the car was mechanically perfect before I went to see it.

Might save you a trip :-D

MiketheMechanic · 11-08-2020 10:51am

JustLen wrote: »

Incase you were thinking of looking at this don't bother. Absolute scrap.

It looks nothing like the pics, there must be a filter on the photos.

1. Paint fading
2. Scratches/marks on nearly every panel and the paint feels as rough as sand.

3. Fag burns on both front seats and in headliner
4. Stinks of cigarette smoke
5. Driver seatbelt doesn't work/ click in
6. The steering wheel is almost 90 degrees off centre when car is driving straight

7. One or more bearing or something making a scratchy metallic noise

8. Break pads down to nothing, metallic screech when you use the breaks.

9. Smell of exhaust fumes in the cabin
10. Missing the main key only has the second grey key.

All of this from a 90 second test drive.

The owner was highly offended that I wouldn't buy it. He told me the car was mechanically perfect before I went to see it.

Might save you a trip :-D

Thanks Len. I hate when stuff like that happens.

I've widened my search to include a Kia Ceed or Hyundai coupe or similar.

If anyone sees something, let me know.

Thanks

Mad_Mike · 11-08-2020 1:28pm

While you might fit 2 car seats in the rear of a Hyundai Coupe, if they are any way bulky at all, you'll lose legroom in the front when you have to slide the seat forward to fit the car seats

MDY3MWZjNDc3MGYyOTM3YjhhNzU4MmNjZmU2ZmE2Y2LYq8a-hiLfAfa58kZOx2kuaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b18xNTM0NTIwNjR8fHw2MDB4NjAwfHx8fHx8fHw=.jpeg

2008 Volvo S40 with low mileage
Taxed for a couple of months and NCT to March 2021
Asking €1950

ZTM0NjYyNDE2M2QxYTJmNTM0YWE0YjAxOGIzOGY1MDTaBPkZRWXckA5VOZtYBrJjaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b18xNTMxNTQwNjZ8fHw2MDB4NjAwfHx8fHx8fHw=.jpeg

Tidy looking 2009 Octavia
It's the 1.4 petrol which is underpowered compared to the 1.6, but if it's only for a few months...
You'd tax it for 3 months for just over €300, but it's taxed until the end of December and NCT until next April with the Covid 4 months
Asking 1999

colm_mcm · 11-08-2020 7:02pm

Mad_Mike wrote: »

While you might fit 2 car seats in the rear of a Hyundai Coupe, if they are any way bulky at all, you'll lose legroom in the front when you have to slide the seat forward to fit the car seats

Handiest is to put them in via the rear hatch

selectamatic · 11-08-2020 7:16pm

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-verso-7-seater-tested-09-21/25529296

Cheap enough yet pretty clean 05 corolla verso 7 seater here. Good test on it. Asking €950

There's always a niche demand for petrol people carriers so selling on shouldn't be too much hassle.

MiketheMechanic · 11-08-2020 7:25pm

selectamatic wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-verso-7-seater-tested-09-21/25529296

Cheap enough yet pretty clean 05 corolla verso 7 seater here. Good test on it. Asking €950

There's always a niche demand for petrol people carriers so selling on shouldn't be too much hassle.

What's that 1.6 engine like?
Anything to watch out for?

selectamatic · 11-08-2020 7:31pm

MiketheMechanic wrote: »

What's that 1.6 engine like?
Anything to watch out for?

Grand same as the avensis one a bit underpowered but adequate for tipping about.

Oil burning can occur if they're very neglected but in general they're pretty indestructible.

Gearbox bearings aren't the strongest but again this wouldn't be a widespread issue. If it drives, gets to temp properly, changes gear normally and stops it'd be hard go too far wrong.

The body looks pretty clean on the above one which is rare cos they're normally rough at this stage.

colm_mcm · 11-08-2020 7:35pm

Corolla Verso without aircon is painful.

Mad_Mike · 11-08-2020 8:27pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Handiest is to put them in via the rear hatch

Apologies. My wording wasn't great Colm.
I meant if they are a bulky car seat, you might need to keep either of the front seats moved forward to create rear room and that would affect the front legroom

MiketheMechanic · 18-08-2020 10:30pm

Still looking.

This one is a bit of a long shot.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/car/25517405
2008 Tiida 1.6

Does anyone know anything about that 1.6 engine? Good/bad etc?
MtM

colm_mcm · 18-08-2020 10:42pm

I traded one in many years ago and it was full of petrol so I hustled it around for a week.
It was annoyingly good. They’re as ugly as sin and the interior is pretty cheesy but underneath all that they’re a pretty good car and they’re usually very well equipped

MiketheMechanic · 18-08-2020 10:59pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

I traded one in many years ago and it was full of petrol so I hustled it around for a week.
It was annoyingly good. They’re as ugly as sin and the interior is pretty cheesy but underneath all that they’re a pretty good car and they’re usually very well equipped

Would need a brown paper bag with holes for the eyes for driving it all right, LOL.

Is the engine, belt or chain I wonder?

colm_mcm · 18-08-2020 11:06pm

Almost certain it’s timing chain.

bazz26 · 18-08-2020 11:19pm

They have a chain and they can rattle. Nissan had trouble with the timing chains on their petrol engines back then. Petrol Qashqai and Micra were the same.

MiketheMechanic · 18-08-2020 11:40pm

Just since we are talking about chains, for the 1.6 Avensis petrols 07 era - are they all chain-driven also?
Do they give any trouble as mileages creep up over 150k miles?

gerardk55 · 19-08-2020 11:28am

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-mazda-6-1-8-petrol/25602124

Have you considered a Mazda 6? 1.8 petrol was very solid, although can burn a little oil at higher mileages. Rust and sticky brake calipers were usual culprits.

colm_mcm · 21-08-2020 8:08am

MiketheMechanic wrote: »

Just since we are talking about chains, for the 1.6 Avensis petrols 07 era - are they all chain-driven also?
Do they give any trouble as mileages creep up over 150k miles?

All chain since 2000. No real issues.

Polo_Cluvie · 21-08-2020 11:41am

Agree 100% great cars. Tax is a little on the high side but they go forever. Nice to drive and very comfortable. Downside as you stated sticky callipers and if you need to get anything from the main dealers parts are very expensive

MiketheMechanic · 30-08-2020 11:41pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

All chain since 2000. No real issues.

Thanks everyone who took the time to reply, especially @colm_mcm.
I took my time and last week bought a privately owned 2007 1.6 Avensis Strata as suggested.
Same owner last 5 years. Very clean, taxed and tested. Everything working as it should.

Driven over 250km since I got it. So far, so good.

A lot of car for the money.

avensis.jpg
avansis 2.jpg

MtM

colm_mcm · 31-08-2020 9:55am

One of my favourite colours - Brocade Red. Looks great when it’s polished up. Well wear.

MiketheMechanic · 31-08-2020 10:42am

colm_mcm wrote: »

One of my favourite colours - Brocade Red. Looks great when it’s polished up. Well wear.

It came up surprisingly well after a wash and a wax.
Looks like a more expensive car than it is.

Thanks for the excellent advice.
MtM

MiketheMechanic · 06-11-2020 11:00pm

As I mentioned at the start of my thread, I wanted a reliable car to keep me motoring for a few months while a new car was being sourced from the UK.

Well, my new car is arriving next week, so sadly, I'll be putting the Avensis up for sale.
I've been genuinely impressed by it. Roomy, reliable and comfortable.
Looks well and goes well and good on petrol for a 1.6.
Mint inside and body is very straight outside.
The kids loved it on the school run because of the airy high seating position.

Only 136k miles.
In my ownership I put on 2 new tyres, and fitted a new clutch as it was showing signs of wear. So that's all sorted for the next owner.
I put it through the NCT and it's tested until 4th October 2021.
If anyone needs a nice reliable, well sorted Avensis Strata to keep them motoring for the coming months or years, you could do a lot worse.
There's even a towbar

I'll be putting it in the boardsies cars for sale thread shortly.

Thanks again to @colm_mcm for the excellent advice.

MtM

MiketheMechanic wrote: »

Thanks everyone who took the time to reply, especially @colm_mcm.
I took my time and last week bought a privately owned 2007 1.6 Avensis Strata as suggested.
Same owner last 5 years. Very clean, taxed and tested. Everything working as it should.

Driven over 250km since I got it. So far, so good.

A lot of car for the money.

avensis.jpg
avansis 2.jpg

MtM

Reliable taxed tested petrol bangernomics car up to €1750 - Limerick area

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