Garages have warranties....but i will never go near one again!
2 and a half years ago bought an 04 Focus from a reputable Ford Dealer in north County Cork
paid 10k plus my 01 Fiesta!
Forward to today
a catalytic converter, 2 fuel pumps, a water pump and 31,000 miles later and I still owe them (tsb finance) 6500!!!!
And i hate the car!!! Its a hape of rubbish!

The soon to be brother in law yesterday bought an 03 Mondeo, 70,000 miles, needs a timing chain but thats it, for 1000...yes thats ONE thousand.......

Never ever ever again!!

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8170 - 11/03/2010 15:13:44    585370

think it's just ford's Liam.

Have a ford myself, recently cost me 1800 in repairs. Put 4 new tyres on it last August, front 2 eaten off it already. I know a neighbour with a 02 focus, problems last October, 500 euro, problems in December, another 500 euro, failed the NCT, catalytic converter another 400 euro. 1400 euro in 5 months.

In contrast, I've driven 2 toyotas, one for a year one for 18 months. No problems with either. You pay more up front but you don't have the annoyance of heavy maintenance costs.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6628 - 11/03/2010 16:00:25    585403

Buy mazda's lads their the exact same as a toyota just a different badge.

Don't go near citreon's I put so much money into one i had i could have bought a bmw. Gear box, head gasket twice, little tip, 3 sets of bushans, shocks, electrics to name a few.

Hag_and_Cheese (Tipperary) - Posts: 6103 - 11/03/2010 16:27:14    585453

ya HAG but rumour has it that citroen was parked in car parks all over the country, people thought it was moving cos of the bunny hops, but it was always parked at the time. no wonder it cost you.........

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6628 - 11/03/2010 16:37:47    585477

1. Always get an independent mechanic's opinion of a second hand car.
2. Just because a car is low milage doesn't mean it hasn't been abused. 30,000 miles of town/city driving is often worse than 60,000 in the country.
3. Check the service history.
4. Check the particular make and model's JD Power rating.
5. Negotiate a 12month warranty if buying a relatively new car from a dealer if they are not already offering one.

nocky (Wexford) - Posts: 2059 - 11/03/2010 17:07:20    585526

Garages are the best way as i bought cars private and all sorts went now and my latest cr from a garage and perfect touch wood it stays that way.

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 11/03/2010 17:23:35    585563

Ruanus,

What do you think ?

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 11/03/2010 17:37:39    585597

Buy a Kia car now with a seven year warranty, I am on my third one haven't had one problem TG.

Mulligan Eamonn (None) - Posts: 896 - 11/03/2010 17:44:30    585613

11/03/2010 17:37:39
Cavan_Slasher
County: Cavan
Posts: 4164

585597 Ruanus,

What do you think ?
________________
Wouldn't really know - My first car back in the 90's was second hand bought it off a garage (you might know the salesman he was a very Fast forward in his day) - had no bother with it
Any car ive had since has been new and I change it every three years so have never had to lift teh bonnet other than to put in water.

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 11/03/2010 18:05:32    585659

Slayer:

Gone to the great garage in the sky, the poor fellow i managed to sell it to drove it from galway with no water in it and when he got to limerick turned the hose on the engine... that finished it off!

Aye I used call it Hotel De la zara!!! Even had a song about it.

Hag_and_Cheese (Tipperary) - Posts: 6103 - 11/03/2010 20:03:36    585809

Bought 2006 audi A4 2.0litre diesel from the north. £9,500 sterling - 80,000 miles - full service history. Took £3000 for my old car - paid £3500 off - took credit union loan for rest. Im happy so far, touch wood!!

Brolly (Monaghan) - Posts: 4472 - 11/03/2010 20:12:18    585833

Ruanua,

I knew "Lightening" years ago but i was referring to a previous post on this !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 11/03/2010 20:28:50    585860

I've been through a few cars and I must say, its tempting to but privately as you can get a bargain, but you run the risk of buying a heap of junk. In my own experience, privately i bought,

Mercedes D190: fantastic old machine, most comfortable place ive ever sat, although it wuoldnt pull the socks of a dead man.
Opel Vectra: complete and utter piece of scrap. Never again buy opel.
Ford Fiesta: reliable. unpretty, uncomfortble, noisy but relatively reliable.
Mazda 121: Same as the fiesta really.

Through a garage
Volkswagen golf: Solid as a rock, never ever gives trouble, easy on juice.

Scruffy2Donut (Cavan) - Posts: 1112 - 11/03/2010 21:32:54    585985

If youve any sort of a reasonable knowledge of cars or have a good mechanic to look with you, then go private, plenty to be saved. If your a total novice, then a garage should give you the piece of mind of a warranty, but beware, forecourt salesmen look to see a mug coming & are just as likley to land you with a bag of bolts oif they think you are gonna be a sucker for it....

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6348 - 12/03/2010 14:14:38    586379

Liam have you got any relations over here in England who could look at a few for you. A lot are buying cars over here at the moment as they are cheaper and have usually been better looked after. Lads are buying them and flying over and taking them home on the ferry. Have a look on line and check out some prices auto trader will give you a good idea of prices over here. They sell via private and trade, you may save a few quid. If your not mechanically minded it would make sense to by from a franchised dealer as you have more chance of getting a better after sale service. You may pay a bit more but it is worth peace of mind. Often warranties can be used over in Ireland also if the car is fairly new. Food for fought......

Mancirish (UK) - Posts: 2200 - 12/03/2010 21:40:33    586938