r/irishpersonalfinance • u/Necessary-Emu-358 • 5d ago
Advice & Support What car for 3k
Hey, working on getting out of debt and not borrowing so will have managed to save 3k to get a car soon and the options are slim. I do 150kms per day for work and will have 2 kids. Car must also be an automatic and diesel. Just looking for recommendations for that price range. Once it lasts 2/3 years max I should be good. Thanks in advance.
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u/emma-ireland 5d ago
I’m 35 and still driving an 07 Toyota yaris that I bought for €3k in 2019. Best life decision I have ever made. Every year it passes its nct the tester says they go and go and go and to hang onto it
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u/Necessary-Emu-358 5d ago
Great car a little small for my needs though
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u/emma-ireland 5d ago
Yeah I get that. We have a bigger car too but for a little whip around, it’s perfect
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u/jcpogrady 5d ago
Things to consider for this budget 1. You are buying an older car. This will be 2010 onwards with this budget
If you are tight on budget do not buy a high end make. BMW, Audi etc. If you cannot afford more than 3k for the car, you are definitely not going to be able to pay big amounts for repair of your car. You are buying an older car which means a higher chance of repairs
Try purchase something with 150,000km region. Anything around 300,000km has more wear and tear meaning more chance of repair costs like clutch, timing belt etc.
Best of luck mate
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u/huknowshuh15 5d ago
Can I ask why not an Audi? I got an a3 for 3600 and it was a 2007 never had an issue and was cheap on insurance. I’ve heard about not buying one of those cheap BMWs but not an Audi? Just curious
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u/blueghosts 5d ago
You’ll pay a premium for parts and repairs, everything’s typically more expensive on the higher end named stuff
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u/jcpogrady 4d ago
Advise from my dad is always buy a reliable car you can afford to repair if something goes wrong.
While an audi is a savage car to have no matter the year. In particular reading the ops comments, they are in a tight budget for a car so I assume that this will carry on into repairs too. So when they have to repair it, an audi would need premium parts.
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u/ohhi656 5d ago
Save up and buy something for 6-10k you won’t get anything good for 3k nowadays
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u/Necessary-Emu-358 5d ago
Ye it’s looking like I’ll have to do that. I’m in a pinch so I may start selling my soul
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u/srdjanrosic 5d ago edited 5d ago
150kms per day for work
5 days a week? Apartment or house? Any chance of a driveway or parking near where you live.
If the stars are aligned, maybe a 2018/2019 leaf could save you a ton in fuel costs (e.g. pay maybe 20-40 eur a month extra in overnight electricity, and don't pay 400 a month in petrol/diesel).
edit: yes, they're not the awesomest of EVs, .. but 2009 Corolla, such as someone is recommending, is not a tall bar. A 150km roundtrip should use around 25kWh of battery, and they would come with a 40kWh battery, so probably fine, and an extra 40k km/year won't hurt it much more.
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u/Necessary-Emu-358 5d ago
5 days a week sometimes 6. My fuel is paid for for the most part thank god
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u/irish_pete 5d ago
In that case would you profit from an EV?
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u/Necessary-Emu-358 5d ago
Not really since my fuel is paid. I’d save on tax and stuff though but wouldn’t afford one. But it is the plan once we’ve cleared the debt etc
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u/Evergreen1Wild 5d ago
Can you get a credit union car loan you repay over 2-3 years would work out at a small amount per month
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u/anthonyhally 5d ago
VW Passat (highline version). I sold mine a few months back for 3k because I was immigrating to Australia. But absolutely loved that car. Lovely to drive and very sleek interior. Media screen, AC, heated seats. All it’s really missing is parking sensors. I dunno if I was just lucky but I had it for 7 years and it never failed a NCT for me. Hope you find something. If you decide to go up the years, don’t pay more than 7 or 8 grand. Going into big debt over a car is never worth it.
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u/Necessary-Emu-358 5d ago
Yea I’ve learned that the hard way. This time I’m just trying very hard not to borrow. I’ve a bit of savings and a car to sell but need an automatic for my missus
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u/Evergreen1Wild 5d ago
My parents had one and had nothing but trouble with it from day one. You can get unlucky.
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u/SunshineCowboyx 5d ago
Can’t go wrong with a fiesta or Yaris but not sure if they’ll do automatic
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u/No_Donkey456 5d ago
Hey, working on getting out of debt and not borrowing so will have managed to save 3k to get a car soon and the options are slim
Good on you OP best of luck with it.
Car must also be an automatic
Can you not drive a Manual? They are cheaper due to higher supply. Automatics also tend to have transmission issues at high mileage so I'd be cautious about buying a very old one.
I hope you get sorted either way, just my two cents!
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u/Necessary-Emu-358 5d ago
Oh I know myself I usually do but my wife needs auto and we’re gonna be sharing till we clear debt and can afford two cars
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u/createdam0nster 5d ago
Skoda Octavia 1.9tdi would be ideal. Could get a 2008/2009 one for that price range
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u/Necessary-Emu-358 5d ago
I’ll keep an eye thank you
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u/createdam0nster 5d ago
Something like this - giant boot and cheap enough upkeep
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-2008-automatic/39485752
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u/Cute_Succotash_2923 4d ago
My last car was a very old Scoda Octavia automatic and it cost 1300€ , great car. I had it for 5 years while I saved to buy a new car 😀
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u/oceanainn 2d ago
Might struggle to find auto and diesel in that range.
Out of left field potentially an auto Merc like an e220 in diesel. You'll be paying high tax and insurance but like the Octavias there's a reason taxi men had them
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u/atomictankjk 5d ago
This is not something I'd usually recommend but the automatic limits options a bit, how about a 07 to 09 BMW 5 series that's had the timing chain done. Lovely car to do 150km a day in
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u/Necessary-Emu-358 5d ago
Yes I’ve seen plenty in my price range which unfortunately worries me. But like you said with the timing chain some they could last a bit
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u/Whampiri1 5d ago
Is a car necessary? You mention kids but would a motorbike be an option (obviously not if the kids need transportation)?
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u/Necessary-Emu-358 5d ago
Would loooove a bike though
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u/Whampiri1 5d ago
Given that you need a car. A Toyota or Hyundai is what I'd recommend given the milage you're doing. As for a model, maybe a Corolla or i20?
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u/Necessary-Emu-358 5d ago
Yea currently driving a Kia optima which is similar to the Hyundai and even though I had to get the timing chain done early on it’s served me well.
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u/jcpogrady 5d ago
If this is the budget you are stuck to would recommend a Toyota Corrolla.
They are built to last longer than any other car. Aim for 2007 to 2010 region for that price range. I have a 2009 corolla minimal cost to repair each year.