January 14, 2015
Back to school used car options on a budget
With the sound of the school bell beginning to chim, The VMS expert has been doing some homework on lesser explored cars to suit all family types and budgets.
Choosing the right car for your circumstances is a lot more difficult than it immediately appears. Contingencies need to be factored in and with used cars becoming increasingly scarce; getting a bargain is not as easy as it has been in previous years. Still, there are some great alternatives to the ubiquitous 7 seater MPVs out there and this article will focus on some of the lesser considered options. Furthermore, many families’ budget restrictions render the task of finding the right car even more tedious. For this reason, I will concentrate on vehicles in two bands; those under €8,000 and those between €8,000 and €12,000.
Children: one to two Budget: under €8,000
Unless you clock up more than 20,000 kilometres annually then petrol cars should not only be on the table but should be given the most elbow room. Firstly, they were more plentiful before everyone jumped on the diesel bandwagon in 2008 but petrol cars also represent some of the best value for money in the market today. Size should not be a restriction either. Doubtless there are those of you out there that remember embarking on the school run in a Fiat 126 or original Toyota Starlet and they didn’t do you any harm, did they? Take a look at Mazda’s 2 or Opel’s Corsa. Both tend to come in slightly cheaper than the range topping Ford Fiesta or Toyota Yaris and don’t require sacrifices in terms of space or refinement. Expect to pick up a 2009 Mazda 2 in Touring specification for circa €8,000.
If you prefer something from the segment above the super-mini class then you can do no wrong buying a model from one of the major players’ selection. Ford’s Focus, the Toyota Auris or Corolla, Volkswagen’s Golf, Opel’s Astra are all fine choices. However, don’t limit yourself to these options alone and take a peek at what Hyundai and Kia have to offer too. In this class of vehicle, diesel usually reigns supreme so opting for petrol will ensure you get a lot of car for your money. €8,000 should buy you a 2008 Kia Cee’d or Hyundai i30 with enough change to buy some school books. If you are inflexible about owning a diesel then you should expect having to fork out the same amount for an older model of the aforementioned collection.
Children: one to two Budget: €8,000 to €12,000
In the interest of keeping things simple – the same suggestions apply here as they do the category above. The major difference however is that you can obviously afford to purchase a newer model. This inherently has added benefits of purchasing a car with lower mileage and with lesser owners in presumably better condition. It also means that warranty periods for the most-part will remain valid. Diesel Nissan Qashqais now come into the equation as do the outgoing Seat Leon 1.6 TDi. Push hard enough and you could pick up a 2010 Seat Leon for circa €12,000.
Children: three Budget: under €8,000
This is a tough one but thankfully this country loves it’s saloon cars so it is here that I will concentrate. The most useful tip I can offer in this category is to go for a saloon shape but in a 5 door hatchback variant. Most saloons have a 5 door version either called a lift-back (in the case of Toyota’s Avensis) or hatchback (Mazda 6). In either case, they provide greater boot space and in my opinion look sportier too. If motor tax isn’t a major concern (and to be perfectly honest, it shouldn’t be the determining factor when buying a car) then take a close look at Mazda’s 6. For €8,000 a 2008 model should come into play. The older shape Mazda 6 is a steal at the moment and a car that causes little if any trouble. Petrol engines in the 6 were stronger than diesels and by purchasing a car that is relatively unpalatable to most owners you will not only snap up a great car but you should land yourself one hell of a deal. Also consider a 2008 Peugeot 407 1.6 Diesel. They are plentiful and while they require a little more maintenance, the Peugeot 1.6 engine is tried and tested and makes appearances in some more premium brands. Mondeos and Passats will likely be on your radar, and rightly so. But why not step outside the box a little and take a look at Toyota’s Corolla Verso from 2007. It comes with 7 seats and the 1.6 petrol engine is frugal and affordable to tax and most models sold in Ireland came in Luna spec, the highest level of standard specification in a Toyota. It’s a great option for future-proofing parents who swear they won’t have another child but who will inevitably find themselves back in the maturity ward nonetheless.
Children: three Budget: €8,000 to €12,000
With three children to contend with it is prudent to assume that boot space is eminently crucial to surviving the mid afternoon/evening sports and activities gauntlet. Luckily the motor trade in Ireland has been completely revolutionized in it’s acceptance of estates. When I was a young lad, estates were those weird hearse-type cars that only the sales representatives and undertakers drove. Now, it seems as though manufacturers haven’t got a complete range unless they have an estate in their fleet. Marketing departments the nation over have even gone to the extent of inventing more advertising-friendly names for these cars too with sports wagon, shooting break, cross wagon, tourer and sports tourer all being thrown into the mix. If increasing boot space is the goal then an estate version of a popular hatchback model such as the Renault Grand Megane and Kia Cee’d SW provides the extra room required. Expect to pick up a 2010 Grand Megane 1.5 dCi in this budget or a 2009 1.6 diesel Kia Cee’d SW. Both are great.
If more seats is the central requirement then you are now considering 7 seaters but that’s not as straightforward an option as you might think. Many 7 seat MPVs arrive in the form of a 5 + 2 seater. This essentially means that as well as the conventional 5 seat setup found in most cars there is an additional options of carrying 2 extra, and admittedly small, passengers. Expect to lose boot space when carrying a full load though.
A very popular 7 seat option in this category is the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. For €12,000 you might just sneak into a 2008 model in Dynamique spec. Such are the strength of Ford S-Max values that at this price you should only expect to go as far as a 2007 1.8 TDCi model. Still, it’s typically regarded among the best buys in this category. Depreciation at this stage will begin to stagnate and as long as you keep the car in decent condition the market will always be receptive to an affordable and well maintained MPV leaving you with enough equity to take to the upgrade for a sports car when the mid-life crisis kicks in.
Children: Four plus Budget: under €8,000
This is the ultimate challenge. My advice here is to purchase something well below your budget and use the rest to cover motor tax and servicing. Just because you have €8,000 doesn’t mean you need to spend it all. Cars in the bracket will almost certainly be in the pre-2008 motor tax class and vehicles of this nature typically have bigger engines than 1600cc. The Corolla Verso comes into play here again. As too does a 2007 1.4 petrol Volkswagen Touran. An obscure but very relevant option is to purchase a passenger version of a popular mid size van. Options in this bracket include the Renault Trafic and Opel Vivaro which come in an 8 or 9 seater options for the more pro-creative of you out there.
Children: Four plus Budget: €8,000 to €12,000
Though by no means an easy task, finding a car suitable to your needs with this amount at your disposal is infinitely easier than if you had less. Again, seven seaters are your friends here. Perhaps consider taking a look a VW Sharan for something a little different. Seat’s Alhambra is a nice option too. For €12,000 you should comfortably pick up a 2007 1.9 diesel Alhambra. These models tend to be a bit rarer so for a wider choice look at Ford’s Galaxy. If you would prefer something a bit taller you can opt for an SUV. Be careful though, as running costs are usually higher. Still, Mitsubishis Outlander comes into the equation here. It’s a 5+2 seater but if you’re an adventurous family then the added four wheel drive system might just sway it in your favour.
Crucially, any decision on the prospective school run car must take into consideration every factor from initial budget, motor tax, space for luggage, fuel efficiency, type of usage and age. Just because a car attracts an annual motor tax rate of over €600 does not necessarily mean that it is a more expensive car to run than an alternative whose tax is half that amount. Those with one or two children considering a large 7 seater SUV or MPV might be better advised to opt for a smaller and newer regular hatchback or saloon model. And remember, you don’t need to spend your entire budget to get the best car for you. Save some money on the initial outlay and ensure the car is prepared to a high standard, shod with new tyres and is maintained properly. An MPV in poor condition is more dangerous than a small hatchback in top nick.
