A complicated question

bandraoi

I'm Irish and living in London.
I've just accepted a job in the West of Ireland and I'm going to move home in 6 weeks time. I have a lot of stuff and I'm going to need a car to move. I will also need a car in my new job so it makes sense to buy one, but I've no idea how to work out the logistics. I have a full license but I've never owned a car.

Question 1:
I want the car to be a fairly steady runner and last about 2 - 3 years. It's going to need to be able to cope with a journey of 100 miles at least once a week. How much do you think I need to spend in the UK?
Any recommendations for makes/models?

(Note: to import it to Ireland the tax rate increases when you go over 1.4L so I think 1.4L is the best engine size to aim for)

Question 2:
If I do buy a car in the UK, how do I go about insuring it for the say 2 weeks before I move to Ireland?

hartcjhart

are you on about an estate car or hatchback as it will be different recomendations,

insurance can be done no problem for 2 weeks

try here
https://www.tempcover.com/default.aspx

anewman

If you want an estate car, try get a low mileage example of the newest Skoda Felicia estate. The 1.3mpi high compression will pack a little more of a punch than most 1.4 litre engines I would imagine. The rear seats remove with ease and the passenger seat is held in with 4 6mm allen key bolts, very easy to remove to put luggage in it's place. As people tend not to like Skoda's you should find a low mileage example relatively cheaply. For example http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-Skoda-Felicia-Estate-only-37000-miles-FSH-new-MOT_W0QQitemZ160216542645QQihZ006QQcategoryZ18275QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem That should last *much* longer than 3 years. Ignore any claims the Felicia is the same as a VW Polo or whatever, as they're in fact based on a Skoda designed car, the Favorit. The main VW bits in the 1.3 are the steering wheel and switches. Another benefit is they're relatively easy to work on yourself - don't know what Ireland is like for mechanics and cost, but I do hear cars over there are expensive to buy.

But most cars can cope with 100 mile journeys, they're designed to go a distance rather than a short distance.

bandraoi

An estate car would be over kill for my needs once I get home.
I used to drive a ford focus hatchback for work, and something along those lines would be good, but I have no idea about what else is out there.

I learned to drive in a punto, and I definitely wouldn't want to be driving 100miles each way once a week in a car that small. That's what I was getting at. My budget is basically the cheapest car that would work reliably for 2 - 3 years without (hopefully) needing major repairs.

I had no idea temporary car insurance existed. That'll do nicely.

hartcjhart

pug 306 1.4 is a good buy and you can pick up a decent one for round£600-£1000

also as Anewman said the skoda range saloons are good value and ultra reliable