Buying advice

[SHR]

Hi,

 

I'm interested in buying a 1.6 diesel Honda crv 2016-2018.

 

My budget is anything between 10k to 20k depending on how much I can save before my wife is due in 5 months and if I get the rest on finance (if it makes sense to). I've never spent more than 3k on buying a car so I really would like to get this right as I've bought some right lemons before while others have been surprisingly solid.

 

I used to have a high mileage manual 2006 civic previously and found out afterwards that commonly the gearboxes start failing from 70k miles onwards so when purchasing a crv are there any mechanical issues I should look out for at a certain mileages??

 

Which are more reliable manual or auto??

 

I would really like to get an EX model. I figured if I'm spending I might as well get something with all the bells and whistles or would I be just as happy with an SE model?? I wouldn't get an S model as I'd want parking sensors.

 

I've seen some 2016 EX models with less than 60k for sale for under £16k could I do better??

 

Also should I avoid purchasing vehicles from Ireland?? They seem to be cheaper over there. I understand I'd have to get it back over which is a cost but other than this is there any reason(s) I should avoid buying from Ireland??

 

Someone once told me to avoid buying cars from Scotland due to something about salt causing rust. Is there any basis for this??

 

Thank you in advance for any help on this.