Daily smoker for approx. £1500
Discussion
Right, just sorted myself with a job and next it will be my OH's turn to secure a job. Likelyhood is our commutes won't be in the same direction (though we may be lucky and one of us might only need to walk to work!) and on that assumption, I'm going to need a second set of wheels.
As we'll also be moving house in the not too distant future I have decided that maybe this car can have a second use as a pack mule. So I am looking for an Estate smoker of the following attributes:
Fuel: My preference here would be petrol, though am happy to consider a diesel that has a good reputation.
Aspiration: Naturally aspirated as a preference, to remove some expensive components from the "might go bang list". Again happy to consider turbo engines that have good reps, and obviously have little choice if its a diesel.
Gearbox: Preference would be manual for reduction of bork and better economy, though the latter isn't such a worry. Again, known good auto boxes are welcome, but I know some variants can be a bit flakey.
Economy: As above, not a big issue really. Somewhere around the 30's as an average would be fine, I wouldn't be averse to some high 20's action though. Combined that is.
Extras: Not arsed, cruise would be nice. Body condition matters not, so long as there isn't chronic rust, the car can have dents and scrapes on every single panel for all I care.
With those in mind I have had a look on AT and come up with the following:
Volvo V70s in both the set-square shape of the later 90's and the more rounded shape of the noughties examples. Seemingly a range of engines to pick from as I can find both variants with the 2.3 T or the 2.4 NA, there is also a 2.5 T as well. All are 5 cylinders (NICE!) however the vast majority are automatics which worries me as I have heard the auto boxes on the later style cars aren't the best. I also heard electrics are not among their finer points.
I have no idea what the D5 engines are like.
Laguna phase 2 tourers.... then I came to my senses
VAG Passats or A4/6s. I know the 1.9 PD TDI engines are solid (ran a superb with the 130 version well past 160k miles) so diesel examples are fine and plentiful. There are a few decent looking petrol models about, mostly 2.0 petrols and the odd 1.8T. Audi's tend to be older or more spartan, but I am guessing most of these choices will be mechanically sound. There is also the option of Skoda Octavia hatches and estates (the hatch has an enormous boot as it is!) with various 1.9 TDi, 1.8 T and 4x4 combinations and interestingly you can find a fair number of VRS examples below < 2k as well.
BMW 3/5er - not sure to be honest. For the money a lot of these look ropey as do the Mercedes equivalents.
Peugeot - Not normally the last word in reliability, however I know the older 406's with the 2.0 HDi engines can be absolutely solid for multiple 100k miles. A friends dad had one and it was still going well at over 200 k miles. Only a few to chose from, but they seem like a good bet.
Ford Mondeo - should consider it because it is huge and there are plenty of them about, though they just don't do anything for me. I'd prefer one of the above.
so can anyone weigh in with comments on the above or maybe suggest alternatives? Does anyone know what the major things to look out for are and what spec combinations are the best to find?
Thanks
As we'll also be moving house in the not too distant future I have decided that maybe this car can have a second use as a pack mule. So I am looking for an Estate smoker of the following attributes:
Fuel: My preference here would be petrol, though am happy to consider a diesel that has a good reputation.
Aspiration: Naturally aspirated as a preference, to remove some expensive components from the "might go bang list". Again happy to consider turbo engines that have good reps, and obviously have little choice if its a diesel.
Gearbox: Preference would be manual for reduction of bork and better economy, though the latter isn't such a worry. Again, known good auto boxes are welcome, but I know some variants can be a bit flakey.
Economy: As above, not a big issue really. Somewhere around the 30's as an average would be fine, I wouldn't be averse to some high 20's action though. Combined that is.
Extras: Not arsed, cruise would be nice. Body condition matters not, so long as there isn't chronic rust, the car can have dents and scrapes on every single panel for all I care.
With those in mind I have had a look on AT and come up with the following:
Volvo V70s in both the set-square shape of the later 90's and the more rounded shape of the noughties examples. Seemingly a range of engines to pick from as I can find both variants with the 2.3 T or the 2.4 NA, there is also a 2.5 T as well. All are 5 cylinders (NICE!) however the vast majority are automatics which worries me as I have heard the auto boxes on the later style cars aren't the best. I also heard electrics are not among their finer points.
I have no idea what the D5 engines are like.
Laguna phase 2 tourers.... then I came to my senses
VAG Passats or A4/6s. I know the 1.9 PD TDI engines are solid (ran a superb with the 130 version well past 160k miles) so diesel examples are fine and plentiful. There are a few decent looking petrol models about, mostly 2.0 petrols and the odd 1.8T. Audi's tend to be older or more spartan, but I am guessing most of these choices will be mechanically sound. There is also the option of Skoda Octavia hatches and estates (the hatch has an enormous boot as it is!) with various 1.9 TDi, 1.8 T and 4x4 combinations and interestingly you can find a fair number of VRS examples below < 2k as well.
BMW 3/5er - not sure to be honest. For the money a lot of these look ropey as do the Mercedes equivalents.
Peugeot - Not normally the last word in reliability, however I know the older 406's with the 2.0 HDi engines can be absolutely solid for multiple 100k miles. A friends dad had one and it was still going well at over 200 k miles. Only a few to chose from, but they seem like a good bet.
Ford Mondeo - should consider it because it is huge and there are plenty of them about, though they just don't do anything for me. I'd prefer one of the above.
so can anyone weigh in with comments on the above or maybe suggest alternatives? Does anyone know what the major things to look out for are and what spec combinations are the best to find?
Thanks
Otispunkmeyer said:
9-5 estate looks like it could either be trouble or be fine. The 2.3T's seem to be the ones to avoid? What are the 2.2 TiD's like?
Do your research again - you've seen the wrong one.2.3 T's are fine with regular oil changes and fully synthetic oil It was the Light Pressure Turbo which originally had the wrong spec oil in the service schedule. Aero (or HOT) always had fully synthetic.
surveyor said:
Otispunkmeyer said:
9-5 estate looks like it could either be trouble or be fine. The 2.3T's seem to be the ones to avoid? What are the 2.2 TiD's like?
Do your research again - you've seen the wrong one.2.3 T's are fine with regular oil changes and fully synthetic oil It was the Light Pressure Turbo which originally had the wrong spec oil in the service schedule. Aero (or HOT) always had fully synthetic.
V70 is currently favourite I have to say, they look supremely comfortable.
I would have a 850 or V70 2.3 t5 engine myself, wouldn't care about the autobox as long as you are willing to compromise slightly on the MPG.
Vauxhall signum are pretty massive inside with the seats flat, not very interesting but loads of toys.
A nice 9-5: here
MG ZT
Vauxhall signum are pretty massive inside with the seats flat, not very interesting but loads of toys.
A nice 9-5: here
MG ZT
VolvoT5 said:
I would have a 850 or V70 2.3 t5 engine myself, wouldn't care about the autobox as long as you are willing to compromise slightly on the MPG.
Vauxhall signum are pretty massive inside with the seats flat, not very interesting but loads of toys.
A nice 9-5: here
MG ZT
Ahh yes, the signum is a good shout actually because the room in the back is immense. A useful thing to have IMO.Vauxhall signum are pretty massive inside with the seats flat, not very interesting but loads of toys.
A nice 9-5: here
MG ZT
EDIT: Really like the signum in black with dark windows. Looks pretty slick. What is the 3.2 V6 like (there is a cheap one not too far)? couple of 1.9 CDTi 150's and then a mixture of 2.2 NA and 2.0T versions. Would prefer a petrol I think, unless the diesel is known to be very reliable. I guess servicing on the V6 might be expensive, but then again if its GM engine it might also be pretty robust.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Wednesday 16th April 19:33
Otispunkmeyer said:
Ahh yes, the signum is a good shout actually because the room in the back is immense. A useful thing to have IMO.
EDIT: Really like the signum in black with dark windows. Looks pretty slick. What is the 3.2 V6 like (there is a cheap one not too far)? couple of 1.9 CDTi 150's and then a mixture of 2.2 NA and 2.0T versions. Would prefer a petrol I think, unless the diesel is known to be very reliable. I guess servicing on the V6 might be expensive, but then again if its GM engine it might also be pretty robust.
I think the V6 petrol is bound to be thirsty? Generally VX diesels of that era don't have a great reputation... The 3.0 V6 diesel is an Isuzu engine I think, but very expensive for parts and labour, not very economical and not much more performance than the 1.9 150. Get a petrol.EDIT: Really like the signum in black with dark windows. Looks pretty slick. What is the 3.2 V6 like (there is a cheap one not too far)? couple of 1.9 CDTi 150's and then a mixture of 2.2 NA and 2.0T versions. Would prefer a petrol I think, unless the diesel is known to be very reliable. I guess servicing on the V6 might be expensive, but then again if its GM engine it might also be pretty robust.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Wednesday 16th April 19:33
Edited by VolvoT5 on Wednesday 16th April 20:44
I bought a £1450 Volvo V70 2.4 n/a 170bhp 16 months ago. I've tried so hard to like it, but it just keeps throwing too many problems at me. The cruise control stopped working, along with the air-con (though I bought in January so couldn't really test it). It requires a replacement shock absorber, wishbone bushes on both sides have perished, a belt tensioner is getting very noisy, an ABS sensor has just gone, an engine core plug needed replacing, the crankshaft oil seal seems to be leaking a lot of oil, the alarm doesn't work and the dash is giving a message about the airbag requiring servicing although this isn't an MOT failure.
Despite all this it's still a nice car to waft around in. Makes a great noise over 3000rpm and is of course massive. Just do your research before you buy one. A poorly maintained one could cost you a lot of money. I'm ditching mine and going back to a trusty Mk1 Focus.
Oh, you're welcome to buy mine. Just ignore what I wrote above
Despite all this it's still a nice car to waft around in. Makes a great noise over 3000rpm and is of course massive. Just do your research before you buy one. A poorly maintained one could cost you a lot of money. I'm ditching mine and going back to a trusty Mk1 Focus.
Oh, you're welcome to buy mine. Just ignore what I wrote above
Can't beat a saab 9-5 for longevity. Mines currently on 156k and still going strong (touches wood!). People on the saab forums are running stage 1-3 tuned Aeros with well over 200k on them! Rapid too. Quicker than anything similar unless it's got an M or RS badge. Nothing as fast for so little money. Rock solid engine.
mnkiboy said:
I bought a £1450 Volvo V70 2.4 n/a 170bhp 16 months ago. I've tried so hard to like it, but it just keeps throwing too many problems at me. The cruise control stopped working, along with the air-con (though I bought in January so couldn't really test it). It requires a replacement shock absorber, wishbone bushes on both sides have perished, a belt tensioner is getting very noisy, an ABS sensor has just gone, an engine core plug needed replacing, the crankshaft oil seal seems to be leaking a lot of oil, the alarm doesn't work and the dash is giving a message about the airbag requiring servicing although this isn't an MOT failure.
Despite all this it's still a nice car to waft around in. Makes a great noise over 3000rpm and is of course massive. Just do your research before you buy one. A poorly maintained one could cost you a lot of money. I'm ditching mine and going back to a trusty Mk1 Focus.
Oh, you're welcome to buy mine. Just ignore what I wrote above
Sounds like you picked a good'un! Was it obviously a bit worn out or did it look like it was in good nick? Some decent service history sounds like a must!Despite all this it's still a nice car to waft around in. Makes a great noise over 3000rpm and is of course massive. Just do your research before you buy one. A poorly maintained one could cost you a lot of money. I'm ditching mine and going back to a trusty Mk1 Focus.
Oh, you're welcome to buy mine. Just ignore what I wrote above
So for SAAB then, I have to look at the 2.3 hot/ aero versions and not the standard 185 HP versions? Those are light pressure turbos aren't they?
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Thursday 17th April 13:52
Otispunkmeyer said:
9-5 estate looks like it could either be trouble or be fine. The 2.3T's seem to be the ones to avoid? What are the 2.2 TiD's like?
I Bought a 1999 2.3t petrol model with 135k on the clock. Ran it for over two years and aside from a service (I did myself) it cost me one set of part worn tyres. Fantastic car and fabulous engine.Nothing went wrong, sold it with 165k and was still running great. Flew through 3 MOT's and no advisories.
Everyone talks about the engines gunking up, but by now these have generally been sorted. A sump drop and clean is only about £150 from an indy for peace of mind anyway!
To be honest I took a bit of a chance on it, as it was up for a good price for an 03 plate. Service history was spot on.
My mistake was to test drive it in the snow of January 2013! On dry roads, the worn suspension components would have been noticeable. Not a bad car by any means and it never let me down, but like any big heavy car it goes through suspension bushes regularly and the electrical niggles take the shine off it.
My mistake was to test drive it in the snow of January 2013! On dry roads, the worn suspension components would have been noticeable. Not a bad car by any means and it never let me down, but like any big heavy car it goes through suspension bushes regularly and the electrical niggles take the shine off it.
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