Sold diesel going back to petrol

[hornetrider]

V88Dicky said:

189bhp Toyota Corolla T-Sport.

Don't knock 'em 'til you've tried 'em.

That's the first time I've ever seen Tasty and Corolla in the same sentence.

[FredClogs]

I'd be interested to know what problems and big bills you had with your diesel car.

[scarble]

Firstly, welcome back to the world of proper cars, other PHers may take you seriously now

Buuut.. all them in your list have got whirlygiggers, get something N/A, more engaging, more proper drivers car, less to go wrong, cheaper and easier when it does.
CTR or Clio 1*2 are the only options. HTH.

[TheAllSeeingPie]

macp said:

Some interesting cars here dicky but I should have said it needs to be 5dr or estate.

Comfort, speed and space for the dog: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[anonymous-user]

the 1.8t is a nice engine, not the most frugal, you can easily get into the 20's with strong right foot action.

I would go for the A3 quattro not driven one but offers a lot in the winter months.

[bodhi]

I've recently done the same, not becuase of potential bills as my 330d was pretty solid, but more for the smell, lack of rev range and lacking soundtrack with the diesel. Swapped it for a 125i and haven't once though - "Oooh I miss my diesel". Difference in fuel costs are around £25 a month, insurance is cheaper, engine in 100x smoother and better to drive. Unless my circumstances change drastically, I will never be buying another diesel.

In your circumstances OP I would probably look at an E46 330i Touring. A couple of things to look for but nothing that will ruin your day. My E46 ran like a train for 50k miles, if it was a 330i I would probably still have it.

[gazchap]

V88Dicky said:

189bhp Toyota Corolla T-Sport.

Don't knock 'em 'til you've tried 'em.

I've tried one (and after I had the 2ZZ'd Celica T-Sport) - it was chuffing awful.

[spats]

A choice I'm also considering as my mileage is less than it used to be. Oly doing 24 miles there and home now.

I like the 1.8t engine, but look out for noise from the opposite end to the cambelt when cold. This will be the chain tensioner starting to fail generally.

The cambelt only drives one camshalf, the other is linked ot that shalf by a chain which uses a tensioner driven by oil pressure. Its not too expensive labour wise, but there are 2 versions of the part for different ages of the engine. The later part costs the best part of 500 quid!

That along with coil packs failing, and regular oil changes and they seem reasonable. Not that friendly to the mpg figures though

[Kitchski]

Alfa 156 V6 (with change)
Honda Accord/Civic Type-R
Mondeo ST220
MG ZT
Is a Mazda 6 MPS in budget?
Volvo S60/V70 R

I can think of loads of cars I'd rather have than anything with a dullard 1.8T in it. If I had a gun to my head I'd probably have an Octavia VRS or Leon Cupra R. Driven both, and they're hugely boring but they do the job well enough. I'd just rather enjoy the drive at the same time!

[Kozy]

macp said:

Kozy said:

Does it have to be VAG blandness?

Not really its just what I have been used to for years to be honest.

I would strongly suggest a move away and give some other marques a try. Although they're thoroughly good cars, I've found VAG's past the Mk2 16v GTI I had to bland as anything, they might as well have been diesels for all the excitement they gave!

As mentioned, something like CTR or a RenaultSport would be good, much more fizz and engagement!

[Matt_N]

macp said:

Basically we got brassed off with the big repair bills and the threat of further big bills so decided to go back to petrol.This is therefore a thinly disguised what car thread.

Im thinking of the following choices wih a budget of up to,yes you guessed it 3k.

Audi A3 1.8T sport/quattro
VW Golf Mk4 GTi 1.8T
Skoda Octavia VRS 1.8T
Skoda Octavia 2.0 FSI Sport

As ever would be interested in your thoughts/comments.Thankyou in advance

The 1.8T engines have just as much potenital for big bills as a diesel:

- Dual mass flywheel
- Turbo
- A myriad of sensors controlling everything, inc coilpacks, MAFs, crank position etc
- Variable valve timing
- A shakey electrical system leading to fan issues, dash issues

My Golf 1.8T was the worst car I've owned, I was fixing a different fault every week.

Get a VAGCOM cable is all I can say if you're gonna get one, you'll need it

[cib24]

The obvious choice for a family estate vehicle under £3k that will be utterly reliable is a Honda Accord 2.4 or 2.0 petrol estate:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

At 100k miles these engines are hardly broken in. My last Honda Civic was still going strong at 335,000 mikes when I sold it a few years ago.

[macp]

Thanks all for the interest and helpful comments.I was considering the Accord as I had heard they were bombproof also the 330i touring is a very interesting idea.I think as somebody here suggested going for an N/A engine would remove even more potential issues.

[Atmospheric]

cib24 said:

The obvious choice for a family estate vehicle under £3k that will be utterly reliable is a Honda Accord 2.4 or 2.0 petrol estate:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

At 100k miles these engines are hardly broken in. My last Honda Civic was still going strong at 335,000 mikes when I sold it a few years ago.

The 2.4 one of those has reasonable pep - 195hp IIRC.

[Atmospheric]

I think a decent E46 Touring with any of the sixes would be an excellent compromise as mentioned before.

Keep N/A for maximum predictability. Good choice to move from derv, I reckon. Something we will see alot more of in the next year or so.

[TheAngryDog]

Im shocked that no one has said to get a Mazda MX-5, despite one not meeting the OP's requirements

[macp]

I like the E46 touring but also what about,and I know im going VAG again Golf 2.8 V6 4 motion or Audi 3.0 quattro avant.No turbo but there is the 4 wheel drive to be concerned about I guess although the quattro drivetrain is supposed to be strong.

[andrewparker]

I love Golfs, have one now and have had 6 previously, but the MK4 wasn't a great car, in any guise IMO. I actually moved to an E46 325Ci from a MK4 V5 and it was a world apart dynamically.

[austinsmirk]

I'll bite as a fan of the tractor fuel

20 years of driving diesels now. Not a single bit of bother over a highly diverse vehicle range.

Petrol and 20 ish mpg urban again chugging about. Not a chance.

[macp]

andrewparker said:

I love Golfs, have one now and have had 6 previously, but the MK4 wasn't a great car, in any guise IMO. I actually moved to an E46 325Ci from a MK4 V5 and it was a world apart dynamically.

Yes you just reminded me of a Golf Mk4 GTI I had some time ago and gave an excellent impression of a pogo stick when the road got bumpy.

Hard this innit