What commute / sensible car thread

[theboyfold]

Me again

After the death of the 2nd Nissan in as many months, this one caused by a Honda Civic that thought he could brake on ice I've decided I should get a decent(ish) main commute car. The criteria is as follows:

• Budget £6k (this is fixed!)
• Economical (I'm thinking diesel, my commute is about to grow with the up coming house move)
• Practical
• Reliable

That's all really, it doesn't have to have my PH appeal the Porker can take care that.

Currently I'm thinking 04 Mondeo Estate 130 TDCi, something like this http://tinyurl.com/ybv5gsf

Is that the best option or is there something out there that's better?

[NWVT]

citroen c4 vts coupe derv all the toys

[nonuts]

Nigel had an 06 plate Mondeo for way less than £6k that you could do worse than, not sure if it was sold or not though!

[theboyfold]

NWVT said:

citroen c4 vts coupe derv all the toys

They all look like they are 3 doors, the VTR is there though, although I would prefer something a little bit bigger...

nonuts said:

Nigel had an 06 plate Mondeo for way less than £6k that you could do worse than, not sure if it was sold or not though!

I'll drop him a line, thanks for the shout!

[Super Veloce]

When I was in the same boat I opted fir a E46 320d, best decision I made.

Youl get an M-sport with sub 100k for your money. 12k of hard miles in 6 months all a pleasure, until the last 10mtrs into a tree on oil.

[theboyfold]

Can't see many 320d Touring for my sort of money that don't have more than 100k on the clock, I'd rather have a hatch / estate before getting a saloon.

[john_r]

What about depreciation? In 2 years and 30-40k miles a £6k Mundano will be worth about £2k if your lucky...

ANY of these over a Mundano surely?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2009...

[theboyfold]

I like the idea of a 330d but not the auto part of it. Did they make a manual version?

The 530d I've read isn't that economical compared to the 528, is that true?

I like the look of the Saab and Honda as well. Think the running costs could be better on those 2.

[VerySideways]

Manual 330d is a good bit more economical than the auto, and the engine is a peach.
Definitely a good choice if you can find one you like.

[Frimley111R]

How far are you commuting?

[theboyfold]

Frimley111R said:

How far are you commuting?

It's about 70 miles a day or 80 if I use the motorway the whole route.

It's not a massive commute, but running a diesel recently showed that it's about 1/3 cheaper in terms of fuel costs day to day.

[theboyfold]

I've done some reading around and it's come down to 3 for the time being.

-330D manual, the auto doesn't make sense as it's too fuel hungry and the higher running costs put me off it at touch
-Mondeo 130ps, I know it's dull but it doesn't have to be an exciting car.
-Honda Accord, shouldn't go wrong and always thought it's not too bad looking. It's also the best in terms of MPG.

This Alfa 156 Sportwagon has also caught my eye, it's the best looking estate out there. However, will it fall apart if I use it at all?!

[theboyfold]

The 2.0 TDCI 130. I don't think the 150 is within my budget.

[touching cloth]

Ran a 156 estate for a few years and loved it, was a petrol so can't comment on their diesels first hand but haven't heard of any major issues. Basics of the car will be the same and mine was fine reliability wise. Worth a test drive in one I would say.. Not huge though if you do need boot space.

[theboyfold]

What's the DMF? I've never owned a diesel and I'm swotting up on finding out what to look for at the moment...

[Kinky]

nonuts said:

Nigel had an 06 plate Mondeo for way less than £6k that you could do worse than, not sure if it was sold or not though!

£2,900 IIRC, and was still available the last I heard

[theboyfold]

Kinky said:

nonuts said:

Nigel had an 06 plate Mondeo for way less than £6k that you could do worse than, not sure if it was sold or not though!

£2,900 IIRC, and was still available the last I heard

I've PMed him and heard nothing...

[Kinky]

He's away at the moment

[nonuts]

theboyfold said:

I've PMed him and heard nothing...

He's not ignoring you, he's in the US and probably doesn't have internet access. I've got one of his cars and he's 'ignoring' me too

[theboyfold]

nonuts said:

theboyfold said:

I've PMed him and heard nothing...

He's not ignoring you, he's in the US and probably doesn't have internet access. I've got one of his cars and he's 'ignoring' me too

Ahhh, I thought it was unlike him. I'll wait until he comes back.

Does anybody know anything about the car?