The Tank has to go.... so, time for a what car
Discussion
Our 850 T5 has pretty much passed the just run in stage and at 229K is heading for just run out. The options considered were to spend a bit and keep it going until it properly goes pop (current situation); to spend a load and make it mighty once again, but still only ever getting 28mpg; or in fact just bin it and face the fact I have to get something powered by the devil’s fuel....
The dead air con, full power misfire, and a lack of time/inclination to fix it lead me to a what car thread. Mrs SWH has the Saab, and although great on the commute, it’s hardly the height of economy; so here goes:
The commute:
24K miles per year (Eastbourne area to Canary Wharf, three times a week).
The car:
Maximum of £5K
Something approaching 50mpg, extra points if more
Capable of another 100K without falling apart at the seams (being realistic, some fixing and of course properly maintaining it is fine!)
Comfortable and reliable
I’ll consider pretty much anything, other than the train... over to you...
The dead air con, full power misfire, and a lack of time/inclination to fix it lead me to a what car thread. Mrs SWH has the Saab, and although great on the commute, it’s hardly the height of economy; so here goes:
The commute:
24K miles per year (Eastbourne area to Canary Wharf, three times a week).
The car:
Maximum of £5K
Something approaching 50mpg, extra points if more
Capable of another 100K without falling apart at the seams (being realistic, some fixing and of course properly maintaining it is fine!)
Comfortable and reliable
I’ll consider pretty much anything, other than the train... over to you...
eltax91 said:
Octavia Estate TDi, All those taxi drivers cannot be wrong
Is that the same taxi drivers that are having such a big problem with dual mass flywheels failing that Skoda are now replacing them with a standard single mass item? (So I was told by a Skoda dealer the other day?)PeteG said:
The Crack Fox said:
There's an 850R estate in black in our local paper, c.100k miles, FSH and only £1000 (!). Get that and spend the rest on petrol 


Do the sums and work out how much to spend on the car, leaving the rest for fuel. Proper fuel. PETROL.
Superhoop said:
eltax91 said:
Octavia Estate TDi, All those taxi drivers cannot be wrong
Is that the same taxi drivers that are having such a big problem with dual mass flywheels failing that Skoda are now replacing them with a standard single mass item? (So I was told by a Skoda dealer the other day?)SWH said:
Our 850 T5 has pretty much passed the just run in stage and at 229K is heading for just run out. The options considered were to spend a bit and keep it going until it properly goes pop (current situation); to spend a load and make it mighty once again, but still only ever getting 28mpg; or in fact just bin it and face the fact I have to get something powered by the devil’s fuel....
The dead air con, full power misfire, and a lack of time/inclination to fix it lead me to a what car thread. Mrs SWH has the Saab, and although great on the commute, it’s hardly the height of economy; so here goes:
The commute:
24K miles per year (Eastbourne area to Canary Wharf, three times a week).
The car:
Maximum of £5K
Something approaching 50mpg, extra points if more
Capable of another 100K without falling apart at the seams (being realistic, some fixing and of course properly maintaining it is fine!)
Comfortable and reliable
I’ll consider pretty much anything, other than the train... over to you...
These have to be great value for money IMO.The dead air con, full power misfire, and a lack of time/inclination to fix it lead me to a what car thread. Mrs SWH has the Saab, and although great on the commute, it’s hardly the height of economy; so here goes:
The commute:
24K miles per year (Eastbourne area to Canary Wharf, three times a week).
The car:
Maximum of £5K
Something approaching 50mpg, extra points if more
Capable of another 100K without falling apart at the seams (being realistic, some fixing and of course properly maintaining it is fine!)
Comfortable and reliable
I’ll consider pretty much anything, other than the train... over to you...
Genuine good car, good chassis, good drive, good handling. The engine is a BMW unit, and IMO the interior looks like a very nice place to sit. If you want more racey there's the MG alternative of course. But this Rover is a 50,000 mile 2004 car for peanuts!


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1418373.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1825876.htm
That's a diesel Jag. But there are adds for LPG conversions for about £1500, so a 3.0 litre V6 might be an option too.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1765253.htm
This ones already converted to run on LPG.

Thanks chaps, will see what I can find today.
X-Type - tempting, not considered one of these, I see a few high-ish milage estates in budget as well.
Rover 75 - Possible, checked out a tatty MG ZT and wasn't impressed, but that's just one car.
Passat - Yep, certainly a contender, as is an Octavia.
Will see what Autotrader (or my patience with the website) throws up in easy range this morning....
X-Type - tempting, not considered one of these, I see a few high-ish milage estates in budget as well.
Rover 75 - Possible, checked out a tatty MG ZT and wasn't impressed, but that's just one car.
Passat - Yep, certainly a contender, as is an Octavia.
Will see what Autotrader (or my patience with the website) throws up in easy range this morning....
Well, after looking round a couple more duffers and with a hint of garlic in the air... I've gone for a Laguna of all things, 2007 1.9 DCi (130bhp) with a grand total of 37K miles, appears to be well looked after, collecting it on Wednesday.

So... the T5 is heading for the classifieds and the money off vouchers from Shell should slow down a bit.
Think it really is time to repair the Alfa now(!)
So... the T5 is heading for the classifieds and the money off vouchers from Shell should slow down a bit.
Think it really is time to repair the Alfa now(!)
SWH said:
Well, after looking round a couple more duffers and with a hint of garlic in the air... I've gone for a Laguna of all things, 2007 1.9 DCi (130bhp) with a grand total of 37K miles, appears to be well looked after, collecting it on Wednesday.

So... the T5 is heading for the classifieds and the money off vouchers from Shell should slow down a bit.
Think it really is time to repair the Alfa now(!)
given the choice I would have kept the t5So... the T5 is heading for the classifieds and the money off vouchers from Shell should slow down a bit.
Think it really is time to repair the Alfa now(!)
or bought almost anything else even a vecta
Renault really are s
t, the multiplex wiring is a disaster area (and my ex brother in law helped design it).Colleague of mine had a y reg v6 with so many electrical faults that it is now sitting in a scrapyard as it was uneconomical to repair, (after she had spent a 4 figure sum trying to fix it all)
Off the wall suggestion.
Signum 1.9 CDTi 150. You would get a decent Elite for that.
All of em came with Navi and leather on the Elite. 5K should see you a facelift version with relitivly low miles.
Get one which has had the EGR Valve done because they are known to clog. Dont press the button when applying the handbrake, do it as per the owners manual!
On the plus side. A great spec, bit different, 2yrs/20k service intervals and Eleventy Bazillion indies which specialise in Vauxhall in your area.
Signum 1.9 CDTi 150. You would get a decent Elite for that.
All of em came with Navi and leather on the Elite. 5K should see you a facelift version with relitivly low miles.
Get one which has had the EGR Valve done because they are known to clog. Dont press the button when applying the handbrake, do it as per the owners manual!
On the plus side. A great spec, bit different, 2yrs/20k service intervals and Eleventy Bazillion indies which specialise in Vauxhall in your area.
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