Need help chosing new diesel car

[ShadFx]

Hi All

Currently drive an MX5. Was going to upgrade to something more pokey earlier in the year, but unexpected financial circs stopped that. Now its got worse! With the MX only doing 32 MPG and my commute changing to a 100 mile round trip, I really need something a lot more economical. This really isnt my field, I drove an Audi A4 1.9tdi 100 and thought it was very average, nice car to be in, but the shift was like a welly boot wading through a mud bath and there was just nothing there power wise! I was put off diesels ever since, but just dont have the option of ignoring them anymore. Heres my criterea:

Must go at least 8-10k between services
Must have a combined MPG of 50+
Under a grand to insure (20, 3 years NCB, low crime area, Mx5 curently costs £620 tpft)
Purchase price must be under 4k (if it were closer to 3, even better)
Must NOT be a passat

Currently ive identified the following as being "reasonable" and just about fitting my requirements

A4 1.9tdi
a3 1.9tdi
Mondeo TDCI 130
Alfa 147 1.9 JTD (little high on ins.)
Seat Ibiza 1.9tdi 110

Are there any models that anyone can recommend? Im a bit stumped and am incredibly fussy when it comes to picking a new car, it took my 6 months to settle for the MX5 I ended up with! Im just wondering (hoping) there is something good and fun out there which is reasonably economic that I have over-looked!

Oh, and yes - I have looked at Golfs. I only like the 3 doors and see no point in spending nearly 4 grand on an engine thats done over 150k miles.

Thanks in advance!

Matt

[MondeoMan1981]

What about a Saab with the 1.9 ?

Could you insure a 530d for your budget ?

Alfa 156 JTD - diesel and you can scratch that Alfa itch everyone gets at some point..

Or why not go the other way, something super cheap to run , like a 206 hdi 1.4 and something else for the weekend...

[gj88]

VW Bora TDI PD130. Plenty of punch, much cheaper to buy than a Golf and very robust. I cant fault the one my parents own and we've had 62 MPG out of it on several occasions and it easily does 55+ MPG most of the time.

[Ricky_M]

Diesel A4s are holding their value well, good ones are hard to find in your budget or at least they were when I was looking a few months back.

There were quite a few decent Mondeos around in your budget when I was looking, but unless its an ST they look a bit pants.

I was really looking for a nice diesel Focus, but I concluded the money they were demanding was not worth it in my case, as I'm not doing huge mileage, just wanted something economical, so I bought a Petrol equivalent for half the price.

Just out of interest why do you not want a Passat? I found them to be fairly good value.

[ShadFx]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! Checked out the bimmers, for some reason insurance is wayyyy more than all the other diesel cars despite having very similar power output.. Will ring flux to see if they can do anything for me, but doesnt look good! Hadnt really considered the Bora, will take a look later on tonight.

Have always hated Passats - I think they are the uglist most boring and mundane car you see on the motorway. Im totally ignorant when it comes to them, and I know they are a great car but I just cannot get over my impression of them.

Checked out the 206's, not overly keen but I suppose I would have to drive one first before I criticise.. I love the look of the newer shape a4's and if I had an extra 1.5-2k to throw at it wouldnt even have needed to start this thread because I would have bought one already

Good shout with the 156 - but insurance was a little too high for some reason!

[DaveL86]

gj88 said:

VW Bora TDI PD130. Plenty of punch, much cheaper to buy than a Golf and very robust. I cant fault the one my parents own and we've had 62 MPG out of it on several occasions and it easily does 55+ MPG most of the time.

Currently have a Bora PD130 and have owned it for 3+ years now, can only echo the above I recently went camping with a couple of mates and had the car stacked high with camping gear (heavy crap) and two mates and still managed 57mpg but I was doing about 60-70 mph most of the way due with traffic, on my own I'll easily get 65mpg on a decent run.

Other than service costs I've only had to replace a leaking shock and a wheel bearing, taking into account its nearly 9 years old that's nothing.

[635djimmy]

How about a Skoda Fabia VRS, bit different.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2137743.htm

[Fabiao]

Set aside your initial thoughts on the Passat and try one. Preferably a 110 or 130 model in Sport trim.

Great cars - really well built, comfortable, and I have a friend who used to use one on track days. Went and handled very well for a big barge.

You'd be looking at a late B5 / early B5.5 shaped car - which essentially is an Audi, sitting between the A4 and A6 in terms of size.

[y2blade]

have you looked at the Volvo S60 D5? (particularly in SE spec)

I'm (surprisingly) impressed with mine



I looked at pretty much all the cars on your short list...none of the VAG TDI are a patch on the D5 unit


try one, you may like it

Edited by y2blade on Saturday 9th October 19:05

[Jasandjules]

Passat 130 Sport.