Not What Car, What Engine ?

[djt100]

I thought I put this one to all the PH'ers as there seems to be a varied knowledge of such things on here.

I need to get a cheap Reliable car that will do 35-40mpg on a run. 90% slog round the M25 / M4 (80 miles a day commute). Only going to be for the next 6 months or so. Have £1-2k to spend,

So what are the best engines to go for, as actual car is less important to me that outright reliability, thought rather that get bogged down with looking at one car, I'd choose the car around a good engine, and then I hopefully will have a wider choice.

EDIT, Info as to what engine the car is fitted to would be usefull.

i.e 1.8 zetec, focus, mondeo, etc....



So over to you.

Edited by djt100 on Monday 29th November 11:48

[300bhp/ton]

I'd be tempted to look for an LPG converted LS400 tbh.

An easy route is just look for a diesel of some kind, big French cars are often cheap and good on fuel and quite comfy. The big Pugs and Citreons use the same PSA V6 diesel you'll find in a Jag or Range Rover, although not sure if they are in budget.

[idge]

Would have thought 1.6 zetec would be closer to the MPG you're after. I used to get about 40mpg. Focus/Fiesta only as far as i know though.

Or how about the 1.4 75/100 VAG?

[djt100]

Just looked at the lexus, only 1 on the trader and has 135,000 miles on, one thing i always worry about on a car is the miles, always try to buy below 60-70k..

[djt100]

Oh, Should add not really interested in a diesel, just to heard to many horror stories about parts prices on a diesel.

[300bhp/ton]

djt100 said:

Just looked at the lexus, only 1 on the trader and has 135,000 miles on, one thing i always worry about on a car is the miles, always try to buy below 60-70k..

I think with a £1-2k budget you really can't be that picky. Also if it's only for 6 months does it really matter that much?

I'd have thought a Lexus LS400 is easily good for 200,000 - 250,000 miles without serious issue. Might be wrong but that would be my expectation of such an engine.


PS - I do know where you are coming from. But it's all about risk, personally I'd opt for slightly more mileage for a nicer car than less mileage and end up with a tin can by comparison.

[djt100]

300bhp/ton said:

djt100 said:

Just looked at the lexus, only 1 on the trader and has 135,000 miles on, one thing i always worry about on a car is the miles, always try to buy below 60-70k..

I think with a £1-2k budget you really can't be that picky. Also if it's only for 6 months does it really matter that much?

I'd have thought a Lexus LS400 is easily good for 200,000 - 250,000 miles without serious issue. Might be wrong but that would be my expectation of such an engine.


PS - I do know where you are coming from. But it's all about risk, personally I'd opt for slightly more mileage for a nicer car than less mileage and end up with a tin can by comparison.

Fair point, I'll have a look if one come up for sale closer to me, The one in trader is 200 miles away!...

I much prefer bigger car's really not into small car's,.(even for the short term)

Edited by djt100 on Monday 29th November 12:20

[aka_kerrly]

If you are only intending to keep a car for 6 months buy on condition not millage! Also why does everyone assume that a lower millage car is automatically a better buy, It is very possible the low millage car has spent more time sat in a garage which is not always good for a car where as high millage (especially motorway driving as OP intends) is light work for modern cars.

For the budget, id look at a E34 BMW 525td or Merc 300 of the early mid 90s era.

dave

[Prof Prolapse]

300bhp/ton said:

An easy route is just look for a diesel of some kind, big French cars are often cheap and good on fuel and quite comfy. The big Pugs and Citreons use the same PSA V6 diesel you'll find in a Jag or Range Rover, although not sure if they are in budget.

Qu'el fking surprise. Never knew that about the frog oil burners.

Do they fall to bits then?

[HereBeMonsters]

Prof Prolapse said:

300bhp/ton said:

An easy route is just look for a diesel of some kind, big French cars are often cheap and good on fuel and quite comfy. The big Pugs and Citreons use the same PSA V6 diesel you'll find in a Jag or Range Rover, although not sure if they are in budget.

Qu'el fking surprise. Never knew that about the frog oil burners.

Do they fall to bits then?

The interiors frequently do, but the mechanicals are fairly reliable, and cheap and easy to fix if they fail. I'd certainly be looking at a 406, Laguna or C5 diesel.

[HellDiver]

1.8 Duratec Focus or Mondeo will do 40mpg on a run. Cam chain engine designed by Mazda, so are pretty much unburstable and can be fixed with a hammer and some cable ties.

[Matt UK]

I'd be tempted byt something like this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2117076.htm

[djt100]

Matt UK said:

I'd be tempted byt something like this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2117076.htm

Had one of these before, so have thought about these, most of them are over budget

[catman]

1.8 Mondeo. Comfy, spacious, good on motorways, reliable, cheap to run. Heated front screen, air con etc.

Tim

[5lab]

an older shape mondeo diesel (ie <2000) and the first year of the newer one had a horrid 'tddi' engine. It'll go, and it'll do about 50mpg, but it'll have no power, and be horrid. That said, they hugely reliable (mine has 180k and nothing at all has gone wrong with it)

[Jag-D]

catman said:

1.8 Mondeo. Comfy, spacious, good on motorways, reliable, cheap to run. Heated front screen, air con etc.

Tim

Agreed

And Vectra, Volvo S40, Passat etc

They're all cracking cars for the money and can be had for peanuts

[Prof Prolapse]

HereBeMonsters said:

Prof Prolapse said:

300bhp/ton said:

An easy route is just look for a diesel of some kind, big French cars are often cheap and good on fuel and quite comfy. The big Pugs and Citreons use the same PSA V6 diesel you'll find in a Jag or Range Rover, although not sure if they are in budget.

Qu'el fking surprise. Never knew that about the frog oil burners.

Do they fall to bits then?

The interiors frequently do, but the mechanicals are fairly reliable, and cheap and easy to fix if they fail. I'd certainly be looking at a 406, Laguna or C5 diesel.

Cheers for that.

[HereBeMonsters]

Prof Prolapse said:

HereBeMonsters said:

Prof Prolapse said:

300bhp/ton said:

An easy route is just look for a diesel of some kind, big French cars are often cheap and good on fuel and quite comfy. The big Pugs and Citreons use the same PSA V6 diesel you'll find in a Jag or Range Rover, although not sure if they are in budget.

Qu'el fking surprise. Never knew that about the frog oil burners.

Do they fall to bits then?

The interiors frequently do, but the mechanicals are fairly reliable, and cheap and easy to fix if they fail. I'd certainly be looking at a 406, Laguna or C5 diesel.

Cheers for that.

Of all of those, the 406 would be my choice. There's a reason there are still so many 406 taxis.

[Prof Prolapse]

HereBeMonsters said:

Prof Prolapse said:

HereBeMonsters said:

Prof Prolapse said:

300bhp/ton said:

An easy route is just look for a diesel of some kind, big French cars are often cheap and good on fuel and quite comfy. The big Pugs and Citreons use the same PSA V6 diesel you'll find in a Jag or Range Rover, although not sure if they are in budget.

Qu'el fking surprise. Never knew that about the frog oil burners.

Do they fall to bits then?

The interiors frequently do, but the mechanicals are fairly reliable, and cheap and easy to fix if they fail. I'd certainly be looking at a 406, Laguna or C5 diesel.

Cheers for that.

Of all of those, the 406 would be my choice. There's a reason there are still so many 406 taxis.

Aye the GF's stepdad had one as a cab lasted for bloody ages. The 406 is just a 2.0 though isn't it?

Slow but runs on veg oil as well doesn't it?

[eltax91]

djt100 said:

Matt UK said:

I'd be tempted byt something like this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2117076.htm

Had one of these before, so have thought about these, most of them are over budget

Get the octavia instead then. Same car but cheaper for age/ mileage. Mine fits your criteria perfectly.