£2K diesel, yes it's yet another what car!

[anonymous-user]

I need a cheap diesel car to commute to work in each day and was wondering what you guys recommend. This is all the car will be used for, it will not be used at all at the weekend. I want it to be as cheap to run as possible, I will be doing all servicing/repairs myself. I do however have a couple of criteria:

1) Must not suffer from a common Turbo/Injector/DMF failure that will render the car as scrap.
2) Preferably not French or Italian although I won't 100% rule it out if it is a bargain.
3) No ancient 106's, AX's, Saxo, MK1 Mondeo's etc. I am not too bothered about image although I don't want it to look too council..... (Sorry 106, AX, Saxo and MK1 Mondeo owners....)

The obvious choice seems to be to go for a leggy Skoda/Seat/VW with the 1.9 engine but just wondered if there were any other good options?

[Zad]

Good luck trying to find a £2K diesel that is not uncool or on it's way to repair bills!

[Jasandjules]

Well, my money would be in a Passat 130bhp - nippy enough but also good enough fuel economy.

[zombies]

I have had 2 Megane dervs and have a 1.9dci now, bought this after 3 years completely trouble free on the last one
and this one is better being the Privilege model

keep them well oiled and new air filters, should serve you well

edited to add - will be for sale soon due to the missus thinking its too big for her
54 reg, 1.9dci sport tourer, 86k, fsh, factory 17s, in dash 6cd, keyless open/start (key in pocket), £1950 (some side damage)
Just need to pick some stuff up from France in a couple of weeks then maybe sell it for a smaller one
and just taxed it for 12 months so im not expecting it to break either

Edited by zombies on Wednesday 1st June 20:19

[andy43]

If you want cheap, fixable and reliable, go buy a petrol.
Cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix, more fun and at that price point more reliable. IMHO
The extra mpg you'll be getting will pale into insignificance when something diesel-related breaks.

[eltax91]

Octavia TDi all day long. Not cool, but reliable and cheap and what I did with my £2k for this purpose. 36k miles a year and running fantastically (until I crashed it last weekend)

[Jw Vw]

Jasandjules said:

Well, my money would be in a Passat 130bhp - nippy enough but also good enough fuel economy.

+1

[smn159]

I was in your position and ended up with a 2002 Volvo V40 diesel for a shade over £2k.

Had it a couple of months now and very pleased with it for the daily commute - great stereo, comfy seats and 50mpg

[PaulGT3]

406 HDI

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2812581.htm

[zombies]

not as good a this though

[masermartin]

I think you're pretty much right with your assumption of a VW/Skoda/Seat. Your other criteria pretty much rule everything else out You might get something a bit less leggy if you went for a Bora.

[bamberwell]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2870051.htm
how about this? quite temptedmyself...

[bozmandb9]

Joey Deacon said:

I need a cheap diesel car to commute to work in each day and was wondering what you guys recommend. This is all the car will be used for, it will not be used at all at the weekend. I want it to be as cheap to run as possible, I will be doing all servicing/repairs myself. I do however have a couple of criteria:

1) Must not suffer from a common Turbo/Injector/DMF failure that will render the car as scrap.
2) Preferably not French or Italian although I won't 100% rule it out if it is a bargain.
3) No ancient 106's, AX's, Saxo, MK1 Mondeo's etc. I am not too bothered about image although I don't want it to look too council..... (Sorry 106, AX, Saxo and MK1 Mondeo owners....)

The obvious choice seems to be to go for a leggy Skoda/Seat/VW with the 1.9 engine but just wondered if there were any other good options?

MG CDTI, or Rover 75? Has the 2 litre bmw engine, nice car, very cheap!

[adycav]

SEAT Toledos are cheaper than VWs, Octavias, and SEAT's own Leon.

Quite rare though.

[-crookedtail-]

adycav said:

SEAT Toledos are cheaper than VWs, Octavias, and SEAT's own Leon.

Quite rare though.

I ran a Toledo for a few years, the 110TDI is a legendary engine just goes on and on so can highly recommend one.

Alternatively how about a lovely Mazda6, I'm selling mine. I won't promise you it'll be reliable though

[masermartin]

Indeed - similar to the Bora prices vs. Golfs in that respect - less popular.

[Triumph Man]

Jw Vw said:

+1

+2

Thought I'd better add something useful, I find the Passat very economical, trip computer currently showing around 51 mpg average, so probably around 48 actual, not bad considering I drive quite swiftly. Quite comfy and well specced, so a good cruising machine. Although is boat like when it comes to cornering. The longitudinal engine mounted right up against the nose means that it does understeer a fair amount. I would still recommend though. Although certainly not an exciting or interesting car, it has a job to do, and does it.

Edited by Triumph Man on Wednesday 1st June 21:47

[zombies]

for me, most mentioned are all old and boring

either spend a bit more or try what many think are unreliable
its not the 80s yer know

[McSam]

An A4 or a Passat with the TDI110 engine, without a doubt. Pretty much bomb-proof, not so gutless as to be frustrating, 50mpg or more. And at two grand you can pretty much have your pick of the crop of either, so expect leather, air con/climate control, electric windows and mirrors, etc etc..