Best "cheap" diesel............Rover 75 or Mercedes C-Class?
Discussion
I think the time has finally come to give up my Impreza WRX Estate but what to buy next? In most respects it is the best car that I have owned. Fast, comfortable, surefooted in all weathers and practical but the major bugbear is the atrocious fuel consumption (I average about 22mpg) and cheaper VED and insurance would also be a welcome bonus. Unfortunately, I am only really using it for my urban commute at the moment and it tends to sit on the drive at the weekends (we use my wife's Fiat 500 as it is much cheaper to run). My previous car was diesel (Polo 1.4 TDI), surprisingly nippy and very economical but not much fun to drive and fairly basic-feeling but I think that I need to have diesel fuel economy again. I appreciate that anything that I buy is not going to have the performance and fun of the Impreza but is it possible to have something diesel-powered that feels special and/or is fun for £4k or less. I don't want anything much bigger than the Impreza but don't mind going a bit smaller as long as it has 4 or 5 doors.
A Golf GT TDI or Bora Sport TDI would seem like the obvious choice but I have already owned a mk4 Golf (nice car but not very reliable). The original Seat Leon is a good-looking car but I have had friends who drive Seat's who have had lots of problems (my friend's Leon was practically a write-off at 7 years old because there were so many things wrong with it)! I like the idea of a Skoda Fabia vRS but hate the cheap interior. Fords and Vauxhalls seem a bit too dull and I don't like Citroens or Renaults.
Peugeot used to make good diesels but I haven't had much recent experience. I have owned a 205 GTi and a 309 1.3 briefly, which were both fun to drive and one of the best cars that my dad ever owned was a 405 diesel estate, which was comfortable and very reliable. I've always liked the look of the 306 HDi but they are all getting on a bit now and the 206 was probably the last decent-looking Peugeot but I haven't heard great reviews.
I have also considered a Rover. Rover 45/MG ZS diesels seem quite cheap for their age and are a decent size but are they any good? I have also secretly admired the Rover 75 for several years but always thought that at 31, I am a bit too young for one! Personally, I like the looks and they feel nice to sit in, I believe that the engine comes from the BMW 3-Series which can't be a bad thing and I would imagine that a diesel auto Connoisseur with leather and wood would be a comfortable (if not sporty) and more interesting alternative to a Mondeo/Vectra. As one of the last Rovers it might even go up in value!
I also like the idea of a Mercedes. My understanding though from threads that I have read on here is that 1990s and cars from the early 2000s don't live up to the badge. I've heard that early 203s are best avoided but how about a late model of the previous squarer shape (202)?. A C220 CDi Sport might just fit the bill if I can find one.
So which, if any of my suggestions would offer the best ownership proposition for around £4k? Also, have I overlooked anything else that I should be considering? It must be comfortable, practical (4 or 5 doors), reliable and economical but not be so dull to drive/boring to look at that I will regret getting rid of my Impreza.
A Golf GT TDI or Bora Sport TDI would seem like the obvious choice but I have already owned a mk4 Golf (nice car but not very reliable). The original Seat Leon is a good-looking car but I have had friends who drive Seat's who have had lots of problems (my friend's Leon was practically a write-off at 7 years old because there were so many things wrong with it)! I like the idea of a Skoda Fabia vRS but hate the cheap interior. Fords and Vauxhalls seem a bit too dull and I don't like Citroens or Renaults.
Peugeot used to make good diesels but I haven't had much recent experience. I have owned a 205 GTi and a 309 1.3 briefly, which were both fun to drive and one of the best cars that my dad ever owned was a 405 diesel estate, which was comfortable and very reliable. I've always liked the look of the 306 HDi but they are all getting on a bit now and the 206 was probably the last decent-looking Peugeot but I haven't heard great reviews.
I have also considered a Rover. Rover 45/MG ZS diesels seem quite cheap for their age and are a decent size but are they any good? I have also secretly admired the Rover 75 for several years but always thought that at 31, I am a bit too young for one! Personally, I like the looks and they feel nice to sit in, I believe that the engine comes from the BMW 3-Series which can't be a bad thing and I would imagine that a diesel auto Connoisseur with leather and wood would be a comfortable (if not sporty) and more interesting alternative to a Mondeo/Vectra. As one of the last Rovers it might even go up in value!
I also like the idea of a Mercedes. My understanding though from threads that I have read on here is that 1990s and cars from the early 2000s don't live up to the badge. I've heard that early 203s are best avoided but how about a late model of the previous squarer shape (202)?. A C220 CDi Sport might just fit the bill if I can find one.
So which, if any of my suggestions would offer the best ownership proposition for around £4k? Also, have I overlooked anything else that I should be considering? It must be comfortable, practical (4 or 5 doors), reliable and economical but not be so dull to drive/boring to look at that I will regret getting rid of my Impreza.
frosted said:
Best diesel car for 4k would be a passat or skoda . Most 05-07 passats should be avoided but it seems vw are changing injectors etc even if there's no warranty ( so I heard )
Honda accord 2.2 cdti ?
I hadn't thought about a Passat. Are the old-shape (pre-2005) Passats any better? I once had a go in a 130bhp diesel auto Passat with leather (Highline?) and it was a nice comfy place to be (if not sporty). A Skoda Superb might also be a possibility. Did they not make one with a 2.5 V6 TDI engine? I haven't mentioned a 3-Series or 5-Series, not because I don't like them but because I would imagine that they would be a bit leggy for £4k. I also like the W210 E-Class and they seem quite cheap but probably for a reason. I've heard they're not great Mercedes. Has anyone had a good experience with one?Honda accord 2.2 cdti ?
Edited by frosted on Thursday 27th October 13:27
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.p... although the wheels are a bit boring, but easily changed for 17 or 18 options.
This one will be a cracker. It will also be worth asking on that forum. I'm a complete convert having used mine as a daily for the last 2 trouble years.
This one will be a cracker. It will also be worth asking on that forum. I'm a complete convert having used mine as a daily for the last 2 trouble years.
The passat is an honest cheap car that will go on for ever , everyone that I know who had one would buy another especially the previous shape . The 2.5 tdi unit in the skoda is probably the same unit most common in the all road , not really a refined or cheap on the black stuff . The Honda accord is a good car
Cheeky Jim said:
DONT buy the Rover - the engine is ok - it's not as brilliant as everyone makes out... and even if the engine is solid, the rest of the car is a complete let down...
It's cheap for a reason.
bIt's cheap for a reason.
ks...........I have had a 10 year old Rover 45 Diesel for nearly 2 years now, done 24,000 trouble free miles. It does 50+ mpg on a run & gets Me there in comfort. Everything works too! Its had a new set of tyres, front pads & I have serviced it 3 times. Not bad for a 's
t' car! Yes they are cheap, probably because they went bust & they have an image of an old duffers car. I dont care as the money I save running the Rover for my boring work commute means I have more to spend enjoying my MX5 and Vitesse!
There really isn't anything wrong with Rovers, its just that people slate them for some reason.
Cheeky Jim said:
DONT buy the Rover - the engine is ok - it's not as brilliant as everyone makes out... and even if the engine is solid, the rest of the car is a complete let down...
It's cheap for a reason.
You bought dud,don't tar them all with the same brush.There's horror stories with all cars in the 3-4 grand bracket, you have to be very careful buying any car to get a good one.I've done 21K miles ( now on 48K miles) in two years in mine, one service and one 300 quid replacement on the fan.It's comfortable,quiet and reliable,all mod cons and cost less than my tele.It's cheap for a reason.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I've come to the realisation that a Peugeot 206/306 diesel isn't really going to cut it for me. I would prefer a largeish diesel saloon preferably with an automatic gearbox but my priority is now with comfort rather than sporty handling (as long as it handles competently and has ample power for safe overtaking). This would be something completely different to any car that I have owned before. I fancy something with a few more toys such as leather, heated seats, cruise control, CD change, climate control and parking sensors. I still don't want to be spending much more than £4000 though. Here's my list of contenders. Has anyone had any experience with any of them either good or bad?
Alfa Romeo 159 (would probably go with a manual but may still be overbudget)
Ford Mondeo ST (I know this only comes as a manual)
Jaguar X-Type (someone recommended this earlier, can you get a diesel version with an automatic gearbox)
Audi A6 2.5 TDI (preferably a quattro)
BMW 330d/530d
Honda Accord CDTI
Mercedes-Benz C-Class CDI (W202/W203)
Mercedes-Benz E320CDI (W210)
Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI
Saab 9-5
Skoda Superb 2.5 TDI
VW Passat TDI 130 Highline
Volvo S60 D5
Any comments/opinions would be welcome. I will look/try out some of these but I would like to try and narrow my list down to 3 or 4 with your help.
Alfa Romeo 159 (would probably go with a manual but may still be overbudget)
Ford Mondeo ST (I know this only comes as a manual)
Jaguar X-Type (someone recommended this earlier, can you get a diesel version with an automatic gearbox)
Audi A6 2.5 TDI (preferably a quattro)
BMW 330d/530d
Honda Accord CDTI
Mercedes-Benz C-Class CDI (W202/W203)
Mercedes-Benz E320CDI (W210)
Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI
Saab 9-5
Skoda Superb 2.5 TDI
VW Passat TDI 130 Highline
Volvo S60 D5
Any comments/opinions would be welcome. I will look/try out some of these but I would like to try and narrow my list down to 3 or 4 with your help.
Skoda Superb 1.9TDI-130.
That seems to be the 'sweet spot' of the VW TDI range - 130bhp is 'adequate', but it's an older tech. lump which goes on forever.
The Superb of this era is also a development of the older B5.5 Passat platform, which, although not as sharp to drive as the later cars, it's more solidly built.
That seems to be the 'sweet spot' of the VW TDI range - 130bhp is 'adequate', but it's an older tech. lump which goes on forever.
The Superb of this era is also a development of the older B5.5 Passat platform, which, although not as sharp to drive as the later cars, it's more solidly built.
My mum has a Diesel Auto ZT, seems ok, bit rough compared to my dads V6 one but it does have two less cylinders and run on truck juice, not very quick but it is an auto and they can be chipped fairly cheaply to produce more power, seems a nice enough car, I think they still look pretty smart.
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