Cheap diesel car - MG ZR/ZS - opinions/alternatives?

[crofty1984]

Or the alternative Rover versions?
I may have a budget up to a max of £1500 (Though I'm aiming more at 1200) to get something as economical and practical as possible. Lord knows I'd rather get something interesting, classic and awesome but life gets in the way.

Stupid bloomin' life.

Also looked at 306 diesels, but a little uninspiring. Same for the Golf/Polo.
I'm considering a VW Bora (Golf with boot) too.

Current top 3:
MG ZR - Quite interesting, meant to be very economical
VW Bora - More unusual and cheaper than a Golf
306 D-turbo - Ticks all the boxes I guess. Don't like the feeling of the interior.

Also considered a Clio 1.5D - Again, cheap to run and tax, etc but I'm just getting rid of a Clio and fancy a change.

MG ZS in the running, but will be quite a squeeze in my stupid parking space.

[Deluded]

I had a Petrol 200, and apart from the rust, it was a sound car. Handled well and was a nice place to sit. Can't really comment on the diesel engine from personal experience but from what I've read, they are solid but unrefined compared to todays engines, which really doesn't matter for a budget car.

306? Avoid. Everyone raves on about the D-turbo being a great budget diesel but my sister had one and it was a pile of st. Not based on the overall condition of the car, just a really horrible drive. The engine was gutless and really needed to be worked to get to go anywhere and the handling was pretty average tbh. Interior is very dated too. I wouldn't recommend one.

[300bhp/ton]

L-Series diesel engines are fab and quite tunable. Although if modified can produce enough torque to mess up the pg1 gearbox if abused.

The ZR is probably the best of the bunch and more sporty to drive than the equiv Rover 25. ZS is bigger and heavier, but more practical.

[crofty1984]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'll have to get my Clio polished up and see if I can swap it at some dealers for one of Longbridges finest.

Failing that, I could sell privately/at auction but it means waiting for my parents to get back from holiday so I can get my motorbike out of their garage

[Codswallop]

crofty1984 said:

VW Bora - More unusual and cheaper than a Golf

Seat Toledo - More unusual and cheaper than a Bora (lighter too).

[mike325112]

My old man had a 400 diesel for years - ran it to around 200k with minimal costs. IIRC it had a clutch and other than consumables that was about it. Resonably economical too.

[v8will]

300bhp/ton said:

L-Series diesel engines are fab and quite tunable. Although if modified can produce enough torque to mess up the pg1 gearbox if abused.

The ZR is probably the best of the bunch and more sporty to drive than the equiv Rover 25. ZS is bigger and heavier, but more practical.

Have to agree with this. I actually really liked the old Perkins Prima from which the L series was derived.

Pug 306 really worth a look as well but most examples will need suspension work by now