Depressing - £1k-£1.5k cheap to run what car

[crofty1984]

I have a motorbike for fun, and another hobby to suck my money away, so I need something cheap to run (at least 50mpg ave). Tell me about it.


Ideas so far are:
Pug 206 1.4 hdi £30 tax Ugly
Fiat Punto 1.9 JTD
Corsa 1.7 diseasel
Astra 1.7

Astra's about as big as I can go because I have a stupid parking space.
Thought about Fiesta 1.4 diesel (same engine as pug) but they're just outside budget unless you go to 150k miles plus.
1.3 multijet punto/corsa similar story to the fiesta.
Post-2001 will save me at least £100/yr in tax
I do 15,000 miles a year so a Saxo/106 1.5d is just a little too basic.
FWiW, measuring brim-to-brim I get similar MPG to autotrader's combined fuel economy figures so I guess my driving is pretty typical of the NEDC drive cycle.

Have at it men!
And women!

[150bhp]

Fiat Punto Sporting 1.2 6 speed. Went from an Escort RS Turbo to one of these a few years back after the Mrs passed her test and was very pleased with the mpg and it always felt lively(as lively as a 1.2 can feel but u know what i mean!)

[slipstream 1985]

i do about 15k a year in a diesel clio 02 plate, had the car at 80k its now comming up for 120 and all its needed touchwood are a set of brakes and pads a wheel bearing and a set of tyres.

[heppers75]

Saab 93 perhaps? Tad larger than an Astra but not by much I am guessing.

[flatline84]

Why not find a mint Mercedes 190E diesel? Infinitely more comfortable to drive, quality in another division, spares are cheap and very unlikely to go wrong. 50 million taxidrivers in third world countries are on to something, these cars go forever.

The diesel returns 40-50 MPG no problems.

[RizzoTheRat]

Mate of mine picked up a 1.9SDI Octavia a while back, sluggish but economical and more comfortable for a long run than a fiesta sized car.

Depending on your view of the French, you'd get a 2.0HDI 306 or 406 for around a £1500. Only 90bhp but it's all low down and they do go reasonably well.

flatline84 said:

Why not find a mint Mercedes 190E diesel? Infinitely more comfortable to drive, quality in another division, spares are cheap and very unlikely to go wrong. 50 million taxidrivers in third world countries are on to something, these cars go forever.

The diesel returns 40-50 MPG no problems.

they also run well on veg oil

[flatline84]

This one looks sorted:

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3513604.htm

[chrisispringles]

Would you be able to squeeze this in to your space? They aren't too big, but they are reasonably refined, comfortable, reliable and would do the job perfectly I think.

[crofty1984]

flatline84 said:

Why not find a mint Mercedes 190E diesel? Infinitely more comfortable to drive, quality in another division, spares are cheap and very unlikely to go wrong. 50 million taxidrivers in third world countries are on to something, these cars go forever.

The diesel returns 40-50 MPG no problems.

Won't fit. I've got a clio petrol at the minute and that is a hassle (tight underground parking, wall on one side pillar on the other)
I could go about a foot longer (not 3 foot), but I'm already doing a 4 point turn to get out every morning as it is. Otherwise I'd love one. Or a W123. Or if mpg wasn't too important a Cortina or Rover p6....

Edited by crofty1984 on Sunday 12th February 23:07

[redgriff500]

Take a look at LPG converted cars then you can go as low as 30mpg and suddenly they aren't so dull.

[Llamapup]

heppers75 said:

Saab 93 perhaps? Tad larger than an Astra but not by much I am guessing.

I've just decieded to get rid of my SAAB 93 because of poor fuel economy and dismal reliability. So while it is a very comfortable car that looks pretty good, its not been my favourite car choice.

[CDP]

My Vectra's been reliable (163,000 miles now. bought with 14,000) and can achieve 47 to 50 mpg. They're very cheap.

[flatline84]

Alright mate. I Have just baught a 190E myself and they really are much smaller than you would think from the outside, inside there are acres in the front seat at least.

hm.... honestly 15000 miles a year in a small banger much be hell, I couldnt cope with it. I have a Fiat Grande punto 2009 model as well, and its truly dire to drive in comparison to my merc...

[WeirdNeville]

Volvo S40 diesel? They hold big miles well and there are a few about in your price range. I just sold mine for £1200 and it was a good one. Not fast or fun, but comfortable and a pleasant place to be.

[CDP]

The Mondeo is probably a good shout too. Avoid the common rail car as it's too complicated and get one of the earlier direct injection models. Same goes for the Passat, so much cheaper than a Golf and a couple of mpg really won't make that much difference. If you're cruising on an A road or motorway the economy will probably be similar to the smaller car anyway due to better aerodynamics.

Rover 45 diesel? You'll get a good one for that budget and the diesel is pretty strong.

[Nigel Worc's]

I'm loving this thread, the op has even provided a picture of his clio just about fitting into his parking space, and people are still saying "mondeo" etc.

[WeirdNeville]

Nigel Worc's said:

I'm loving this thread, the op has even provided a picture of his clio just about fitting into his parking space, and people are still saying "mondeo" etc.

He doens't have a street? Does he do bank jobs or something and has to stow the car to lose heat?

Anyway, most saloons would fit in that space fine.

[Aphex]

Seat arosa?

[Kentish]

You don't mention number of seats so how about a smart, perhaps the roadster or coupe if not the regular city car version?

[m44kts]

Doubt you'd pick a Smart or roadster up for under £1500