Best diesel car for about £1800-2100
Discussion
I would like to ask for some help and advice.
I am planning to buy my first car, and have about £2k to spare. Bare in mind though that I am planning to buy one from an auction.
I am thinking about 3 different models at the moment. All diesel (I have access to cheap diesel), all hatchbacks (I like the look of them), all about 2004/5 make:
1. Ford Fiesta (it seems to be the most reliable of the three)
2. Vauxhall Astra (it seems to be the most enjoyable to drive of the three)
3. Renault Megane (it seems to be the most economical of the three)
I'm not sure which one though. So, please, share your thoughts and offer your advice on the matter.
Thank you!
P.S. can offer other models as well!
I am planning to buy my first car, and have about £2k to spare. Bare in mind though that I am planning to buy one from an auction.
I am thinking about 3 different models at the moment. All diesel (I have access to cheap diesel), all hatchbacks (I like the look of them), all about 2004/5 make:
1. Ford Fiesta (it seems to be the most reliable of the three)
2. Vauxhall Astra (it seems to be the most enjoyable to drive of the three)
3. Renault Megane (it seems to be the most economical of the three)
I'm not sure which one though. So, please, share your thoughts and offer your advice on the matter.
Thank you!
P.S. can offer other models as well!
Audi A2 1.4 TDI
should be some for around £2k by far the best diesel around
the build quality and reliability is great
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Audi-A2-1-4TDI-SE-/...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-AUDI-A2-TDI-SE-BLUE...
should be some for around £2k by far the best diesel around
the build quality and reliability is great
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Audi-A2-1-4TDI-SE-/...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-AUDI-A2-TDI-SE-BLUE...
TimLuv said:
Bare in mind though that I am planning to buy one from an auction.
Buying 8yr old diesel cars from auctions is extremely risky business. You could be setting yourself up for some big bills that are more than the value of the car. Best of luck if you decide to go down that route but I wouldn't touch them with a long stick.If you don't mind the boat-like handling, the mk4 Golf GT TDI is well within your price range in the private market although you'll be looking at 100k+ miles for a 2003/4 model. The PD130 engine is generally considered to be best of the range for power/reliability.
I had a Fiesta 1.4 TDCi from 60k to about 85k I think, replaced a clutch in that time. Other than that no other problems.
My dad still has it now on roughly 110k. Think he had another clutch fitted a few weeks ago but the car is used up hilly streets at low speeds so I'd factor that into the reason for its replacement.
My dad still has it now on roughly 110k. Think he had another clutch fitted a few weeks ago but the car is used up hilly streets at low speeds so I'd factor that into the reason for its replacement.
My bad! I've done a typo - the Ford I was thinking about isn't Fiesta, but FOCUS! 
Sorry, was late night...
And to answer the rest:
I know it's a risky business, but I have a mate who makes a living out of buying from auctions and reselling them, so even though there's still a risk, it's much lower with him.
I don't like Golfs and Polos, so that's out the question...
And I won't be doing that many miles, BUT I can get diesel for half the regular price from a mate who drives a lorry
so definitely I'm buying diesel.
And... people! Please, there's no unity between you all! Even though great help, thank you, but I'm even more confused which one to get now (cause I also have a 4th car to the list - Audi).... Waiting for more help and advice! Thank you so much
Sorry, was late night...Gizmoish said:
Don't buy anything French.
I'd go for the Fiesta.
Well, actually I'd be looking for a BMW 320d. Great engine.
I keep hearing that about French cars... but what is actually wrong with them? And about BMW - it doesn't feel like me, I want a not too big hatch for the first car.I'd go for the Fiesta.
Well, actually I'd be looking for a BMW 320d. Great engine.
tbc said:
Audi A2 1.4 TDI
should be some for around £2k by far the best diesel around
the build quality and reliability is great
Hmm, I haven't considered this one! Looks great as well! should be some for around £2k by far the best diesel around
the build quality and reliability is great
And to answer the rest:
I know it's a risky business, but I have a mate who makes a living out of buying from auctions and reselling them, so even though there's still a risk, it's much lower with him.
I don't like Golfs and Polos, so that's out the question...
And I won't be doing that many miles, BUT I can get diesel for half the regular price from a mate who drives a lorry
so definitely I'm buying diesel.And... people! Please, there's no unity between you all! Even though great help, thank you, but I'm even more confused which one to get now (cause I also have a 4th car to the list - Audi).... Waiting for more help and advice! Thank you so much
TimLuv said:
I would like to ask for some help and advice.
I am planning to buy my first car, and have about £2k to spare. Bare in mind though that I am planning to buy one from an auction.
I am thinking about 3 different models at the moment. All diesel (I have access to cheap diesel), all hatchbacks (I like the look of them), all about 2004/5 make:
1. Ford Fiesta (it seems to be the most reliable of the three)
2. Vauxhall Astra (it seems to be the most enjoyable to drive of the three)
3. Renault Megane (it seems to be the most economical of the three)
I'm not sure which one though. So, please, share your thoughts and offer your advice on the matter.
Thank you!
P.S. can offer other models as well!
When you say first car, does this mean you are a new driver too, or just not bought a car before?I am planning to buy my first car, and have about £2k to spare. Bare in mind though that I am planning to buy one from an auction.
I am thinking about 3 different models at the moment. All diesel (I have access to cheap diesel), all hatchbacks (I like the look of them), all about 2004/5 make:
1. Ford Fiesta (it seems to be the most reliable of the three)
2. Vauxhall Astra (it seems to be the most enjoyable to drive of the three)
3. Renault Megane (it seems to be the most economical of the three)
I'm not sure which one though. So, please, share your thoughts and offer your advice on the matter.
Thank you!
P.S. can offer other models as well!
If so, why the auctions? Not that it's a bad place to buy, but there is a degree of pot luck about it and you tend not to have a choice on what goes for a good price.
Cheap diesel sounds good, hope it's not red
Personally I'd say buy on condition and price. Any of the cars you've listed will be fine and as good as each other. All carry pro's and con's, but none are hugely different, better or worse than the others.
"And... people! Please, there's no unity between you all! Even though great help, thank you, but I'm even more confused which one to get now (cause I also have a 4th car to the list - Audi).... Waiting for more help and advice! Thank you so much wink"
Drive them, and see which one you like?
French cars - electrics, and my pug had EGR isuues
Why must it be from auction? Why diesel?
Diesel from auction - as hinted aboove, some serious problems might not show up on the short drive into the hall
First car - insurance quotes might help you decide?
Drive them, and see which one you like?
French cars - electrics, and my pug had EGR isuues
Why must it be from auction? Why diesel?
Diesel from auction - as hinted aboove, some serious problems might not show up on the short drive into the hall
First car - insurance quotes might help you decide?
Zad said:
8 year old diesel? Dual Mass Flywheel, Injectors and knackered turbo sprint to mind.
Make sure you are stood next to the car when they start it up to drive it into the arena.
why? i have a 12 year old bora tdi 120k in, original turbo, injectors and clutch, keep a car serviced and it will be fine. a 8 year old petrol could suffer from the same problemsMake sure you are stood next to the car when they start it up to drive it into the arena.
Argument invalid.
OP ide say vag tdi too, mostly reliable engines if treated well, the ford tddi engines go wrong a fair bit i think
tbc said:
Audi A2 1.4 TDI
should be some for around £2k by far the best diesel around
the build quality and reliability is great
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Audi-A2-1-4TDI-SE-/...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-AUDI-A2-TDI-SE-BLUE...
This man speaks sense! should be some for around £2k by far the best diesel around
the build quality and reliability is great
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Audi-A2-1-4TDI-SE-/...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-AUDI-A2-TDI-SE-BLUE...
Can I ask if you're sure diesel is a requirement here?
I thought you had to be doing like 15k miles a year before you broke even on buying a diesel, especially a secondhand diesel.
Also I got the impression it wasn't a good idea to buy from an auction unless you really knew what you were looking for in terms of potential faults with the car.
Why not a petrol engine Mondeo or Focus?
I thought you had to be doing like 15k miles a year before you broke even on buying a diesel, especially a secondhand diesel.
Also I got the impression it wasn't a good idea to buy from an auction unless you really knew what you were looking for in terms of potential faults with the car.
Why not a petrol engine Mondeo or Focus?
I just bought a 2001 306 Hdi for 1600. They can be had for much, much less.
I do around 14,000 miles per year. When a car costs less than about £2k it doesn't really take long to 'break even' as pointed out, that's more of a calculation you'd do if buying a new car where the petrol counterpart is considerably cheaper.
Everyone will probably point you in the direction of a Golf. For your budget, expect to get one with around 120k miles on it, plus.
Older diesel engines are better in many respects, as they are much, much more frugal.
With ever-tightening emissions requirements the newer your potential diesel the more emissions-controlling systems it will have on it, more serviceable parts obviously mean there is more to go wrong.
I'm not saying rush out and buy a 306 like I did, I bought with hindsight, I've owned 3 in the past (albeit this is my first diesel powered one) I'm just saying not to go along with the PH massive that anything without a PD130 is worthless. They're very good at what they do and a very common engine, just not always the best choice. If you get a problematic one then it will be expensive when it goes wrong.
I'd recommend a slightly newer Peugeot 206 HDi with the 2.0 90hp engine, personally.
I do around 14,000 miles per year. When a car costs less than about £2k it doesn't really take long to 'break even' as pointed out, that's more of a calculation you'd do if buying a new car where the petrol counterpart is considerably cheaper.
Everyone will probably point you in the direction of a Golf. For your budget, expect to get one with around 120k miles on it, plus.
Older diesel engines are better in many respects, as they are much, much more frugal.
With ever-tightening emissions requirements the newer your potential diesel the more emissions-controlling systems it will have on it, more serviceable parts obviously mean there is more to go wrong.
I'm not saying rush out and buy a 306 like I did, I bought with hindsight, I've owned 3 in the past (albeit this is my first diesel powered one) I'm just saying not to go along with the PH massive that anything without a PD130 is worthless. They're very good at what they do and a very common engine, just not always the best choice. If you get a problematic one then it will be expensive when it goes wrong.
I'd recommend a slightly newer Peugeot 206 HDi with the 2.0 90hp engine, personally.
Ok, answers:
YES, I'm a new driver too...shame on me for leaving it till 25 to get off my arse and go get license. lol
and again, DIESEL IS A REQUIREMENT, not only to break even... BUT, I have access TO CHEAP DIESEL (it's not red)
Yeah, good advice to drive them all to see which one I prefer... I guess. But that will mean go find people selling them all and pretend I wanna buy, but in fact I wanna just get a test drive...? That's mean! lol
And it doesn't HAVE to be from an auction. I will be checking everywhere I can. But I have mates who make a living out of it, so they have knowledge in there... But I want advice from a wider audience! That is YOU! and thanks
Insurance also doesn't matter, as I will be getting TRADE INSURANCE, which allows me to drive any car. So this also doesn't come into play.
And 306 - it looks to the other four cars listed a lot in looks =S
YES, I'm a new driver too...shame on me for leaving it till 25 to get off my arse and go get license. lol
and again, DIESEL IS A REQUIREMENT, not only to break even... BUT, I have access TO CHEAP DIESEL (it's not red)
Yeah, good advice to drive them all to see which one I prefer... I guess. But that will mean go find people selling them all and pretend I wanna buy, but in fact I wanna just get a test drive...? That's mean! lol
And it doesn't HAVE to be from an auction. I will be checking everywhere I can. But I have mates who make a living out of it, so they have knowledge in there... But I want advice from a wider audience! That is YOU! and thanks
Insurance also doesn't matter, as I will be getting TRADE INSURANCE, which allows me to drive any car. So this also doesn't come into play.
And 306 - it looks to the other four cars listed a lot in looks =S
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