Daily Runner...?

[steve singh]

I want to buy a daily runner for the winter months as not keen on taking my 996 through snow / grit as it has a real tendancy to start to rust etc.

I thought about buying a daily runner which wouldn't cost too much to insure and will give me some reasonable reliability through the winter months (I would do about 10 miles a day in it - hence 50 miles per week approximately).

Was intereted in the Mark Four (MK4) Golf (Diesel) for around £2.5k (tops) - I've seen some with 150k on the clock and was wondering whether I would be likely to encounter any major reliability headaches.

Despite my mileage I'm not keen on a petrol car as potentially I will be giving the car to my niece to use during the summer months when she is back from uni...

Thanks in advance.

Edited by steve singh on Friday 21st September 12:16

[LuS1fer]

I recently scrapped a Golf Mk III - they are prone to rust under and while mine passed MOTs with odd bits of welding, it looked like steel cornflakes.

When I was looking for a daily ruunner, I looked at the 1.4 Micra K13 Sport but they do a diesel in that too. It's supposed to have far fewer parts than an average supermini and is quite funky.
(I ended up buying a Fiesta ST only because I increased my budget and the dealer wanted 4% to buy it on a credit card so lost the sale).

[300bhp/ton]

steve singh said:

I want to buy a daily runner for the winter months as not keen on taking my 996 through snow / grit as it has a real tendancy to start to rust etc.

I thought about buying a daily runner which wouldn't cost too much to insure and will give me some reasonable reliability through the winter months (I would do about 10 miles a day in it - hence 50 miles per week approximately).

Was intereted in the MK3 Golf (Diesel) for around £2.5k (tops) - I've seen some with 150k on the clock and was wondering whether I would be likely to encounter any major reliability headaches.

Despite my mileage I'm not keen on a petrol car as potentially I will be giving the car to my niece to use during the summer months when she is back from uni...

Thanks in advance.

You'll still get a lot more petrol car for your money though. Usually lower mileage, better spec, better condition for the same money or less. And often more choice.

Seriously how many miles is your niece likely to do? Most petrol Golfs are going to be 30-35mpg cars while the diesel a 45-48mpg vehicle. For you you'd not even be saving enough to buy a Mars bar each week (pretty much).

As for reliably, well I'm of the belief that most modern cars are all pretty similar in this regard. Even buying the most well known brand for reliability might still cost you a packet, while running something folk lore has listed as poor reliability might not cost much at all to run.

For ease and parts prices I'd be tempted too look at something Rover or MG. The L Series is a good diesel engine and petrols are quite frugal.

[TallbutBuxomly]

Wild card what about an Audi A2? Great little cars had one as a loaner a year or two ago. Light and nippy and easy on fuel.

[sjc]

50 miles a week isn't worth getting a diesel. for.Alternatively, for those cold horrible morings you colud do what I did, and waft to work in your climate controlled cabin,having your bum warmed by the leather heated seat, having had the mirrors demist themselves, and listen to your favourites on the Harmon Kardon.
And all for roughly a grand.........
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...

Another good one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIte...

Edited by sjc on Friday 21st September 13:20

[Tyre Smoke]

Mk1 Skoda Octavia.

Golf platform, VAG build quality, loads of space and reliable as a Swiss watch.

[Six Fiend]

5 miles each way - a diesel won't warm up enough to make much fuel saving and you'll be freezing cold in it

[GreatGranny]

Definately petrol even if you're niece is getting it.
Also a Golf is expensive for what it is and it will be alot to insure for your niece.
I would just go for a Fezza 1.25 for that price.
Cheap to buy and run. Loads around and on the commute it will get similar MPG to a Golf diesel.

[steve singh]

Thanks guys - my niece will probably clock up about 5k p.a. on the car I wish to buy.

I'm now thinking i might just petrol.

I'll have a look at some of the suggestions - I worry about Rovers given what I've heard about head gasket and other mechanical failures...but I'll have a good read.

Really appreciate the help - please keep suggestions coming !

[scotty_d]

I was in the same boat as you a few weeks ago My TVR is going of the road in the next 6 weeks so i was on the hunt for a Hack.

I have use of our Mini cooper S but car sharing if the SWMBO needs it for works means i need to drop her of and me getting out my bed early to take her on my time off

I settled on this bellow for the grand total of £1500 with 96k on the clock it is a 4.0l V8 whats not to love

[kambites]

I didn't know that 996s had rust problems?

[steve singh]

scotty_d said:

I was in the same boat as you a few weeks ago My TVR is going of the road in the next 6 weeks so i was on the hunt for a Hack.

I have use of our Mini cooper S but car sharing if the SWMBO needs it for works means i need to drop her of and me getting out my bed early to take her on my time off

I settled on this bellow for the grand total of £1500 with 96k on the clock it is a 4.0l V8 whats not to love

I can't see the pic at work - so will check at home.

Just as an aside, when you take your TVR off the road, apart from the usual flat spotting of tyres, do you do anything particular to keep it ticking over?

I'm thinking if I get a half decent day during winter to take the car out to give it a good drive or if the weather stays bad, take it out to warm up but then wash and store regularly?

[rallycross]

How about a Polo Tdi sport 100?

Cheaper to buy than a Golf mk4 diesel, same engine, lighter.

Sports seats.
50 mpg.

I've got a 2004 one available at £2.5k with fsh.

If not a Polo then something from Seat, same engines, just much cheaper than a Golf tdi.

looks like this one

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?start=141&num=1...

Edited by rallycross on Friday 21st September 14:36

[sjc]

steve singh said:

Thanks guys - my niece will probably clock up about 5k p.a. on the car I wish to buy.

I'm now thinking i might just petrol.

I'll have a look at some of the suggestions - I worry about Rovers given what I've heard about head gasket and other mechanical failures...but I'll have a good read.

Really appreciate the help - please keep suggestions coming !

Two I've posted are the V6, no head gasket probs.Both have had the cambelts done ( big job on a low value car as there's three of them so an indication that owners haven't scrimped) and both being sold by very well respected members of the 75 forum.At that money, you can't go wrong.And I have put my money where my mouth is,paid 2300 quid for mine in 2009 at 28K miles.Running beautifully now at 61 K doing the same jobs as your requirements as a third car.

Edited by sjc on Friday 21st September 15:05

[LuS1fer]

steve singh said:

I can't see the pic at work - so will check at home.

It's a Range Rover.

[RizzoTheRat]

Six Fiend said:

5 miles each way - a diesel won't warm up enough to make much fuel saving and you'll be freezing cold in it

Modern diesls maybe but if you go for something older they warm up way faster than any petrol I've driven. My old ZX 1.9TD would have warm air out of the vents in a couple of minutes on a frosty morning. Wouldn't consider a modern DPF equipped diesel for 50 miles a week though unless it's all on fast roads.

[scotty_d]

steve singh said:

I can't see the pic at work - so will check at home.

Just as an aside, when you take your TVR off the road, apart from the usual flat spotting of tyres, do you do anything particular to keep it ticking over?

I'm thinking if I get a half decent day during winter to take the car out to give it a good drive or if the weather stays bad, take it out to warm up but then wash and store regularly?

Hi Steve

Not too much as being a TVR it is always needing little jobs done it tneds to be in bits all over the floor and on my ramp so off the ground.

But things i might do if you are not using it are pump the tyres up much harder than usual. Fill the full tank right to the brim to keep moisture out. Drop the old engine oil and filters out and replace. If your going to run it up run it for a good while let it warm right up but some argue this can be adverse. I don't tend to run mine I just disconnect the battery. and give the engine bay a light spray of wd-40 to again keep moisture away. Make sure your brake discs are dry when putting it way or they will turn red in no time at all.

[steve singh]

scotty_d said:

steve singh said:

I can't see the pic at work - so will check at home.

Just as an aside, when you take your TVR off the road, apart from the usual flat spotting of tyres, do you do anything particular to keep it ticking over?

I'm thinking if I get a half decent day during winter to take the car out to give it a good drive or if the weather stays bad, take it out to warm up but then wash and store regularly?

Hi Steve

Not too much as being a TVR it is always needing little jobs done it tneds to be in bits all over the floor and on my ramp so off the ground.

But things i might do if you are not using it are pump the tyres up much harder than usual. Fill the full tank right to the brim to keep moisture out. Drop the old engine oil and filters out and replace. If your going to run it up run it for a good while let it warm right up but some argue this can be adverse. I don't tend to run mine I just disconnect the battery. and give the engine bay a light spray of wd-40 to again keep moisture away. Make sure your brake discs are dry when putting it way or they will turn red in no time at all.

Brill - thanks

[sjj84]

I've got a mk4 golf as a little run around for the trip to work, 1.4 petrol, get roughly 43mpg out of it. Wouldn't bother with a diesel for the milage you are doing.