Reasonable Budget?

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Discussion

Northernchimp

Original Poster:

1,282 posts

133 months

Monday 25th November 2013
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A combination of an increased mileage and a bad back mean I'm looking for a decent motorway car that will take some miles off our main car won't kill my spine. This car needs to do little more than start, 40 mpg on a run, be reasonably safe (NCAP 4 star minimum) and not have too many known issues. Can't really see past big saloons and estates.

One year and 20k and reasonable comfort, is that doable for £2k? You can obviously buy the thing, but is it too much of a gamble? There are plenty of 10 year old Passat 1.9 PDs around for that, I've been looking at MG ZTs (quite rare, as it turns out) and huge mileage 3 series.

I could spend another couple and get a D5 or second generation Octavia but I don't know if I'd be any better off and it would be harder kick in the nuts if it blew up.

Toaster Pilot

14,622 posts

159 months

Monday 25th November 2013
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Surely a Passat/Superb or Octavia is exactly what you're after, they're pretty reliable if you choose the right variant of 1.9 engine (enter VAG beard to tell you which one). SDI Octavia if you really don't care about how fast it is.

I'm doing 600 motorway miles a week in a knackered old Felicia at the moment with very little drama (but very little comfort too). It cost £350.

PIGINAWIG

2,339 posts

166 months

Monday 25th November 2013
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1999-2005 Volvo V40 diesel or petrol. £2000 Should get you into a nice one. Great seats, stereo, cruise control, leather etc.....