Small 4wd diesel ?

[blade7]

It's nearly time for mrs blade7 to change her car, thinking about something small 4wd and diesel, with reasonable go. Needs to be cheap to tax and 50ish to the gallon, between £6-10k and not too many miles. Does this sound like an A3 ?

[Gruber]

Yes.

Or a Fiat Panda Cross thingy. Probably not as much "go" but you'd get a much newer car your your cash.

If she's doing lots of miles, I'd take the A3. If she's wiggling through narrow country lanes, I'd take the Panda.

[Maracus]

Golf 4motion 2.0TDI?

Rare to find though.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

and

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Nothing on AT less than 90K.

Edited by Maracus on Wednesday 27th November 09:11

[Dr G]

Aaaaaah, the small cheap low mileage cheap to run diesel cliche

B6 A4 1.9 TDI quattro and buy on history/condition rather than mileage. Plenty of change from that budget too.

If buying a 2.0 TDI A3 it's worth getting a facelifted (58 on) car as reliability was much improved with the later common rail engine.

[blade7]

Dr G said:

Aaaaaah, the small cheap low mileage cheap to run diesel cliche

B6 A4 1.9 TDI quattro and buy on history/condition rather than mileage. Plenty of change from that budget too.

If buying a 2.0 TDI A3 it's worth getting a facelifted (58 on) car as reliability was much improved with the later common rail engine.

Thanks for all the replies. She wont drive my B7 A4 2.0T quattro avant , says the A4 is too big, shame as she could have that or a B8 version and I could buy another toy . Thanks for the tip on the 58 on A3, does this apply to all VAG diesel models ?

[74merc]

VW Tiguan? My Mrs had one but wouldn't consider the A4 Avant that I wanted her to get. MPGwise, 50s on a run with overall average low 40s. That's for a 2.0 TDi.

[Who me ?]

Same VAG engine. Better build . YETI .Worth a look. It got JC seal of approval on Top Gear.

[Kell]

1. Skoda Yeti
2. Mazda CX-5
3. Dacia Duster
4. Kia Sportage
5. Fiat Panda 4x4
6. VW Tiguan
7. Audi Q3
8. MINI Countryman
9. Nissan Qashqai
10. Vauxhall Mokka

According to Auto Express anyway: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/62315/bes...

Edited by Kell on Wednesday 27th November 16:50

[ED209]

Kell said:

1. Skoda Yeti
2. Mazda CX-5
3. Dacia Duster
4. Kia Sportage
5. Fiat Panda 4x4
6. VW Tiguan
7. Audi Q3
8. MINI Countryman
9. Nissan Qashqai
10. Vauxhall Mokka

According to Auto Express anyway: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/62315/bes...

Edited by Kell on Wednesday 27th November 16:50

theres at least 3 of them that there is no chance of getting for 6 to 10k

[blade7]

It has to be a coupe/saloon/hatchback not a 4x4 look alike. I like the Mini she hates them. Present car is a Fiesta ST which is the preferred size and performance minimum, but with better traction and fuel consumption. I quite like the BMW 1 series coupe but my old 3 series was dire in ice/snow.

Edited by blade7 on Thursday 28th November 02:13

[Nick1point9]

An A3 is not a coupe or saloon.

And an A3 Quattro is unlikely to be a great deal better in the snow than a fiesta on winter tyres. If you want a small VAG car with some grunt and good economy that can handle bad weather get a fabia vRS and keep a set of winter tyres.

Edited by Nick1point9 on Wednesday 27th November 22:58

[Dr G]

blade7 said:

Thanks for all the replies. She wont drive my B7 A4 2.0T quattro avant , says the A4 is too big, shame as she could have that or a B8 version and I could buy another toy . Thanks for the tip on the 58 on A3, does this apply to all VAG diesel models ?

More or less - if you're looking for a small diesel engine the later common rail motors are more expensive but better in virtually every other way.

Some people begrudge that they don't do the old school diesel wallop of torque but I personally prefer their smoother and more progressive delivery.

[blade7]

Nick1point9 said:

an A3 Quattro is unlikely to be a great deal better in the snow than a fiesta on winter tyres.

What if I fitted winters to the A3 quattro.....

[Dr G]

Would be a veritable snowmobile

[va1o]

Why is this in the VW/ Audi section? Have you already decided on A3 or are you looking for suggestions?

[blade7]

va1o said:

Why is this in the VW/ Audi section? Have you already decided on A3 or are you looking for suggestions?

Haven't decided on an A3 or 4wd for definite that's just what came to mind so other suggestions considered.

[blade7]

Dr G said:

Would be a veritable snowmobile

I didn't have winter tyres on my A4 quattro when I passed lots 2wd cars the last time it snowed. Mind you I didn't try to out brake them either .

[Nick1point9]

blade7 said:

What if I fitted winters to the A3 quattro.....

Better still, but it somewhat limits your choices to which car to buy. I was trying to open you to the idea you don't need 4wd to have a car that's not crippled in the snow.

[blade7]

Nick1point9 said:

blade7 said:

What if I fitted winters to the A3 quattro.....

I was trying to open you to the idea you don't need 4wd to have a car that's not crippled in the snow.

I know, but I don't want to buy and store a set of winter tyres/wheels to maybe use 2 or 3 weeks a year.

[Leptons]

blade7 said:

I know, but I don't want to buy and store a set of winter tyres/wheels to maybe use 2 or 3 weeks a year.

But you are willing to pay for and pay to drag a 4wd system around for 50 weeks a year?