Economy, reliability and less that £1500?
Discussion
I'm looking at buy a daily car just as a means of getting to work and back. My commute is pretty much all motorway which means I should be able to get optimum MPG. 60+ MPG would be perfect and I'm not particularly interested in performance, marque or anything of that nature as I can hop in one of the other cars when I fancy that.
I know this is potentially the most dull topic ever to grace PH but I'm interested to hear people's suggestions.
I know this is potentially the most dull topic ever to grace PH but I'm interested to hear people's suggestions.
At that price point, as above steer clear of anything diesel. It will either be knackered VW crap (just because the 1.9tdi is fairly reliable as an engine block doesn't mean the rest of the car is!) or French (or have a french engine in it like a 1.6 TDCI focus).
1.6 Zetec Focus is a good shout, cheap, reliable and cheap to fix. Just make sure it's been serviced yearly and that the cambelt has been done (10yr/100k intervals).
Anything smaller than a Focus is pretty horrendous to spend any time on the motorway in tbh.
From the VAG stable, it's also worth looking out for a Seat Toledo TDi. They tend to be well priced. SDi (non turbo) Skoda Octavia is biblically slow buy should be reliable. Neither will crack 60mpg though.
Volvo S40 1.9TD would be a comfy cruiser. Renault/ Mitsubishi engine should be reliable enough.
1.3 CDTi Corsa (with a Fiat group engine) should be cheap to fix if it goes wrong, and will happily do 60mpg.
Volvo S40 1.9TD would be a comfy cruiser. Renault/ Mitsubishi engine should be reliable enough.
1.3 CDTi Corsa (with a Fiat group engine) should be cheap to fix if it goes wrong, and will happily do 60mpg.
Just bought a Seat Toledo mk2 1.9 TDI 110 for some long journeys. Seeing 55mpg in mixed driving. Cheap to buy and very low insurance. They're genuinely good cars too, pretty comfortable and have good equipment levels. It's basically a Skoda Octavia so pretty bullet proof.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Seat-Toledo-1-9TDi-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Seat-Toledo-1-9TDi-...
Slightly left-field - how about a Rover 45 diesel?
I thrashed mine mercilessly for four years and 128k and it never gave me any bills aside from routine servicing and tyres.
The Rover L series is an agricultural old thing, but bulletproof and economical. I saw an average of 52mpg from it without being particularly careful.
I thrashed mine mercilessly for four years and 128k and it never gave me any bills aside from routine servicing and tyres.
The Rover L series is an agricultural old thing, but bulletproof and economical. I saw an average of 52mpg from it without being particularly careful.
Clio 80.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Clio-1-5dCi-80-D...
Rolling in 65bhp one at the minute. Genuine 700 miles to 51 litres of fuel.
Waiting for it to die so I can buy the 80/100 version. but after 150k hard miles with no cam belt change and servicing when I feel like it, it's still passing MOT's with no advisory s, and working everyday.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Clio-1-5dCi-80-D...
Rolling in 65bhp one at the minute. Genuine 700 miles to 51 litres of fuel.
Waiting for it to die so I can buy the 80/100 version. but after 150k hard miles with no cam belt change and servicing when I feel like it, it's still passing MOT's with no advisory s, and working everyday.
Another vote for Rover group products here. You will get a 75 / ZT diesel in very good order for that money.
Doubt you will get 60 MPG though, but upper 40's should be no problem
There is a guy on the MG Rover forum at the moment trying to sell a 75 on a 03 plate with leather for £850
Doubt you will get 60 MPG though, but upper 40's should be no problem
There is a guy on the MG Rover forum at the moment trying to sell a 75 on a 03 plate with leather for £850
Jimmyarm said:
At that price point, as above steer clear of anything diesel. It will either be knackered VW crap (just because the 1.9tdi is fairly reliable as an engine block doesn't mean the rest of the car is!) or French (or have a french engine in it like a 1.6 TDCI focus).
1.6 Zetec Focus is a good shout, cheap, reliable and cheap to fix. Just make sure it's been serviced yearly and that the cambelt has been done (10yr/100k intervals).
Anything smaller than a Focus is pretty horrendous to spend any time on the motorway in tbh.
Not sure on that, i have one. For a gutless 1.6 it's rubbish on fuel. Mid 30s normally. Can scrape into low 40s on a long run with 50mph motorway roadworks.1.6 Zetec Focus is a good shout, cheap, reliable and cheap to fix. Just make sure it's been serviced yearly and that the cambelt has been done (10yr/100k intervals).
Anything smaller than a Focus is pretty horrendous to spend any time on the motorway in tbh.
On the other hand my Ibiza TDi Sport train car park shed with an alleged map. Goes like stink and rarely drops below mid 40s. Decent run sees 60mpg easily on a long motorway journey. (Shame it smells bad and has rust like a 70s escort, on the plus side the engine and turbo are worth far more than it cost me).
I'd say any VAG group TDi. Passat i had before was much the same but a much nicer place to be. Bora's always seem to be cheapest and are a nice drive. Budget for a MAF sensor though, they are mostly screwed and badly effect performance and MPG.
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