£2.5k Family Saloon Diesel
Discussion
Yup, another annoying thread where someone asks what car they should buy when the reality is they are yet to be in any position to actually buy anything.
I'm looking to get something in a few months time, so this isn't entirely a pipe-dream - it will happen eventually.
I'll have around £2.5k to play with, possibly a fraction more for the right car. I'm definitely not borrowing / using finance to get anything though.
I'm fixated on having a saloon as I've always had hatchbacks to date and fancy something bigger.
I'll cut the small talk and get down to it -
Mazda6 - Comes with the same TDCi engine found in Focus MK2 (136 output) lots about, worrying stories regarding clutches / DMF's put me off
Mondeo - Virtually as above, even more available, bit more dull
Saab 9-3 - Again lots available at this price point, would be more interested in the Vector Sport trim level, concerns about DPF, "it's just a heavy Vectra"
Vectra - same concerns as the Saab and not quite as pretty
Passat - 1.9TDi is strong engine (esp. 130 spec), bit more expensive / cars in my price range have higher miles
These are all cars I've chatted about with my (sensible) old man. However there are two more which I fancy that he has told me to avoid -
E46 320d - Not many about, extra £50 to insure over most other things, again higher mileage in my price range (70k+). Dad says "parts too expensive" - any truth in that? Is rust now an issue too? (any more so than the other cars listed?)
Accord 2.2 - Rarer car, 2.2 is supposedly a 'peach' of an engine, Honda reliability? Dad says "far too complicated if anything goes wrong"
So there's some boring cars to get your teeth into on a Friday afternoon if you have nothing else to do!
I'm looking to get something in a few months time, so this isn't entirely a pipe-dream - it will happen eventually.
I'll have around £2.5k to play with, possibly a fraction more for the right car. I'm definitely not borrowing / using finance to get anything though.
I'm fixated on having a saloon as I've always had hatchbacks to date and fancy something bigger.
I'll cut the small talk and get down to it -
Mazda6 - Comes with the same TDCi engine found in Focus MK2 (136 output) lots about, worrying stories regarding clutches / DMF's put me off
Mondeo - Virtually as above, even more available, bit more dull
Saab 9-3 - Again lots available at this price point, would be more interested in the Vector Sport trim level, concerns about DPF, "it's just a heavy Vectra"
Vectra - same concerns as the Saab and not quite as pretty
Passat - 1.9TDi is strong engine (esp. 130 spec), bit more expensive / cars in my price range have higher miles
These are all cars I've chatted about with my (sensible) old man. However there are two more which I fancy that he has told me to avoid -
E46 320d - Not many about, extra £50 to insure over most other things, again higher mileage in my price range (70k+). Dad says "parts too expensive" - any truth in that? Is rust now an issue too? (any more so than the other cars listed?)
Accord 2.2 - Rarer car, 2.2 is supposedly a 'peach' of an engine, Honda reliability? Dad says "far too complicated if anything goes wrong"
So there's some boring cars to get your teeth into on a Friday afternoon if you have nothing else to do!
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Missing fromm your list (and the correct answer):
Volvo S60 D5 SE (2003 or newer with a manual box).....
Like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-VOLVO-S60-2-4-D5-SE...
+1.Volvo S60 D5 SE (2003 or newer with a manual box).....
Like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-VOLVO-S60-2-4-D5-SE...
Mazda6 - Comes with the same TDCi engine found in Focus MK2 (136 output) lots about, worrying stories regarding clutches / DMF's put me off
The Focus MK2 engine is actually not too bad. I would consider one if I absolutely had to have a diesel however if all you have to worry about is the DMF then I wouldnt buy a diesel!
Mondeo - Virtually as above, even more available, bit more dull
Mondeo at 2.5k is actually a Puma diesel engine. Avoid like the plague unless its a TDDi (rare) and even if it is then be prepared for all sorts of issues. Timing chains, Injectors, Fuel pumps + rails, DMF, Turbo's, EGR valves handbrake cables/calipers, rear subframe bushes etc.
Saab 9-3 - Again lots available at this price point, would be more interested in the Vector Sport trim level, concerns about DPF, "it's just a heavy Vectra"
DPF only fitted to 150 autos? IIRC however will suffer with the usual DMF issue -also have issues with the injectors and looms, also there is an actuator on the inlet thats a b
h to fix. Also suffer with cracking inlet manifolds, electronics at all parts of the cars including the CIM modules and the ECU.
Vectra - same concerns as the Saab and not quite as pretty
Same concerns as the Saab mechanically - Believe it or not better built than the Saab. Nice and low driving position also. Awful indicators that take an age to get used to but when you do work really well.
Passat - 1.9TDi is strong engine (esp. 130 spec), bit more expensive / cars in my price range have higher miles
Dont be fooled by the VW badge. The 130's are stronger but by no means bulletproof. Like to suffer with injector issues, PD pump failures and the usual intercooler/ (very common) turbo issues. Also not as refined as the above. Gearboxes arent that strong along with driveshafts and DMF/Clutches etc. Gutless if I'm honest - recently drove a Passat Highline Estate and I think my mates Focus diesel is quicker.
E46 320d - Not many about, extra £50 to insure over most other things, again higher mileage in my price range (70k+). Dad says "parts too expensive" - any truth in that? Is rust now an issue too? (any more so than the other cars listed?)
These seem to like swirl flaps and inlets, along with the turbo, clutch/DMF issues etc etc. Added to because its a BMW and yes the parts are more however it wouldnt be much of a problem if I was looking for one.
Accord 2.2 - Rarer car, 2.2 is supposedly a 'peach' of an engine, Honda reliability? Dad says "far too complicated if anything goes wrong"
Dont know absolutely anything about these so cannot comment.
S60 D5's are alright if you get a later one without the dash issues but the parts prices are ruinous. 90% of electrical parts are coded to the car so once its dead are useless. Alarm module on mine would never work even with 3 replacements. Smooth though!
If it was my money what would I buy?
A petrol. Seriously. If you buy a 2.5k diesel I would budget £500 at least for the first issue. This will then wipe out any fuel saving. Having said that diesels are easier to drive quick as they are torquey and feel faster than they are. I would think long and hard as to in your budget can you afford to put something right if it goes wrong.
If you buy one get it inspected is my advice!
The Focus MK2 engine is actually not too bad. I would consider one if I absolutely had to have a diesel however if all you have to worry about is the DMF then I wouldnt buy a diesel!
Mondeo - Virtually as above, even more available, bit more dull
Mondeo at 2.5k is actually a Puma diesel engine. Avoid like the plague unless its a TDDi (rare) and even if it is then be prepared for all sorts of issues. Timing chains, Injectors, Fuel pumps + rails, DMF, Turbo's, EGR valves handbrake cables/calipers, rear subframe bushes etc.
Saab 9-3 - Again lots available at this price point, would be more interested in the Vector Sport trim level, concerns about DPF, "it's just a heavy Vectra"
DPF only fitted to 150 autos? IIRC however will suffer with the usual DMF issue -also have issues with the injectors and looms, also there is an actuator on the inlet thats a b
h to fix. Also suffer with cracking inlet manifolds, electronics at all parts of the cars including the CIM modules and the ECU. Vectra - same concerns as the Saab and not quite as pretty
Same concerns as the Saab mechanically - Believe it or not better built than the Saab. Nice and low driving position also. Awful indicators that take an age to get used to but when you do work really well.
Passat - 1.9TDi is strong engine (esp. 130 spec), bit more expensive / cars in my price range have higher miles
Dont be fooled by the VW badge. The 130's are stronger but by no means bulletproof. Like to suffer with injector issues, PD pump failures and the usual intercooler/ (very common) turbo issues. Also not as refined as the above. Gearboxes arent that strong along with driveshafts and DMF/Clutches etc. Gutless if I'm honest - recently drove a Passat Highline Estate and I think my mates Focus diesel is quicker.
E46 320d - Not many about, extra £50 to insure over most other things, again higher mileage in my price range (70k+). Dad says "parts too expensive" - any truth in that? Is rust now an issue too? (any more so than the other cars listed?)
These seem to like swirl flaps and inlets, along with the turbo, clutch/DMF issues etc etc. Added to because its a BMW and yes the parts are more however it wouldnt be much of a problem if I was looking for one.
Accord 2.2 - Rarer car, 2.2 is supposedly a 'peach' of an engine, Honda reliability? Dad says "far too complicated if anything goes wrong"
Dont know absolutely anything about these so cannot comment.
S60 D5's are alright if you get a later one without the dash issues but the parts prices are ruinous. 90% of electrical parts are coded to the car so once its dead are useless. Alarm module on mine would never work even with 3 replacements. Smooth though!
If it was my money what would I buy?
A petrol. Seriously. If you buy a 2.5k diesel I would budget £500 at least for the first issue. This will then wipe out any fuel saving. Having said that diesels are easier to drive quick as they are torquey and feel faster than they are. I would think long and hard as to in your budget can you afford to put something right if it goes wrong.
If you buy one get it inspected is my advice!
Does it have to be diesel? What sort of annual mileage do you do?
The reason I ask is because a £2.5k diesel is more likely to give you a big bill than a similarly priced petrol (non turbo I mean) and more than wipe out any fuel savings.
If petrol then how about sticking with the Accord idea, but with the 2.4 petrol. Relatively rare and generally very reliable.
(Sorry nipsips, just spotted I have said almost exactly the same thing as you)
The reason I ask is because a £2.5k diesel is more likely to give you a big bill than a similarly priced petrol (non turbo I mean) and more than wipe out any fuel savings.
If petrol then how about sticking with the Accord idea, but with the 2.4 petrol. Relatively rare and generally very reliable.
(Sorry nipsips, just spotted I have said almost exactly the same thing as you)
Edited by SlowV6 on Friday 13th June 23:14
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