Discussion
Hi all. I know this is most probably the most boring "What Car" in history... But I am now doing 15+k miles a year, so just want a cheap, reliable road muncher to supplement the Volvo and the bike.
Seems a lot of these are being sold with mega-miles, so reliability must be decent! But I am looking at a couple this weekend, was wondering what common niggles I should look out for with these?
P.S: Seem I have a choice between a 2000 model that is on 90k miles up for 1k, and a 54 plate with 125k miles (but new clutch and flywheel) up for 1300ish pretty local to me.
Cheers
James
Seems a lot of these are being sold with mega-miles, so reliability must be decent! But I am looking at a couple this weekend, was wondering what common niggles I should look out for with these?
P.S: Seem I have a choice between a 2000 model that is on 90k miles up for 1k, and a 54 plate with 125k miles (but new clutch and flywheel) up for 1300ish pretty local to me.
Cheers
James
jimbobsimmonds said:
Hi all. I know this is most probably the most boring "What Car" in history... But I am now doing 15+k miles a year, so just want a cheap, reliable road muncher to supplement the Volvo and the bike.
Seems a lot of these are being sold with mega-miles, so reliability must be decent! But I am looking at a couple this weekend, was wondering what common niggles I should look out for with these?
P.S: Seem I have a choice between a 2000 model that is on 90k miles up for 1k, and a 54 plate with 125k miles (but new clutch and flywheel) up for 1300ish pretty local to me.
Cheers
James
Sounds familiar! Seems a lot of these are being sold with mega-miles, so reliability must be decent! But I am looking at a couple this weekend, was wondering what common niggles I should look out for with these?
P.S: Seem I have a choice between a 2000 model that is on 90k miles up for 1k, and a 54 plate with 125k miles (but new clutch and flywheel) up for 1300ish pretty local to me.
Cheers
James
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
In all seriousness get over to http://www.briskoda.net/forums/ if you want information about anything Skoda related.
Definitely get on Briskoda.
Tge SDi is sinfully slow. The TDi PD100 isn't that much less economic but is a far easier drive. I do 82 miles a day, motorway and A-road, amf managed 75 MPG and generally average 65MPG across a tank in my 2002 1.9TDi estate.
Even the VRs is pretty good driven with a light foot, but not in that budget.
Rear doors are known to leak, diy fix.
Thermostat is common failure, diy fix.
Central locking opens, diy-ish fix.
rear wiper fluid lines disconnected, diy fix.
Washer bottle leaks, diy fix.
Console bushes worn. Diy fix.
The most important thing is to be sure it's be run on oil that meets VW certificate standards. PD engines are fussy on that.
Tge SDi is sinfully slow. The TDi PD100 isn't that much less economic but is a far easier drive. I do 82 miles a day, motorway and A-road, amf managed 75 MPG and generally average 65MPG across a tank in my 2002 1.9TDi estate.
Even the VRs is pretty good driven with a light foot, but not in that budget.
Rear doors are known to leak, diy fix.
Thermostat is common failure, diy fix.
Central locking opens, diy-ish fix.
rear wiper fluid lines disconnected, diy fix.
Washer bottle leaks, diy fix.
Console bushes worn. Diy fix.
The most important thing is to be sure it's be run on oil that meets VW certificate standards. PD engines are fussy on that.
Edited by Evanivitch on Friday 11th September 07:16
Evanivitch said:
Definitely get on Briskoda.
Tge SDi is sinfully slow. The TDi PD100 isn't that much less economic but is a far easier drive. I do 82 miles a day, motorway and A-road, amf managed 75 MPG and generally average 65MPG across a tank in my 2002 1.9TDi estate.
Even the VRs is pretty good driven with a light foot, but not in that budget.
Rear doors are known to leak, diy fix.
Thermostat is common failure, diy fix.
Central locking opens, diy-ish fix.
rear wiper fluid lines disconnected, diy fix.
Washer bottle leaks, diy fix.
Console bushes worn. Diy fix.
The most important thing is to be sure it's be run on oil that meets VW certificate standards. PD engines are fussy on that.
Yes, didn't get any response on the VAG section Tge SDi is sinfully slow. The TDi PD100 isn't that much less economic but is a far easier drive. I do 82 miles a day, motorway and A-road, amf managed 75 MPG and generally average 65MPG across a tank in my 2002 1.9TDi estate.
Even the VRs is pretty good driven with a light foot, but not in that budget.
Rear doors are known to leak, diy fix.
Thermostat is common failure, diy fix.
Central locking opens, diy-ish fix.
rear wiper fluid lines disconnected, diy fix.
Washer bottle leaks, diy fix.
Console bushes worn. Diy fix.
The most important thing is to be sure it's be run on oil that meets VW certificate standards. PD engines are fussy on that.
Edited by Evanivitch on Friday 11th September 07:16
I was also thinking this. I'm basically in the mindset that whatever I buy is going to feel slow, TDi or SDi in comparison to the Volvo.... But equally, whatever I buy is going to feel damn economical compared to the Volvo! To be honest I plan to use the car for driving to work at 6am in the morning, popping to the shops and the occasional rush hour drive back "home" to Kent on a weekend. The Volvo can be used basically whenever I feel I need a bigger car or a bit of fun, and can spend more time on track... Reason I plumped for the SDi because I just can't see anything in the engine bay that could go wrong on something so basic, no turbo-ey problems to worry about. But to be honest I have no idea whether I need to worry about the turbos on those!
(the new gf has a new Ka, and lives 150 yards from work, so in a couple of years I'll just steal that
)The simplicity of the SDi is attractive, but they do struggle at motorway speeds. The TDi is very flexible in 5 and will willingly take you from 40-80 without much strain. With a remap to 130hp it's an impressive thing from a cheap hatch.
Try an SDi by all means, if you can live with it then no reason not to.
Try an SDi by all means, if you can live with it then no reason not to.
jimbobsimmonds said:
Yes, didn't get any response on the VAG section
I was also thinking this. I'm basically in the mindset that whatever I buy is going to feel slow, TDi or SDi in comparison to the Volvo.... But equally, whatever I buy is going to feel damn economical compared to the Volvo! To be honest I plan to use the car for driving to work at 6am in the morning, popping to the shops and the occasional rush hour drive back "home" to Kent on a weekend. The Volvo can be used basically whenever I feel I need a bigger car or a bit of fun, and can spend more time on track... Reason I plumped for the SDi because I just can't see anything in the engine bay that could go wrong on something so basic, no turbo-ey problems to worry about. But to be honest I have no idea whether I need to worry about the turbos on those!
(the new gf has a new Ka, and lives 150 yards from work, so in a couple of years I'll just steal that)
When I was looking at Fabias and Octavias a few years ago I looked at the 1.9SDi in the Fabia. As Evanivitch pointed out, despite lacking a turbo the SDi is no more economical than than a TDi.I was also thinking this. I'm basically in the mindset that whatever I buy is going to feel slow, TDi or SDi in comparison to the Volvo.... But equally, whatever I buy is going to feel damn economical compared to the Volvo! To be honest I plan to use the car for driving to work at 6am in the morning, popping to the shops and the occasional rush hour drive back "home" to Kent on a weekend. The Volvo can be used basically whenever I feel I need a bigger car or a bit of fun, and can spend more time on track... Reason I plumped for the SDi because I just can't see anything in the engine bay that could go wrong on something so basic, no turbo-ey problems to worry about. But to be honest I have no idea whether I need to worry about the turbos on those!
(the new gf has a new Ka, and lives 150 yards from work, so in a couple of years I'll just steal that
)According to figures from Parkers, with 64bhp and 92 lb-ft the SDi gets an average of 57mpg. Despite having 100bhp and 177 lb-ft the TDi manages the same 57MPG. That's a 50% increase in power and almost twice the torque for practically no penalty in fuel consumption.
I needed a car to basically sit on the motorway it's entire life, and once the SDi is up to speed (it takes 18 seconds to hit 60mph) it can keep up with traffic, but despite the added simplicity of the SDi being VAG's almost bulletproof 1.9 TDi with the turbo removed, I went for the TDi (in fact I moved up to the Octavia as there were significantly more TDis to choose from, and it feels better on the motorway).
I had to replace the gearbox soon after buying mine at 98,000, but I'll hold my hands up and say I probably bought a car with a pre-existing condition from a private seller and got burned.
20,000 miles later and it cruised through the MOT. I've serviced, and replaced ARB drop links, they're dirt cheap and very easy.
20,000 miles later and it cruised through the MOT. I've serviced, and replaced ARB drop links, they're dirt cheap and very easy.
jimbobsimmonds said:
Cheers for the advice guys. Going to try and look at a TDi too. Its on 143k though, something I should worry about on these or do they eat miles? Tbf it £500 cheaper too so even if something is wrong there is a bit in the kitty to repair it!
That's roughly the mileage that my dad's 2005 TDI estate is on, he's had it since 2009 and I have to say it's been as reliable as cars come. That mileage is almost entirely town mileage as well (he uses it for work). It's had various minor things but nothing noteworthy that you wouldn't get with anything else. No big bills at any point. Very, very economical as well. Obviously not a rocket, but more than adequate poke in any environment.The SDi is pretty bombproof. But it is Noisy, slow and really doesn't like uphill motorways!
I would plump for a 90bhp tdi as has been said. We have a Golf in that flavour and its just going to pass 200,000 miles and its running a cheap as chips resistor tuning mod and still wont die.
I would plump for a 90bhp tdi as has been said. We have a Golf in that flavour and its just going to pass 200,000 miles and its running a cheap as chips resistor tuning mod and still wont die.
getting old now , I like the VAG PDs and dieslels but age does get to them, they also tend to be driven by people who are tight and doing a lot of miles , decent ones also command a premium (IMO)
If it was me @ £1300 I would be tempted to buy the best condition Jap simple petrol I could. I was doing 20k a year, first car was an Audi A4 100bhp 1,9, it cost me £600 on top of normal servicing over 18months in repairs. I then had a Honda Civic 1.6petrol (15more bhp!!!) and that cost me £0 in repairs or servicing over the same period and had 100K LESS miles for the same price. The Audi did 45-52 mpg on the motorway the Honda did 40-45 mpg on the motorway ....
If it was me @ £1300 I would be tempted to buy the best condition Jap simple petrol I could. I was doing 20k a year, first car was an Audi A4 100bhp 1,9, it cost me £600 on top of normal servicing over 18months in repairs. I then had a Honda Civic 1.6petrol (15more bhp!!!) and that cost me £0 in repairs or servicing over the same period and had 100K LESS miles for the same price. The Audi did 45-52 mpg on the motorway the Honda did 40-45 mpg on the motorway ....
Maybe worth considering VAG stablemates like the Ibiza too?
And unlikely to be as many around as the 1.9 at that end of the market, but I have a 1.4 TDi in 80bhp form (in the heavier Roomster) and it's a decent compromise of performance and economy. Engine seems pretty reliable too, despite the previous owner (my sister!) being a smidgeon tardy with servicing...
And unlikely to be as many around as the 1.9 at that end of the market, but I have a 1.4 TDi in 80bhp form (in the heavier Roomster) and it's a decent compromise of performance and economy. Engine seems pretty reliable too, despite the previous owner (my sister!) being a smidgeon tardy with servicing...
Howard- said:
15,000 miles a year in a Fabia? Rather you than me.
Why not look for an old Passat with the 1.9 TDI? Very reliable by modern diesel standards, very economical, and a nice place to be for journeys longer than to the local shops and back.
Tbh, on those days when I want to sit in something 'nice' I'll take the S60. I did consider the Passat though, but thought a garage consisting of a bike, little diesel hatch and 315bhp saloon ticked most boxes.Why not look for an old Passat with the 1.9 TDI? Very reliable by modern diesel standards, very economical, and a nice place to be for journeys longer than to the local shops and back.
If you don't mind the lack of power then you probably can't go far wrong with an SDI. Like you say, it's a workhorse and you've got your fast volvo for other journeys. That being said, it might grate on you after a while.
If it were me id probably get a small petrol honda like someone else has suggested, better driveability and reliability for the cost of 5-10mpg - chances are you'll save the lost fuel money in not needing any repairs.
If it were me id probably get a small petrol honda like someone else has suggested, better driveability and reliability for the cost of 5-10mpg - chances are you'll save the lost fuel money in not needing any repairs.
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