What boring car?

[Gad-Westy]

Hi all, this is unlikely to be the most exciting of threads I'm afraid. For once I am looking to buy a car purely based on it's function as a utility.

I'm looking to be replace our E46 Touring soon. It's a lovely car but it's at an age where its capable of generating big bills on occasion and it's also looking a bit shabby. It either needs some money spending or it needs to go. I'm not going to spend proper money on it though so it's time to look for a replacement. Here comes the boring bit. I want something smaller (but still practical), very reliable, that'll go from service to service with minimal maintenance required. This is going to be a work horse. Fun is not on the agenda (I fancy a third car for that). I don't mind it not exciting me, but I don't want it to repulse me either.

List of criteria:

Budget, let's say £8000 but I'd prefer to spend a lot less.
Golf sort of size or a little bigger.
Reliable and lowish servicing costs.
Performance not a high priority but let's say it needs to be happy to accelerate at motorway speeds.
Excellent MPG, ideally in the 50's on a run (I realise I can offset fuel costs elsewhere but I really hate the psychology of spending a fortune on fuel)
Diesel or maybe LPG, I doubt any petrol is going to deliver the economy I would like.
RWD, FWD, 4WD, 1WD, I don't really mind, this is for soul destroying, not soul stirring.
5 doors with folding seats
Comfortable for mile munching
No MPV's or anything desperately ugly.

Thought so far:

Golf MK5 diesel - I don't know anything about the diesel engine range but I like the cars. A little worried about reliability and servicing costs.
BMW 1-Series diesel - I guess I'd be looking at early highish milers. Again it's running costs that concern me a little here.
Ford Focus Mk2 diesel - Interesting one. Could be ideal but I don't know much about them.
Honda Civic diesel - These look close to ideal in the reliability stakes. Interesting to look at (fugly from some angles), a bit tacky inside but it's a contender)
Volvo C30 - I like these but do these even come in 5 door flavour?

Any thoughts on any of the above? What else am I missing?

[sebhaque]

The typical PH sheds spring to mind - Mondeo, Passat, 306 and Octavia. All in diesel guise. I'm sure you'll find eleventyhundred folks here who run each of those and say they're good choices, which in fairness hasn't been disproved yet. I run a 120d as a daily and I'd be a bit cautious around leggy 1ers, they're pretty reliable but when they do go wrong, they carry quite large repair bills. If you are after a used BMW I'd recommend looking at BMW approved used; they're at the top end of your budget but do come with a pretty comprehensive warranty.

Slightly frivolous post but it's a viewpoint nonetheless.

[ambuletz]

spend a little less and get a corolla? Or an auris for that budget?

[Gad-Westy]

sebhaque said:

The typical PH sheds spring to mind - Mondeo, Passat, 306 and Octavia. All in diesel guise. I'm sure you'll find eleventyhundred folks here who run each of those and say they're good choices, which in fairness hasn't been disproved yet. I run a 120d as a daily and I'd be a bit cautious around leggy 1ers, they're pretty reliable but when they do go wrong, they carry quite large repair bills. If you are after a used BMW I'd recommend looking at BMW approved used; they're at the top end of your budget but do come with a pretty comprehensive warranty.

Slightly frivolous post but it's a viewpoint nonetheless.

Cheers. That's my worry with BMW. On paper, very reliable but it only takes one big bill to spoil all that. The E46 has basically eaten it's entire cooling system in the last couple of months and it's cost getting on for what the car is worth to sort out. I don't want that any more. I'd happily have highish consistent monthly bills than low ones with the odd whopper if that makes sense. Predictable running costs, one might say.

The Modeo, I should look at, though Focus size is more likely to suit me. Passat, same argument with Golf. The 306 is way too old for me consider now. I know I could buy something like that and never have to do a scrap of maintenance but at that age it's unlikely. The Octavia is a good call though, and maybe I should also look at Seats.

[Gad-Westy]

ambuletz said:

spend a little less and get a corolla? Or an auris for that budget?

I'm not sure why I didn't think to look at Toyotas. Will look these up.

[ambuletz]

indeed, they'll be boring alright, but at least they will be good value/well specced and very reliable (if looked after of course)

[T84]

Accord CDTI Exec.

I drove the petrol 2.4 and really liked it, I heard the Diesel unit is good.

I think they look really nice for an ordinary car too, more classy than a Vectra/Mondeo.

[Bonefish Blues]

How about a Fabia VRS, at least as large as a 1 Series, economy & reliability, too.

[vladcjelli]

Howsabout a Mazda 3 1.6 diesel?



Potential for 60mpg, meant to be a decent steer (Focus based iirc), bit more interesting to look at than common rivals (imo), supposed Mazda reliability and there seem to be plenty around your price on autotrader.

[Gad-Westy]

Cheers all.

BMW 1-Series I think is falling quickly out of favour. Can't see the value there and concerned about big bills.

Accord is going on the list (though I suspect a civic may be more suitable) as is a Toyota of some description, probably an Auris.

Mazda 3 is a good call too. One I'd missed.

Skoda Fabia VRS. I like the look of these but I thought they were more Polo sized than Golf sized. I have actually looked at them before but I can't remember how big they were. Assume we're talking old shape here? Pretty reliable? Low running costs?

[I Love Lamp]

Golf GT TDi

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2626925.htm

They also respond well to a remap (for both MPG and performance)

[Seeker UK]

A BMW is no more expensive to repair at a decent indie than a Golf TBH.

[ajprice]

Does it have to be boring? Octavia VRS PD170 diesel would tick the boxes and doesn't look too dull

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[Gad-Westy]

I Love Lamp said:

Golf GT TDi

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2626925.htm

They also respond well to a remap (for both MPG and performance)

Must admit that one does look decent. What are running costs like? The last VW I owned was a MK4 Golf GTi and though it was reasonably reliable, I still incurred some quite high costs but I was foolishly using the main dealer for everything at the time. Any common (read: expensive) faults?

What's the engine range on these? is it like the Mk4 where various power levels are available? That one linked is called a GT, does this signify the power output? and lastly, what sort of economy can be expected on 50/50 town/motorway type stuff?

[Gad-Westy]

Seeker UK said:

A BMW is no more expensive to repair at a decent indie than a Golf TBH.

Hmmm, does that mean the Golf is expensive or the BMW is cheap?

Part of the problem with the BMW is that for my money I'd be looking at older and higher mileage cars than some of the other stuff being discussed. That in itself is fine if it doesn't lead to big bills. My current BMW has done 95,000 miles and is on it's third set of bushes etc.... Those are bills I could do without.

[Gad-Westy]

ajprice said:

Does it have to be boring? Octavia VRS PD170 diesel would tick the boxes and doesn't look too dull

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

I like that. A good call. What is MPG like? This would possibly be a better size than the Fabia and certainly a lot of car for the money.

[Bonefish Blues]

Gad-Westy said:

ajprice said:

Does it have to be boring? Octavia VRS PD170 diesel would tick the boxes and doesn't look too dull

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

I like that. A good call. What is MPG like? This would possibly be a better size than the Fabia and certainly a lot of car for the money.

Good call, definitely better VFM than the Fabia I suggested.

My experience of the 170 engine, both pdi & new common rail is it's a little thirsty in real world driving, so perhaps the standard 140 might be the optimum choice?

[va1o]

I Love Lamp said:

Golf GT TDi

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2626925.htm

They also respond well to a remap (for both MPG and performance)

+1 its the best all rounder, has been for many years

People are always quick to suggest Skodas but they are cheap because of the lesser image, lower general quality and not as much equipment.

[Alfanatic]

Is the Jazz worth a look? 50mpg and better looking than a Civic, unlikely to have been thrashed by previous owner, has finished top of some or other reliability survey somewhere, clever packaging. It's supposed to be pleasant to drive too, not in a sporty way but more in a competent way, but a bit bouncy. I've seen a few keeping a decent pace on the motorway, but it's a 1.4 at best and might not have the power you want. Also, you'd have to be able to live with the fact that you drive a Jazz.

I've been looking for a reliable, economical daily for the family at the 3k - 4k mark, and I must say the Jazz keeps putting itself at the top of the list no matter how hard I try to ignore it.

[va1o]

Surely a Jazz would feel like a massive downgrade from an E46 3-series? Am I on the right forum...