What engine for the risk averse, £7k car, 150bhp+
Discussion
I may be in the market for a second hand car when my leased alltrack goes back, it doesn't need to be outstanding in any one area but it needs to be reliable as I may own it long enough for it to descend into shed territory. I don't need car recommendations but engine recommendations, I am looking for an engine (including ancillaries) that will be close to bullet proof. My normal commute is only 20 minutes, it will be used for local trips to the shops etc. and the occasional longer trip for which I prefer a car with a modest amount of power.
For reference I put over 90,000 miles on a pd150 engine in a VAG car without incident (dmf had a faint rattle when sold) and also have a BMW 130i which we will keep. I know most will recommend a petrol engine but which one? It only takes 5 minutes on google or a visit to Briskoda to see multiple tales of woe regarding the 2.0 tfsi unit in my budget range for example. I could endure another diesel if I was confident about its dpf, dmf, injectors etc. but does such a unit exist in a relatively recent model in my budget range?
Mpg not too important but over 30 would be a bonus.I have a mental list but am interested in others experiences and recommendations.
For reference I put over 90,000 miles on a pd150 engine in a VAG car without incident (dmf had a faint rattle when sold) and also have a BMW 130i which we will keep. I know most will recommend a petrol engine but which one? It only takes 5 minutes on google or a visit to Briskoda to see multiple tales of woe regarding the 2.0 tfsi unit in my budget range for example. I could endure another diesel if I was confident about its dpf, dmf, injectors etc. but does such a unit exist in a relatively recent model in my budget range?
Mpg not too important but over 30 would be a bonus.I have a mental list but am interested in others experiences and recommendations.
This is driven by data from a warranty company: http://www.reliabilityindex.com/
So it should give you a reasonable steer on which cars represent a reliable ownership proposition. Explains on the website how they calculate the score.
So it should give you a reasonable steer on which cars represent a reliable ownership proposition. Explains on the website how they calculate the score.
The K20 is a good shout and may become more appreciated as normally aspirated engines are no longer produced, A civic would be perfect in most respects but i don't know if I could live with the ride.
Thanks for the reliability index link, there is nothing in the top 10 but I will look deeper.
As an aside I deliberately avoided asking for car buying recommendations but got moved anyway!
Thanks for the reliability index link, there is nothing in the top 10 but I will look deeper.
As an aside I deliberately avoided asking for car buying recommendations but got moved anyway!
steve-5snwi said:
How about a Toyota Auris hybrid, granted not the most exciting and i'm not sure if it gets close to 150 bhp but it may meet your requirements
Thanks, fits most of my criteria, the engine has a good reputation but a little slow to accelerate. Don't know how they go in every day situations i.e. swift overtaking (my daughter once asked why I wasn't going faster when overtaking with my foot to the floor in my 190bhp passat).The 1.4T that's found in Fiat 500 Alfa Mito etc but I'd go for it in the Giulietta form.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
My N/A choice would be the Mazda3 2.0
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or the 1.6T engine found in the Focus:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
My N/A choice would be the Mazda3 2.0
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or the 1.6T engine found in the Focus:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
smbitin said:
Cheers ZX10R NIN, the Focus 1.6T is not a car I have considered. For what its worth I had the 6 cylinder engines in a Lexus and BMW(2.5i) on my list but I am a bit out of date with out of date with knowledge of more recent engines like the one in the Focus.
Risk averse and petrol turbo fords don't belong in the same sentence.kambites said:
The Honda K20 seems pretty bullet-proof.
Had my FN2 over 2 years now and and have found the K20(A) a real joy, nippy enough for normal driving and surprisingly quick in VTEC.
Recently had the engine management light come on so took it to the well regarded TGM Sport, the owner ran a diagnostic test which pointed to the VTEC sensor which completely baffled him (sensor still plugged in, oil level good) he ran a full check and took it for a test drive coming to the conclusion it was a random glitch. He then went into quite abit of detail about how they never get any customers in with engine problems unless it has run out of oil
As for the firm ride then the 18's are a must, but a few people say 17's are the sweet spot
smbitin said:
Cheers ZX10R NIN, the Focus 1.6T is not a car I have considered. For what its worth I had the 6 cylinder engines in a Lexus and BMW(2.5i) on my list but I am a bit out of date with out of date with knowledge of more recent engines like the one in the Focus.
From your two the IS250 engine is super reliable more so than the BMW, the 1.6T engine in the Ford is good nice power & torque but still unstressed basically it's the same engine found in the Fiesta ST but without the overboost.
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