Basic, old, reliable shed
Discussion
A mate of mine has a 106 1.5D, which he bought to replace his old 106 1.4D, thinking it was on its way out after 15 years of his ownership, but it’s still soldiering on. This got me thinking about a new to me car.
I quite like the idea of a tough as old boots, mechanical old shed to last a while.
I’d like to be free of finance for a while and stash away some cash, so the car will be hopefully reliable, and cheap if bits do break, cheap tyres and brakes etc. I’d love to be able to spend £100 and have a full set of winters for the shed for example, instead of £££’s!
Don’t mind an older agricultural diesel, or a petrol. Wouldn’t mind 4 or AWD, but not a necessity.
Currently my thoughts are:
306 D-Turbo
106/Saxo 1.5D like said mate has got, as he could probably help with the spannering quite easily if needed
Old diesel Corolla
Petrol Avensis or Corolla from late 90’s or early 00’s
Does anyone have any suggestions so I can have a browse of the classifieds?
Standard buy anything close with an MOT and run until dies isn’t what I’m going for here, I want a tough old bus to keep in good condition for not much money and for it to last.
I quite like the idea of a tough as old boots, mechanical old shed to last a while.
I’d like to be free of finance for a while and stash away some cash, so the car will be hopefully reliable, and cheap if bits do break, cheap tyres and brakes etc. I’d love to be able to spend £100 and have a full set of winters for the shed for example, instead of £££’s!
Don’t mind an older agricultural diesel, or a petrol. Wouldn’t mind 4 or AWD, but not a necessity.
Currently my thoughts are:
306 D-Turbo
106/Saxo 1.5D like said mate has got, as he could probably help with the spannering quite easily if needed
Old diesel Corolla
Petrol Avensis or Corolla from late 90’s or early 00’s
Does anyone have any suggestions so I can have a browse of the classifieds?
Standard buy anything close with an MOT and run until dies isn’t what I’m going for here, I want a tough old bus to keep in good condition for not much money and for it to last.
I have a mercedes 190d 2.5 auto, not quick but super reliable, economical and comfortable. Also something that you can take a bit of pride in and will get you all your money back if looked after. The w202 c class is also touch as old boots, just a few more electrics than the 190/w124.
Volvo is a good bet too, well looked after/low mile 740/940's do exist and will not give you any trouble.
The 90's toyotas are a good shout too, just not a massive amount to love about them bar the endless reliability. Carina e is the absolute top of the pile, literally couldn't kill them. We've one in work as one of the pool cars, does 30k per year and should have been changed a long time ago, but it never goes wrong. It's a 2.0 cdx auto, and drives surprisingly well hence no-one really complains about it either.
Volvo is a good bet too, well looked after/low mile 740/940's do exist and will not give you any trouble.
The 90's toyotas are a good shout too, just not a massive amount to love about them bar the endless reliability. Carina e is the absolute top of the pile, literally couldn't kill them. We've one in work as one of the pool cars, does 30k per year and should have been changed a long time ago, but it never goes wrong. It's a 2.0 cdx auto, and drives surprisingly well hence no-one really complains about it either.
Your criteria is what thousands of shed owners are after, and is why buying something with a year’s MOT is a common shed/bangernomics strategy.
Certainly something non turbo.
Be prepared to travel. It might take say 2 hours to get there, but it takes time to buy the right car.
This looks like a pretty sensible motor
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
You might get good value looking at a cat C/D too.
Certainly something non turbo.
Be prepared to travel. It might take say 2 hours to get there, but it takes time to buy the right car.
This looks like a pretty sensible motor
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
You might get good value looking at a cat C/D too.
Just a plus to the 306;
They're ultra comfortable and bullet proof.
About 10/15 years ago my parents owned a 306 D turbo estate, due to choping and changing cars my mum mistakenly ended up putting petrol in it. Only noticed when it stopped burning fuel and came to a halt. My dad came out and opened the bonnet and smelt petrol. Tank drained and filled with diesel. A few cranks over and it started fine and continued fine for many years (and might be still going, I don't know the reg to check).
It was great for comfort, I was in that thing for many long journeys and it was excellent. Didn't put a foot wrong in many years despite the abuse thrown at it.
But at what you're looking for, anything sub £1k is worth a look. There will be dogs out there but if you pick carefully, you'll find something cheap and reliable. Too many to list tbh, go on autotrader and select <£1k and take pick at anything.
They're ultra comfortable and bullet proof.
About 10/15 years ago my parents owned a 306 D turbo estate, due to choping and changing cars my mum mistakenly ended up putting petrol in it. Only noticed when it stopped burning fuel and came to a halt. My dad came out and opened the bonnet and smelt petrol. Tank drained and filled with diesel. A few cranks over and it started fine and continued fine for many years (and might be still going, I don't know the reg to check).
It was great for comfort, I was in that thing for many long journeys and it was excellent. Didn't put a foot wrong in many years despite the abuse thrown at it.
But at what you're looking for, anything sub £1k is worth a look. There will be dogs out there but if you pick carefully, you'll find something cheap and reliable. Too many to list tbh, go on autotrader and select <£1k and take pick at anything.
The majority of listings on Auto-trader are garages and independent dealers.
You might find a good one, but I'd steer clear generally, as most are over-priced ; an £800 'trade sale' is a part ex they've taken in for sub £300 and thrown a bucket of water over .
Sometimes, miracles do happen though :-
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
'93 plate Carina e / 1.6 / 120K / last owner 18 years. £450
These are the sort of cars I look out for - sadly too far away from me
Best private sales will be gumtree, preloved and e-bay and rarely in the local paper.
Expect spots of rust, supermarket dings and dents, and the odd electrical problem - but a few weekends with the spaners, a few quid for parts, some polish and elbow grease and you can have a 'nice' car at budget money
Honda Civic / Accord, Toyota Avensis / Carina e / Corolla, Mitsubishi Carisma ; are all bullet proof generally.
You might find a good one, but I'd steer clear generally, as most are over-priced ; an £800 'trade sale' is a part ex they've taken in for sub £300 and thrown a bucket of water over .
Sometimes, miracles do happen though :-
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
'93 plate Carina e / 1.6 / 120K / last owner 18 years. £450
These are the sort of cars I look out for - sadly too far away from me
Best private sales will be gumtree, preloved and e-bay and rarely in the local paper.
Expect spots of rust, supermarket dings and dents, and the odd electrical problem - but a few weekends with the spaners, a few quid for parts, some polish and elbow grease and you can have a 'nice' car at budget money
Honda Civic / Accord, Toyota Avensis / Carina e / Corolla, Mitsubishi Carisma ; are all bullet proof generally.
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