Cheap runaround to cover a fair bit of mileage - Page 1 - Car Buying

funkyrobot

Original Poster

18,789 posts

248 months

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Sunday 1st July 2018

Looking for a cheap runaround to cover some mileage over the next few months. Don't need it for work, but going on some holidays soon (all over the country), friend now lives 50 miles away and we are looking at new places to live.

I don't currently own a car as I use the bicycle to get to work. Thought about hiring, but that can be expensve.

I'm thinking anything with a VAG 1.9 TDI of around year 2000 vintage? Good idea?

Have found some Octavia's around £1000 mark. These ok?

I will be lugging my wife and our 4 year old around too.

Tow bar a bonus.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Lukas239

458 posts

116 months

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Monday 2nd July 2018

Although I've never owned a PD130, they are notorious for being reliable. Check this out

https://youtu.be/tUR2HMmoIrU

As a family we have had a fair few old French diesels. All economical and super reliable with basic maintenance. 1.9xdi and 1.9hdi both similar. If it's diesel try and predate things like an EGR, DPF etc.

funkyrobot

Original Poster

18,789 posts

248 months

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Monday 2nd July 2018

Thanks.

Normally, I'd looking at Japanese and petrol or something like a focus petrol. My mileage is going to be quite significant over the next few months though.

Used to own a Bora with the 110 in. Boring car, but it covered the miles well and was really quite frugal.

ShyTallKnight

2,288 posts

233 months

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Monday 2nd July 2018

I'd have to say a Volvo V70 D5 manual of 2004 vintage with the 163 bhp motor. Bought mine in Feb and its needed nothing tbh. Flew through its MOT in May even with well over 210k miles up now..!!

ZX10R NIN

29,762 posts

145 months

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Monday 2nd July 2018

Mr Tidy

28,456 posts

147 months

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Tuesday 3rd July 2018

ZX10R NIN said:

same with cambelts.

Or just buy a BMW 320d with a cam-chain! (And more power than any of those other options)! laugh

Burnzyb

300 posts

197 months

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Tuesday 3rd July 2018

In all honesty you’ve probably picked one of the best options, the 1.9tdi just needs regular oil changes with good oil to keep cam wear at bay, a nice Skoda Octavia will be cheap and good on fuel, will get an estate with lowish mileage for not a lot of money 👍 I settled on a c5 A6 just because I fancied one, but the Skoda was a close contender for a cheap work horse.

ZX10R NIN

29,762 posts

145 months

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Tuesday 3rd July 2018

Mr Tidy said:

Or just buy a BMW 320d with a cam-chain! (And more power than any of those other options)! laugh

Until the chain s

ts itself

I'd rather give up a bit of BHP & have the peace of mind.

funkyrobot

Original Poster

18,789 posts

248 months

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Tuesday 3rd July 2018

Thanks for all of the recommendations all.

Like older petrol BMW's, but don't fancy the diesels. Timing chain issues put me off. smile

Going to sift through the responses and see what stands out.

Found these for now:

Yes, it's petrol. But cambelt done in 2015 and seller says he has owned it for a while:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Diesel with tow bar. Just need to find some info out about this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Tatty L&K example:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BMW E39. Not as per requirements, but what the hell hehe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Oh yes, the BMW would be great for the impending job hunting I need to do. smile

funkyrobot

Original Poster

18,789 posts

248 months

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Tuesday 3rd July 2018

ZX10R NIN said:

Thanks for that. Some things on there I never considered.

Aren't the Mazda's of that vintage to be avoided though? Or were the 2.2 the problem engines?

Burnzyb

300 posts

197 months

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Tuesday 3rd July 2018

Be careful of e39’s lovely motors, but some are starting to rot, jacking points are common and an mot failure.

Tdci’s aren’t short of there own problems, even the 2.2ctdi Honda’s have a manifold issue that’s quite common.

Basically there’s a risk factor with most used cars laugh

funkyrobot

Original Poster

18,789 posts

248 months

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Tuesday 3rd July 2018

Burnzyb said:

Be careful of e39’s lovely motors, but some are starting to rot, jacking points are common and an mot failure.

Tdci’s aren’t short of there own problems, even the 2.2ctdi Honda’s have a manifold issue that’s quite common.

Basically there’s a risk factor with most used cars laugh

If I'm honest, I couldn't do an e39 at the moment. Won't be working over summer so just need something as cheap as possible to chuck the miles on. E39 would be nice, but as you say they are getting on now and I can't see it being the cheapest thing to run.

ZX10R NIN

29,762 posts

145 months

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Tuesday 3rd July 2018

funkyrobot said:

Thanks for that. Some things on there I never considered.

Aren't the Mazda's of that vintage to be avoided though? Or were the 2.2 the problem engines?

It was the 2.2 that needed to be avoided.