Comfortable, economical, reliable and cheap - Suggestions?
Discussion
Hi
I'm handing back my PCP car, and with the view of saving money for a mortgage, and build my failing credit score back up I'm going to buy a car outright and keep it a few years.
It will be on the motorway quite a bit, but also do a fair amount of town driving, about 15k miles a year will be done in the car. Cruise control is a must. I also want something reliable, should I go Japanese or on an older car does it make much difference? Should high mileage put me off, I'd be making sure it had a good service history anyway.
A couple of cars that have caught my eye;
A Mondeo (seems rather cheap for age and miles, should that make me wary?)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...
A Focus
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...
A Civic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108236...
The car I want to get, but I think it would be very unwise, an Alfa Giulietta, would it?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109046...
Budget is £4k, but less is better, as ideally I'd want to get tax & insurance in that budget. Anything I've not thought of? Doesn't need to be particularly flash, comfort and reliable is most important, if it can last me 2-3 years without major bills I'm a happy man.
Thank yuo
I'm handing back my PCP car, and with the view of saving money for a mortgage, and build my failing credit score back up I'm going to buy a car outright and keep it a few years.
It will be on the motorway quite a bit, but also do a fair amount of town driving, about 15k miles a year will be done in the car. Cruise control is a must. I also want something reliable, should I go Japanese or on an older car does it make much difference? Should high mileage put me off, I'd be making sure it had a good service history anyway.
A couple of cars that have caught my eye;
A Mondeo (seems rather cheap for age and miles, should that make me wary?)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...
A Focus
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...
A Civic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108236...
The car I want to get, but I think it would be very unwise, an Alfa Giulietta, would it?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109046...
Budget is £4k, but less is better, as ideally I'd want to get tax & insurance in that budget. Anything I've not thought of? Doesn't need to be particularly flash, comfort and reliable is most important, if it can last me 2-3 years without major bills I'm a happy man.
Thank yuo
The CLK ticks a lot of your boxes & you can get one with sensible miles on the clock & you'll get a 220/320cdi with sensible miles (as in below 100k) well within budget, if you go for a Sport model as well as cruise you get the orthopedic seats.
Fuel wise if you map one you'll see a real world 45-47 on a run with a 320cdi & 47-50mpg on a 220 (that's on a 220cdi with the 7 Speed gearbox) on a run but you'll use a bit more around town as you have to work the 220cdi a bit harder.
CLK320cdi Sport
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373704066186?hash=item5...
Avantgarde
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234170761972?hash=item3...
220cdi Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108256...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274912584562?hash=item4...
The Insignia is a good shout & the VFM pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108216...
Fuel wise if you map one you'll see a real world 45-47 on a run with a 320cdi & 47-50mpg on a 220 (that's on a 220cdi with the 7 Speed gearbox) on a run but you'll use a bit more around town as you have to work the 220cdi a bit harder.
CLK320cdi Sport
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373704066186?hash=item5...
Avantgarde
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234170761972?hash=item3...
220cdi Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108256...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274912584562?hash=item4...
The Insignia is a good shout & the VFM pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108216...
Thank you.
I must say the CLK hadn’t crossed my mind, but they may well be worth a look. I’d avoided German cars due to repair bill concerns. However a lot of taxi drivers use old E Class Mercedes, and by my logic they wouldn’t if they were moneypits?
The Insignia would be a good choice, I quite like Vauxhall, they tend to be good value well equipped cars.
I must say the CLK hadn’t crossed my mind, but they may well be worth a look. I’d avoided German cars due to repair bill concerns. However a lot of taxi drivers use old E Class Mercedes, and by my logic they wouldn’t if they were moneypits?
The Insignia would be a good choice, I quite like Vauxhall, they tend to be good value well equipped cars.
stevemcs said:
Thanks, can't pick fault with that, and it's a Toyota so should never die. It's added to the list.carlove said:
Thank you.
I must say the CLK hadn’t crossed my mind, but they may well be worth a look. I’d avoided German cars due to repair bill concerns. However a lot of taxi drivers use old E Class Mercedes, and by my logic they wouldn’t if they were moneypits?
The Insignia would be a good choice, I quite like Vauxhall, they tend to be good value well equipped cars.
The CLK is well worth a look (yes I'm bias having had a 270320cdi & having a CLK63) the drivetrains are bulletproof & the parts are plentiful & sensibly priced.I must say the CLK hadn’t crossed my mind, but they may well be worth a look. I’d avoided German cars due to repair bill concerns. However a lot of taxi drivers use old E Class Mercedes, and by my logic they wouldn’t if they were moneypits?
The Insignia would be a good choice, I quite like Vauxhall, they tend to be good value well equipped cars.
One thing you have to check for on the CLK's is that the gearbox fluid & filter have been changed (it should be done every 40k) if there are no receipts saying it's been done then look to take £250-300 off of the price.
The pre 2012 1.6d Ford/PSA engines are to be avoided as they weren't the most reliable unit.
Please read up on Toyota 2.2 diesel economy and head gasket issues- it's what put me off the Auris and Lexus IS220.
I had a similar criteria to yourself and would second the recommendation of a Mercedes 220 diesel unit. Also have a look at Honda diesels (as long as clutch has been changed). In the end went for a Volvo S60 D5 as wanted something different. Apparently the Volvo D5 unit is meant to be one of the better diesels out there.
If you want zero complications then a NA petrol would probably be your best bet as less ancillaries to go wrong/fix- such as DPFs, DMF etc- the Honda 1.8 petrol and Toyota valvematic engines do give good real world mpg. All imo of course.
I had a similar criteria to yourself and would second the recommendation of a Mercedes 220 diesel unit. Also have a look at Honda diesels (as long as clutch has been changed). In the end went for a Volvo S60 D5 as wanted something different. Apparently the Volvo D5 unit is meant to be one of the better diesels out there.
If you want zero complications then a NA petrol would probably be your best bet as less ancillaries to go wrong/fix- such as DPFs, DMF etc- the Honda 1.8 petrol and Toyota valvematic engines do give good real world mpg. All imo of course.
Edited by mwahahaha on Monday 6th September 22:38
Out of those, I'd pick the Giulietta. It's no less reliable than any of the other cars. In fact the JTDM motor is arguably much more reliable than the Ford TDCi diesel units, especially with the turbos. The Civic is also a solid pick.
At this age, mileage and price, the cars might be a bit tired and need some service parts, such as timing belt, water pump, clutch, DMF, suspension parts, etc.
Also, I'd have a read of the reviews of the sellers of the Mondeo and Alfa, I'd try and find some better ones.
Here are a few I found:
This Giulietta from a private seller looks spot on, it's had the clutch & DMF changed one year ago, so won't need doing for another 80,000 miles or so, the timing belt & water pump was changed in 2019, so is good for another 4 years. He's been honest about that small mark at the back. I'd go for this and find a good Alfa specialist near where you live to look after it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108146...
If you want the extra security of buying from a dealer, then maybe this one is ok as it has FSH and 6 months warranty. No mention of timing belts or clutches though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108146...
Closely related to the diesel engine found in the above Alfas, are the TiD and TTiD engines in the Saab 9-3. This TTiD looks lovely
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106224...
This single turbo TiD also looks great and has had the timing belt, clutch and DMF sorted. Really low miles too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104061...
Private seller with a Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi SRi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109046...
These eco flex Insignias are only £30 a year to tax. Some are 0
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109067...
At this age, mileage and price, the cars might be a bit tired and need some service parts, such as timing belt, water pump, clutch, DMF, suspension parts, etc.
Also, I'd have a read of the reviews of the sellers of the Mondeo and Alfa, I'd try and find some better ones.
Here are a few I found:
This Giulietta from a private seller looks spot on, it's had the clutch & DMF changed one year ago, so won't need doing for another 80,000 miles or so, the timing belt & water pump was changed in 2019, so is good for another 4 years. He's been honest about that small mark at the back. I'd go for this and find a good Alfa specialist near where you live to look after it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108146...
If you want the extra security of buying from a dealer, then maybe this one is ok as it has FSH and 6 months warranty. No mention of timing belts or clutches though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108146...
Closely related to the diesel engine found in the above Alfas, are the TiD and TTiD engines in the Saab 9-3. This TTiD looks lovely
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106224...
This single turbo TiD also looks great and has had the timing belt, clutch and DMF sorted. Really low miles too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104061...
Private seller with a Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi SRi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109046...
These eco flex Insignias are only £30 a year to tax. Some are 0
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109067...
carlove said:
Thank you.
I must say the CLK hadn’t crossed my mind, but they may well be worth a look. I’d avoided German cars due to repair bill concerns. However a lot of taxi drivers use old E Class Mercedes, and by my logic they wouldn’t if they were moneypits?
The Insignia would be a good choice, I quite like Vauxhall, they tend to be good value well equipped cars.
You are right, the OM642 engine that is found in 320 CDI models of that era are not without their problems, which can start to kick in around 100,000 miles: https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id...I must say the CLK hadn’t crossed my mind, but they may well be worth a look. I’d avoided German cars due to repair bill concerns. However a lot of taxi drivers use old E Class Mercedes, and by my logic they wouldn’t if they were moneypits?
The Insignia would be a good choice, I quite like Vauxhall, they tend to be good value well equipped cars.
The OM651 engine found in 220 and 250 CDI models of that era also have many problems: https://autospruce.com/mercedes-2-1-cdi-om651-engi...
Thanks Georgeyboy.
I have a massive soft spot for Alfas, my late dad had a 159 years ago, and I loved that car. It got replaced with a new 3 Series due to the 159's questionable reliability, as nice as the 3 was it didn't feel special like a 159. The reason I linked the Giulietta that I did was the colour mainly, the private seller one looks a good honest car, with the nice bonus of a Bose sound system, and could be onto a winner. Sadly the local Alfa specialist has gone, it went not long after my Dad got rid of the 159, coincidence?
.
The Insignia in Elite trim does look a very nice place to be, I've never had any faults with current Astra, but, it just doesn't quite have the soul of the Alfa. Saab might be a good middle ground between sensible and different.
Favourites are, in no particular order; Volvo S40, Alfa Giulietta, the CLK has to be there, and the Insignia (in Elite trim).
I have a massive soft spot for Alfas, my late dad had a 159 years ago, and I loved that car. It got replaced with a new 3 Series due to the 159's questionable reliability, as nice as the 3 was it didn't feel special like a 159. The reason I linked the Giulietta that I did was the colour mainly, the private seller one looks a good honest car, with the nice bonus of a Bose sound system, and could be onto a winner. Sadly the local Alfa specialist has gone, it went not long after my Dad got rid of the 159, coincidence?
.The Insignia in Elite trim does look a very nice place to be, I've never had any faults with current Astra, but, it just doesn't quite have the soul of the Alfa. Saab might be a good middle ground between sensible and different.
Favourites are, in no particular order; Volvo S40, Alfa Giulietta, the CLK has to be there, and the Insignia (in Elite trim).
georgeyboy12345 said:
You are right, the OM642 engine that is found in 320 CDI models of that era are not without their problems, which can start to kick in around 100,000 miles: https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id...
The OM651 engine found in 220 and 250 CDI models of that era also have many problems: https://autospruce.com/mercedes-2-1-cdi-om651-engi...
The 220/250 are different units to the 2.1d in the CLK's these are easily distinguished by the cam chain being at the front of the engine rather than at the rear for the later units that have the DPF's etc.The OM651 engine found in 220 and 250 CDI models of that era also have many problems: https://autospruce.com/mercedes-2-1-cdi-om651-engi...
You're also quoting the wrong 3.0d engine the one in the CLK is again the generation before so again they're well proven & reliable because they don't have the newer cars euro6 gubbins on them & you'll see loads with 150k+ on the clock in both 220/270/320 form.
carlove said:
Higher end of budget, halfway across the country, but could this be the perfect choice? Can’t work out how to link on my phone
I wonder if anybody has knowledge on these? I think the S40 is what I want to go for, has all sorts of creature comforts, heated leather, cruise, xenons and adding insurance and tax comes within budget. The Giulietta is a very close second. Anything to look out for? What should I be asking? I am something of a beginner, I’ve been driving new financed cars for a few years, older used cars are new ground for me.
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