Help on a boring cheapish daily driver. Diesel or not?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm in need of some serious car guys advice at the moment for the scenario I find myself in life.
I need to buy a daily driver ASAP, a car that I don't need to 'care' about as much e.g. parking it and worrying about someone scratching it. (Daily an S2000 at the moment) and driving it over Winter.
I don't really want to spend much more than say £1/2/3/4k on one, but it needs to be cheap to run and fairly reliable.
I can't work out whether I'm better off going for a petrol engine or a diesel.
1. How are small diesels e.g. The Fiesta 1.6 TDCI on short runs?
Here's my main issue;
My commute is just 6.5 miles from home. Granted, this takes quite a long time during normal peak hours - generally 30 minutes give or take 5 mins. So the engine will definately get up to temperature - it might not be entirely happy sitting in traffic though.
So that's just 13 miles a day.
However, I'm out most evenings which is another 15-20 miles on top of this. Again, a fairly minor journey.
Now for the killer - some/most weekends I do quite a bit of mileage (circa 300 miles) and now have family 250 miles away upon which I will be visiting more and more often.
So an average weekend monthly mileage could be anywhere from 500 to 1000 roughly. At least the car would get a run quite often.
Basically in total I predict yearly in the daily car I will be doing around 13,000 to 16,000 miles.
Which to me, brings me right onto the cusp of going for a diesel, but there's probably not much in it at all.
I was wondering if some of you could cast any light on what I should get.
I've been thinking of all sorts, but I find myself not being able to commit being a petrol head lol. I just need to do it now though.
Fiestas / Polo's / Golf's (PD130/150??) / 320d estates, something small petrol engined, Volvo's. I just can't cope with the choice!! Haha.
Thanks very much all.
T
I'm in need of some serious car guys advice at the moment for the scenario I find myself in life.
I need to buy a daily driver ASAP, a car that I don't need to 'care' about as much e.g. parking it and worrying about someone scratching it. (Daily an S2000 at the moment) and driving it over Winter.
I don't really want to spend much more than say £1/2/3/4k on one, but it needs to be cheap to run and fairly reliable.
I can't work out whether I'm better off going for a petrol engine or a diesel.
1. How are small diesels e.g. The Fiesta 1.6 TDCI on short runs?
Here's my main issue;
My commute is just 6.5 miles from home. Granted, this takes quite a long time during normal peak hours - generally 30 minutes give or take 5 mins. So the engine will definately get up to temperature - it might not be entirely happy sitting in traffic though.
So that's just 13 miles a day.
However, I'm out most evenings which is another 15-20 miles on top of this. Again, a fairly minor journey.
Now for the killer - some/most weekends I do quite a bit of mileage (circa 300 miles) and now have family 250 miles away upon which I will be visiting more and more often.
So an average weekend monthly mileage could be anywhere from 500 to 1000 roughly. At least the car would get a run quite often.
Basically in total I predict yearly in the daily car I will be doing around 13,000 to 16,000 miles.
Which to me, brings me right onto the cusp of going for a diesel, but there's probably not much in it at all.
I was wondering if some of you could cast any light on what I should get.
I've been thinking of all sorts, but I find myself not being able to commit being a petrol head lol. I just need to do it now though.
Fiestas / Polo's / Golf's (PD130/150??) / 320d estates, something small petrol engined, Volvo's. I just can't cope with the choice!! Haha.
Thanks very much all.
T
I'd maybe be looking at something slightly bigger (but not bargey) for the motorway journeys.
Mondeo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Insignia
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mondeo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Insignia
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I have an '06 Civic 2.2 diesel as a daily driver, doing similar sorts of journeys - a 10 mile each way commute, evening trips and longer trips fairly regularly to pick up parts for the other car etc.
It hasn't put a foot wrong even on 164k miles, it cost me £950 and does 55mpg - I'd highly recommend one.
It hasn't put a foot wrong even on 164k miles, it cost me £950 and does 55mpg - I'd highly recommend one.
I currently daily a fiesta 1.6tdci. I have owned it for 3 years and for the past year I have hated it but... I cannot get rid of the thing because it refuses to do less than 60mpg, has no DPF and has cost me £110 total in costs outside of servicing/MOT over 60k.
For longer journeys there are more comfortable cars out there.
Can you can you not Cycle/motorcycle your daily commute for a quicker journey time and then buy a car better suited to long runs?
For longer journeys there are more comfortable cars out there.
Can you can you not Cycle/motorcycle your daily commute for a quicker journey time and then buy a car better suited to long runs?
A diesel will be fine doing those short trips if you're doing the occasional longer trip as well. The fuel economy will be a bit below the advertised on those short trips but you'll make it back again on the longer journeys.
Are you anywhere near a Low Emissions Zone though, or anywhere that might be likely to get one in the near future?
For the longer journeys something bigger will be more comfortable, and cars like Mondeos or Octavias can be had for not a huge amount of money as there's loads of them around.
Left field suggestion....if you truly want a car you don't care about, we did about 350 miles in my wifes 1.2 Honda Jazz last Friday, it was comfortable enough, averaged over 55mpg, and apart from a factory recall for something fairly minor a few years back it seems to be about as reliable as a brick. You would get shunned by any petrolhead mates though
Are you anywhere near a Low Emissions Zone though, or anywhere that might be likely to get one in the near future?
For the longer journeys something bigger will be more comfortable, and cars like Mondeos or Octavias can be had for not a huge amount of money as there's loads of them around.
Left field suggestion....if you truly want a car you don't care about, we did about 350 miles in my wifes 1.2 Honda Jazz last Friday, it was comfortable enough, averaged over 55mpg, and apart from a factory recall for something fairly minor a few years back it seems to be about as reliable as a brick. You would get shunned by any petrolhead mates though
scoey1001 said:
My father in law picked up a 2008 Hyundai i30 diesel for about £1500. Good spec with Heated leather etc. and a decent drive. Nearly all his journeys are less than 5 miles and it's been very reliable in the 18 months he's had it.
I had a 2008 Ceed Diesel 115BHP for 17K Commute.Not a bad drive. Reasonably comfortable. Good Spec (Top LS Model)
Sold to a Colleague. Now on 175K. A Wheel Bearing, Drop Link, Cheap AC fix. That is it outside of Servicing and Consumable
Ticks the boring and reliable Box. Pre-2010 no DPF or DMF.
TheVole said:
I have an '06 Civic 2.2 diesel as a daily driver, doing similar sorts of journeys - a 10 mile each way commute, evening trips and longer trips fairly regularly to pick up parts for the other car etc.
It hasn't put a foot wrong even on 164k miles, it cost me £950 and does 55mpg - I'd highly recommend one.
Awesome, thanks. These do seem a good shout actually. I'm not sold on the spaceship looks.. but if it does the job..!! Cheers, will look into them.It hasn't put a foot wrong even on 164k miles, it cost me £950 and does 55mpg - I'd highly recommend one.
Lukas239 said:
I currently daily a fiesta 1.6tdci. I have owned it for 3 years and for the past year I have hated it but... I cannot get rid of the thing because it refuses to do less than 60mpg, has no DPF and has cost me £110 total in costs outside of servicing/MOT over 60k.
For longer journeys there are more comfortable cars out there.
Can you can you not Cycle/motorcycle your daily commute for a quicker journey time and then buy a car better suited to long runs?
Haha, that's prerry awesome - what sort of mileage can you get out of a full tank of derv?For longer journeys there are more comfortable cars out there.
Can you can you not Cycle/motorcycle your daily commute for a quicker journey time and then buy a car better suited to long runs?
I will investigate these too.. unfortunately I can't cycle due to steep hills and lack of showers at workplace. It's serious gradient, discusting hills. Otherwise I would. Takes me 20 mins to gear up for a motorbike ride and don't want to ruin my love for it using it for work. Plus, no parking, so would get stolen instantly. Lol. Cheers man.
RizzoTheRat said:
A diesel will be fine doing those short trips if you're doing the occasional longer trip as well. The fuel economy will be a bit below the advertised on those short trips but you'll make it back again on the longer journeys.
Are you anywhere near a Low Emissions Zone though, or anywhere that might be likely to get one in the near future?
For the longer journeys something bigger will be more comfortable, and cars like Mondeos or Octavias can be had for not a huge amount of money as there's loads of them around.
Left field suggestion....if you truly want a car you don't care about, we did about 350 miles in my wifes 1.2 Honda Jazz last Friday, it was comfortable enough, averaged over 55mpg, and apart from a factory recall for something fairly minor a few years back it seems to be about as reliable as a brick. You would get shunned by any petrolhead mates though biggrin
Cool, I don't think I'm near a LEZ (?) is there a way of checking.. I'm outside the M25 (Just) hmmmm, skoda you say, my bargain senses are tingling. Are you anywhere near a Low Emissions Zone though, or anywhere that might be likely to get one in the near future?
For the longer journeys something bigger will be more comfortable, and cars like Mondeos or Octavias can be had for not a huge amount of money as there's loads of them around.
Left field suggestion....if you truly want a car you don't care about, we did about 350 miles in my wifes 1.2 Honda Jazz last Friday, it was comfortable enough, averaged over 55mpg, and apart from a factory recall for something fairly minor a few years back it seems to be about as reliable as a brick. You would get shunned by any petrolhead mates though biggrin
A Honda JAZZ! Whilst I appreciate it's basically bang on for most my requirements, I just.. cant... I'd be laughing stock beyond belief, LOL. Epic cheapness I bet.
RazerSauber said:
What about an Auris? Toyota build quality should see it last at least 400 million years. More if you service it.
As someone that knows most cars, I don't even know what an Auris is, it sounds almost rude... I'll check it out. Thanks.imck said:
I had a 2008 Ceed Diesel 115BHP for 17K Commute.
Not a bad drive. Reasonably comfortable. Good Spec (Top LS Model)
Sold to a Colleague. Now on 175K. A Wheel Bearing, Drop Link, Cheap AC fix. That is it outside of Servicing and Consumable
Ticks the boring and reliable Box. Pre-2010 no DPF or DMF.
Cool. Sounds like a bit of a bargain, no DPF/DMF is a bonus, will have a gander too.Not a bad drive. Reasonably comfortable. Good Spec (Top LS Model)
Sold to a Colleague. Now on 175K. A Wheel Bearing, Drop Link, Cheap AC fix. That is it outside of Servicing and Consumable
Ticks the boring and reliable Box. Pre-2010 no DPF or DMF.
AJB88 said:
I use a MK1 Leon FR+ (the + gets Leon Cupra R bodykit) 1.9TDI PD150 as a daily, my commute is 12 miles return (99% dual carriageways).
I previously used a MK2 Golf GTI with 1.9TDI engine coversion, both cars are easily upto engine temp on the journey.
Cheers, I actually quite like the look of these, too. Even though they are old, I think they have aged pretty well. Being VAG group, it can't be that bad... do these have EGR/DPF? Or old enough to miss out on DPF's? Thanks!!! Need to find a good one now..I previously used a MK2 Golf GTI with 1.9TDI engine coversion, both cars are easily upto engine temp on the journey.
TTommy said:
Cheers, I actually quite like the look of these, too. Even though they are old, I think they have aged pretty well. Being VAG group, it can't be that bad... do these have EGR/DPF? Or old enough to miss out on DPF's? Thanks!!! Need to find a good one now..
Old enough not to have a DPF just a CAT and EGR, I would personally pay the extra few £ to find an FR+ over a FR or even Cupra TDI.
TTommy said:
A Honda JAZZ! Whilst I appreciate it's basically bang on for most my requirements, I just.. cant... I'd be laughing stock beyond belief, LOL. Epic cheapness I bet.
I know exactly what you mean, I always have a slight sense of embarrassment when I drive it, which is stupid really as it's a very good car TTommy said:
RazerSauber said:
What about an Auris? Toyota build quality should see it last at least 400 million years. More if you service it.
As someone that knows most cars, I don't even know what an Auris is, it sounds almost rude... I'll check it out. Thanks.The Auris has now been dropped and replaced by the Corolla.........
Haha thanks guys, I've got loads of suggestions now!!
So I know this is a bit of a wildcard but...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-series-touring-M-...
How would a 320d estate cope with some short journeys through the week? I'm kind of tempted by one...
So I know this is a bit of a wildcard but...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-series-touring-M-...
How would a 320d estate cope with some short journeys through the week? I'm kind of tempted by one...
On the 320d estate question up to 2006 (so early e91s) you avoid DPFs and the timing chain issues of the N47 seen on the later cars. We've been very lucky with one that we've owned since 2009 but sooner or later it's got to die and I can finally ask the man directly above this post for one of his infamous car lists!
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