Sorry, boring but challenging what car for a desperate man..
Discussion
Sorry for another 'What Car' but i'm really in a bit of a situation so need to pick the brains of the PH massive to maybe highlight something I've not thought of.
Basic situation is my current car is fooked and I've taken a loss on it as a spares/repairs sale on Ebay. Money is very tight as have a 6 week old at home but obviously need to have wheels.
Criteria are -
Budget £1250 max (and thats if I prostitute the wife out, sell the dog, and get a paper round as a second job
)
Must have 3x3 point seatbelts across the back seat so the 3 nippers can 3 three side by side, aged 4 (so narrow booster seat), 2 larger seat, and 6 weeks.
Needs to be reasonably frugal, 35mpg and above preferably as i have a 65 mile a day motorway commute.
Ideally a reasonably lengthy MOT on it.
If possible 4 wheel drive as live on a hill so snowy times are not fun (although I'd live with a 2wd if it was the right car), and also wifey does horse riding and eventing so occasional towing ability would be very useful.
Not an MPV/People Carrier/Chav Wagon, I'd sooner chew my own nuts off than succumb to a people carrier.
So far I've looked at Disco Tdi's, which are on list but rightfully scared that in my budget I'd be buying a moneypit.
Jeep Grand Cherrys 2.5Tdi, as above and would struggle to get 35mpg i reckon?
Volvo V70's - Some in budget, is looking the favorite choice at the moment.
And there I'm out of idea's, so give me some choices, I'm open minded and happy to consider the left-field choices. Links to adverts would be particularly useful! I will be buying so I will update this thread with the end result + pics!
Cheers in advance
Basic situation is my current car is fooked and I've taken a loss on it as a spares/repairs sale on Ebay. Money is very tight as have a 6 week old at home but obviously need to have wheels.
Criteria are -
Budget £1250 max (and thats if I prostitute the wife out, sell the dog, and get a paper round as a second job
)Must have 3x3 point seatbelts across the back seat so the 3 nippers can 3 three side by side, aged 4 (so narrow booster seat), 2 larger seat, and 6 weeks.
Needs to be reasonably frugal, 35mpg and above preferably as i have a 65 mile a day motorway commute.
Ideally a reasonably lengthy MOT on it.
If possible 4 wheel drive as live on a hill so snowy times are not fun (although I'd live with a 2wd if it was the right car), and also wifey does horse riding and eventing so occasional towing ability would be very useful.
Not an MPV/People Carrier/Chav Wagon, I'd sooner chew my own nuts off than succumb to a people carrier.
So far I've looked at Disco Tdi's, which are on list but rightfully scared that in my budget I'd be buying a moneypit.
Jeep Grand Cherrys 2.5Tdi, as above and would struggle to get 35mpg i reckon?
Volvo V70's - Some in budget, is looking the favorite choice at the moment.
And there I'm out of idea's, so give me some choices, I'm open minded and happy to consider the left-field choices. Links to adverts would be particularly useful! I will be buying so I will update this thread with the end result + pics!
Cheers in advancegamefreaks said:
Volvo V70's: Unless thinking about a diesel, the petrols are thirsty. 35Mpg mixed driving probably won't happen.
Considered the V40 instead?
Yea, am thinking diesel, the 2.5l unit in the V70. It should nudge 35 mpg certainly on my long motorway run. I don't think the V40 is wide enough for the 3 in a row - think its got a centre lap belt too unless anybody can correct me?Considered the V40 instead?
andy-xr said:
Would a 2.4t do 35 mpg? Can't see it, but if it does its a contender.Not sure if this meets all requirements, maybe someone with more knowledge can assist?
SKODA OCTAVIA 1.8T ELEGANCE 4X4 TURBO 150BHP A/C 4WD
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2854624.htm
edit: and should be able to haggle down to price
SKODA OCTAVIA 1.8T ELEGANCE 4X4 TURBO 150BHP A/C 4WD
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2854624.htm
edit: and should be able to haggle down to price
You need a Saab 9-3 TiD, pre-93 make over, like this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3063792.htm - advertised at £1400.
At this sort of price point it could well 'feature' the cracked bulkhead issue. As long as it hasn't progressed too far, you won't even realise there's an issue until MOT time.
If the MOT catches it, it's probably a fail. The fix costs about £350-£400 at a specialist indy. Find one with 12 months MOT and then decide if you want fix it later on. An online search will show you how to find out if it's cracked.
Great economy on the motorway, a little less so around town but huge boot, clutches are known to be strong but will set you back £400 to replace. I had one and in hindsight I should have kept it and fixed the bulkhead issue I had on mine.
What happens is that the steering rack mounting points on the bulkhead wear due to a design fault, which can give rise to an occasional vagueness when changing direction under certain conditions, in my experience - it happened to me once during my 12 months of ownership on a roundabout ie, fairly low speed.
Really can't emphasize how good this car is in the snow. Make sure the tyres are good, and the heavy 2.2 TiD lump over them will give you amazing traction. And on mine the EGR valve needed a clean once but that was an easy DIY job. They are out there and can be fantastic value for money - and incidentally, the heater's like a furnace once it's warmed up.
Oh, and one other thing, the engine's are described as being agricultural until warmed up and under way - on the motorway they're no louder than most other diesels. Seats are really comfortable too.
ETA - not sure if it would be up to towing due to the turbo lag
At this sort of price point it could well 'feature' the cracked bulkhead issue. As long as it hasn't progressed too far, you won't even realise there's an issue until MOT time.
If the MOT catches it, it's probably a fail. The fix costs about £350-£400 at a specialist indy. Find one with 12 months MOT and then decide if you want fix it later on. An online search will show you how to find out if it's cracked.
Great economy on the motorway, a little less so around town but huge boot, clutches are known to be strong but will set you back £400 to replace. I had one and in hindsight I should have kept it and fixed the bulkhead issue I had on mine.
What happens is that the steering rack mounting points on the bulkhead wear due to a design fault, which can give rise to an occasional vagueness when changing direction under certain conditions, in my experience - it happened to me once during my 12 months of ownership on a roundabout ie, fairly low speed.
Really can't emphasize how good this car is in the snow. Make sure the tyres are good, and the heavy 2.2 TiD lump over them will give you amazing traction. And on mine the EGR valve needed a clean once but that was an easy DIY job. They are out there and can be fantastic value for money - and incidentally, the heater's like a furnace once it's warmed up.
Oh, and one other thing, the engine's are described as being agricultural until warmed up and under way - on the motorway they're no louder than most other diesels. Seats are really comfortable too.
ETA - not sure if it would be up to towing due to the turbo lag
205alive said:
You need a Saab 9-3 TiD, pre-93 make over, like this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3063792.htm - advertised at £1400.
On face value appears to be alot of car for the money. Yet another one for the list. I knew i could rely on the PH beards to help me out!kambites said:
I don't think the octavia has a central 3-point belt, although I'm not certain.
Not in 2001 AFAIK. I think the later ones did.V70 diesel a good shout - I've been driving the slightly newer one for 7.5 years and have no interest in replacing it. However you may do well to accept 2WD and put some all-season tyres on (I like Quatrac 3's for our MPV but there are several to choose from) - this will reduce capital cost and maintenance, also inprove economy on the motorway.
oldcynic said:
Not in 2001 AFAIK. I think the later ones did.
V70 diesel a good shout - I've been driving the slightly newer one for 7.5 years and have no interest in replacing it. However you may do well to accept 2WD and put some all-season tyres on (I like Quatrac 3's for our MPV but there are several to choose from) - this will reduce capital cost and maintenance, also inprove economy on the motorway.
Funny you should say that - The car that's just died was a 2wd and had no intention of changing for a 4x4. Had been doing research into winter tyres, so that would be quite an acceptable option.V70 diesel a good shout - I've been driving the slightly newer one for 7.5 years and have no interest in replacing it. However you may do well to accept 2WD and put some all-season tyres on (I like Quatrac 3's for our MPV but there are several to choose from) - this will reduce capital cost and maintenance, also inprove economy on the motorway.
wiliferus said:
I seem to recall a bit of fuss on PH once upon a time about coil packs. Anything to worry about or mountain out of a molehill?
Yes coil packs but IIRC its quite a cheap fix, sensors and dump valves other "common" complaints, again don't think either wildly expensive but oil change every 10,000 miles and it's quite a solid unit.
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