Cheap Motorway Commuters?
Discussion
Just signed a new contract which means I've gotta travel from MK-Derby alot.
Currently selling my MK3 VR6, as although it's comfy, 30mpg isn't ideal.
Looking for something comfortable, frugal and not hideous to look after, Sub £1500.
So far a couple of early A4's fitting the bill, but have seen an S60 D5 with 170k on the clock locally that has got my attention, great spec, only reservation is I don't know what the maintenance costs?
Anyone else got any more suggestions? Nothing French!
Currently selling my MK3 VR6, as although it's comfy, 30mpg isn't ideal.
Looking for something comfortable, frugal and not hideous to look after, Sub £1500.
So far a couple of early A4's fitting the bill, but have seen an S60 D5 with 170k on the clock locally that has got my attention, great spec, only reservation is I don't know what the maintenance costs?
Anyone else got any more suggestions? Nothing French!
Volvo S80 is cheaper than S60. tother Swede, Saab 9-5 is worth a look. You will get a younger in age and miles for the money than one of the Germans...
Edit, been running my 2002 S80 2.4 turbo (84k) bought for £1100 for 6 months, 15,000 miles. No bills other than a DIY service as yet.
Edit, been running my 2002 S80 2.4 turbo (84k) bought for £1100 for 6 months, 15,000 miles. No bills other than a DIY service as yet.
The thing with cars under £1500 is you really have to buy on condition and availability...
Anything frugal and cheap will be a bit shagged-out because MPG is king these days and a diesel engine can double the value of a shed because that's what the punters want.
Problem is, if it's a more modern diesel, it has a list of rather expensive potential pitfalls (diesel pumps cost more than your budget!!)
Hence you buy on condition over everything else...
If driving dynamics aren't massively important tho, shun your French aversion and get a 406 HDi! In fact you'd get TWO of them in your budget - they are really comfy taxis, they soak up motorway miles well, they cost pennies to run (against an Audi or a Volvo especially).
Anything frugal and cheap will be a bit shagged-out because MPG is king these days and a diesel engine can double the value of a shed because that's what the punters want.
Problem is, if it's a more modern diesel, it has a list of rather expensive potential pitfalls (diesel pumps cost more than your budget!!)
Hence you buy on condition over everything else...
If driving dynamics aren't massively important tho, shun your French aversion and get a 406 HDi! In fact you'd get TWO of them in your budget - they are really comfy taxis, they soak up motorway miles well, they cost pennies to run (against an Audi or a Volvo especially).
johnpeat said:
The thing with cars under £1500 is you really have to buy on condition and availability...
Anything frugal and cheap will be a bit shagged-out because MPG is king these days and a diesel engine can double the value of a shed because that's what the punters want.
Problem is, if it's a more modern diesel, it has a list of rather expensive potential pitfalls (diesel pumps cost more than your budget!!)
Hence you buy on condition over everything else...
If driving dynamics aren't massively important tho, shun your French aversion and get a 406 HDi! In fact you'd get TWO of them in your budget - they are really comfy taxis, they soak up motorway miles well, they cost pennies to run (against an Audi or a Volvo especially).
Could never buy anything French!Anything frugal and cheap will be a bit shagged-out because MPG is king these days and a diesel engine can double the value of a shed because that's what the punters want.
Problem is, if it's a more modern diesel, it has a list of rather expensive potential pitfalls (diesel pumps cost more than your budget!!)
Hence you buy on condition over everything else...
If driving dynamics aren't massively important tho, shun your French aversion and get a 406 HDi! In fact you'd get TWO of them in your budget - they are really comfy taxis, they soak up motorway miles well, they cost pennies to run (against an Audi or a Volvo especially).
But yeah, I'll shop around based on condition!
XitUp said:
Why no French?
Did you say you only do that journey twice a week.
That's £30 a week extra in petrol, if I've done me sums right. How is buying a second car going to save you money?
????Did you say you only do that journey twice a week.
That's £30 a week extra in petrol, if I've done me sums right. How is buying a second car going to save you money?
what?
this will be a daily hack, so 40 miles a day from accomodation to work and then up and down the M1 whenever i want to go back to MK, just want something comfrotable and cheap on a run.
not driving any of my other cars as dailys!
Sorry, this:
JB! said:
No paid travel to Derby, but all expenses paid when at work. I'll be working on an engineering train, so I only need to get to the office on Monday, and back home Friday, have local accommodation.
Just want cheapness so I can spend more on toys and a deposit for a house.
confused me.Just want cheapness so I can spend more on toys and a deposit for a house.
XitUp said:
confused me.
Basically... I get a company credit card to cover my travel from my home station to site, my home station is Derby, my home is MK, so at the start of a weeks work I have to travel to Derby, from then on it's free, however if I am office based all week I have a room in Ripley, so will travel MK-Ripley on the Sunday, then Ripley-Derby all week, then back home at the weekend.Simple. :S
Do it properly, Metro or 106 with the 1.5 non-turbo lump 
More realistically, the Mondeo suggestion is probably the best. Something like this mk3 (bottom of the range, the older diesel engine AIUI so a bit less refined but a good motorway cruiser all the same. The newer TDCi engine is in budget but the examples are pretty leggy) or this mk2 with £700 change
More realistically, the Mondeo suggestion is probably the best. Something like this mk3 (bottom of the range, the older diesel engine AIUI so a bit less refined but a good motorway cruiser all the same. The newer TDCi engine is in budget but the examples are pretty leggy) or this mk2 with £700 change
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