Ultra budget commuting
Discussion
Currently on the lookout of a cheap commuter, something that will do my 40 mile daily round trip with the lowest cost possible. Looking at spending £500 or less, the smaller the better so theres some fun out of a measily engine, and planning on stripping the interior to the bare MOT required essentials to reduce the weight to improve the fuel economy even more (dont need rear seats, roof lining, carpets, passenger half of the dash... 
)
Currently going down the route of a Pug 106 1.5d 3door...
Care to suggest any other otions?
)Currently going down the route of a Pug 106 1.5d 3door...
Care to suggest any other otions?
106 1.5d will be old enough now to cost a fair bit keeping going. Not just going nicely, but actually safe and roadworthy I think.
My mum had one, and for a time it was good. Then everything that could go wrong went wrong every month. Brakes, springs snapping, dampers going, exhaust falling off, other spring snapping and her not noticing and wheel arch setting on fire (god knows, mothers eh!), exhaust manifold failing and being a bugger to swap, front calipers seizing, rear drums just not working as intended.
I'd buy something newer, but that has depreciated loads, that is generally known to be reliable.
The 106 1.5d did used to be that car, but I don't think it is anymore... too old unless you love DIY and having to fix stuff imo.
Dave
My mum had one, and for a time it was good. Then everything that could go wrong went wrong every month. Brakes, springs snapping, dampers going, exhaust falling off, other spring snapping and her not noticing and wheel arch setting on fire (god knows, mothers eh!), exhaust manifold failing and being a bugger to swap, front calipers seizing, rear drums just not working as intended.
I'd buy something newer, but that has depreciated loads, that is generally known to be reliable.
The 106 1.5d did used to be that car, but I don't think it is anymore... too old unless you love DIY and having to fix stuff imo.
Dave
There is no way the minuscule improvement in mileage from removing the carpet and headlining is worth the reduction in comfort and sound proofing. Just buy the best small car you can find, fix any minor issues, service it and use it instead of buggering about with it for no gain.
Edited by Mr2Mike on Monday 23 January 18:23
doogz said:
they're pretty reliable, dead easy to work on, parts are cheap, and not much goes wrong.
Electrical issues (broken door wiring and corrosion in connectors), knackered trailing arm bearings, rust on the boot floor/wheel arch area and the occasional head gasket spring to mind (though HG much better than the 1.4D).205 diesel or ax diesel - buy one for £200 and run it on biodiesel or veg oil or whatever.
however, one has to ask, is it really worth reducing yourself to that before and at the end of every work day? you will hate it, will hate your life and will resent driving it for a few pennies.
if you are in dire straits then fair enough, otherwise a car for a couple of grand that's reasonably fuel efficient will not cost much more and you don't have to have no rear seats/carpets etc.
the other thing is, don't citroen lease a c1 for £99 per month with warranty, free road tax, new tyres etc etc.
however, one has to ask, is it really worth reducing yourself to that before and at the end of every work day? you will hate it, will hate your life and will resent driving it for a few pennies.
if you are in dire straits then fair enough, otherwise a car for a couple of grand that's reasonably fuel efficient will not cost much more and you don't have to have no rear seats/carpets etc.
the other thing is, don't citroen lease a c1 for £99 per month with warranty, free road tax, new tyres etc etc.
I've had a 106 1.1 for over 5 years now. Its never given me any trouble (but I do look after it well). Gets around 38 to 42mpg in town, I've got 58mpg out of on the motorway without trying. The petrol will be cheaper to buy and tax than the diesel, plus it will be more fun to drive. Apart from headgaskets, the TU engine is bulletproof.
good buyers guide here
http://www.106rallyeforum.com/forum2008/index.php?...
good buyers guide here
http://www.106rallyeforum.com/forum2008/index.php?...
Edited by Noesph on Monday 23 January 19:25
My daily commute is also a 40 mile round trip and I looked at getting a diesel but eventually got a petrol BMW 318. I worked out that the difference between the 35MPG BMW and a 50MPG Diesel was £40 a month. The diesel car was also more expensive to buy, would be much higher mileage and if anything went wrong, that the years fuel saving out the window.
Friend of mine has an Audi A4 1.9Tdi and just spent £600 having one injector replaced.
If I had £500 to spend I would personally look at something petrol.
Friend of mine has an Audi A4 1.9Tdi and just spent £600 having one injector replaced.
If I had £500 to spend I would personally look at something petrol.
LHRFlightman said:
1.0 litre Yaris.
I get 60mpg out of mine, driving like a hooligan. In 7 years, nothing has dropped off and it's cost me nothing bar routine servicing.
I have one too, 12 years old 175k on the clock, returns anywhere between 47-55 mpg depending on what I'm doing with it and costs me about £150 a year in servicing. It has never broken down or failed to start. It is starting to show its age now but simply refuses to die. I would say the perfect car for budget motoringI get 60mpg out of mine, driving like a hooligan. In 7 years, nothing has dropped off and it's cost me nothing bar routine servicing.
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