Yet another 'what car' I'm afraid.....

[El Capitano]

Ok, another what car I'm afraid.

My cousin had his old car (2003 seat Leon diesel) written off last week when someone hit him whilst parked.

The insurance has paid out, and he is on the lookout for another car.

Criteria:
. Diesel
. Around 2 ish litre (1.8-2.5?)
. Respectable looking
. Bigger than previous Leon
. Reliable and not cost a fortune on servicing etc
. Can be a saloon possibly estate too
. £2000

Now, he doesn't mind something with over 100,000 miles, provided its been well looked after and serviced. (I'd say max 130k)

I was thinking BMW 320d, (E46) but they seem a little over budget?
Another thought, Audi A4 2.0 diesel.

He mentioned he likes the golf TDi

What will these be like on servicing, and will 2k. Be able to get decent (albeit high milage) model?

Over to you, any suggestions?

[philmots]

Octavia/passat 1.9tdi ?

[El Capitano]

That's a good shout, something I had not thought of.

He is swaying towards the 320d at the moment. Anyone have any experience of them at similar value? Likely money pit?

[300bhp/ton]

El Capitano said:

My cousin had his old car (2003 seat Leon diesel) written off last week when someone hit him whilst parked.


He mentioned he likes the golf TDi

What will these be like on servicing

Seriously?

[El Capitano]

Hmmm. Yes?

Go on, what have I missed?

[C.A.R.]

It's the same car as his previous Leon. Effectively Golf = Leon = Octavia, although the latter benefiting from the biggest boot. A bit like a Bora. Which is again, the same damn thing.

At £2k you're looking at cars around 2000-2002 with at least 80 grand on the clocks. Why not look at an Astra DTi, Ford Focus TDCi, Peugeot 307 (make sure it's the 2.0 HDi 90)?

Or just ignore me and continue to search for bottom-of-the-barrel premium brand cars! Best of luck...

[300bhp/ton]

El Capitano said:

Hmmm. Yes?

Go on, what have I missed?

Same engine, same gearbox, same drivetrain, same floor pan, same parts (although VW may charge you more to put them in a VW box ).

[El Capitano]

Ahh, yes, it was the way I have written it I'm afraid.
I was asking about the servicing cost for the cars I had listed, not specifically the Golf.

Well, as I personally have never looked into cars of this budget/criteria that's exactly why I have put this post up asking for alternative suggestions on what he can get for the cash - thanks for the additional suggestions so far.

[El Capitano]

C.A.R. said:

look at an Astra DTi, Ford Focus TDCi, Peugeot 307 (make sure it's the 2.0 HDi 90)?

Will do. Thanks

[300bhp/ton]

El Capitano said:

Ahh, yes, it was the way I have written it I'm afraid.
I was asking about the servicing cost for the cars I had listed, not specifically the Golf.

Anything Golf based using the VW Tdi lump will cost pretty much the same to service and run. Be it a VW, Audi, SEAT or a Skoda variant. Stealership prices might vary, but tbh you'd be a bit of a blonker to take a £2k shopping cart to a main dealership anyhow. And you can likely source parts easily on line should you want to save more money, as in there would be no need to buy an oil or air filter direct from VW.

El Capitano said:

Well, as I personally have never looked into cars of this budget/criteria that's exactly why I have put this post up asking for alternative suggestions on what he can get for the cash - thanks for the additional suggestions so far.

In reality most, as in 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of all mass produced cars of this type are going to cost pretty much the same to service and run. Most services are just an oil and filter change and tbh you'd be better off paying a small mechanic down the road £30-50 labour and source the oil and filter online or from Halfords yourself.

[scrubchub]

You can get some lovely 156's for that money, in 2.4 jtd flavour as well. I'd be tempted if it was my money.

[El Capitano]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4146875.htm

Seems like a lot of car for the price! Money pit though? Again - I know next to nothing about the reliability of these.

300bhp. cheers for the input. I would do my own servicing, however he wouldn't. There is a local mechanic who has decent rates. I just assumed things like filters etc would probably be more costly on soemting like the e46.

Sent him these suggestions so far just as an idea of what's out there

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4175510.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4151077.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4024548.htm

Edited by El Capitano on Tuesday 11th September 09:44

[scrubchub]

El Capitano said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4146875.htm

Seems like a lot of car for the price! Money pit though? Again - I know next to nothing about the reliability of these.

300bhp. cheers for the input. I would do my own servicing, however he wouldn't.

Sent him these suggestions so far just as an idea of what's out there

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4175510.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4151077.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4024548.htm

As long as it's been well looked after a 156 of that age should be as reliable as anything else. The 2.4 is a great engine and it hardly needs saying, but in terms of looks it's in a different league to any other other saloon in the price range.

I had a bad ownership experience with Alfa but it hasn't diminished my love of them. Also worth pointing out that when at meets with other owners you find out that for the most part they are solid, reliable cars.