Need to get an economical second car
Discussion
Not sure. I am looking for a new job in the New Year, may put 10 to 15k a year on it. I know people will say I should look at a 1.1 petrol, but I want something that'll have a bit of mid range overtaking punch (sort of 
).
Main car is the ST (wife takes to work/school run) and does about 8-10k a year. I just want something that will be cheap to run. These have £30 a year tax - the ST is currently £270
).Main car is the ST (wife takes to work/school run) and does about 8-10k a year. I just want something that will be cheap to run. These have £30 a year tax - the ST is currently £270
Flash ST said:
HustleRussell said:
Stay away from cheap old TDCI. Go for VAG 1.9 or PSA HDI instead.
Hmmm, did also think about the polo 1.9TD
Flash ST said:
but I want something that'll have a bit of mid range overtaking punch
And thats why petrols have gears.For 12k miles per year the difference in fuel between a 1.4 td and a slightly bigger petrol engine will be about £500. Quickly offset when something goes wrong. Which is likely.
Flash ST said:
What sort of age, and is it reasonably punchy?
Yaris? The Mk1 ran until 2005, Only 74bhp but it's pretty light. Punchy enough for what it is and although a little noisy on Motorways as most small cars are, mine seems to settle into a natural 77mph cruise (digi speedo) Not a car that I feel compelled to turn around and give a 2nd glance etc. but its other talents have meant I'm unlikely to sell it for the foreseeable.
Just touching again on running costs, in 3 years my car has needed nothing other than basic oil and filter changes. I did have an episode with a bad fill of diesel last year, can't help but think that other cars would have had all sorts of injector issues etc. Drained tank and a fresh filter sorted mine. Tyres last well over 30K as a bonus.
Edited by v8will on Tuesday 18th December 22:42
Flash ST said:
Hmmm, did also think about the polo 1.9TD
My dad had one. Polo 1.9 TDI PD 100. Surprisingly decent drive actually. Pretty punchy to say the least. And 55 MPG without too much effort. Bullet proof reliability too with these strong, understressed, early generation PD engines.Flash ST said:
Anything in particular? Also had a thought about the Seat Ibiza FR diesel - 130bhp
I had a Fabia vRS. Pretty decent for an economy car, nice and torquey, but don't expect it to be like a hot hatch, because it's not, even remapped. Far too heavy and dull for what it is. At least the likes of the Polo in my previous comment isn't trying to pretend to be something it's not, and it doesn't actually feel much slower, while getting 10% better economy at least. The Polo (which was a TDI Sport) actually handled better than the vRS - much lighter and firmer suspension. Easier to hustle.Don't hate yourself and buy a grotty little shopping car if you're going to spend a lot of time and miles in it. £2500 will get you into a 2007 Vectra or Mondeo diesel with about 70,000 on the clock by the looks of it. If you're on the motorway for most of your driving that would be the way I would be looking.
Davepoth makes a good point, bigger more luxurious cars are often better value. I recently noticed that VW Boras and more recently Jettas sell cheaper than the equivalent perrenial Golf. Same with the Skoda Octavia and Seat Toledo.
Don't get too hung up on which 'bhp' variant you get because they all shove about the same in the midrange. The earlier 105 and 110bhp models are great.
PSA HDI- Peugeot 406, Citroen C5 etc... Good engines.
Finally don't convince yourself you need 6 speed- I found my Mondeo 6 speed hugely irritating.
Don't get too hung up on which 'bhp' variant you get because they all shove about the same in the midrange. The earlier 105 and 110bhp models are great.
PSA HDI- Peugeot 406, Citroen C5 etc... Good engines.
Finally don't convince yourself you need 6 speed- I found my Mondeo 6 speed hugely irritating.
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