diesel commuter recommendation? £1200 budget; 60 miles a day

[CoolHands]

ok this type of thread has probably come up many times but I won't have read them. My brother-in-law has asked for the above, and turned to me as the car expert. Hmmm

anyway old man style is fine by him, but it must be reliable, cheap to run, not too tiny ie no diesel nissan micras or whatever as he's quite tall maybe 6'2. Under 10yrs old preferably. Mostly motorway driving. My suggestion is rover 75 as they had bmw diesel engine (I'm told) and are reliable, cheap, boring - thus cheap. He cannot wield a spanner, so old school basic cheap to get repaired vehicle is req.

many thanks in advance for educating me into the world of boring diesel commuters!

[falkster]

Alfa 156 JTD

[Defcon5]

Would a Toledo or something with 110 tdi engine come into budget?

[CoolHands]

thanks. Do they rust much? (my prejudice is showing). Generally reliable? (I know nothing) (edit - that's all re the alfa)

what's a 110 engine? A vw engine? Eg like golfs etc?

[HarryW]

Your first reaction to suggest a Rover 75 TDi would be my choice too..

[SystemParanoia]

Citroen C5 ... wafty sofa goodness

[surveyor]

HarryW said:

Your first reaction to suggest a Rover 75 TDi would be my choice too..

Reliable until the inevitable fuel system borkage. At this point I'd seriously consider a manual Saab 9-5 petrol. Price difference will make up some of the difference.

[HustleRussell]

Defcon5 said:

Would a Toledo or something with 110 tdi engine come into budget?

Yep, bit of a tatty one might. I'd say this or an Octavia. The C5 and the Peugeot 407 are also considerations.

[Bonefish Blues]

Don't necessarily discount petrol. Just run in, 40 mpg, style, elan, unkillable (I lied about 2 of those)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[GreatGranny]

Any decent mileage Peugeot with the 90 or 110 HDi engine would as good as anything for that type of commute.
You can get a 307 for that budget.
Proven reliability from that engine, not the most exciting but does the job.
Peanuts to run and loads around.

[SystemParanoia]

if you get a derv.. get one with an auto box.

changing gears every .03 of a sec in a crappy rattle box is beyond rubbish.

save the shifting for something that is actually able to rev

[donaircooleone]

Peugeot 306 HDi - preferably the meridian spec?

[Razzy Man]

I would say a Toledo, but then im a bit biased . Generally all VAG cars are quite reliable and good on fuel, but i have noticed that the Seats and Skodas tend to be less problematic. All the engines are good, the 110 bhp lump is a nice allrounder, 130's an 150's are a bit more refined but they also come with their little niggles. Usually all variants get between 50-60 mpg without much fuss and 70mpg on a run. The only issue id see is that at £1200 any car will be a bit leggy (saying that mine is on 140k and still feels tight as a drum).

[Dift]

GreatGranny said:

Any decent mileage Peugeot with the 90 or 110 HDi engine would as good as anything for that type of commute.
You can get a 307 for that budget.
Proven reliability from that engine, not the most exciting but does the job.
Peanuts to run and loads around.

That's what I have for my epic commute (52 plate 307 hdi 90). Had it a year, just given it a service a month back and a new headlight bulb... Just trundled past 125k, and feels pretty good, and gives me 52-55 mpg all day long.

If I were to do it again, I'd perhaps go for a 75 or other barge (Volvo?), and sacrifice a little mpg for comfort.

All in all though, I'm quite fond of my little pug , it just starts, runs and stops with no fuss.... The 15" wheels will be a blessing when she needs new tyres

[CoolHands]

Bonefish Blues said:

Don't necessarily discount petrol. Just run in, 40 mpg, style, elan, unkillable (I lied about 2 of those)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

yeah he's one of them people that lately is hung up on diesels, IYKWIM.

[CoolHands]

Razzy Man said:

The only issue id see is that at £1200 any car will be a bit leggy (saying that mine is on 140k and still feels tight as a drum).

yeah all the ones on autotrader (for example) are over 100,000m

[POORCARDEALER]

Passatt diesel

[Razzy Man]

CoolHands said:

yeah all the ones on autotrader (for example) are over 100,000m

Well mine is on almost 140k and it still feels alright, hasnt cost me anything apart from servicing. Dad's Leon has the same engine, 2005 plate and is on 113k and feels exactly the same. As long as they have good history, you shouldnt worry about it having over 100k. Neighbour's Passat is on 278k (ex minicab) or something, drove it after i serviced for him and apart from the wheel bearings needing replacing and a slightly stiff clutch it felt the same as mine. Say what you will but they are built to last, even when abused.

[andy-xr]

CoolHands said:

ok this type of thread has probably come up many times but I won't have read them. My brother-in-law has asked for the above, and turned to me as the car expert. Hmmm
!

You're a rubbish expert!

The photos arent great, but this might be worth a punt

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/peugeot-406-HDI-estate-a...

[V88Dicky]

CoolHands said:

Bonefish Blues said:

Don't necessarily discount petrol. Just run in, 40 mpg, style, elan, unkillable (I lied about 2 of those)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

yeah he's one of them people that lately is hung up on diesels, IYKWIM.

One of these!

Up until a few months ago, I had a similar distance commute, and the Avensis was brilliant at it, returning 45mpg week in, week out (from the 2.0vvt-i version). Factor in the 7-9ppl price advantage of petrol, and unrivalled reliability, your mate would be daft not to consider one.