PH, pick my hack...

[Dave200]

After realising that my desired budget (£9-10k) doesn't buy me what I want, I'm going to hang on and get a cheap car while I try to double the budget.

Requirements are:
- Cost no more than £1k
- Be reasonably economical (30mpg+ combined)
- Have some semblance of image (c.f. not be an embarrassment)
- Not be too flashy (it will be left on the road in Zone 2 at all times)
- Be easy to drive in town (automatic is a slight preference)
- Be comfortable and capable on the motorway at 80-85
- Have good pattern/spare parts availability, and simple mechanicals
- Have 4/5 doors and easy access for two 60-something parents
(- Not be a Ford, French or Italian)

So far, my best self-suggestions are (in current preference order):
1. VW Golf GTi mk3 (an unloved GTi, but a decent hack, and a car which I know inside-out)
2. Mercedes 190E 2L Auto (a car I know only by excellent reputation, but appealing)
3. VW Bora 2.0SE Auto (safe engine, reliable car, bit dull but pretty worthy)
4. Saab 9-3 2.0t Auto (dull, but practical)

In truth, any of these would probably do the job admirably, and it will be more the case of finding the right example when I come to buy. However, have I missed anything obvious? Do any of those not belong?

[zcacogp]

Dave200 said:

1. VW Golf GTi mk3 (an unloved GTi, but a decent hack, and a car which I know inside-out)

Don't bother. Terrible cars. Buy a lesser model which will be only slightly slower but will be cheaper to buy and cheaper to insure.


Oli.

[Krikkit]

Ovlov?

[Riknos]

Mercedes C200 ? Can get a mid 90's manual in mint condition for less than a bag of sand. A friend recently got one, complete with AMG body kit and wheels, full leather etc. Lovely.

[Stu R]

306D

[Dave200]

zcacogp said:

Dave200 said:

1. VW Golf GTi mk3 (an unloved GTi, but a decent hack, and a car which I know inside-out)

Don't bother. Terrible cars. Buy a lesser model which will be only slightly slower but will be cheaper to buy and cheaper to insure.


Oli.

What's so terrible about them? They seem comfortable, reliable, good at motorway speeds, and they (the 8v) will do 40mpg on a run.

Am I missing something?

[Skellen]

The early Mk3 GTIs are really much fun to drive, but they are based on fairly sound mechanics (a lot shared with the bombproof Mk2).

Others possible for me are:

Volvo S60 D5 or earlier 850 equivalents.
Audi A4 (TDI)
BMW 3 series
Seat - Toledo or Leon

[joe_90]

325 e36 really easy to work on as well, and chepo bits

[Dave200]

[redacted]

[Dave200]

Skellen said:

The early Mk3 GTIs are really much fun to drive, but they are based on fairly sound mechanics (a lot shared with the bombproof Mk2).

Others possible for me are:

Volvo S60 D5 or earlier 850 equivalents.
Audi A4 (TDI)
BMW 3 series
Seat - Toledo or Leon

What's wrong with the later Mk3?

I am struggling to find any of the ones you've listed there for less than a gorilla...

[Dave200]

[redacted]

[philmots]

Those 406 HDI's are a good hack.. Slightly more modern 306 that everyone loves.

[gradeA]

Mk3 Golfs rot, badly. As do most Mercs that'll be within your budget.

VAG AFN TDi engine is about as bulletproof as they come - only thing you really have to watch for is the variable vanes in the turbo clogging up and sending it into limp-home mode, but filling the turbine side with Mr Muscle oven cleaner (I kid you not!) breaks down the carbon deposits and gets it working again.

Personally, I don't think you'd go far wrong with a B5 Audi A4 - galvanized bodies so no rot, underpinnings shared with the B5 Passat for parts availability, and I think they're a nice enough place to be for tripping up and down motorways. You can just about squeeze 30mpg combined out of the V6 petrol too. I'm on my third...

Edit: A4, 2.6 V6 petrol, auto, leather, FASH, 84k, £980

Edited by gradeA on Monday 14th January 14:39

[Skellen]

Dave200 said:

Skellen said:

The early Mk3 GTIs are really much fun to drive, but they are based on fairly sound mechanics (a lot shared with the bombproof Mk2).

Others possible for me are:

Volvo S60 D5 or earlier 850 equivalents.
Audi A4 (TDI)
BMW 3 series
Seat - Toledo or Leon

What's wrong with the later Mk3?

I am struggling to find any of the ones you've listed there for less than a gorilla...

Really?

Got this in 10 secs. There are quite a few.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[excel monkey]

Dave200 said:

1. VW Golf GTi mk3 (an unloved GTi, but a decent hack, and a car which I know inside-out)

At this price point, it helps if you can work on the car yourself. If you know Mk3s inside out, then go for one. Perhaps consider a 1.8 Driver or GL, to widen your options?

[vit4]

It's a shame you said no Ford, a mk1 Focus sounds the job

[Dave200]

Skellen said:

Dave200 said:

Skellen said:

The early Mk3 GTIs are really much fun to drive, but they are based on fairly sound mechanics (a lot shared with the bombproof Mk2).

Others possible for me are:

Volvo S60 D5 or earlier 850 equivalents.
Audi A4 (TDI)
BMW 3 series
Seat - Toledo or Leon

What's wrong with the later Mk3?

I am struggling to find any of the ones you've listed there for less than a gorilla...

Really?

Got this in 10 secs. There are quite a few.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Cheers for the suggestion, but that's a seriously poor relation compared with the 4 I suggested. A lot of examples of those you mention seem to have either been to the moon and back, or require some work.

[Frimley111R]

BMW E36

[zcacogp]

Dave200 said:

zcacogp said:

Dave200 said:

1. VW Golf GTi mk3 (an unloved GTi, but a decent hack, and a car which I know inside-out)

Don't bother. Terrible cars. Buy a lesser model which will be only slightly slower but will be cheaper to buy and cheaper to insure.


Oli.

What's so terrible about them? They seem comfortable, reliable, good at motorway speeds, and they (the 8v) will do 40mpg on a run.

Am I missing something?

They are wallowy but not that comfortable inside (seats aren't great.) Interior is very plastic-y.

Mine was unreliable. Never let me down but cost a lot in maintenance. And they rust (less of an issue for you if it's to be a short-termer).

They will cover reasonable ground on a motorway, but they are far from fast.

My 8v never saw more than 35mpg across a tankful, and that was only once. Mid 20's average was more like it, although I do live in London.

They are dire to drive - wallowy and boatlike, with no pleasure to be derived from them at all. They are tediously slow and poorly built, and go through juice rather more quickly than a car like that should. My Mk3 8v GTi was the worst car I have owned.

You can find better options for your cash.


Oli.

[aka_kerrly]

zcacogp said:

They are wallowy but not that comfortable inside (seats aren't great.) Interior is very plastic-y.

Mine was unreliable. Never let me down but cost a lot in maintenance. And they rust (less of an issue for you if it's to be a short-termer).

They will cover reasonable ground on a motorway, but they are far from fast.

My 8v never saw more than 35mpg across a tankful, and that was only once. Mid 20's average was more like it, although I do live in London.

They are dire to drive - wallowy and boatlike, with no pleasure to be derived from them at all. They are tediously slow and poorly built, and go through juice rather more quickly than a car like that should. My Mk3 8v GTi was the worst car I have owned.

You can find better options for your cash.


Oli.

I can only assume you bought a lemon or a car that was on high mileage having had next to no maintenance. For a car to feel wallowy and boatlike it is most likely on it's original shocks/springs/bushes so it is no shock that it might not feel as tight as a brand new car.

Granted the mk3 didn't ever handle as well as a mk1 or mk2 golf, even though the majority of the floor/running gear is very closely related to a mk2 the extra 200_kgs is the main issue.

That said only a 306 or mk1 Focus (a car developed and first launched at the same time as the mk3s production ended) can offer a better driving experience but in the 306s case at the expense of the fit & finish - based on several friends owning them and my own Citreon from the same era.

For what it's worth a nice mk2 8v GTI 5 door can be bought for sub £1k if you want a usable modern classic or as others have suggested £1k can get you a lot of more modern examples from the VAG stable or other German brands. I'd also consider an old Toyota Avensis as these seem pretty indestructible.