Shed options; anything I've forgotten?
Discussion
Actually, shed is a little unfair. I've got about £1,500 for a comfortable, cheap-to-run diesel for a high mileage motorway commute. It needs to be either a large hatch (Octavia size or above) or an estate. Due to the amount of time I'm going to be spending in it leather and a few toys would be advantageous.
Also needs reasonable resale potential as my circumstances are likely to change again in around six months (and I can't just hang on to my current car as it was written off last week!)
Thoughts so far:
Rover 75 CDT Tourer
Citroen C5 HDi
Peugeot 406 HDi
Ford Mondeo TDCi 130
Skoda Octavia 1.9TD Estate
VW Passat 1.9 TD Estate
Done the sums and based on mpg/price per litre a diesel works out about £120 a month cheaper to fuel (compared to a 1.8 I4 petrol) over the sort of mileage I'm going to be doing. Arguably that's countered by the increased mechanical risk, but the more frugal petrol engines (as opposed to the V6s) don't tend to be found with the higher trim specs.
Also needs reasonable resale potential as my circumstances are likely to change again in around six months (and I can't just hang on to my current car as it was written off last week!)
Thoughts so far:
Rover 75 CDT Tourer
Citroen C5 HDi
Peugeot 406 HDi
Ford Mondeo TDCi 130
Skoda Octavia 1.9TD Estate
VW Passat 1.9 TD Estate
Done the sums and based on mpg/price per litre a diesel works out about £120 a month cheaper to fuel (compared to a 1.8 I4 petrol) over the sort of mileage I'm going to be doing. Arguably that's countered by the increased mechanical risk, but the more frugal petrol engines (as opposed to the V6s) don't tend to be found with the higher trim specs.
I've got just the thing you need! It's a 407 2.0hdi auto estate. The auto does have an effect on economy. I get an average of 41mpg. Having said that, I cross Cheltenham twice a day, then sit on the M5 at around 80 for 30 miles each way. On a run, it gives about 47.
The beauty of the auto is that there are no DMF worries, which can be significant on any diesel car. It's comfortable and reasonably well put together. I bought it on about 100k miles 4 years ago, and it's on 197k at the moment. I hardly use it any more because I'm having to work harder than I like, and I spend most of my time in a Ranger pickup or a van.
I wanted to sell it, but I couldn't be arsed, and thought I might keep it for the odd day that I want something a bit more comfortable than the truck or the van.
The beauty of the auto is that there are no DMF worries, which can be significant on any diesel car. It's comfortable and reasonably well put together. I bought it on about 100k miles 4 years ago, and it's on 197k at the moment. I hardly use it any more because I'm having to work harder than I like, and I spend most of my time in a Ranger pickup or a van.
I wanted to sell it, but I couldn't be arsed, and thought I might keep it for the odd day that I want something a bit more comfortable than the truck or the van.
Having stop start traffic on the M25 to negotiate does make an auto sound quite tempting, but I'd be hoping for over 50mpg on a steady motorway cruise in a 2-litre diesel manual.
I guess, like you say, it does remove the potential clutch and DMF issues. That's assuming the torque converter doesn't bring too many of its own problems, though.
I guess, like you say, it does remove the potential clutch and DMF issues. That's assuming the torque converter doesn't bring too many of its own problems, though.
Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 17th January 12:52
If you've got stop-start traffic take an auto - the stress reduction is well worth a few quid a month. If it fails another box wouldn't be hard to come by, or hard to fit.
IIRC the auto boxes are pretty damn reliable, if in doubt get the gearbox oil changed after purchase for a bit more piece of mind.
IIRC the auto boxes are pretty damn reliable, if in doubt get the gearbox oil changed after purchase for a bit more piece of mind.
Edited by Krikkit on Thursday 17th January 12:43
Fox83 said:
Can't go wrong with the mondeo diesels IMO.
You should find plenty about. Might struggle for a decent trim level though.
Yup, I'd go for something like this:You should find plenty about. Might struggle for a decent trim level though.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140905639668?ssPageName=...
furtive said:
I'm guessing as a 56 plate 2.2 that won't still be at £1,000 in three days time, but definitely added to the watch list. 
Quite tempted by this, but it's not especially cheap even with the 'two day special price': http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
If absolute minimum ppp is the ultimate and overriding goal, my choice would be a PD engined Passat with as few miles on it as possible. A clean and reasonable(ish) mileage turn of the millennium PD115/130 should be attainable at 1500 notes.
The reason I would plump for one is that my old man has had a 405, a 406 and a Xantia (all in dag-dag guise) as super cheap mile munchers. They were all more comfortable than the PD130 he has now, but much more borky.
The Passat is as tough as a block of granite. It just never goes wrong. Combine that with 70 mpg on a long run, and you have some very cheap, comfortable motoring.
One proviso - if it has a heavy, juddery clutch - leave well alone.
The reason I would plump for one is that my old man has had a 405, a 406 and a Xantia (all in dag-dag guise) as super cheap mile munchers. They were all more comfortable than the PD130 he has now, but much more borky.
The Passat is as tough as a block of granite. It just never goes wrong. Combine that with 70 mpg on a long run, and you have some very cheap, comfortable motoring.
One proviso - if it has a heavy, juddery clutch - leave well alone.
Rover 75 connoisseur se.
Literally all the toys, and because it's a bmw diesel engine, with a £200 outlay for the popular tuning box you can get up to 160 horsepower and great economy.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Literally all the toys, and because it's a bmw diesel engine, with a £200 outlay for the popular tuning box you can get up to 160 horsepower and great economy.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Edited by Meths on Thursday 17th January 13:22
mrtwisty said:
If absolute minimum ppp is the ultimate and overriding goal, my choice would be a PD engined Passat with as few miles on it as possible. A clean and reasonable(ish) mileage turn of the millennium PD115/130 should be attainable at 1500 notes.
The reason I would plump for one is that my old man has had a 405, a 406 and a Xantia (all in dag-dag guise) as super cheap mile munchers. They were all more comfortable than the PD130 he has now, but much more borky.
The Passat is as tough as a block of granite. It just never goes wrong. Combine that with 70 mpg on a long run, and you have some very cheap, comfortable motoring.
One proviso - if it has a heavy, juddery clutch - leave well alone.
I`m not buying 70MPG, a well driven Bluemotion wouldn`t do that!The reason I would plump for one is that my old man has had a 405, a 406 and a Xantia (all in dag-dag guise) as super cheap mile munchers. They were all more comfortable than the PD130 he has now, but much more borky.
The Passat is as tough as a block of granite. It just never goes wrong. Combine that with 70 mpg on a long run, and you have some very cheap, comfortable motoring.
One proviso - if it has a heavy, juddery clutch - leave well alone.
If looking at a Mondeo manual then make sure it`s had a clutch/DMF.
Actually that applies to most manual diesels at that age.
mrtwisty said:
If absolute minimum ppp is the ultimate and overriding goal, my choice would be a PD engined Passat with as few miles on it as possible.
Just one question ... what's ppp? I assume that's running costs, which are indeed very high on the agenda. A change of circumstance means I'll have to be doing very frequent long motorway trips, though, which I'm not especially looking forward to, hence as much comfort and pampering as possible would be good!
Chris71 said:
Just one question ... what's ppp?
I assume that's running costs, which are indeed very high on the agenda. A change of circumstance means I'll have to be doing very frequent long motorway trips, though, which I'm not especially looking forward to, hence as much comfort and pampering as possible would be good!
Sorry, PPM! Pence Per Mile. (dont know where I got the third 'p' from)I assume that's running costs, which are indeed very high on the agenda. A change of circumstance means I'll have to be doing very frequent long motorway trips, though, which I'm not especially looking forward to, hence as much comfort and pampering as possible would be good!
It is a comfortable car, but not quite on the level of the Frenchies. Especially the Xantia - the hydropneumatic suspension gave it a fantastic magic carpet ride and the seats were wonderfully squishy!. Kept going wrong though unfortunately.
As to the 70mpg - admittedly that is at a steady 60ish mph on a long motorway run. Perhaps a little unrealistic in day to day use, but if its a dedicated motorway cruiser it can be done.
ETA - its also worth remembering that the PD engine, with its Bosch fuel pump, will run without issue on a veg oil/diesel mix (or so I've heard, cough cough), which is rather cheaper than diesel.
Edited by mrtwisty on Thursday 17th January 20:35
Chris71 said:
Actually, shed is a little unfair. I've got about £1,500 for a comfortable, cheap-to-run diesel for a high mileage motorway commute. It needs to be either a large hatch (Octavia size or above) or an estate. Due to the amount of time I'm going to be spending in it leather and a few toys would be advantageous.
Also needs reasonable resale potential as my circumstances are likely to change again in around six months (and I can't just hang on to my current car as it was written off last week!)
Thoughts so far:
Rover 75 CDT Tourer
Citroen C5 HDi
Peugeot 406 HDi
Ford Mondeo TDCi 130
Skoda Octavia 1.9TD Estate
VW Passat 1.9 TD Estate
Done the sums and based on mpg/price per litre a diesel works out about £120 a month cheaper to fuel (compared to a 1.8 I4 petrol) over the sort of mileage I'm going to be doing. Arguably that's countered by the increased mechanical risk, but the more frugal petrol engines (as opposed to the V6s) don't tend to be found with the higher trim specs.
early Saab 9.3, hatchback type. Built like a brick outhouse and highly under ratedAlso needs reasonable resale potential as my circumstances are likely to change again in around six months (and I can't just hang on to my current car as it was written off last week!)
Thoughts so far:
Rover 75 CDT Tourer
Citroen C5 HDi
Peugeot 406 HDi
Ford Mondeo TDCi 130
Skoda Octavia 1.9TD Estate
VW Passat 1.9 TD Estate
Done the sums and based on mpg/price per litre a diesel works out about £120 a month cheaper to fuel (compared to a 1.8 I4 petrol) over the sort of mileage I'm going to be doing. Arguably that's countered by the increased mechanical risk, but the more frugal petrol engines (as opposed to the V6s) don't tend to be found with the higher trim specs.
MonkeyMatt said:
Mazda 6
Sorry but the Mazda 6 is a lovely car with plenty of merits in petrol form - but sadly the diesels are an absolute disaster.They have issues with oil starvation - leading to big end failure - and ive heard reports of other issues also - id avoid tbh.
And the Mazda 6 2 litre diesels with DPFs have had issues with that as well - amongst other things the Mazda design for their DPF allows diesel to escape into the oil - leading to engine failure eventually.
The Passat 1.9 TDI B5 is a good car however - comfortable and imo - they aren't as noisy as some make out - especially when cruising - and the 1.9 TDI has a reputation for excellent fuel economy.
406 HDI is nice too - with lovely ride comfort - and they are not bad inside if you have a leather interior.
Would a late Xantia be better then an early C5 - especially seeing as early C5s did have their issues - still a lot better as a diesel then the Mazda 6 diesel however.
Sir Fergie
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