What car, 2k tops?

[AGee]

My mk1 golf with a TDI lump has an intermittent fault which means it wither won't start or will, and cut out, or will be fine for weeks. Not ideal. Anyway, she needs some bodywork so I'm taking her off the road so I can attack her properly!

So I need a car. The oh has a Fiat 500 twin air, and we've got two jack rats, so a dog worthy car will be good...

I've so far looked at a mk3 golf tdi which was a turd, a decent passat, but was a saloon so no good for the dogs, and an a3 tdi which was also a turd. The original plan was a vag with the same engine as the golf, but it seems at this price and mileage they're ropey at best - the 1z in my Golf has done 220k and smokes less than all of the above!

Answers on a postcard please! I commute 40 miles a day, mainly motorway,and regularly make trips up north etc so a decent mpg is required - 35mpg plus...

I also don't want to fall in love with it, so no mx5 or 328i which I'd love, but lose the focus on my Golf!

I'm looking at a gen7 Celica 140 today - I had an mr2 mk3 which was awesome. I don't like French cars or Ford's either...

[andy-xr]

It's a shame about the Ford exclusion there, a Focus was what I was thinking. You wont fall in love with it

Why not try something you can punt on after a few months and wont cost you anything other than fuel? Rover 75 CDTi (estate?) would be ace, probably wouldnt lose much either

[AGee]

There is a peachy looking one of those local, think it's the MG variant and it's not too much! I'm wanting something to smoke around in for 6 months to a year and sell on, without spending anything on enhancing, merely shelling out on required and hopefully minimal maintenance!

[mike9009]

Seat Leon

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Skoda Octavia

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mike

[S10GTA]

C4 hdi

[Alex@POD]

AGee said:

I've so far looked at a mk3 golf tdi which was a turd, a decent passat, but was a saloon so no good for the dogs, and an a3 tdi which was also a turd. The original plan was a vag with the same engine as the golf, but it seems at this price and mileage they're ropey at best - the 1z in my Golf has done 220k and smokes less than all of the above!

What made them so bad? Given your taste I'd go for an older model Passat estate, there are plenty of good examples for less than £1000.

[AGee]

Alex@POD said:

What made them so bad? Given your taste I'd go for an older model Passat estate, there are plenty of good examples for less than £1000.

Smokey, rusty and generally past it! A passat estate would be good, but there isn't any within a 30mile radius of Reading!

[Alex@POD]

AGee said:

Smokey, rusty and generally past it! A passat estate would be good, but there isn't any within a 30mile radius of Reading!

Fair enough. I used to have a Golf Mk3 TD, after welding it every year for the MOT I finally had to give up on it. I hear Passats fare better on that front though?

[longdogger]

We have a Celica 140 for the mrs and I wouldn't recommend one tbh, Nothing wrong with them infact they're a good drive just not very fast, feels quite under-powered and not much room especially for dogs.
On the other hand I have an ex-plod v70 T5 which would be ideal for karting dogs about.
You will get a diesel P1 V70 for half of your budget

[Grenoble]

Saab 95 estate?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

Probably get a few hundred more off and use that towards the poorer MPG?

[anonymous-user]

Shame to reject the Fords, a TDCi Focus would fit the bill and they steer brilliantly with 50mpg and a punchy engine. With your budget, most cars will be crap so I say forget the badge and buy on condition. Focus was best in class for a very long time.

[rumple]

wormus said:

Shame to reject the Fords, a TDCi Focus would fit the bill and they steer brilliantly with 50mpg and a punchy engine. With your budget, most cars will be crap so I say forget the badge and buy on condition. Focus was best in class for a very long time.

Agreed, although I do think with Ford's you wither get a st on are an amazing one, there Dosnt seem to be an inbetween.

[Vince70]

How about a b5 audi a4, great vag engines superb build quality and you will never have to worry about rot.

[anonymous-user]

rumple said:

Agreed, although I do think with Ford's you wither get a st on are an amazing one, there Dosnt seem to be an inbetween.

Yeah, people don't tend to look after them which is a shame as they are sturdy little cars. My wife had a 2004 model which we sold on with 130k miles. FSH but needed a new dual mass flywheel. We were quoted £1k in repairs so sold it on for £600. The car was immaculate apart from this. We liked it so much we bought a new one last year. They may not be Audis but they are great to own.

[AGee]

I bought this in the end:





I'm quite happy with it, and got it for a good price IMHO - 82k on the clock, ftsh, last service 3k ago, it's the 140, full leather etc...

It needed a new battery and a few trivial bits sorting out, but she's good...

[aka_kerrly]

Not bad that.

Hope the mk1 doesn't have to sit about for too long. What have you tried so far? I had terrible issues with a dodgy ignition switch and the main live to the fusebox deteriorating on my old mk2 golf. Both these caused the sort of random cut out, wont restart, starts first time, starts after taking key out and putting it back in style behaviour.

Also check all your earthing points and the condition of the wiring loom to the coil as these are trouble makers to.

[AGee]

The fuel filter cured it first time, then the 109 relay, next is to look and see if there is a g28 speed sensor, if not then I'm thinking ignition! So the electrics I'm thinking is the problem! After which I've got new wings in the shed to put on, and I may get the rear arches and valance sorted whilst she's sat about! Then I'll respray

Next summer is my deadline - I'm getting married this year so lots to do with regards to that! I've "invested" too much to sell, and regret selling my last mk1 so she's definitely a keeper :-)