Small diesel for first car?

[Blue Eagle]

I'm in need of a my first car for the job I will be starting soon. I am reasonably flexible on budget, I don't care for lots of features, space or much speed so as cheap as possible but without being rubbish and unreliable, I'm thinking about £2-3k. The type of driving will be a ~30 mile (each way) commute down a bit of motorway, A road and at least 10 miles on winding country roads. I also want be able to do long motorway runs to see friends in the north so it needs to be happy cruising at 70.
As a first car, insurance is a consideration but with fuel prices at moment I looking for very high MPG.

I think it really needs to be diesel so have been looking at Clio 1.5's (2003-2005 with 50k miles) but I've just seen this post which advises against it? 1.3L Corsas seem more expensive for a smaller engine. I would even consider a Pug 407 on high miles (75k + £50 higher insurance) just in case I meet a tractor on a bend and need the crumple zone but I assumed with bigger cars I would be getting them closer to the end of their lives.

Any thoughts would be great

[andy-xr]

What about a Focus?

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

[rallycross]

Take a look at 2002-2005 Polo Tdi 1.9 100 bhp
Budget £2k to £3k
Cheap to run good to drive good performance and economy should see 45 mpg mixed driving.
Much better to drive than same priced golf diesel.

[Bohally]

75k on a Pug 407 Diesel? Assuming it's been maintained, don't see it being an issue.

Also, work out how many miles a year you'll be doing.

Can't remember the figure (I'm sure somebody will be along soon to inform me) but if you take the higher cost of diesel e.t.c, running a small engined petrol car can be cheaper in the long run!

[ben5732]

Bit older but I'd go for a 306d, cheap to insure and goes forever.

[Burrito]

Depending on your age, insurance should probably be your main priority as it will be your biggest cost. Possibly more than the cost of the car and even your annual fuel bill!

[Blue Eagle]

Thanks guys, I've avoid the ford simply because I think it is a tad boring but I should still keep it as an option. Oddly I think the 306 is quite a good looking car!

As for the insurance, the Clio was quoted at £750 and the 407 was £800 (fully comp) so it doesn't seem to bad. Finishing my degree and getting a proper job helps that number! And for mileage I could see 15k a year so diesel could be ~£1500 on a 60mpg car.

Edited by Blue Eagle on Wednesday 20th March 22:01

[donaircooleone]

306 HDi.

[scoobadontist]

Smart forfour cdi. Will get good mpg, strong engine, no cam belts and is an interesting fun car reasonable to insure.

[Burrito]

Blue Eagle said:

Thanks guys, I've avoid the ford simply because I think it is a tad boring but I should still keep it as an option. Oddly I think the 306 is quite a good looking car!

As for the insurance, the Clio was quoted at £750 and the 407 was £800 (fully comp) so it doesn't seem to bad. Finishing my degree and getting a proper job helps that number! And for mileage I could see 15k a year so diesel could be ~£1500 on a 60mpg car.

Edited by Blue Eagle on Wednesday 20th March 22:01

That's not too bad at all. Of those two I'd go with the 407, but the Clio will get the better mpg I would have thought.

306 hdi will probably achieve around 45.

[brt900]

tried a lupo/arosa tdi? great little cars

[fartIN'ajar]

I've always wanted a 306. There is nothing odd about thinking they are good looking

[Papa Hotel]

Fabia? VRS if you're feeling adventurous.

[chris8291]

Renaultsport clio. Its small but thats about it. Spend the moeny left over on petrol. You will be surprised at the economy and insurance costs, it certainly was a nice shock for me. If it has to be diesel second the idea of the 306 diesel with the money to spare.

[Pipeandacrepe]

206 on Auto Trader... 2006, 2.0 HDI Sport for 3k, only has 54k on it. Engine will have had an easy life in that car, group 7 insurance and an easy 50 mpg. French do a good small diesel after all, you could get a well looked after Megane for that money, they are cheap to insure, especially the 1.5 DCI 86s.

[donaircooleone]

Burrito said:

That's not too bad at all. Of those two I'd go with the 407, but the Clio will get the better mpg I would have thought.

306 hdi will probably achieve around 45.

47 MPG is the worst i`ve had and that's caning it in winter on country lanes :-)

Although its looked after.

[manitou]

MX5?

[Burrito]

donaircooleone said:

47 MPG is the worst i`ve had and that's caning it in winter on country lanes :-)

Although its looked after.

My wife only achieved 50mpg on a 30 mile commute in low mileage, regularly serviced 206 hdi, so I assumed the heavier(?) 306 would be lower.

[donaircooleone]

Burrito said:

My wife only achieved 50mpg on a 30 mile commute in low mileage, regularly serviced 206 hdi, so I assumed the heavier(?) 306 would be lower.

Well its not just me that can get well over 50MPG without driving slowly :S

Depends what you call a commute I guess - I'm doing 12 miles over mixed roads mostly NSL with all sorts of obstacles.

Was it the 2 Litre HDi?

[JREwing]

Diesel MG ZS or ZT?