Shopping for a used hot hatch diesel - suggestions?

[aaronmcclure]

I'm currently in the market for something reasonably spacious, ecnomical (40mpg) and with a decent bit of performance, I only have a budget of around £6k.

I have really got my eye on the Renaultsport Megane 175, but am unsure on quality and reliability particularly with the electrics, and also higher milage examples. Remotley considered a FR TDi.

Is there any other options im missing?

[ahenners]

Does it have to be diesel? What's your annual mileage?

[aaronmcclure]

Annual mileage of 20k+, and mostly longer runs, really need atleast 40mpg to avoid being shafted in fuel costs

[itz_baseline]

Reading the topic header my suggestion was going to be the Megane 175...but I see you have already thought of that.

[smiffy180]

I'll probably get flamed for this but fiat bravo 2.0 sport?

[lincsls2]

Can you pull an Astra Mk5 sports hatch SRI 1.9CDTI for 6k? They are supposed to be swift and remapped make close to 200bhp.

[sideways20vT]

lincsls2 said:

Can you pull an Astra Mk5 sports hatch SRI 1.9CDTI for 6k? They are supposed to be swift and remapped make close to 200bhp.

Terrible suggestion. I had one. Pile of st.

[Jip]

Definitely recommend a Leon fr tdi. Got mine for 5.5k with 95k. (Selling it this week actually :P) same unit as the tt tdi, more powerful vag lump - very keen to wheelspin because of all the torque, but get it at the right point in 3rd/4th and it's rapid. Mine averages 48-49 and I've had 66 on an economy run!

[Tophatron]

They're rare but I really rate my Kia Proceed 2.0 CRDi Sport. It's nippy, economical (usually 50mpg+ on the motorway) and well specced with leather, cruise and climate as standard. Most will still be under the 7 year warranty too.

[bonesX]

VRS?

[Laser Sag]

Jip said:

Definitely recommend a Leon fr tdi. Got mine for 5.5k with 95k. (Selling it this week actually :P) same unit as the tt tdi, more powerful vag lump - very keen to wheelspin because of all the torque, but get it at the right point in 3rd/4th and it's rapid. Mine averages 48-49 and I've had 66 on an economy run!

+1 to that suggestion really liked mine easy 40 plus mpg even in mixed driving, 50 plus on runs no problem.
I now do less miles so moved to the FR petrol worse mpg but a lot of fun for a daily.

[va1o]

Problem with the VAG offerings on that budget is if you want the 170 you'll only get the old PD engine. I find that unit to be excessively rough, noisy and unrefined. Would instead be tempted to find something newer with the 140 CR, which although not quite as quick could be mapped and will be much nicer to live with.

E.g. High mileage but tidy Mk6 - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[vrsmxtb]

Mk1 Fabia VRS - can be easily remapped to around 170bhp, bags of torque and still 45+ mpg all day long. Try and get the blue SE with standard leather, the light grey seats are the worst thing about the standard car.

[Drive Blind]

va1o said:

Problem with the VAG offerings on that budget is if you want the 170 you'll only get the old PD engine. I find that unit to be excessively rough, noisy and unrefined. Would instead be tempted to find something newer with the 140 CR,
be much nicer to live with.

i was going to suggest this too - the CR unit is alot nicer than the PD's.
But with only 6k to spend i cant see you getting one that cheap.

Ibiza's start at £8K for the FR 2.0 TDi model.

[Escy]

Have you considered a Toyota Auris 2.2 SR180?

[va1o]

Drive Blind said:

i was going to suggest this too - the CR unit is alot nicer than the PD's.
But with only 6k to spend i cant see you getting one that cheap.

Ibiza's start at £8K for the FR 2.0 TDi model.

Ibiza probably quite a good call actually. They handle nicely and the FR TDI will be quick and economical. If the budget will stretch you'd get a 2010 approved used car for a shade under £8k - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[Hub]

vrsmxtb said:

Mk1 Fabia VRS - can be easily remapped to around 170bhp, bags of torque and still 45+ mpg all day long. Try and get the blue SE with standard leather, the light grey seats are the worst thing about the standard car.

This. You'll get a really nice one for the budget! 1.9pd a bit unrefined but reliable and with an addictive power delivery that makes it feel quick.

[decadent]

I'd echo everyone else if you're considering a VAG car regarding getting a CR unit, even if it's the lower ps unit over the 170.

I have the CR 170 and it's a nice engine; smooth and relatively linear power delivery, unlike the old PD units. The 170 PD had its "issues" and the 140 PD was more reliable, however neither are as good as the CR.

I find my 170 CR to be OK in terms of fuel economy, you'll get a lot more out of the CR 140 with its smaller turbo and injectors. I average 45 ish on gentle ish motorway driving and 48-50 on gentle A roads. Drive it as intended and it'll drop to 40 or below.

The Ibiza FR is a good shout.

What about a BMW 120d? I've no experience but they don't seem to have been mentioned, I am more of a VAG man at the moment.

[aaronmcclure]

Thanks for the input guys, thinking the fabia vRS and ibiza fr, will be too small. I really would like 170+ on the bhp front, but know my budget isn't helping.

I'm guessing its between the megane sport and the Leon. I prefer the looks of the megane but I'm unsure if its more style than substance, have read a few owners reviews about terrible electrics.

Any comments on mileage, im unsure on how high is too high, and if its more dependent on an extensive service history.

[deltashad]

You could just about stretch to a Volvo C30 2.4 D5.

Average mpg 40.9 mpg (0-62mph) 8.4 seconds Top speed 137 mph.