My goodness, buying a cheap car is hard work!

[MrB.]

I won't bore you with a long story, but suffice to say that I need a new car that is under £2k, I will enjoy driving it, and it won't cost the earth to run, and has preferably not more than 120k miles. I prefer "left field" choices, so the ubiquitous 3-Series and A4 aren't really my bag. So, where am I up to? Well, my car history dictates that I love Saabs (had 2) and I've looked at so many today on Autotrader and Fleebay that my eyes are spinning. I can get an Aero spec (which is what I want), but there aren't many 2.0 litre ones with the miles and in nice condition. There are a couple of great 2.8 V6 models, but RFL is £535 p/a, which I sort of object to paying on such a low cost car.

I had ruled out diesels on the basis that I don't do the miles to justify the economy and I'm not a big fan of dev (even though our main car is a new Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel), but I've started looking at the Jaguar X-Type. Not a lover of the shape of the saloon, but a little estate one would be handy (I cycle and am always loading the Jeep with garden rubbish), but don't know much about them. Can anyone shed (no pun intended) some light on the 2.2D X-Type? Good idea? Leave it alone? Buy a remapped 320D?

All thoughts or alternatives welcomed.

[VAGLover]

Mazda6 MPS, relatively fast, 4x4, Japanese and reliable

[markiii]

Subaru legacy

[steve-5snwi]

I was going to suggest you buy our A4 ........ I want a saab 9-3 but cannot find a decent turbo auto, the V6 is a no for the same reason you suggest, the x type i have considered but the rust issues scare me. So now i'm tempted with a Rover 75.

[RSTurboPaul]

VAGLover said:

Mazda6 MPS, relatively fast, 4x4, Japanese and reliable

I thought there was an inherent design flaw in those, which means that even gently-driven examples go bang by 100k miles?

I swear I read that somewhere on here.

I think the later plate ones also fall under the £500 VED bracket?

I was looking at them myself and ruled them out for the above reasons IIRC!


Might be able to pick up a ZT190 for that money, or a 159? LS400/LS430 would be barge-tastic and V8.

[MrB.]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. I hadn't really thought about the Mazda 6 MPS, but having now looked, not my bag really. I did, however, look at a Rover 75 & MG ZT 190 (I used to sell Rover/MG back in the mid-90s, so have a soft spot for the brand), but my partner has vetoed them on the basis that she isn't keen. Did consider an Alfa, but looked at the 147/GT Coupe as a decent 159 is still over my budget.

However, in other news, I have found a couple of really nice Saabs that tick the boxes, so will have a look at those and see how they stack up. If I'm still missing something, please do suggest it!

[Integroo]

If you want a reasonably prompt, petrol saloon or estate for under two grand that isn't an A4 or a 3 Series, I think you are left with Jaguar S or X Type, MG ST 190, Volkswagen Passat, Saab 9-3, Honda Accord. There is also a Ford Mondeo 2.5 V6 ST-200 on AutoTrader - 2000, 108k miles, £1,995.

The diesels in that price range won't be as quick, or as interesting, but there are more options.

[carboy2017]

I would suggest a VW Passat ( my prev car) or a Honda Accord (my current one) both are very good motors and reliable and dont break down if you maintain it well

[CarDon]

Just because it's cheap, doesn't mean it needs a lot of work. It still depends on the condition of the car you'll be buying. Anyway, how's the progress of your build?

[Captain Answer]

Flip side being that I have a 2.0 Saab 9-3 Aero with about 115k on the clock that I struggled to get interest in when I had it advertised. Now lording it up on the driveway not being used very much!