Hatchback shed

[ChevronB19]

Ok, for various reasons, including not wanting to go into utter penury (large bill on Clio cup RS), I need a new car.

The Clio is being fixed (springs were the last straw), and is worth about 3.5-4K (specialist in rs are fixing it and think this is reasonable, it meets the eBay/wbac predictions, I know the guy prior to this etc).

I need a 4 seat hatch for a 15 mile per day commute, a 2x per week 70 mile trip and the occasional 300 mile round trip. No more than 2.5k. If it is diesel I’d want a primitive one, as in no DPF etc. I was thininking about the precious shape Fiesta, but if anyone has any recommendations I’d be most grateful.

[InitialDave]

So cheap, generic daily driver, and you already have fun cars as well? I'd spend a grand on a Primera or Avensis, something like that. Keep another grand on the side in case it develops something terminal. Drive it until it throws up a bill larger than a few hundred quid.

[AJB88]

MK3 Golf with the old 1.9 TDI (mechanical fuel pump) pick these up supercheap.
MK4 Golf with the PD 1.9 TDI or similar Leon or A3
Polo, Ibiza, Fabia with the PD 1.9TDI or even 1.4TDI

[Silenoz]

About a month ago I bought a 55 plate Toyota Corolla. One owner, 63k miles and a little bit over your budget but was from the Toyota main dealer. Handles the daily duties very well and is much better than I thought it would be.

[DoubleD]

Honda civic 2.2d

[steve-5snwi]

Mk1 Focus, 1.8 zetec should do the trick.

[ZX10R NIN]

Primera

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Kia C'eed

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Peugeot 407

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[ChevronB19]

Thanks for all the replies folks. I’m kind of keen on the idea of a Fiesta TDCI zetec, but it also appears that Volvo c30’s are within budget, which at least have the virtue of being a bit different - but am I trading into dpf and dual mass flywheel world here?

My head is saying Fiesta at 30 quid road tax and 60 mpg.

Answering my own question, aren’t I!

[ZX10R NIN]

Yes you are but if you're doing the miles then it's not a problem, I thought the Fiesta had a DPF

[steve-5snwi]

Don't even bother with diesel for that mileage and certainly not the TDCi/HDi engine.

[ChevronB19]

Update: As is my wont, I fairly comprehensively ignored all advice above.

The garage I was getting the Clio repaired at offered me a deal. My Clio (theoretical PX value of 3.75K) without the £500 worth of work it needs, in direct exchange for a 2 owner 62 reg Peugeot 208 1.4 HDI Active (2 owners, 100k, booked at 4.2 K value, with 12 month warranty, 1 year MoT and in mint condition other than mileage related stone chips).

Took it for a drive, and while it’s obviously a significantly different car in nature to a Clio RS, it fits what I need, zero road tax and a genuine 60mpg plus. Phenomenally light power steering, but other than that it genuinely feels luxurious inside, especially compared to the rather sparse Clio Cup interior.

The intention is to keep it till it dies, and so far I’m very happy with it. White goods, but kind of nice and comfy with quite a big car feel. Plus it also avoids the hassle of spending an extra 500 on the Clio and still only getting c.3.5 for it, and they’re notoriously difficult to sell for some reason.

[ChevronB19]

I should add that according to comparison websites, for me (46, clean record, rural location, 15K miles per annum), somewhat bizarrely a 200 BHP Renaultsport Clio is cheaper to insure than a 70 BHP Peugeot 208... (230 for the Clio, 235 for the Renault).

Only by a few quid, but still...

[g7jhp]

Golf GTI Mk4 1.8T they're well built and go on forever (as long as serviced).