What's a good reliable diesel hatch for 3k max?

[George-fnlk6]

I have up to 3k for a 5 door diesel hatch, looking for something with a little bit of pull and good MPG.

Initially looked at the astra sri 1.9 cdti but was quickly put off by the horrendous gearbox issues.

I like the leons with the btcc kit but it's hard to find one in that price range, the only one I did find was the pd140 engine and it had been mapped to 190bhp which is nice but it was the reference sport (with btcc kit) but I heard the reference are awful noisy, suffer from water leaks etc..

Just need something reliable with as few issues as possible that actually looks nice. any suggestions?

[ambuletz]

Auris SR180?
2.2l 175bhp, 295lb ft.

[LuS1fer]

https://www.fastcar.co.uk/tuning/15-best-performan...

[steve-5snwi]

There is no such thing, however if you must then something built before 2005 and ideally a 306 or 406 HDi, or the old 1.9TDi in the VW Golf, Passat, Leon, Octavia.

[ZX10R NIN]

Look at this price point whatever you look at you'll want to see receipts of any work carried out stamps mean very little receipts are king at this price point.

If you don't mind a saloon then the MG ZF is a great choice of diesel at this price point.

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

Or a Ford Focus (do not buy the 1.6d under any circumstances that engine wasn't one of Peugeots best) in Titanium trim.

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

[slk 32]

Polo bluemotion 1

[Steve91]

Fabia VRS?

[ySo2]

Appreciate the responses guys.

What about the HONDA CIVIC EX I-CDTI 2.2. Are the engines/gearbox/clutch etc all quite solid in these cars?

Cheers

[Integroo]

ySo2 said:

Appreciate the responses guys.

What about the HONDA CIVIC EX I-CDTI 2.2. Are the engines/gearbox/clutch etc all quite solid in these cars?

Cheers

Great cars, chocolate clutches.

[wemorgan]

I had a Civic 2.2 diesel. An excellent car for the money.
I recommend getting one.

[ySo2]

Integroo said:

Great cars, chocolate clutches.

I did read this on parkers site, then there's others saying they've never had any issues.

Struggling to find a car that matches my criteria but I really like these civics.

What would I be looking at cost wise to have a new clutch fit? I can get a kit for £145 from eurocarparts or a more expensive one for £200 and I know a local mechanic that does homers, though never used him so not sure what he charges. How many hours work is a clutch replacement on these cars?

Cheers

[wemorgan]

Any £3k manual car can have clutch issues. Just test the clutch out on the test drive.

[ySo2]

wemorgan said:

Any £3k manual car can have clutch issues. Just test the clutch out on the test drive.

I suppose that's true, cheers pal. It does look like a nice car for the money.

Did you find the ride was quite harsh, that's another thing I've read on these cars.

[wemorgan]

ySo2 said:

I suppose that's true, cheers pal. It does look like a nice car for the money.

Did you find the ride was quite harsh, that's another thing I've read on these cars.

No, quite the opposite. I had the SE spec (small wheels) and found the ride fairly soft.
I suspect the criticism you've read was perhaps more about the rear torsion beam suspension - which is clearly not as good as independent. But in normal driving it was nothing I noticed.

This forum was very useful, with quite a few How-To picture guides on self servicing:

http://www.civinfo.com/forum/

[ySo2]

wemorgan said:

No, quite the opposite. I had the SE spec (small wheels) and found the ride fairly soft.
I suspect the criticism you've read was perhaps more about the rear torsion beam suspension - which is clearly not as good as independent. But in normal driving it was nothing I noticed.

This forum was very useful, with quite a few How-To picture guides on self servicing:

http://www.civinfo.com/forum/

I think the one I'm looking at has the larger alloys. Doesn't bother me much anyway.

I'll check out that forum, cheers bud.

[ySo2]

One last question, am I right in saying these engines are chain driven so no belt to change?

[wemorgan]

ySo2 said:

One last question, am I right in saying these engines are chain driven so no belt to change?

yes you are

[Integroo]

ySo2 said:

Integroo said:

Great cars, chocolate clutches.

I did read this on parkers site, then there's others saying they've never had any issues.

Struggling to find a car that matches my criteria but I really like these civics.

What would I be looking at cost wise to have a new clutch fit? I can get a kit for £145 from eurocarparts or a more expensive one for £200 and I know a local mechanic that does homers, though never used him so not sure what he charges. How many hours work is a clutch replacement on these cars?

Cheers

I think it cost my Dad around £800 to have his replaced, but don't quote me on that. They do have a reputation of chewing through clutches. Ride is fairly firm compared to most (my Dad has a 2.2 8th Gen, I had a petrol 9th Gen and have a Type R 8th Gen - the cooking models were firm but fine, the Type R is dreadful!).

[GreatGranny]

I think the Civic is a good choice.

Bit of poke, decent economy and IMO looks nice.

Colleague had one and really rated it.

He's now got an Exeo estate which is very nice with loads of kit but for £3k you'll be looking at high mileage examples.

[mrtwisty]

---comes in looking for 300, earnestly recommending an early 90's Camaro---






---leaves dissapointed---