Best reliable car for 2-3k Daily driver

[H1r4]

Hi guys,

I know this topic will of been done to death but I really need to make my mind up on what I want, so wanted to get some more advise from you guys.

Currently I have a 2019 A7, and having doing a 70 mile round commute for the last year and a half. I dont really fancy putting on mega miles onto the A7. I also drive my dads Cupra290 and both cars have racked up 30k miles together. The affect this has on me is that on the weekend I dont want to drive anywhere long distance becuase of putting miles on the car.

Now I've been looking at cars for around 2-3k i want something thats reliable, economical and not expensive to tax. Looking at many threads here I've come to found that the following cars would be good in my budget;

- Volvo S40,I like the look of the C30 but is the 1.6 diesel engine in it any good? I've heard it's a focus engine so would I be better off getting the D5?

- Golf/polo with the 1.9TDI PD engine? (Does it have to be a PD engine? Is the Mk5 1.9tdi okay? Can I get a MK6 with the 1.6tdi but it'll have high miles, is this something to worry about? any VAG cars with the same engine would be okay I guess?

- Mercedes E270CDI, biggest issue with this is insurance. I'm 23. I can get insurance for the ones above for 500-600 quid. This one is a few hundred more

Wildcards

- Astra 1.7/9CDTI have heard stories about the M32 gearbox going bang. But they can return good MPG!
- BMW 320D E46 no idea about these but I like them!
- Japanese car?? Civic or something

Any help or advice would be really appreciated. I would like an auto but I can live with a manual (don't get a massive amount of traffic) if need be.

Sorry if this thread has been repeated many times

Thanks

[DailyHack]

Here I am again, sorry guys but dropping a another wildcard in...

Saab 9-3 TTid get a 2011 plate one (last of the builds) and they are £30 tax...was in same boat as you had £3k budget got one of these for my daily, nice place to be and hell of alot of car for the money!

Some here..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by DailyHack on Sunday 26th January 22:21

[ZX10R NIN]

At this price point it's hard to bet the Insignia at this price point they're very hard to beat with the main issue being that you should have the oil flushed every other service to make sure the pick up pipe doesn't get blocked.

The S40 shares is basically a Focus as is the Mazda3 from this era but the Focus is the best steer of the lot, if you're racking up the miles comfort comes into it too.

SRI

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

Elite

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

Focus Titanium

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

Mondeo Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Avensis TR180

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

Auris SR180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[LTEcactus]

I'd definately choose a S40 over a Focus!
Although yes they share the same platform, the Volvo is the better car, with superior build quality, a better spec and a much more comfortable interior.
But it probably isn't as exciting to drive as a Focus

Btw the 1.6 is a Ford engine, but the 1.8 is a Mazda engine.

Edited by LTEcactus on Sunday 26th January 22:50

[blue_haddock]

If you want reliable i would be looking for a Kia or Hyundai with the 1.6 CRDi engine, they are a cam chain engine with no dpf or DMF plus as they had a seven year warranty they were pretty confident of them not going wrong. Mine is now 11 years old and has only failed one MOT in its life which was last years, it only failed on a bulb.

If you get a 3 or 4 spec they are pretty well equipped. The estates have a decent sized boot.

The main downside is that they are pretty dull and the engine whilst reliable and economical has a tiny powerband so you do need to work it with plenty of gearchanges to keep going!

[H1r4]

ZX10R NIN said:

At this price point it's hard to bet the Insignia at this price point they're very hard to beat with the main issue being that you should have the oil flushed every other service to make sure the pick up pipe doesn't get blocked.

The S40 shares is basically a Focus as is the Mazda3 from this era but the Focus is the best steer of the lot, if you're racking up the miles comfort comes into it too.

SRI

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

Elite

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

Focus Titanium

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

Mondeo Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Avensis TR180

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

Auris SR180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Hi mate,

Thanks for your reply. My dad had over 7 insignias from 2009! Loved those when I was younger. So would a 2.0cdti be reliable (if serviced correctly etc), the price point you can get a nice for under 3k which is tempting tbh. Insurance is 70 quid more than a c30/golf which isn't bad. Is the mpg good? I seem to remember my dad only being able to achieve around 48mpg on a long run.

Would a high milage one over 100k be okay if I was to get one?

Thanks

Sukhraj Hira

Edited by H1r4 on Monday 27th January 22:01

[Dadoc2001]

For me I'd get a 2.2 Civic or Accord. Other than the chocolate clutch theyre bullet proof. Plenty out there - with your mileage search for one with cruise. Ran mine for 7 years without any expenditure beyond conumables