Most economical car for £1000?
Discussion
I'm starting a new job soon and i'll be required to do a 70 mile journey twice a day, most of it round the m25 - so 700 miles a week.
I don't want to go bankrupt driving what was my v8 daily on this journey, so i'm looking at spending a minimal amount for a car I can commute in. Plenty of small diesels on ebay for under a grand, but which cars/engines are the most economical? Ideally I'd be looking to spend no more than a grand, but I can push the boat a bit if required.
Thanks!
I don't want to go bankrupt driving what was my v8 daily on this journey, so i'm looking at spending a minimal amount for a car I can commute in. Plenty of small diesels on ebay for under a grand, but which cars/engines are the most economical? Ideally I'd be looking to spend no more than a grand, but I can push the boat a bit if required.
Thanks!
At the beginning of covid I bought a 2006 V70 D5 for £950 (probably a little more now given values). Had 157k on the clock and just ticked over 190k with only having needed brakes, wheel bearings and control arms. It gets 65mpg indicated on a long journey. Tax isn't the cheapest.
Comfiest seats I've found in any car and plenty of space. Sure there's probably cheaper options but I'd suggest that. I regularly drive 150 miles and get out with no pain or discomfort at all.
Comfiest seats I've found in any car and plenty of space. Sure there's probably cheaper options but I'd suggest that. I regularly drive 150 miles and get out with no pain or discomfort at all.
When it comes to this its all about finding a balance/compromise between comfort, reliability and cost (to buy but also MPG). Other thing to consider is ULEZ and the proposed extension next year, especially if either destination is just inside the M25.
You could look at something like a Clio DCi 1.5 - very economical and in budget but do you really want a small manual car for that commute given likely traffic?
Absent a motorbike I think the best bet could actually be a nearly-new electric car, on tick, especially if you've got off-street charging at home and are still on a cheaper fixed rate. Yes you'll have a monthly cost but its likely to be the same/cheaper all-in cost versus a diesel banger when balancing comfort, increasing fuel costs and potential repairs.
You could look at something like a Clio DCi 1.5 - very economical and in budget but do you really want a small manual car for that commute given likely traffic?
Absent a motorbike I think the best bet could actually be a nearly-new electric car, on tick, especially if you've got off-street charging at home and are still on a cheaper fixed rate. Yes you'll have a monthly cost but its likely to be the same/cheaper all-in cost versus a diesel banger when balancing comfort, increasing fuel costs and potential repairs.
Renault 1.5/1.9 dci for economy. Clio, Megane, Laguna, take your pick. All comfy things and nice enough to drive.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205115...
Easy 70mpg from that on the motorway, I used to get 70mpg out of a 2.0dci Laguna of that generation.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205115...
Easy 70mpg from that on the motorway, I used to get 70mpg out of a 2.0dci Laguna of that generation.
Anything with a Renault/Nissan 1.5 DCi or VW/Audi/Skoda with the 1.9 PD TDi (or SDi if you want to be really slow). Buy on condition, but all have their risks at that age and price.
Think small like Clio, Fabia, Polo.
Keep on top of maintenance, keep tyre pressures high, and block the grill in winter. You should get a real 65MPG across all of them.
Think small like Clio, Fabia, Polo.
Keep on top of maintenance, keep tyre pressures high, and block the grill in winter. You should get a real 65MPG across all of them.
My tip for non-fussy people is go on auto trader, search 50MPG plus and up to £1k or £1500 if you want to haggle a bit harder and see what comes up. There are all sorts from Insignias to 308's, A3's, Corsas, there are even Aygo's on there which are cheaper than walking! Obviously, you're relying on Autotraders figures for economy so take them with a sizeable pinch of salt but an Aygo (Or it's French cousins) should be cheap to buy, economical, reliable, buttons to repair and might even come with air con if you want to be more comfy next year when we have another week of summer.
5 years ago I bought a 2007 Megane 1.5 DCi with 61K on the clock for £1200. I was doing a similar journey to you around the M25 of just over 120 miles a day.
This car would easily do 65MPG on the motorway, the best I ever saw was 72MPG, road tax is £30 a year and the car is currently on 103K. In that time from memory I have replaced the following
1)Wiper blades
2)Set of Tyres
3)Glow Plugs (3 had failed, the only reason I knew is because I wanted to test out my new ODB2 blue tooth adapter and found the codes)
4)Battery (the original was 14 years old)
5)Brake pads, still has the same discs I bought it with
Basically, nothing out of the ordinary, it has been by far the cheapest car I have ever owned, and in 30 years of driving I have never owned a car this long before. It barely needs a top up of oil between services and it has never used any coolant.
I would say go for the 106BHP version, this comes with the six speed gearbox which means it revs lower on the motorway.
I have heard nothing but good things about the Renault 2.0 DCi, so if you can get this in something like the Laguna 3 that would be a much more comfortable option
This car would easily do 65MPG on the motorway, the best I ever saw was 72MPG, road tax is £30 a year and the car is currently on 103K. In that time from memory I have replaced the following
1)Wiper blades
2)Set of Tyres
3)Glow Plugs (3 had failed, the only reason I knew is because I wanted to test out my new ODB2 blue tooth adapter and found the codes)
4)Battery (the original was 14 years old)
5)Brake pads, still has the same discs I bought it with
Basically, nothing out of the ordinary, it has been by far the cheapest car I have ever owned, and in 30 years of driving I have never owned a car this long before. It barely needs a top up of oil between services and it has never used any coolant.
I would say go for the 106BHP version, this comes with the six speed gearbox which means it revs lower on the motorway.
I have heard nothing but good things about the Renault 2.0 DCi, so if you can get this in something like the Laguna 3 that would be a much more comfortable option
Reliability is a big factor at this price point as is comfort which is why I'd go for a Mercedes C220cdi, as they're bulletproof & made for your type of journey.
Without a map you'll see real world 46-50mpg with a map & filter 48-54mpg.
C220cdi:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206227...
Without a map you'll see real world 46-50mpg with a map & filter 48-54mpg.
C220cdi:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206227...
If you are going to be doing over 35,000 miles and probably over 500 hours, or 20 full days a year in a car, I suggest you look at spending a bit more money in order to get something more comfortable and reliable.
Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206076...
Renault Laguna 1.5 dCi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206287...
Peugeot 508 1.6 HDi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205236...
Volvo S60 D2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204084...
Audi A4 2.0 TDIe SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205145...
BMW 320d ED Plus
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204295...
Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206076...
Renault Laguna 1.5 dCi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206287...
Peugeot 508 1.6 HDi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205236...
Volvo S60 D2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204084...
Audi A4 2.0 TDIe SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205145...
BMW 320d ED Plus
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204295...
ZX10R NIN said:
Reliability is a big factor at this price point as is comfort which is why I'd go for a Mercedes C220cdi, as they're bulletproof & made for your type of journey.
Without a map you'll see real world 46-50mpg with a map & filter 48-54mpg.
C220cdi:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206227...
Watch out for rattling timing chains. Something these engines can suffer with. Without a map you'll see real world 46-50mpg with a map & filter 48-54mpg.
C220cdi:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206227...
Many thanks for the suggestions all. I'll weigh it up and report back. There's not much point in spending thousands as the job is a short term contract. And as for buying something tiny like an aygo, i know they're small engines, but they're predominantly city cars. Wont that consume more fuel at 70 than say a larger engine with longer gearing?
I run a pile of old sheds - 65 or so at the moment.
Most economical engine I have on a long steady run like that is a Volvo S60 D5 Euro 3 manual. 70 mpg real world is easily possible, but the highest I have seen is 93. (That's 93 mpg mind you, silly bonkers crazy figures). So for a grand or 2, this looks a good bet to me, especially since it has very nice seats, quite a few toys, even though it's 100 years old, and is built very nicely indeed.
I've also got a few of the 1.6 hdi engines (DV6), now, don't buy one older than 2010, and make sure it's an 8v not a 16, and these are good reliable engines, and should be good for mid 60's. They are fitted to a load of things, but my choice would be a V40, which is pretty nice in my view.
The Laguna 3 2.0 dci that people mention is a good engine, but most of my customers seem to get mid 40's from it.While it would do the job, it wouldn't be a preferred choice for me. The 1.5 106 horse is fine, and pretty eco, and the Megane 3 is a pretty good car, but not as good as the Volvo, or the Pug 308 / Focus / C4 type of combination.
For 70 odd miles a day, I wouldn't have a C1 Pug 107 type thing. It would do the miles, but they are not comfy, and not a good choice in my view, even though they would be peanuts to run. (watch out they do use oil though).
Merc 220. No chance. Too bloody complicated to fix.
Toyota, I don't think it adds anything over the Volvo or 1.6 DV6 engined options.
Vauxhall - maybe the older Astra H with the 1.7 100 horse engine. Tough as old boots.
BMW or VAG. No. Just no. Timing chains, EGR, electrical issues. Very much bottom of the list for me.
Most economical engine I have on a long steady run like that is a Volvo S60 D5 Euro 3 manual. 70 mpg real world is easily possible, but the highest I have seen is 93. (That's 93 mpg mind you, silly bonkers crazy figures). So for a grand or 2, this looks a good bet to me, especially since it has very nice seats, quite a few toys, even though it's 100 years old, and is built very nicely indeed.
I've also got a few of the 1.6 hdi engines (DV6), now, don't buy one older than 2010, and make sure it's an 8v not a 16, and these are good reliable engines, and should be good for mid 60's. They are fitted to a load of things, but my choice would be a V40, which is pretty nice in my view.
The Laguna 3 2.0 dci that people mention is a good engine, but most of my customers seem to get mid 40's from it.While it would do the job, it wouldn't be a preferred choice for me. The 1.5 106 horse is fine, and pretty eco, and the Megane 3 is a pretty good car, but not as good as the Volvo, or the Pug 308 / Focus / C4 type of combination.
For 70 odd miles a day, I wouldn't have a C1 Pug 107 type thing. It would do the miles, but they are not comfy, and not a good choice in my view, even though they would be peanuts to run. (watch out they do use oil though).
Merc 220. No chance. Too bloody complicated to fix.
Toyota, I don't think it adds anything over the Volvo or 1.6 DV6 engined options.
Vauxhall - maybe the older Astra H with the 1.7 100 horse engine. Tough as old boots.
BMW or VAG. No. Just no. Timing chains, EGR, electrical issues. Very much bottom of the list for me.
bearman68 said:
I run a pile of old sheds - 65 or so at the moment.
Most economical engine I have on a long steady run like that is a Volvo S60 D5 Euro 3 manual. 70 mpg real world is easily possible, but the highest I have seen is 93. (That's 93 mpg mind you, silly bonkers crazy figures). So for a grand or 2, this looks a good bet to me, especially since it has very nice seats, quite a few toys, even though it's 100 years old, and is built very nicely indeed.
I've also got a few of the 1.6 hdi engines (DV6), now, don't buy one older than 2010, and make sure it's an 8v not a 16, and these are good reliable engines, and should be good for mid 60's. They are fitted to a load of things, but my choice would be a V40, which is pretty nice in my view.
The Laguna 3 2.0 dci that people mention is a good engine, but most of my customers seem to get mid 40's from it.While it would do the job, it wouldn't be a preferred choice for me. The 1.5 106 horse is fine, and pretty eco, and the Megane 3 is a pretty good car, but not as good as the Volvo, or the Pug 308 / Focus / C4 type of combination.
For 70 odd miles a day, I wouldn't have a C1 Pug 107 type thing. It would do the miles, but they are not comfy, and not a good choice in my view, even though they would be peanuts to run. (watch out they do use oil though).
Merc 220. No chance. Too bloody complicated to fix.
Toyota, I don't think it adds anything over the Volvo or 1.6 DV6 engined options.
Vauxhall - maybe the older Astra H with the 1.7 100 horse engine. Tough as old boots.
BMW or VAG. No. Just no. Timing chains, EGR, electrical issues. Very much bottom of the list for me.
Cracking input as always Bearman. How easy is it to tell if the 1.6 is the 8v and not the 16?Most economical engine I have on a long steady run like that is a Volvo S60 D5 Euro 3 manual. 70 mpg real world is easily possible, but the highest I have seen is 93. (That's 93 mpg mind you, silly bonkers crazy figures). So for a grand or 2, this looks a good bet to me, especially since it has very nice seats, quite a few toys, even though it's 100 years old, and is built very nicely indeed.
I've also got a few of the 1.6 hdi engines (DV6), now, don't buy one older than 2010, and make sure it's an 8v not a 16, and these are good reliable engines, and should be good for mid 60's. They are fitted to a load of things, but my choice would be a V40, which is pretty nice in my view.
The Laguna 3 2.0 dci that people mention is a good engine, but most of my customers seem to get mid 40's from it.While it would do the job, it wouldn't be a preferred choice for me. The 1.5 106 horse is fine, and pretty eco, and the Megane 3 is a pretty good car, but not as good as the Volvo, or the Pug 308 / Focus / C4 type of combination.
For 70 odd miles a day, I wouldn't have a C1 Pug 107 type thing. It would do the miles, but they are not comfy, and not a good choice in my view, even though they would be peanuts to run. (watch out they do use oil though).
Merc 220. No chance. Too bloody complicated to fix.
Toyota, I don't think it adds anything over the Volvo or 1.6 DV6 engined options.
Vauxhall - maybe the older Astra H with the 1.7 100 horse engine. Tough as old boots.
BMW or VAG. No. Just no. Timing chains, EGR, electrical issues. Very much bottom of the list for me.
Challo said:
Cracking input as always Bearman. How easy is it to tell if the 1.6 is the 8v and not the 16?
Thank you. If the injectors are at the front of the engine, it's the 16v, and crap.
If you can't see the injectors because they are buried deep at the back of the engine, it'll be fine.(it's the 8v)
Bear in mind you may need to take the plastic engine cover off (has anyone yet come across a more pointless useless waste of plastic) to see the injectors anyway.
bearman68 said:
Thank you.
If the injectors are at the front of the engine, it's the 16v, and crap.
If you can't see the injectors because they are buried deep at the back of the engine, it'll be fine.(it's the 8v)
Bear in mind you may need to take the plastic engine cover off (has anyone yet come across a more pointless useless waste of plastic) to see the injectors anyway.
Cheers If the injectors are at the front of the engine, it's the 16v, and crap.
If you can't see the injectors because they are buried deep at the back of the engine, it'll be fine.(it's the 8v)
Bear in mind you may need to take the plastic engine cover off (has anyone yet come across a more pointless useless waste of plastic) to see the injectors anyway.
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