306 buying advice

[_tom_]

Right, looking to buy my first car because i can't keep driving my parents forever and am leaning towards a 306 1.9 turbo diesel. I am budgeting around £1500 and searches on autotrader have thrown up cars around the 100,000 mile mark. So what should I be looking out for? What problems can I expect while running said car, and if a dealer/private seller is asking for £1500 what would be a realistic offer to make? Any advice would be much appriciated.
Cheers, Tom

Edited by _tom_ on Thursday 30th August 21:40

Edited by _tom_ on Thursday 30th August 21:43

[jasonj]

just buy a gti6 dont be boring ................

[WildCards]

1.9 DTurbo is fairly bombproof, you'll be fine with the usual checks i'm sure. Although, £2000 (if you can stretch your budget) should get you a nicer, newer, similiar mileage HDi these days, better engines in the whole but they do have a few more querks to watch out for.

Or, just buy a GTi-6.

Edited by WildCards on Friday 31st August 11:40

[Rob_the_Sparky]

An HDI will also give significantly better mpg than the old engine.

[_tom_]

gti6 not really an option with insurance but a Hdi might be worth looking at, cheers.

[Dino205]

DTurbos are known for failing head gaskets so beware.

You are much better off spending a little more and buying HDi

[Norse_mann]

Things to watch out for;

1) Electrics, check; electric mirrors, central locking, electric windows work
2) Check the state of the coolant header tank, if the coolant looks rusty, walk away
3) Check under the back seats as this is usually where they start to rust
4) Servicing, the XUD9t will go on for ever if serviced regularly make sure this has been done, check that the timing belt has been changed if milage is over 75k.
5) Some of the 96-98 cars were prone to conrod failure, obviously you can't tell this till the piston pops out the side of the engine so don't worry

To my mind, 1500 should get you a good late XUD9t engined car

I don't know much about the HDi models I'm afraid.

Edited by Norse_mann on Monday 3rd September 22:46

[Sambam]

Owned an R Reg DTurbo for 5 years and 70 000 miles and apart from servicing consumables and tyres, the only thing I had to change was the radiator. When it reached 120 000, a lot of niggles started happening including engine mounts amongst other things so I moved it on.

One of the best cars I have ever owned to be honest.