what diesel workhorse?....sub £1.5k

[y2blade]

Originally posted here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I feel it is well worth posting in here as well, as you guys have ALWAYS been very helpful

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we are currently looking for a cheap diesel for my otherhalf
Mainly looking at (in this order)

Volvo 850/V70/S40/V40
Skoda Octavia
Audi A4
VW Passat/Golf
Ford Focus/Mondeo

the hunt is on as I have a buyer for the T5


any of the above worth AVOIDING?
anything else worth a look?

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thank you all in advance, all info gratefully received

[Sods Law]

VW Bora, but as with all VW's at that money

Check, Turbo, Front Suspension and Bushes, Sump plug, brakes, rear bushes, Intercooler

[john_r]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

EFA

[John D.]

Seat Toledo looked reasonable value when I was considering being sensible 6 months ago. Bit leftfield I know but its just another VAG product slightly less desirable than the rest!

[y2blade]

cheers guys...yes Toledo and Bora both in the running too but thin on the ground right now

tbh (much to my amusement and otherhalfs disdain) the Octavia is looking most likely loads to chose from and they are great workhorses.

[CarbonBlackM5]

I had a V5 Toledo and I was very impressed. OK its not a VW but it had the same build quality etc etc and loads more kit than the Bora.

The TDIs are good for tuning too.

[bmwdrivernigel]

Or you could go the 4x4 route and get a cheap off roader.../Discos/Pajeros are that sort of money and you can use it for off road playtime too

[y2blade]

bmwdrivernigel said:

Or you could go the 4x4 route and get a cheap off roader.../Discos/Pajeros are that sort of money and you can use it for off road playtime too

we did look at that option but ultimately she needs to cut her fuel bill down Nigel, otherwise we'd be keeping the T5 for her as she loves it as much as I do.
even the diesel 4x4s are not far off the MPG figure she is getting using my T5 day to day


thanks for the suggestion though

[john_r]

Why a diesel? At that price it'll be a dog. I picked up a Passat 1.8i Sport V5 estate for £1,500 and it was less than 10 years old and had 60k and fsh! MPG is good for 30+ combined and easily gets 40+ on a run. Diesel is 6p per litre more than petrol and the gap will get wider...

ETA:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/140502889847/

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/230577428783/

Edited by john_r on Wednesday 26th January 21:34

[y2blade]

Thanks John


if we need to spend a bit more to get her a decent workhorse then so be it but imho Diesel is the only way she'll get better fuel economy with her usage

She is using my white Volvo T5 at the moment but it is costing her WAAAAAY to much on fuel, all her driving for her job (horsey job) is on local rural single track roads (tight and twisty, very hilly too) with passing places..her average speed over the week is less than 20mph (I was surprised too)...her average economy over the week is 23/25mpg

[y2blade]

Update
deal done

I bought a 1.9 TDI 90bhp Golf tonight

thanks all for the advice