scoobyster

As a replacement for a friend's Pug 106 that's showing its age and is a bit too small. What should we be considering? Performance not an issue; economy, reliability, safety, girlie looks and cheap insurance more important. Has to be T plate ish or newer. Looking at spending £3-5k.

Thoughts so far are Pug 206 (1.4HDi or 2.0HDi any good?), 307 (budget would have to stretch), Renault Megane Coupe (hatch's looks dont meet approval apparently, haven't seen any diesel coupes though so would have to be 1.4 or 1.6 petrol). Focus? Astra?

The 206 is the preference at the moment so any suggestions of what to look for would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Ben

n one

iTrader: (5)

Golf..? Dunno what you`ll get for 4k though.

Neil.

Reffro

The 206 could be an excellent choice, but don't know if there's that many 1.4 or 2.0 HDi's around for that money. That said if you can find one they are excellent engines. I run a C3 1.4 HDi, and try as I might, I can't get below 50mpg. Oh OK, I did get 48mpg once, but that was thrashing it around central London. Otherwise I get between 55-72mpg, 55mpg in and around greater London, and 72mpg on a run up the M1. Having just had a look at Autotrader the 2.0 HDi is widely available, and these are very nippy little cars, but a bit heavier on the juice.

Others to consider are the Seat Ibiza, you should be looking at the last of the old shape 1.9TDi's, with the 90bhp VW unit. The Skoda Fabia should definitely be on your list. Or a Renault Clio with a 1.5DCi engine (avoid the last of the 1.9 variants). Or a Toyota Yaris 1.4 D4-D, though they may be a bit too much still, or if you can stretch the Fiesta TDCi, as it has the same 1.4 HDi engine from the C3/206.

LMRnav2

arent the 206's the ones that set on fire all by themselves??

DavidChief

The 206's are very poor to drive. But if that's not part of your criteria I guess you could do worse.

Patt@firstime

Wouldn't say there 'very poor' but for the cartegory they fall into (i.e small, hatch) there not bad.

Matt

DavidChief

Ford Ka, Ford Fiesta (Mk5 and Mk6), BMW Mini, Renault Clio and most of the rest of the competition are superior.

scoobyster

Thanks for the replies guys. She's looking at a Clio 1.5dCi on a 51 plate tomorrow, sounds quite promising. I really tried to get her to consider a Fabia, the badge wouldn't do though and they're mostly above budget anyway.

Now my dad has asked me the same question, only this time budget is £2-3k and it needs to be a bit bigger, Golf at the smallest, must have 4/5 doors. Pretty much the same criteria bar the girlie looks . Fuel economy slightly less of an issue though, 35+MPG would do. Insurance not too much of an issue as he has decades of NCB.

An Octavia was my first suggestion, they've done moon milage to be in the price range though, and 1.9SDi is very slow on paper. Other thoughts? 406? Primera?

Cheers,

Ben