The Chief

I'm racking my brain at the moment. I'm selling the Scoob but i need a runabout of no more than a grand but will return 40-45mpg+ and is really cheap on parts and reliable. Thing is i've thought of a cheap shopping car but i need something that will not struggle too much on a motorway.

I know it seems like asking for everything but i just dont know.


I'm leaning towards a MK3 Golf TDi - although this will be leggy at this price or a Fiesta 1.3 (might be a bit breathless) or a 1.8 Mundano (might be too thirsty)

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers

WHEELSHOP0_0

Mate of mine has just bought a car to keep his good car off the road for the winter, he seems to think its really good (well mpg at least), 99 Vectra 2.0 DTi, 5 door, 100k(ish) full history, and quite tidy. £1000. dead.

Andy M3

My father in-law runs, among other things, a ****ty old Golf 1.9 n/a diesel. It has been in the family about 3 years and was bought with 100k on the clock, a few owners and no history. It had an oil change when they got it, and has had only 1 other since then [this summer]. It never used a drop of oil and apart from being noisy is mechanically sound. The 5 mile commute only returned 34mpg though - on a run to Devon he was touching 70mpg @ 65mph.

My next door neighbour runs a 205 1.8TD. It pisses oil out permanently but they only use it as the family slag. Each of their kids has learnt to drive in it and they chuck horse related crap in it and generally abuse it. Up to now it has needed an exhaust in 5 years. Fuel consumption is slightly better at about 37 and they never use it on a run, local only.

GrahamG

check out the 306 Diesel thread mate..

The Chief

TBH I've been put of Pugs a little. bought one for 200 quid and its f**ked basically, full of rot underneath (that i couldn't see) and cuts out every few miles - it just aint worth fixing it.

GrahamG

Think your answer there is, Buy cheap buy TWICE!

Allan

iTrader: (1)

Now you might laugh, but what about a KA.

40MPG, handles very well, rear seats fold down, will happily cruise at 80 all day.

Allan

The Chief

Funny you shoudl say that i drove one the other day (Prosport courtesy car)
the only problem is i'm a fairly big bloke (20st) and my leg catches against the inside of the door making it slighly uncomfortable, i have thought about that though.

cheers

brickboy

Can't whack an early Mk1 or Mk2 Mondeo for cheap motoring, you can get them for £500 - £600.

You'll only get 30mpg but the purchase price should be a good trade off ...

The bodies are mostly galvanised so rust isn't an issue but make sure it's had a timing belt & tensioner kit in the past couple of years and be VERY sure the clutch is strong & not slipping -- it's a lengthy job 'cos the front subframe has to be dropped before you can swing the gearbox out

Matt_taylor

i got a 106 D, not very refined, but i get 60mpg!!

The Chief

Hmmm possibly but really could do with a 40-45 mpg plus car

Jonno_johnson

My mate runs a rx7 and uses a escort td for his runabout he says he gets over 45 mpg in it.

think he paid £400 for it, he has replaced the battery, in the year he has had it.

moveover

I run a Escort TD as my runabout/everyday car. Never worked out mpg but it is quiet good on the derv with a light foot or so.

If you get a diesel with a Bosch injection pump it will run on a 80/20 mix with vegetable oil no probs.

Matt_taylor

haha i put veg oil in my old landrover

im after another landrover as i love em

finchyboy

A secong that Pug 306 TD Dogs Bolls virtually FREE motoring !!

MooseRacer

Nissan Primera: never go wrong, decent on the motorway, respectable mpg and cheap to buy.

Olly

Got a P plate Honda Accord lying around. Jap reliability, Honda build quality, 16 valves,a luvverly motor guv. Looks £3k's worth, 9 months MOT, £500 its yours. In Cheshire too.

The Chief

What engine mate? Piccies?

Dream Weaver

A high mileage Focus would be my choice, ours was faultless, cheap to run and service, and comfy.

They also drive and handle really well.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Those Accords are great, I know a lad whos a tiler that uses one as his van, was mint with a leather interior for 1200 quid, now its covered in tile adhesive and is basically ruined, economically thats kind of ok but it seems a shame as it was a minter before.

The old Golf Diesels put up with some abuse but get pretty horrid with age but will still drag themselves around (slowly), they are not immune (as some seem to think) from rot.

I always think that for reliable you should look to what is used as taxi's, so how about a Toyota Carina or Avensis, you may die of boredom but a diesel one will be very economical and keep going for millions of miles, ditto Skoda Octavias though they may be a little dear.

Go for simple for reliability, so minimal 'toys' and probaly an engine without a turbo, depends whether you can cope with glaciers overtaking you !

v8voodoo

VW Polo.

Could get a mint mk3 GT Coupe at that price.

Olly

Two litre. Pics will follow..