NotoriousREV

I'm looking for the above as a commuter car. Basically, I want it to be a smooth armchair that is cheap to run. Think Lexus LS400 that does 45mpg.

Any ideas? If it's something that runs on veggie oil blends, then that would be a bonus. Must be under £1k.

wilffive

old citroen springs to mind

Andy M3

W123/w124 merc's in diesel guise. You will not get a sub 1k auto diesel to do 45 mpg though.

More info here Using Vegetable oil as a diesel fuel

Mercedes : 300 diesel

NotoriousREV

If I could find a Citroen CX DTR2 (I think it was) I'd be a happy man!

Andy M3

Oh and I had an Omega Elite 2.5TD auto a few years ago. Noisy, slow and under 30mpg. Covers most of the requirements though.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Diesel XM but they arent reliable.

Scorpio or Omega diesel, early Passat's will be dropping into this range.

You are looking at old technology with auto boxes, as said, 45 mpg is unlikely.

My mother in law has a 100 bhp Golf TDi estate auto, useful around town, useless elsewhere. About 35 mpg, maybe more on a run and thats a pd engine.

Mondeo Diesel.

Vectra Diesel

All manner of forgetten Fiats lika Marea's had diesel engines, best bet is a do a search for diesel, auto, under a grand, dont specify a model/make on autotrader ina reasonable vicinity, will turn up allsorts.

Volvo's and Saabs, eg, 9-3 diesel (probably dearer though), stuff like an S40, proper grandad car so theres bound to be an auto. 9-5's are cheap as well, plus they last well.

Some Jap stuff but these get snapped up by the taxi boys, i.e. Carina's, Primaeras and Camry's, dont know if they go for autos so you may be lucky, whats that big forgettable nissan QX is it ?

Peugeot 406 is a good bet as well

dpb

diesel bx estate - cheap as chips no one wants them

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Are there any left, not seen one in ages.

dpb

good point - 2 on autotrader


Friend has one tho..

Xantia is where its at

Blueblaster

I think you're going to be pushing it with your budget. Can you put your list of requirements into priority order?

Andy M3

On trader:
1993 VOLVO 940 GLE Turbo 4dr Auto Diesel Saloon
1986 MERCEDES-BENZ 190 190D 2.0 4dr Auto Diesel Saloon
1996 N Reg BMW 525 tds SE
1994 BMW 3 SERIES 325 Td 4dr Auto Diesel Saloon

This looks nice:
1982 X Reg MERCEDES-BENZ 300 TD AUTO ESTATE
5 Doors, Automatic, Estate, Diesel, 147,000 miles, Red, MOT-02-2009, 4 Owners. Alloy wheels, Central locking, Radio/Cassette, Towbar. GOOD CONDITION DRIVES REALLY WELL £995
http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/img...a?id=701186186
http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/img...a?id=701186350

NotoriousREV

Runs on veggie oil
Will cruise at 80mph
Better than 35mpg
Under £1k
Comfortable
Automatic


Cars I'm considering:

Merc 300 TD
Omega 2.5TD
BMW 325TDS
Merc C250 TD
Citroen CX (yeah, right)

Blueblaster

I think you have come up with some good options there. I don't think there is a lot to choose between them tbh. If it was me I would find the lowest mileage/youngest car out of that list with a full history. However, looking again, all other things being equal I would go for the Omega. They really are a barge, but that is just what you are looking for. Please post pics of your new chariot when you get it.

NotoriousREV

I think you're right although I do fancy a Merc as I've never had one and Mercs of a certain age are nailed together better than a lousy Vauxhall

NotoriousREV

Look at this beauty! Shame it's not an auto.

1989 G MERCEDES 250 TD DIESEL ESTATE - VERY ORIGINAL on eBay, also, Mercedes-Benz, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 08-May-08 20:30:00 BST)

Sonic'

We need to get shut of the Shogun now, proving too costly to run for work etc, and not that much room in it once all the ankle biters are on board

Just got a Previa last night for under a grand and newer than the shogun by a few years, a lot more room in it too, and should be better for using for work,. otherwise I will be getting one of the above cars too for my commute to work and back

madisonmonkey

iTrader: (4)

I run my ZX1.9 D auto on veg oil during the summer months but there's not a massive saving unless you can get (and process) used oil.

Have a look here for info How can I know if my engine will run on Straight Vegetable Oil?
as I think most of the cars you're considering will require some mods to run well

NotoriousREV

Cheers for that. I can get SVO for between 55p and 75p a litre which is a lot less than the £1.18 we're paying at the pumps I know it'd be even cheaper on WVO but it's a lot of faff, to be honest.

NotoriousREV

I like the Previa, a lot of car for the money. And if anyone gives you any grief, tell them it's mid-engined

madisonmonkey

iTrader: (4)

SVO is deff the way to go but you're still gonna need a pre-heater and maybe injector mods. Or a twin tank conversion
Mine runs great with no mods during the warmer months, the only issue being cold starting. A blend of diesel and svo is an easy answer....

brickboy

A mate had an A6 2.5 V6 diesel auto but it was quite unrefined and rough, did only about 30mpg and lunched two high pressure fuel pumps before he got rid ....

Andy M3

I buy bio diesel at the pump for £1.06 at the moment.