GlesgaKiss

Hi all,

I've been thinking recently about getting a diesel of some description to cut down on fuel costs. I was also thinking about running it on biodiesel. Anyway, I'm looking to buy something up to £6000, from 2004 onwards - although I would consider something slightly older than that depending on condition.

I like buying cars that are a few years old in that price range because you can end up with something very tidy, well specced, and that won't cost a lot in depreciation. For the last few years I've had an 04 Focus ST170 that I bought with around 26k on the clock, so I'm look for something similar. Doesn't have to be a hatchback... just immaculate and low mileage. Also, it would preferably handle well.

So what diesel would you all recommend that fits the bill? So far I've got a diesel 3 dr Focus on the list... that's about it.


Cheers

Alan

Matteeboy

Diesel Focus models aren't very quick.

ST diesel Mondeo?
150PS Astra (mk5) worth a look - fairly quick (60 in 8.3s), good on fuel, handle well, £6k gets you a good one.
Older BMW 320d.

bolasti

iTrader: (6)

those astra sri cdti (150) can get them mapped/tune box easy peasy get 180bhp (thats mental for a diesel) and still get 50mpg

salsa-king

My wifes Focus 5door 2004/54plate (2005 shape) 1.6TDCi Ghia. great mpg.... and full.. I mean fully loaded, you name it its got it.. Now got 75k miles.... whats it worth??... £3500 if that!

A great buy to someone... hence why we're not selling, as to get the same spec new car you look at £20k plus.

we priced her car up with all th extra's when new and it booked out at £21500



So for about £5k you should get a great car.

Keep looking.




ps: the Focus, is a very nice car. Its not for speed if you look at the TCDi

GlesgaKiss

I would think about the Astra actually. A friend of mine had one as a courtesy car a few years ago which naturally got some abuse! They handle pretty well, quite comparable to the Focus actually. Having it mapped would definitely interest me.

They're pretty smart too, even though I'm not a huge Vauxhall fan.

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure the diesel Astra is actually quicker than the VXR 40mph to 60mph for overtaking. I am happy to be corrected but almost bought a new one a few years ago and sure that was on the spec sheet at the time.

5t.

Matteeboy

I had the 150bhp diesel version (estate) Astra for four years - very underrated.

wrx sti ppp

320d se; mk4 golf gttdi pd150; a4 saloon se 130.

MMT WRX

I'm with you on this.
My Mrs has a Mondeo 2.0TDCi 130 Ghia estate on an 04 plate. That's also fully loaded, done 110,000 miles and still drives like new. My daughter got one last year with 140,000 for £3k and honestly, if you drove it you would think it was a year old with less than 10,000 miles. You get around 50mpg as well so you can't fault them for knocking around town or a 200 mile cruise down the motorway.

craigyp

iTrader: (5)

I sold mine last year it was mapped to 203bhp and 335 torque with a switchable map on to take it back to 150 bhp like said above mental pulling power through the gears
Aesome car but still a diesel!!!
Hence bought another scoob

zip106

Shame you can't stretch the budget a bit...


http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1922393.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2061631.htm

Andy M3

cut down on fuel costs
consider running it on biodiesel.
£6000, from 2004 onwards
won't cost a lot in depreciation
something similar
immaculate and low mileage
handle well

Tough call I think. The VAG stuff will be frugal and handle Biodiesel at a majority mix ok if not 100%. Handling is mixed, immaculate and low mileage isn't a problem. Spec in the majority is more middle than high. Depreciation is a tough one.

Example http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ther?logcode=p

Mini's hold their money very well, good spec can be had, good mpg, unsure about biodiesel, handling is excellent but it isn't 170hp and unless there's only you in it all the time, it has no space for luggage or passengers.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...72qa?logcode=p

My two

dpb

Look no further , unless your shaven headed

http://sticksout.blogspot.com/2008/1...0d-estate.html

SRSport

They look fantastic. A good alternative to a petrol car.

rookymatt

iTrader: (15)

I wouldn't recommend running any modern bmw diesel engine on bio diesel.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I would not reccommed running ANY common rail on bio deisel.

You are asking for a HP pump failure and clogged injectors. And thay' ain't cheap to repair.


I'd be looking at cars from teh early to mid 1990's and stuff that uses the old Bosch VP37 pump; This is Peugeots with the 1.9 XUD engine and MkIII Golfs, Old W124 Mercs etc.


I know a smart **** who tried running his Pajero on the stuff against my warnings. One breakdown plus new pump and recon injectors later and he's seeing that it was a false economy.

zip106

I know plenty of L200's - pre 2006- that run on SVO and WVO.

Following them around an off road course makes one feel very hungry for a plate of chips!

Unfortunately, mines a common rail so it's a no go.

MMT WRX

Do you go off roading then Zip?

zip106

I used to with my first L200.

Had some good fun, but eventually got pissed off with all the cleaning everytime.
That and getting stuck in a bomb-hole with the cabin slowly filling up with muddy water...

The one I've got now stays on the tarmac.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...8/Image025.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...C240307004.jpg


Apologies Glesga, for the hijack

lozgti1

Skoda Fabia vRS.You get the same 1.9tdi 130 bhp that went in the A4

Good fun, 50 mpg ,even my badge snobbed wife loved hers

Bit nose heavy but heh

salsa-king

not much built on that building site for you to paint yet lol

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

People always say go for the 150, I say go for the 120 16v model, it will cost you considerably less, its not much slower and has the same running gear as the 150, will happily be chipped to 200+bhp, same as the 150 just avoid the 120 8v, total sh1tter in comparison

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2426976.htm

If your not going to thrash the **** off it everywhere then also look at the 1.7 cdti, many more available tbh.

Tony

MMT WRX

Looks good fun. I used to do a bit when I had my Pajero, jetwashing all the cr4p off was a nightmare though.

Matteeboy

I enjoy snowfoaming and jetwashing our Defender after a muddy blast. But then I am a but odd...

K30FOY

Im in a similar boat as the OP, I was looking T BMW 320d E46, Audi A4Tdi and Saab 9-3 tdi

Think ill go for the BMW.

MMT WRX

You said it