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Old 02 July 2012, 05:16 PM
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Kedlestone
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Default Recommendations for a cheap runabout.

Really need to get myself a diesel roundabout for work, anyone recommend something cheap and reliable? I'm useless at searching as I always end up on pistonhead looking at something with a V8!

Criteria,

Saloon/estate
Good MPG
Reliable
Cheap to buy

Cheers in advance.
Old 02 July 2012, 05:40 PM
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Felix.
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I can't grumble about my Peugeot 307 TD1 51 plate

£30 a year tax
Cheap insurance
Fantastic mpg
4 door (good if you have kids!)
hatchback
good drive
Easy to work on - replaced the timing belt with no probs at all
Old 02 July 2012, 05:53 PM
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David Lock
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Got my daughter a 306 1.9i 306 diesel for commuting. Very reliable so far. 60 mph, 5 door hatch 120k on clock. Had been fully serviced. Look out for back axle problems on these models. £850.

dl



Not sure Peugeot do many roundabouts though

Last edited by David Lock; 02 July 2012 at 05:57 PM.
Old 02 July 2012, 06:21 PM
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MG ZR OR ZS diesel, both can be had for well under £1k and as long as the cam belt has been done they are pretty bomb proof, good handling and a diy decat & £150 remap will see 150BHP and bags of torque. 50+mpg
Old 02 July 2012, 07:55 PM
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Kedlestone
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A few people have mention 306's to me now, they do seem a cheap buy.

Didn't even think of an MG, worth a look though.
Old 02 July 2012, 08:51 PM
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Wilky_Boy
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I had a 1995 Peugeot diesel ( non turbo ). I ran it without any problems for years and years. It never let me down. On the few occassions it did break it was SUPER cheap to fix. Best of all, I ran it on vegetable oil and still got 55 MPG. I should never have got rid of it ( I gave it to a friend when I got a new car, and it's still going strong ).

Cheers,

Paul.
Old 02 July 2012, 09:09 PM
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Brun
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What sort of length trips will you be doing?
Old 02 July 2012, 09:16 PM
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Anything with a XUD9 engine. My 306 does 55mpg and it runs just fine on veggy oil at 99p a litre.
Old 02 July 2012, 09:28 PM
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pslewis
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I know it's not a diesel - but it does return 45mpg.

Suzuki Swift 1.0 GLS ..... a 52 plate with 35,000 miles will cost you £800 - it's as cheap motoring as you can get.

It is as reliable as a Subaru too!!
Old 02 July 2012, 09:35 PM
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I do mixed mileage, I work up and down the country so mostly motorway miles.
Old 02 July 2012, 09:36 PM
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ScoobyWon't
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Originally Posted by pslewis
I know it's not a diesel - but it does return 45mpg.

Suzuki Swift 1.0 GLS ..... a 52 plate with 35,000 miles will cost you £800 - it's as cheap motoring as you can get.

It is as reliable as a Subaru too!!
Is it also constructed from tin foil?
Old 02 July 2012, 09:40 PM
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hodgy0_2
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7 to 10 year old Audi a4 with a 1.9 tdi
Old 02 July 2012, 09:41 PM
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Brun
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Yep - i was gonna say steer clear of a diesel if short journeys are the order of the day but as the M'way is king then i'll shut right up
Old 02 July 2012, 09:59 PM
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sonic93
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Combo van mine the nuts . Or mondeo diesel there good on fuel
Old 02 July 2012, 11:01 PM
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Anything with VW 1.9tdi engine fitted to it - Audi A3 / A4, Skoda Octavia, MkIV Golf, Seat Leon

My Leon 1.9Tdi has 175,000 on the clock and still turns in 54 mpg no matter how I drive it. Most reliable car I have ever owned, its due a timing belt and water pump, then the challenge is to get her to 250K

Last edited by tarmac terror; 02 July 2012 at 11:03 PM.
Old 03 July 2012, 07:46 AM
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max1342
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Originally Posted by Brun
Yep - i was gonna say steer clear of a diesel if short journeys are the order of the day but as the M'way is king then i'll shut right up
what would be classed as short journeys because im thinking of a cheap runabout i do 25 miles a day 5 days a week would that warrent a diesel otherwise i was thinking 01/02 plate mondeo hatchback petrol
Old 03 July 2012, 11:19 AM
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Brun
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It's down to your own personal belief but for me, 25 miles would be long enough but i suppose it depends what sort of roads you use. If it's all 30/40 mph limits i'd steer clear of Diesel whereas if you get to stretch a cars legs on fast A-roads during the journey then i would go for it
Old 03 July 2012, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by max1342
what would be classed as short journeys because im thinking of a cheap runabout i do 25 miles a day 5 days a week would that warrent a diesel otherwise i was thinking 01/02 plate mondeo hatchback petrol
Again MG ZR 1.4 petrol 40+mpg my mrs has done 30,000 odd miles all iv'e done is change the oil every 3/4months, 7 quid filter and the cheapest semi synth i can find, jobs a good un. or a honda civic.
Old 03 July 2012, 02:29 PM
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dukeoffenland
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i got a 52 plate mondeo tdci .... does 800 miles on a tank sensible 600 being silly,

goes well and very comfy on long trips
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