DARB

I'm after a cheap runabout, around £1000 to £1500 mainly for commuting, I usually cycle when the weather is ok ( three times last year ) I only did 3k miles so it doesn't need to be a little diesel. Every time I see one I like it has high mileage, I understand that with my budget I'm not going to get a low mileage minter so I was just wondering what you considered high mileage? Are diesels better with higher mileage? I doubt I'll get full history so just wondered what your thoughts were.

Cheers

shooter007

Just got a passat estate for £1200 with 118000mile on the clock not perfect by a long way (interior tatty) but goes like the wind sounds good and not blowing smoke

Ant

Didn't we have this question a few days ago ?

scoobyvirgin

I've currently got a 2002 2.0 hdi 307 sw that might be of interest. It's done 114k so not massive mileage for a diesel. Just waiting for an engine mount and it's ready to go. Was looking for around £1200. Based in Nottingham too.

Ant

https://www.scoobynet.com/other-marq...h-mileage.html

billythekid

Most post 2000 engines are good for 150k without any major top or bottom end problems. However things like water pumps, fuel pumps, alternators, injectors, coil packs and rads often suffer age related problems.

Anything with a bearing in it does not tend to last more than 10 years these days - but the actual internals like the rings, big ends etc tend to last and last.

But, if you go for a regular brand, Ford, Vx etc parts should be reasonable and just keep on top of the oil changes.

I remember not too long ago when if you got to 100k without an engine rebuild you were doing quite well.

Jamz3k

My little petrol Alfa has now reached 135k. Engine is still sweet as a nut unfortunately the rest of the car is scrap metal.

DARB

Sorry, my bad

Seen a nice Golf Gti, 103k full history

DARB

Any more info / pics ?? Is it the 90 or the 110 bhp ??

jpor

iTrader: (1)

What about something like a Daihatsu 1 litre petrol Cuore or Charade? Can be bought for around this type of monies, and being japanese too

DARB

Needs to be a bit bigger, just had a little en, so needs 4 doors decent boot and maybe isofix, so I don't have to drive her fusion at weekends

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

DARB,

Something I found when I was looking for a winter runaround last year was that more mainstream maques like Vauxhalls and Fords tend to have no history when they are about £1200 whereas slightly more quirky marques do. I ended up buying an 03 Volvo V40 with 99K for a grand... it came with a full Volvo service history and hasn't missed a beat all winter - I have done 6K in it it since I bought it. Thing was nearly every Volvo I looked at had full service hsitory even with highish mileages. Anyway just something to think about.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

I have a one old owner 40k miles 2000 plate Rover 25, 1.4, £800, it's cheap to insure, £130 a year tax and as been brilliant.

Wizzbang

My Passat TDi ('97 R) has 193,000 miles on it now, and it's still going very strong. The interior is spotless, the exterior is starting to get a few stone chips but nowt major. In the 7 years that I've had it it's had a new water pump and thermostat, a new radiator, a couple of batteries and the front control arms replaced twice (shouldn't have bought the cheapies to start with). Then it's just a case of things like brake pads/discs, tyres and oil.


I keep eyeing up newer cars, but I can never seem to really want to get rid of it, might be something to do with the easy 60 mpg that it returns

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

I've had French runabouts with very little hassle/grief and generally ignore all the supposed bad press on them.

Indeed Alcazar just found my current car for me after I sold the Scoob, a 2.0 HDI Citroen Xsara VTR Coupe. Mouthful but quite rare and came in a nice metallic blue with lots of service history stamps/paperwork too.

Maybe a bit hairdresser (I'm bald anyway) but even with 3 doors you can get the little 'un in and out easily enough. 10 years old and just over £1300 with well under 90k on the clock too.