Hello chaps and chapesses.

Basically I'm in need of a replacement family car after I was a victim of the snow on March 23rd and my Xsara Coupe was written off on the M62 (sorry Moley).

I'm just waiting for my payout cheque to clear and will have a budget (after haggling ofcourse) of £1700. Ok it's not a massive amount but I'd like to think I could get something filling the below requirements:

• Diesel is preferred
• Not too old (newer than 2001 would be nice)
• 4/5 doors but could live with 3 (2 year old son)
• Not astronomical mileage (120,000-130,000)
• RELIABLE for the obvious reasons
• Bit of poke/ok to drive/dare I say fun? (Xsara was 110bhp/180lbft so similar would be nice)
• Not too big - ie a barge. Family hatch is big enough

I'm personally leaning towards a Peugeot 307 (I rate the French diesel engines and have owned 4 Pugs before) or something like a Seat Leon/Ibiza. Maybe even a Mazda 3 if within my grasps.


That's about it guys, any help and experiences would be great. Hopefully buying within the next week.

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...s-2005/1282184



I like this one -

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...istory/1313541

 

Mondeo TDCI 130 .

Great to drive and not to expensive. the zetec s one even has a nice bodykit and wheels.

I had a 2006 Vectra Sri and it was dull as dish water so I wouldn't advise one of those.

If you can live without a hatch back id go for a facelift Alfa 156 JTD.

what else can you buy with looks like this

 

Would prefer diesel Andy, sorry mate

Mondy is a bit big for my needs as I've seen a lot of them about too. Have you any examples of the Alfa above in my price range

 

PH SOTW is very nice

£1k bargain IMHO

 

You said reliable and you want to look at the Alfa's.

I liked my Mondeo but as you say they do feel a big car, parking in a car park with young children can be a nightmare as you can't open the doors enough to get them out very easy.

 

Loads about. Have a look on ebay. Ive had 5the and never had any problems other than usual wear and tear.

 

I know, what was I thinking

I just love the styling of the Alfa's, but long term reliability is a PITA.

My last barge was a bargain buy off Moley's dad on here actually. Remember this;

https://www.scoobynet.com/members-ga...uftwaffer.html



I'd still have it if I could live with 18-20mpg

 

I was in a simalar situation, needed a bigger car for the new arrival.

I know you said your not keen but the Mondeo is the car for every man. Bought a ZetecS Mk3 with low milage and a revvy little 2.0 150bhp (same as the Feista ST) which goes better than you might think for £1500.

 

I was in a simalar situation, needed a bigger car for the new arrival.

I know you said your not keen but the Mondeo is the car for every man. Bought a ZetecS Mk3 with low milage and a revvy little 2.0 150bhp (same as the Feista ST) which goes better than you might think for £1500.

 

Choc, have a look at Volvo S40s. You should be able to get a 2004ish diesel for £1700 with reasonable mileage and service history. Dull as ditch but solid, no rust, good but not silly equiment levels and uber reliable. I bought a 2003 V40 (the estate version) last year for around £1K and have done 10Ks of trouble free motoring since then in all weathers.

 

Hmm, the S40 is the V40's little brother isn't it?

A bloke at work who's 24 has one, nice looking car to be fair and has a good stereo in it too for his gangsta rap

What's the economy like as I got used to good returns of 50+ mpg on a run and 40 around town.

 

The S40 is the saloon and the V40 the estate. Other than that they're the same car. Both look pretty good (for a Volvo LOL). You might prefer the V40 as you have a kiddy these days - useful for getting stuff in which is why I got one.

I'm no expert, I just needed a load lugger for a grand and started looking at things like a 2001 Focus... when I realised I could get a 2003 V40 for the same money I took a more serious look and they really are very good value for money, reliable and well built so I took the plunge. Not the most exciting car in the world, but extremely well put together and pleasant eneough to drive.

Mine is a petrol 1.8 and I get about 38mpg with a mixture of town and motorway driving (about 60/40). The diesel I believe will give you 50mpg if driven sensibly, but I have no first hand experiece of that. It is a Renault or Peugeot derived unit (I can't remember which).

Try one and see what you think. If you don't like it you've lost nothing. Stay clear of the leather interiors - they look tatty very quickly and the cloth interior is much better wearing. Mine has 100K on it and looks like new.

 

Hmm, cheers Chris. I've been looking all day at various cars within the criteria above.

Dunno if a Volvo is too big for my needs but can't hurt to enquire and have a look. Do they use Ford engines or their own?

 

The S40/V40 uses a Renault or Peugeot diesel. The V50 which came after it used a Ford/Peugeot unit. The S40/V40 is roughly the same size as a classic Scoob.

 

One thing that does concern me with modern cars is this DPF system in place on a lot which is an expensive fix.

I'm looking at Peugeot 307's and see a lot of issues on them, Golfs, Bimmers etc.

 

Beware of Volvo servicing costs, the Adblue pump set-up gets swapped out at £700 a pop, plus the DPF is about the same....

Colleague bought one, the wallet pain was unwelcome.

dunx

P.S. Always check out the manufacturers service schedule. My Golf IV TDi was £50 over your budget....

 

2003/2004 S40s and V40s don't have DPFs and adblue

 

For the love of god avoid the ****roen 1.4 hdi engine, my lass has an 07 c2 1.4hdi and I've had nothing but bother with the engine lol, I would imagine the motors your looking at may have the older engines ( hopefully ) we have bother with the DPF every other week.

I also like the s40's.

Mick

 

Nice you see you around these parts again mate.

The 1.4HDi in the Peugeot's seems to get good reviews, although the 90/110bhp 2.0HDi engines are fantastic, high mileage capable engines. Was one in my Xsara coupe and it was very good.

 

Choc, what are your 3 main needs

Mpg..

Lessening your carbon footprint..

Servicing costs..

 

Focus, just bought my sister one for £1100 with 67k fsh mint and drives faultless 1.6 mind. The 1.8 tdci are a good choice.

Leon.
Golf
Astra

 

These 7

• Diesel is preferred
• Not too old (newer than 2001 would be nice)
• 4/5 doors but could live with 3 (2 year old son)
• Not astronomical mileage (120,000-130,000)
• RELIABLE for the obvious reasons
• Bit of poke/ok to drive/dare I say fun? (Xsara was 110bhp/180lbft so similar would be nice)
• Not too big - ie a barge. Family hatch is big enough

All important.

 

Ticking all those boxes surely has to be the Focus......

 

Yes, if you can find one that has some service history, has been looked after, isn't going rusty..... I tried and gave up..... that's why I got the Volvo.... full Volvo history, no rust and well looked after! Not sure what most Focus owners do with the service history book.... maybe they eat it LOL!

 

Volvo matey we don't really find much wrong with them at work, easy to work on and cheap parts, Cambelt is easy job etc, very safe car for the family

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3211180602...ht_1228wt_1121

You can buy mine if you like. You would be doing a few scoobie net members a favour.

 

Why's that Steve?

It's not derv either I'm afraid. Don't really need a thirsty 175bhp saloon to be honest as it is a nice looking car.

 

It had originally sold so i had contacted Henrik to buy his bug wagon. Then the guy let me down at the last minute. Thats why i have had to relist it at a reduced price. I have my heart set on the Bug.

 

Bit of an update as I got back from Nottingham a few hours ago.

Picked up myself a nice 2003 03-plate Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI for £1950. Over budget but a relative offered to lend me the extra as it basically ticked all the boxes.

Drives lovely, 127,000 miles, nigh on full stamped service history, full MOT, 6 months tax and 4 brand new tyres (for MOT).

It's a solid car and has only a couple of niggles that me and Alcazar will sort, namely sticking barrel on drivers door (passenger door centrals locks/immobilises anyway), passenger electric window swicth clip is broken and it's missing a cap for the rear wash jet on the wiper stalk.

If I was to be picky I'll eventually get the little 14" alloy wheels refurbed too, but aside from that it seems a very good little car.