Sensible, Cheap to run & Reliable Daily <£5k
 

My circumstances will be changing somewhat this year and as such the scoob is getting SORN'd/garaged. My leased Ibiza TDI is going back in a few months and I wish to buy a used replacement rather than lease again.

I am looking to spend £5k max on something hassle free that I can park anywhere and not give a toss about for 2-3 years doing 12-15k pa. Requirements are at least 40mpg, at least Ibiza-sized and low running costs. 5 doors handy but not essential.

My current thoughts are focused on some flavour of 5-6 year old Kia. Ideally an NA petrol as I reckon there's less to go wrong. I don't want anything very old or with a moon mileage but I'd be grateful for any other suggestions. Apologies its such a boring topic!

Golf mkv 08-07 plate 1.9 tdi match model ticks all the boxes solid reliable and you'll have change for modifications like egr removal, decat and remap very nippy and plenty of torque IMO

I bought my mk4 golf tdi pd150 3 1/2 years ago for £1900, done just over 22k miles and only cost me maintenance. it was on 129k when bought and now 152k and its as tight as a nut and averages about 32mpg local and 45 plus on a run

Civic, there pretty bullet proof. My uncle has the Dtec and loves it.

just sold my octavia estate on a 62 plate for 4500! one owner from new ,fdsh , 82k , tdi went really well, loads extras on it ! was loads for sale so struggled getting rid

BMW 118d/120d msport brilliant on fuel/tax had mine 3 years eats the miles and never caused me problems

Yaris, Civic, Mazda2, Focus.

All come in petrol variants, are roughly the same size as an Ibiza, are reliable, and are economical and cheap to run.

Astra cdti 150. 130 odd a year tax, can be mapped up to 200bhp, similar size to an Ibiza and we've had 57mpg out of ours on a run.

I picked up a run around for the wife on Christmas eve whilst I decide which car route to go next. It's a late 2004 A3 2.0TDI sportback with 3 owners that's covered 113k and has a proper full history all for £2k.

I love it! It can be parked anywhere get covered in $hit inside and out and no one cares because it's throw away money. I looked at quite a few newer cars for twice the price but this car is actually better spec'd and cleaner, throw in 50mpg ish and it's a win win.

welcome to the vag fag club :cool:

thats the PD engine that throws rods occasionally for fun? Google the engine code

prone to the piezo injectors going wrong at £450 each. Appart from that (providing it's a 140) is a good solid car

best golf and engine/gearbox built by far. Just watch out for camshaft wear (regular decent oil changes changes) and it will go forever.

Fiat Panda 100HP and you will have ~£2k change.
I ran around in one for a while, it averages between 37-45 mpg depending on how it's being driven. It's an engine that loves to be revved but drinks oil (common apparently).
I've taken it around Cadwell Park and it was hilarious, too.
Just fit a set of Koni yellows and get a 2008 model onwards as they have a different brake servo and much better feel.

^This is another option as well. Have done 80k miles in slightly less than 4 years without any issues (apart from an electrical fault recently).

I get asked this a lot and you just can't go wrong with a petrol Ford Focus.

erm no. High fuel consumption, rust and just boring!

lol , ok mate.

Another vote for the Focus - I had an 05 1.8 TDCI from new for 10 years and did 173000 miles - very reliable and no rust!

Cheap runabout to me has to be reliable therefore I always go Japanese.

I'd get a prius.

I wish it would mate so I can get it sent to darkside developments for some proper juicy mods and I'll have the perfect excuse aswell fingers crossed ehh :D

You need a brown paper bag with cut outs with that :lol1:

I've driven a few petrol foci, about 30mpg and not very insipiring. Which is dreadful, my old ****tter of an Astra does 55mpg.
they can be very rusty, depending where you live!

I couldn't care less about what others think :hjtwofing

Just my opinion don't get you knickers in the twist!!
and if you couldn't careless why post you couldn't care less unless you do :D tut tut tut :p

Many thanks for all the replies - plenty food for thought! I am a bit wary of potential turbo failures etc with any VAG TDI. Heard plenty horror stories! The Fiat Panda is a great shout - hadn't even considered that I could get something remotely fun for this purpose/budget!

I meant I don't choose a car based on what others think of it.
If a comment is ironic though it needs to be answered ;)

Oooooh dammm .... your too cool mate fair does though atleast you follow your own choice etc :thumb:

Suzuki Swift?

Toyota Corolla Tsport or D4D if it needs to be really good on fuel, Yaris tsport is supposed to be fun too and they will go to the moon and back, things like clio and fabia vrs diesel bit ugly but great little cars, mrs mate has one, I've not driven it far but it was fun for the 5 mins I was in it, and get 60mpg too, I wanted to buy it off her a few months back but she wouldn't sell it me, 04 plate 60k from new. :(