5k to spend, what car?

dnme

Hi and sorry for yet another "recommend me a car" thread but I really could use your help.

I am a mature student who needs a car pretty badly. I live 15 miles form college but also do a bit of driving round the country. I have had bad luck with last two cars letting me down badly. I can just about scrape 5k together and need a car that is above all reliable.

Preferences
=======
Diesel (ecomomic is important)
Fit a tall person (6'5")
Reliable

I'm just wondering if any of you have any suggestions?

Many thanks

Sids Not

dnme wrote: »

Preferences
=======
Diesel (ecomomic is important)
Fit a tall person (6'5")
Reliable

I'm just wondering if any of you have any suggestions?

Many thanks

A bus.................:D


Just kiddin.....deffo a diesel ,but get a turbo one....or you'll end up driving the shyte out of it...;)

CianRyan

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/200947195948246/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/1.9-TDI-/200947195944731/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Citroen/C2/enterpri/200947195894274/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/VAN-1.8T/200846190852037/advert?channel=CARS

Just a quick flick through carzone.
I'd look in more detail but I'm a bit busy right now.

Two commercial cars in there to make it cheaper for you.

dnme

thanks for the replies folks.

1. Why turbo? why would I drive the "life" out of it without?
2. Why commercial?

I am also thinking that 1.9 diesels are now nearly 600quid to tax (and that is gonna soar over the comig years) plus, high milage (100k+) = unreliable. I am seriously looking at the Mazda2, Corolla, Almera and Yaris. Looking at reliability lists all over the place, the japanese cars are always on top. A Mazda2 tiny diesel would be so economical to run and tax - what would ya reckon?

PaulKK

dnme wrote: »

thanks for the replies folks.

1. Why turbo? why would I drive the "life" out of it without?
2. Why commercial?

I am also thinking that 1.9 diesels are now nearly 600quid to tax (and that is gonna soar over the comig years) plus, high milage (100k+) = unreliable. I am seriously looking at the Mazda2, Corolla, Almera and Yaris. Looking at reliability lists all over the place, the japanese cars are always on top. A Mazda2 tiny diesel would be so economical to run and tax - what would ya reckon?

Turbo because a normally aspirated diesel will have no power.

Commercial = cheaper tax + insurance.

Yes the tax is nearly 600 quid on a 1.9, BUT diesel is 10 cents a liter cheaper at the pump, and you will see 20% better economy also.

100k miles on a maintained diesel is nothing, my nearly 12 year old 1.9 TDI passat has 120k on it and its going perfect, most diesels should be well capable of 250k+

Look at 1.9 TDI Golfs, Passats, Boras, A4s, Octavias, seat leons and ibizas.

Also consider peugot 406, 306, or this: http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/bmw-320d/200945195768051/advert?channel=CARS

dnme

PaulKK wrote: »

Turbo because a normally aspirated diesel will have no power.

Commercial = cheaper tax + insurance.

Yes the tax is nearly 600 quid on a 1.9, BUT diesel is 10 cents a liter cheaper at the pump, and you will see 20% better economy also.

100k miles on a maintained diesel is nothing, my nearly 12 year old 1.9 TDI passat has 120k on it and its going perfect, most diesels should be well capable of 250k+

Look at 1.9 TDI Golfs, Passats, Boras, A4s, Octavias, seat leons and ibizas.

Also consider peugot 406, 306, or this: http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/bmw-320d/200945195768051/advert?channel=CARS

Thanks Paul

I dont want to go down the commercial route again. It means MOT every year and from previous experience with a Peugeot 306 diesel, it cost me shed loads each year. I'd sooner stick to small diesels (upto 1.7) taxed private (NCT).

zilog_jones

dnme wrote: »

1. Why turbo? why would I drive the "life" out of it without?

Naturally aspirated diesels are very "leisurely", but fortunately you won't find too many around in modern cars (unless you go over 10 years or so).

2. Why commercial?

They're cheaper

I am also thinking that 1.9 diesels are now nearly 600quid to tax (and that is gonna soar over the comig years) plus, high milage (100k+) = unreliable.

A good diesel engine will be able to take a lot more than 100k miles, I wouldn't worry about it too much. You'll need to work out how much you'll be driving and how much you'll be saving on fuel with a diesel vs. petrol to see if the extra tax will be worthwhile.

I am seriously looking at the Mazda2, Corolla, Almera and Yaris. Looking at reliability lists all over the place, the japanese cars are always on top. A Mazda2 tiny diesel would be so economical to run and tax - what would ya reckon?

Small diesels are hard enough to find here, I'm not sure you'll find a diesel Mazda2 in your price range (probably stuck to 2003 models) unless you go to the UK maybe. Also, considering your height no one (with legs) will be able to sit behind you in any of these cars! The Corolla and Almera are particularly bad for cabin space considering their size.

dnme

zilog_jones wrote: »

Naturally aspirated diesels are very "leisurely", but fortunately you won't find too many around in modern cars (unless you go over 10 years or so).


They're cheaper


A good diesel engine will be able to take a lot more than 100k miles, I wouldn't worry about it too much. You'll need to work out how much you'll be driving and how much you'll be saving on fuel with a diesel vs. petrol to see if the extra tax will be worthwhile.


Small diesels are hard enough to find here, I'm not sure you'll find a diesel Mazda2 in your price range (probably stuck to 2003 models) unless you go to the UK maybe. Also, considering your height no one (with legs) will be able to sit behind you in any of these cars! The Corolla and Almera are particularly bad for cabin space considering their size.

Thanks Zilog

Commercial insurance is not any cheaper for me than private (I have had both over past 18 years).

My last diesel engine gave up at 120k (peigeot 306 had it from new) and my current car has let me down also (Megane diesel on 120k also). So my last 2 diesels made it as far as 120k miles.
I cant continue to throw money at these goddam unreliable money black holes. So reliability and economy are the bigggies for me.
WRT driving with seat all the way back - thats fine

I realise I came on her eand asked for advice and am now arguing against the advice you are giving me, my apologies

As I develope this thread I am also doing some homework on web etc. List after list rates japanese cars as the most reliable. I reckon if I go for a 2002+ japanese small diesel, all I can do is play the odds. There is no way I'd ever get another Renault, my god I learned my lesson there

PaulKK

dnme wrote: »

Thanks Paul

I dont want to go down the commercial route again. It means MOT every year and from previous experience with a Peugeot 306 diesel, it cost me shed loads each year. I'd sooner stick to small diesels (upto 1.7) taxed private (NCT).

1.7 is going to cost nearly 500 to tax, and are not very common. TBH for the sake of 2 quid a week your better off going to a 1.9, i know 600 sounds a lot, but at the end of the day split over a yea the extra you pay is not much. For the economy etc its worth it.

You mention that you had some trouble previously with diesels, but I can assure you if you service it on time, the VW/Skoda/Seat/Audi 1.9TDI will not let you down, it must be the most reliable diesel around at the moment. I have experience with it in a few different cars, and while many posters on here fault it for being old and noisy, it is most certainly reliable and adequately powered for most

zilog_jones wrote: »

Naturally aspirated diesels are very "leisurely", but fortunately you won't find too many around in modern cars (unless you go over 10 years or so).

Don't forget the good old 2.0SDI

dnme

What do ya reckon guys?
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda2/1.4-TDI-/200924193058609/advert?channel=CARS

Im told they fit tall people

zilog_jones

The 1.4 diesel engine in the Mazda2 is jointly developed by Ford and PSA (Peugeot/Citroen), so don't assume you're getting away from the French quite yet! I have not heard anything particularly bad about these engines though.

dnme

also, following your advice, I came across this a few times today

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/1.9-TDI/200944195654912/advert?channel=CARS

Should I be suspicious? especially considering the quality of the english use din the ad description...?

zilog_jones

Just because he's foreign doesn't mean he's a bad person He could be genuine or a complete cowboy just like anyone else

bazz26

Some more suggestions:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200947195893131

zilog_jones

bazz26 wrote: »

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200947195893131

It's a UK import (look at dealer stamps, not to mention the fact it's a diesel), should be able to get that price down because of that.