reliable economical car for 2-3k

tonyrich1

im going to be about 1200kms per week in my new job and i have to put a car on the road, im looking for something with good fuel economy and reliable saloon, and for a budget of between 2-3k. if i get 6-12 months out of it, i will then be in a position to trade up to something better. was thinking a diesel laguna maybe, any suggestions on cars to look for and ones to stay away from. thanks

GTE

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Bora/1.9-TDI-/200951196209455/advert?channel=CARS

Same engine as mine and if it was kept as well as my yoke before I bought it then you should have the perfect car for your needs.

48 Winter MPG and 57 Summer MPG

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Bora/1.9-STI-/201007196978147/advert?channel=CARS
This SDI model is a non turbo diesel, slow but its bulletproof!

colm_mcm

Shameless plug:

I have a very tidy 01D Avensis 2.0TD for sale, details in my sig. would take a little off the asking price to a serious buyer.

It's the 90bhp engine that was used in the later model Carina E D-Turbo (think they were 80bhp in the Carina though) and is bulletproof. Just got an oil and filter change. Mileage is handy for the year too.

Should be easy to resell and is cheaper than those on Carzone with way more miles

bazz26

Ford Mondeo:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201002196564410

Should do the job, you would probably get back a good chunk of what you paid for it when you are done with it.

GTE

Are they not horrible engines in those Mondeos?
I havent read one good thing about them.

EDIT:
Just got some MPG info and it does about 46 at best. Id be iffy about that.

bazz26

They might not be cutting edge technology of the time but they are simple mechanics and a better prospect imo than an overpriced SDi Bora.

Rover 75 diesel, preferrably after recent clutch change. You'll get most of your cash back in a year when you go to sell on if you buy smart. I would also recommend a Rover 45 but that comes with the Rover L series engine so most folks will tell you they are muck, not true

You'd also get a nice diesel Peugeot 406 for less than €3000.

Regarding the Mondeo, if you have a €2000 / €3000 to spend and will be driving over 100 miles a day there really is no need to be looking at stuff like that. I would agree most VAG stuff is grossly overpriced.

wilson10

I was involved in engine reconditioning for a number of years and from my experience I would reckon you're best sticking with VW or at least the VW 1.9 tdi engine, as fitted also in Seat and Skoda.

Generally speaking, a good bet.

Eoin

bbk wrote: »

Are they not horrible engines in those Mondeos?
I havent read one good thing about them.

Compared to the VAG SDI unit you recommended?

Gary ITR

bbk wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Bora/1.9-STI-/201007196978147/advert?channel=CARS
This SDI model is a non turbo diesel, slow but its bulletproof!

I have an Inca(Same Engine) from work at the moment. It is frustratingly slow and noisy but it's an '02, has had zero maintenance with 120k miles on the clock and still starts on the button and runs fine while returning a huge mpg. I regularly get 550 miles from a full tank and that's usually carrying a load.

I'd still much prefer one with a turbo....

I Was VB

colm_mcm wrote: »

Shameless plug:

I have a very tidy 01D Avensis 2.0TD for sale, details in my sig. would take a little off the asking price to a serious buyer.

It's the 90bhp engine that was used in the later model Carina E D-Turbo (think they were 80bhp in the Carina though) and is bulletproof. Just got an oil and filter change. Mileage is handy for the year too.

Should be easy to resell and is cheaper than those on Carzone with way more miles

01, wouldnt that be the facelift D4D Diesel? Maybe it was a late model.

barochoc

For excellent economy & performance I'd say anything with a HDI engine.

Peugeots & Citroens. Plenty of them out there.

I picked up a '00 Xantia Estate 2.0 HDI for little or nothing a few months ago. The engine is only the 90Bhp but it pulls hard from 1750rpm. It's certainly not slow but I'd challenge any 2Ltr diesel to a economy test.

It's phenomenally frugal even around town. I'm getting well into the 50's mpg on long runs to Cork/Dublin etc.

They can be a bit tricky when things go wrong but I can't complain about the Hydropneumatic suspension. It rides & handles very well.

Maybe a Peugeot would be your preference but I'd certainly have a look at some of the Xantias or C5's. I would say that the 406 is the better looking car though!

GTE

eoin wrote: »

Compared to the VAG SDI unit you recommended?

Yes.
The reason I mentioned the SDI is because of MPG and reliability.

You can still get around the 50-55 mark in terms of MPG in one of those SDI cars. If the OP is covering those kind of distances a week then MPG would be a consideration since the SDI is getting the same MPG as the TDI.


Its worth a consideration as with some good searching you are bound to find a decent SDI at the right price, they are good on the diesel as I said and they would probably last untill the end of the earth.

The older Ford TD can muster up 45 MPG, however while I was researching what diesels were open to me (I was in the same price braket) I was generally told avoid Ford diesels untill the TDCI, which is sadly too young for me in terms of what they go for price wise.

With all that said, Id take the 90bhp VE TDI over the SDI but Id take an SDI over the Ford TD any day.

Since the price point puts you at about the year 2000 I believe VAG have the best engine out there in the form of the VE TDI.

colm_mcm

I Was VB wrote: »

01, wouldnt that be the facelift D4D Diesel? Maybe it was a late model.

Nope, it's the old 00 90bhp model, facelift is 110bhp but prone to injector and flywheel problems. It's basically a reworked version of the D-Turbo engine in the Carina E - bulletproof and actually a lot quieter than the D-4D.

I'm not overly fussed on whether I sell it as I've fallen for its fuel economy (twice the mpg of the Shogun!) and comfort. There's 100k on it but it's very tight.

It was carried over from 00 (D-4D came in mid 2000) and registered in the first part of January 01.

Since I got this one, I've seen a few 01 pre-facelifts around. not as exclusive as I'd thought

Mr Benevolent

Buying an SDI makes Baby Jesus cry.

GTE

Confab wrote: »

Buying an SDI makes Baby Jesus cry. I would never buy an SDI over a TDI

Indeed nor would I, if I was to buy it for the uses I have my TDI for. For the OP it seems to be a short term love affair and seems to need just a car. An A to B mobile.

ncc98071

I would recomend an avensis as well , Have a 01 d4d one and am doing 500-600 miles a week and find it very good and reliable, and wont loose much value in 6 months