Might need to buy a diesel. €5-7k

NewApproach

Hey guys.

So in September I'll be working and as a result I'll be increasing my mileage to around 25k/30k a year. I'm going away for the summer, so I was thinking of selling my current car, an 06 Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 petrol (hopefully for around 6k) before I leave, and buying a diesel of some sort when I return.

I don't want a complete dull box, something somewhat nice to look/decent to drive.

Obviously fuel consumption is important, as well as good reliability, nice enough looks, cruise control would be nice too. Coupe/Saloon > Hatchback. Not really interested in much else.

Budget is roughly what I get for my own car, plus maybe a couple of k if I find something I really like.

Insurance is another thing, I'm 21 but even with 3 years NCB I probably wouldn't get insurance on anything over 2 litre. edit: Just checked, and Quinn would appear to quote me on anything. E.g. a BMW 525 M-Sport is €1600pa, so that should open up the possibilities.

What sort of things should I be looking for?

Audi A4
BMW 3 Series/ 5 Series (I particularly love the E39 Sport if people don't think thats too expensive)
Ford Focus/Mondeo
Mazda 6?
Opel Astra/Vectra
Saab 9-3
Skoda Octavia
Avensis
VW Bora/Golf/Passat

The 9-3 particularly interests me. My mam has a petrol one and I didn't expect a diesel to be within budget. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

edit: I keep reading about DPFs, DMFs, turbos and loads of other stuff that fail on diesels in this forum. How genuine of a concern are these, how can you reduce the liklihood of problems arising, and are some cars more susceptible to these issues than others? Thanks

NewApproach

NewApproach wrote: »

so I was thinking of selling my current car, an 06 Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 petrol (hopefully for around 6k) before I leave, and buying a diesel of some sort when I return.

..............Budget is roughly what I get for my own car, plus maybe a couple of k if I find something I really like.

You won't get close to €6K for a 147 privately.

ottostreet

I'd go for a 530d....I'm looking up North at them at the moment, I think they're better value up there.

NewApproach

RoverJames wrote: »

You won't get close to €6K for a 147 privately.

€5k then, as I said the budget is what I get for my own, plus the option of adding a couple of thousand if I feel the car is worth it.

ottostreet wrote: »

I'd go for a 530d....I'm looking up North at them at the moment, I think they're better value up there.

I'd love one but not yet. I'm still only 21 and the insurance and tax would cripple me.

NewApproach

Bump, any advice would be great

Atomic Pineapple

Think your only options are the generic VAG TDi cars that are a few years older now.

Tragedy

Mondeo ST TDCI(though will be 1 or 2 grand outside your budget)
Well specced 1.9 Tid 150 Saab 9-3

bazz26

How about a MG ZT diesel:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201113201801565

Idbatterim

how about an E46 320d or 320cd? they have 150bhp, and 50mpg on combined cycle. 190bhp is one figure I have seen quoted, when they are remapped! Im looking at a 325ci, the 330ci tax is just sick, if you care enough about possible savings to go for a diesel, why pay E1300 odd on tax? with a 325d or 525d you still get 6 cylinder engine and tax of E935... just saw below on donedeal, low mileage for a diesel if legit, Id want a mfsw if I were you though, leather too preferably...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1977966

Tragedy

bazz26 wrote: »

How about a MG ZT diesel:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201113201801565

That's mad money, 2003 mk1 with 83,000 miles and significantly better specced than that one cost me around ~4k imported including travel & expenses two years ago.

Same engine as the 320d(the earlier variant that didn't eat swirl flaps), turbo gives no bother and generally reliable. Suspension is a BMW design, gearbox is GETRAG, and interior puts the 3 series to shame.
I got 43mpg over 18,000 miles brimming and tracking every fill. That was with a remap and a duff thermostat(common problem) though. Much better power delivery than the old 1.9 130 PD vag engines imho.

NewApproach

Cheers lads thats great advice. Something like the MG would be interesting alright but it would need to be priced right. Would getting parts on them be an issue?

Also how concerned should I be over the DMF, DPF, turbo problems etc I keep hearing about? Up to now everyone in my house has had petrols so I've never had to be concerned about it.

Tragedy

I bought an MG ZT because
#1 I loved the styling
#2 I loved how rare they are on the roads

All parts are available, however some parts have gotten a lot more expensive. Still relatively cheap to maintain though!

I used to go to a garage up north to get work done, I think there's an MG specialist in Cork too.

Weak points:
Clutch around 80k
Thermostats start sticking and engine runs cooler than it should, lose about 2mpg and takes longer to heat up
Front shocks can start going around 100k
No real injector, DMF or turbo problems, engine is solid.

Should be able to get a decent specced 03-04 one with around 80k miles for ~£2,750, VRT isn't much on them these days.

GERMAN ROCKS

the vectra diesel wouldnt be a bad option. fairly nippy and you could pick one up handy enough.

Idbatterim

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2033111

surely that price cant be right?

bazz26

Idbatterim wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2033111

surely that price cant be right?

Limited market for people who can stumach the high road tax, hence the price. Could also be on UK plates and price doesn't include VRT.

Vicxas

Diesel Avensis, they're bulletproof.