lost...

cul-2008

Hi everyone,

I just wanted a few opinions. Due to buy a car within the next 4 weeks for when I head back to college. I will be doing 250 miles commuting to and from college Monday to Friday, and another 100 miles at weekends going to town and calling to family/friends. Monday to Friday commuting is 30% primary road, 70% dual carriageway. All included, its working out at about 18,000 miles per year.

Chances are I could very well be commuting from Limerick to Galway each weekend later next year, so that might need to be factored in (if I don't get itchy feet before then and change car!). My absolute max budget is €7,500 (car loan from the credit union) and max engine size would be 2.0 - lower the better though. 21 year old male, full licence for 3 years, 2 years NCB. Comfort and gadgets are a big thing for me, speed is a bit pointless these days so as long as it's not dead as a maggot, I'm open to looking into it!

I'm totally lost as to what to choose. If I'm going out of my way to take out quite a large loan, I want something unusual and not the usual rep-mobile (mondeo, passat etc). I've been thinking along the lines of A3's (1.6 petrol as the diesel commands a ridiculous premium) GT TDI's, Citroen C4 1.6HDi's etc but I just keep going around in circles.

ANY suggestions would be great. Sorry for the long post but there was not other way of putting it!

Thanks for your time.

Cul.

MG ZT diesel, €4000/€5000 and you're laughing.

Tefral

Id be looking along the lines of a
1.6-1.8 Turbo Diesel Ford Focus, Maybe a TDi Golf (Insurance is high enough on them)

Have you considered a Mondeo or a Skoda Octavia, Opel Astra?

All those would have cruise control etc. You could go down the lines of a BMW 318 (which are 1.9) you could get one with all the bells and whistles for the full 7500 but youd be going further down in years compared to say a Mondeo?

Id stick to small Hatchbacks with an above 1.6 litre engine in Diesel or Petrol. Youll need the extra litte bit of power for the motorways etc.

Seeing as your in college you'll be wanting to keep costs to a minimum so id be looking in the direction of a Ford in my opinion, parts are dirt cheap for them

Nissan doctor

cul-2008 wrote: »

I want something unusual

cul-2008 wrote: »

I've been thinking along the lines of A3's

For that sort of mileage then a diesel that is the cheapest and most economical to run(which includes servicing and repairs don't forget) should be the priority IMO

cul-2008

lovely machines alright RoverJames, but good examples seem to be hard to find in Ireland. I'm in the UK at the moment on work placement, would it be worth my while bringing one back given that the anti-corrosion is virtually non-existent?

Lovely example here http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201117385917623/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/model/zt/make/mg/postcode/m287qh/radius/1500/page/2?logcode=p

Tefral

cul-2008 wrote: »

lovely machines alright RoverJames, but good examples seem to be hard to find in Ireland. I'm in the UK at the moment on work placement, would it be worth my while bringing one back given that the anti-corrosion is virtually non-existent?

Lovely example here http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201117385917623/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/model/zt/make/mg/postcode/m287qh/radius/1500/page/2?logcode=p

Have alook on DoneDeal.ie, cars here are getting much cheaper to buy, you might find after you factor in transport, VRT, VAT etc that with cash you could and most likely will get a better deal here

cul-2008

Nissan doctor wrote: »

For that sort of mileage then a diesel that is the cheapest and most economical to run(which includes servicing and repairs don't forget) should be the priority IMO

I should have said S3, but I know where you're coming from. Totally agree with you about cheapest and most economical, but the loading on diesel cars 2004+ seems to be quite high, artificially in some cases. Any idea of a car that slots into the bracket you described?

Bigus

Try an extended Test drive in a Prius 06- 08 while you are in the UK, vrt is next to nothing. Get one with cruise control and it would suit your requirements.
Contrary to predictions they are one of the most reliable yokes on the road.

cul-2008

cronin_j wrote: »

Id be looking along the lines of a
1.6-1.8 Turbo Diesel Ford Focus, Maybe a TDi Golf (Insurance is high enough on them)

Have you considered a Mondeo or a Skoda Octavia, Opel Astra?

All those would have cruise control etc. You could go down the lines of a BMW 318 (which are 1.9) you could get one with all the bells and whistles for the full 7500 but youd be going further down in years compared to say a Mondeo?

Id stick to small Hatchbacks with an above 1.6 litre engine in Diesel or Petrol. Youll need the extra litte bit of power for the motorways etc.

Seeing as your in college you'll be wanting to keep costs to a minimum so id be looking in the direction of a Ford in my opinion, parts are dirt cheap for them

I've owned an Astra before so I'm keen to try something different. I've driven the mondeo, both the 1.8 petrol on hire and a friends 2.0 tdci, both of which were very comfortable and well enough specced, although the LX model is famine-like.

My head tells me to go with something like the mondeo, focus etc, but my heart tells me to go for something different and slightly more 'exciting'...even though it might cost me a few hundred more to run. Then again, if the 'exciting' option only costs about 4k ish, then I'm not caught by the balls in terms of being in serious debt to support the running costs.

cul-2008

Bigus wrote: »

Try an extended Test drive in a Prius 06- 08 while you are in the UK, vrt is next to nothing. Get one with cruise control and it would suit your requirements.
Contrary to predictions they are one of the most reliable yokes on the road.

I never knew VRT was so low on them, but 1.5 auto petrol? Why does that scream sole-less to me? I would have thought that they're ideal for city driving, but would be the same as a normal efficient 1.5 petrol on the motorway?

Nissan doctor

Bigus wrote: »

Try an extended Test drive in a Prius 06- 08 while you are in the UK, vrt is next to nothing. Get one with cruise control and it would suit your requirements.
Contrary to predictions they are one of the most reliable yokes on the road.

The Prius has no fuel economy or running cost benifits over any other similar engined petrol car for long distance commuting, if fact the oposite would be true as they are heavier then your average hatchback.

illegalpower

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Mondeo/1.8-TDCI/201116202093575/advert?channel=CARS

These ones have a nice drive and lots of extras but most if not all are uk imports so have good look at the service history and milage details.

A zt for 4000 to 5000 would be alot of car for the money if you can get a straight one. They drive very well and have great road pressance

keithclancy

illegalpower wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Mondeo/1.8-TDCI/201116202093575/advert?channel=CARS

These ones have a nice drive and lots of extras but most if not all are uk imports so have good look at the service history and milage details.

A zt for 4000 to 5000 would be alot of car for the money if you can get a straight one. They drive very well and have great road pressance

+1

The Mondeo is a great car.

Only thing I can fault on it is the gammy clock in the middle of the dash

cul-2008

cul-2008 wrote: »

lovely machines alright RoverJames, but good examples seem to be hard to find in Ireland. I'm in the UK at the moment on work placement, would it be worth my while bringing one back given that the anti-corrosion is virtually non-existent?

Most definitely buy one in the UK if you are there anyway and you like them, diesel ZTs are very rare in Ireland. If you really want to spend as little as possible you should consider a diesel ZS, £3000 would get a fresh 2004/2005 new model type, the saloons are very tasty imo.

I'd be trying to borrow as little as possible if I was you.

Bigus

Nissan doctor wrote: »

The Prius has no fuel economy or running cost benifits over any other similar engined petrol car for long distance commuting, if fact the oposite would be true as they are heavier then your average hatchback.

Not so

Real world consumption on long runs is 55 mpg and 50 around town.
(wifes car)
And takin it handy a mate of mine is regularly getting 64mpg, i'll post a pic of his read outs if i can get it off my phone, and believe it or not he came from a 530 D.

Also its about 85 bhp from the 1.5 engine and another 60 bhp from the motor AFAIK.

Just test drive one before you listen to people who haven't driven one, what harm would that be ?

keithclancy

Bigus wrote: »

Not so

Real world consumption on long runs is 55 mpg and 50 around town.
(wifes car)
And takin it handy a mate of mine is regularly getting 64mpg, i'll post a pic of his read outs if i can get it off my phone, and believe it or not he came from a 530 D.

Also its about 85 bhp from the 1.5 engine and another 60 bhp from the motor AFAIK.

Just test drive one before you listen to people who haven't driven one, what harm would that be ?

55mpg ... in a Prius ... Nah.

Its totally flat here and the only reason people buy a Prius (currently the 1.8 136PS Model) is because its exempt from Motor Tax. Long distance commuters buy them, then convert them to LPG because with motorway driving they get around 7 l / 100km on Benzine and around 8.5-9 on LPG. (LPG is around half the price of Benzine)

Plus its pathetically slow at getting up to speed because of all the weight.

Drove one, would hang myself before i'd buy one, the Honda Hybrid is a pile of crap as well.

cul-2008

RoverJames wrote: »

Most definitely buy one in the UK if you are there anyway and you like them, diesel ZTs are very rare in Ireland. If you really want to spend as little as possible you should consider a diesel ZS, £3000 would get a fresh 2004/2005 new model type, the saloons are very tasty imo.

I'd be trying to borrow as little as possible if I was you.

Are the diesels in the ZS a Rover model? From what I've heard, the BMW engine is only in the ZT but I could be wrong. Any known issues with the ZS diesel? They're coming in very cheap with very low mileage!

Nissan doctor

Bigus wrote: »

Not so

Real world consumption on long runs is 55 mpg and 50 around town.
(wifes car)
And takin it handy a mate of mine is regularly getting 64mpg, i'll post a pic of his read outs if i can get it off my phone, and believe it or not he came from a 530 D.

Also its about 85 bhp from the 1.5 engine and another 60 bhp from the motor AFAIK.

Just test drive one before you listen to people who haven't driven one, what harm would that be ?

The readouts are as optimistic as toyota's mpg claims. If you actually calculate the mpg properly they don't get near that. Also, if its getting less mpg around town, where the engine is off when stopped and at slow speed you can be on electric power alone then something is arseways.

On a normal commute I'm doing well to get 55mpg from a Toyota IQ and that has a 1.0 engine and weighs half what the prius does.

You realise that when you are on a long drive/motorway cruising that the electric motor is doing nothing other then adding weight and weight is the biggest killer of fuel economy. There is nothing different to an auris or any other 1.4-1.6 hatchback once its petrol engine is running.

And yes , I have driven many Pruis...

cul-2008

cul-2008 wrote: »

Are the diesels in the ZS a Rover model? From what I've heard, the BMW engine is only in the ZT but I could be wrong. Any known issues with the ZS diesel? They're coming in very cheap with very low mileage!

The ZT diesel is a BMW engine, the ZS diesel uses the Rover L series diesel, an L series will give less trouble than the BMW one to be honest. They are direct injection, intercooled lumps. Only issue is fuel pump failure. Which the BMW engine has too. The ZS is a smaller car on a dated platform but they are still a fine bus. I have a petrol ZT at the moment and really fancy a diesel ZS next. I had a diesel Rover 400 years ago for a while, was a great yoke. It was just your comment on comfort and extra made me recommend the ZT first, they are a class and a half above the ZS for not much more cash. For €7500 you could get a minty one of both !!

smtdos

OP Sounds like you need an Rx-8...:D

vetstu

Nissan doctor wrote: »

And yes , I have driven many Pruis... Prii

Prii

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/21/toyota-says-plural-of-prius-is-prii/

Bigus

Nissan doctor wrote: »

You realise that when you are on a long drive/motorway cruising that the electric motor is doing nothing other then adding weight and weight is the biggest killer of fuel economy. There is nothing different to an auris or any other 1.4-1.6 hatchback once its petrol engine is running.

And yes , I have driven many Pruis...

There's the rub ! the, the Prius engine shuts down all the time even at motorway speeds, any slight decline an they freewheel and/or use the motor, hence the better MPGs.

bazz26

How about an Alfa Romeo GT like these:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201112201723545

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2085849

cul-2008

bazz26 wrote: »

How about an Alfa Romeo GT like these:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201112201723545

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2085849

absolutely beautiful cars I think Baz, but I've read that touching them without a FSH isn't the wisest of moves?

That is purely a heart over head car for me!

galwaytt

Bigus wrote: »

Not so

Real world consumption on long runs is 55 mpg and 50 around town.
(wifes car)Just test drive one before you listen to people who haven't driven one, what harm would that be ?

An Octavia, let alone a Fabia, would cost much less to buy, and much less to run. My uncle-in-law just bought a spanking new Hybrid Auris - lovely car, but he's pissed as hell: he's lucky to get 50mpg out of it, and it's as slow as Christmas on the motorway. He's kicking himself that he traded his 2.0 D Corolla D4D, which did at least 5mpg better, and was a hell of a lot cheaper to buy, as well. And all to save 139 in tax. LOLOL.

keithclancy wrote: »

55mpg ... in a Prius ... Nah.

+1

cul-2008

Bigus wrote: »

There's the rub ! the, the Prius engine shuts down all the time even at motorway speeds, any slight decline an they freewheel and/or use the motor, hence the better MPGs.

I think it's safe to say that although unusual, a prius is not a car I would like to be seen in at 21.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

galwaytt

cul-2008 wrote: »

I think it's safe to say that although unusual, a prius is not a car I would like to be seen in at 21.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

TFFT. For a moment, you had me worried.

You may resume normal programming driving, now...

ottostreet

More to the point...who went from a 530d to a Prius!


I'd be looking at a C4 1.6HDI...I have a soft spot for them, I think they're deadly little things.

Nissan doctor

Bigus wrote: »

There's the rub ! the, the Prius engine shuts down all the time even at motorway speeds, any slight decline an they freewheel and/or use the motor, hence the better MPGs.

The Prius engine only shuts off when stopped. The generator alone is only capable of approx 20mph. At motorway speed the engine is doing all the work, as with a normal car. The only time the electric motor comes into play at high speed is if you put your foot down, when you get the power from both petrol engine and electric motor.

I think what you have misunderstood as the engine shutting down is when you are decelerating/off the throttle, the engines kinetic energy is used to recharge the electric generator. This kinetic energy just goes to waste in a standard car. The engine doesn't shut down though as otherwise it couldn't charge the generator.

Any modern electronic fuel injected engine uses no fuel at all when coasting in gear, the prius is no different.

cul-2008

ottostreet wrote: »

More to the point...who went from a 530d to a Prius!


I'd be looking at a C4 1.6HDI...I have a soft spot for them, I think they're deadly little things.

have you owned one ottostreet? Love the look of them, and from what I've read they get decent reviews...still command a bit of a premium though!

Nissan doctor

cul-2008 wrote: »

have you owned one ottostreet? Love the look of them, and from what I've read they get decent reviews...still command a bit of a premium though!

I haven't owned one but had one for week in France and, to my surprise I must admit, found it a very nice car. Handled well(tested on some of the roads used in the wrc:D), very comfortable(did a 12 hour overnight drive from Nice to Paris without discomfort) and very economical even at constant 120-140kmh speeds.

Capt'n Midnight

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I think what you have misunderstood as the engine shutting down is when you are decelerating/off the throttle, the engines kinetic energy is used to recharge the electric generator. This kinetic energy just goes to waste in a standard car. The engine doesn't shut down though as otherwise it couldn't charge the generator.

The kenetic energy gets converted into electrical energy and then in to chemical energry in the battery and back to electrical energy and then to mechanical - the regeneration isn't all that efficient, (best case is 90% efficiency at each stage) it's mainly done because it's very easy to do.

When diesel hybrids become availabe you'll see much better mph in the city.

BMW are doing stuff like using exhaust to power the alternator so there are other ways of recovering excess energy.

RoverJames

RoverJames wrote: »

the ZS diesel uses the Rover L series diesel

Nothing hugely remarkable but good to see one on this sort of miles.....


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-ROVER-45-CONNOISSEUR-TD-113-GREY-/190535296169?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c5cc9e4a9

Manufacturer: Rover
Colour: Grey Model: Other
Engine Size: 1,994 cc Type: Standard Car
Power: -- Mileage: 410000
Seats: -- Doors: 4
MOT Expiry: Jul 2011 Model Year: 2004
Drive Side: -- Reg. Date: 02 Aug 2004

Went for £870.

Mar4ix

i would buy toyota avensis with 2.0 diesel or corolla 1.4 tdi. 04-08. all depend of budget.

most reliable and economic cars.

Mar4ix

Mar4ix wrote: »

i would buy toyota avensis with 2.0 diesel or corolla 1.4 tdi. .............

:cool:

cul-2008 wrote: »

...........I want something unusual and not the usual rep-mobile ............

:pac:

cul-2008

wow thats a fair achievement for the old rover engine!

I've narrowed it down to something like an 03 GT TDI Golf...I know its not the most unusual but it's not too expensive either. My other option was an 05 SAAB 9-3 1.9 Tid with 82k on the clock, but this would max my budget out.

Anyone have any experience of these?