Fuel efficient car - Suggestions?

Jakmeehan

I'm looking for a used car that is very fuel efficient. I will be doing mostly town driving but, as I am in Mayo and most of my family live in Wexford, there will be some infrequent motorway driving.

I am open to any make & model suggestions.

My budget is around €3,000, I would really appreciate some opinions as I have little knowledge of this stuff!

Thanks in advance.

Bigus

give us a few hints
Is it going to be a family car
does it need to be cheap to tax
can you get insured on a bigger car
What is it replacing
How many miles you doing ?

Vicxas

Small car?

Maybe a Golf Diesel?

veetwin

Whats your annual mileage?

What size car do you have in mind? Yaris/Golf/Mondeo sized or smaller or bigger?

Petrol or diesel? Diesel is better for economy but not really suited to town driving.

Any engine size restrictions due to age/insurance implications?

colm_mcm

a silver Octavia.

Jakmeehan

Thanks for the replies, it's much appreciated. Sorry for the lack of info, I'm new to this.

Some more Info:

Is it going to be a family car

Nope, just myself and the girlfriend.

does it need to be cheap to tax

Would be a major plus, but if the fuel efficiency justifies the higher tax of a bigger engine then so be it.

can you get insured on a bigger car

I'm an 18 year old male with one year experience and provisional license (test coming up). I am insured as a named driver on a policy under my mothers name for €€€ purposes, this will probably be the case for the new car too.

What is it replacing

Replacing a 01 1.1 Peugeot 206. Would like to go a bit more powerful really.

Annual Mileage

Around 18,000 miles

What size car do you have in mind? Yaris/Golf/Mondeo sized or smaller or bigger?

Any of the above really, I like bigger cars (Mondeo size) but I understand it could be more expensive to get insured on.

Petrol or diesel?

Diesel.

Jakmeehan

Vicxas wrote: »

Small car?

Maybe a Golf Diesel?

That could do the trick, although they are quite expensive.

I am thinking about the 1.5 diesel Megane - any opinions on it's MPG/reliability etc?

veetwin

How does an 18 yr old with a provisional licence do 18K miles per year in a car that has questionable insurance (unless the mother does 36K per year)? I'm guessing that most of those miles are done unaccompanied by a licenced driver but no matter.

If your going diesel for your budget you are probably looking at a Golf or similar with a 1.9 or 2 litre engine. Tax will be circa €600. Insurance will probably also go up somewhat. You could look at French diesels which are fuel efficient but can be troublesome. TBH €3K won't get you a very good diesel or at least one without the potential for major repairs. Best of luck!

colm_mcm

I'd get a civic 1.7 diesel in that case. Don't think the insurance is mental on them like 10 years ago

tommy89

How about a seat toledo. Won't be as expensive as a vw but just as reliable and is a good size of a car like you said

Jakmeehan

veetwin wrote: »

How does an 18 yr old with a provisional licence do 18K miles per year in a car that has questionable insurance (unless the mother does 36K per year)? I'm guessing that most of those miles are done unaccompanied by a licenced driver but no matter.

If your going diesel for your budget you are probably looking at a Golf or similar with a 1.9 or 2 litre engine. Tax will be circa €600. Insurance will probably also go up somewhat. You could look at French diesels which are fuel efficient but can be troublesome. TBH €3K won't get you a very good diesel or at least one without the potential for major repairs. Best of luck!

Thanks.

Looks like the 1.9 TDI golf can achieve roughly 53 MPG, Urban & Extra Urban combined. That would be nice if accurate.

colm_mcm

tommy89 wrote: »

How about a seat toledo. Won't be as expensive as a vw but just as reliable and is a good size of a car like you said

Not affordable anymore since the felters got into them.
Id swear you could pick up 01-02 models for less 3 years ago

Jakmeehan

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd get a civic 1.7 diesel in that case. Don't think the insurance is mental on them like 10 years ago

They are very expensive to buy though and don't feel like getting pulled over every second day :P

Although with a Honda engine it'd probably last forever.

tommy89 wrote: »

How about a seat toledo. Won't be as expensive as a vw but just as reliable and is a good size of a car like you said

Was looking at those too, they are quite reasonably priced.

colm_mcm

Jakmeehan wrote: »

They are very expensive to buy though and don't feel like getting pulled over every second day :P

Although with a Honda engine it'd probably last forever.



Was looking at those too, they are quite reasonably priced.

I was thinking of one myself last year. Lots of them in the uk. Vrt is tiny on them.
Should easily get one under budget.

The engine is a gm/Isuzu unit is highly regarded. You won't get pulled over unless you drive like a tit.
I had a good few mitsubishi ftos and never got pulled over. Few lads on here have integras and say the same. If you drive badly in an Avensis they'll still pull you over.

polyfusion

colm_mcm wrote: »

Not affordable anymore since the felters got into them.

Sorry, what's a felter?

Compton

polyfusion wrote: »

Sorry, what's a felter?

felt spec. lowered, with big alloys, tints, hids, massive sunvisor etc..

Jakmeehan

colm_mcm wrote: »

I was thinking of one myself last year. Lots of them in the uk. Vrt is tiny on them.
Should easily get one under budget.

The engine is a gm/Isuzu unit is highly regarded. You won't get pulled over unless you drive like a tit.
I had a good few mitsubishi ftos and never got pulled over. Few lads on here have integras and say the same. If you drive badly in an Avensis they'll still pull you over.

How much is VRT roughly, do you know? If it is low enough it might be worth going up north for one.

What about the 1.4 DSI? According to whatmpg.co.uk it has a combined MPG of 61.4

colm_mcm

1.4 good for early 40s
1.7 will do late 50s

Youre prob seeing figures for the hybrid version

Jakmeehan

colm_mcm wrote: »

1.4 good for early 40s
1.7 will do late 50s

Youre prob seeing figures for the hybrid version

Cheapest I can find is about €3,500 before VRT... That might be a bit too much above budget. I'll keep looking though.

Thanks for all your advice, you're a lot of help!!

colm_mcm

Vehicle Details cal Code 40886426
Model CIVIC 1.7
Make HONDA
Version CTDI IMAGI OHC 05DR

Breakdown of VRT Calculation
Open Market Selling €25719
Monthly adjustment +100%
Price (OMSP) determined by Revenue
Depreciation code G2

Odometer reading 80000 Mil allocated by Revenue
Date of first MARCH 2002
Mileage/Kilometre €0 registration reduction
Rate of depreciation for 95%

Current OMSP €2000 this vehicle determined by Revenue Revenue CO Calculation


Revenue CO 2 Calculation 2
CO Emissions 134
CO 2 Emissions 134
Rate of VRT 16% VRT

Chargeable €320

colm_mcm

http://m.sandwellcarsales.co.uk/advert/201120387337456

For example

I make that to be €2450 plus vrt and travel

johndaman66

Jakmeehan wrote: »

and don't feel like getting pulled over every second day

I'd say you would be ok to that extent really in an unmolested 5 door model. They look very ordinary if not mundane really.

Damokc

i think this is the best description online of it:
http://www.octane.ie/news/article.php?id=587

Zubeneschamali

Jakmeehan wrote: »

Although with a Honda engine it'd probably last forever.

No, the Civic 1.7 diesel is one they bought in from Isuzu for the European market. Honda's only in-house diesel is the more recent 2.2

Bigus

I think you're getting ahead of yourself , but sure that's the beauty of youth on your side.

You need to think seriously about spending some money on your own insurance policy first, because strictly speaking you're not properly covered with the miles you are doing and the fact that the mother never sits in the car never mind drives it.

In reality you won't get anything a whole lot more economical then a 1.1 petrol 206 unless of course you get a 1.4 petrol 206.
Try limit your foot to the floor and see you're mpg increase by 25%.

as for suggestions of a 1.7 diesel civic they are scrap, huge variable turbo problems, gearbox problems and old fashioned diesel feel, and built in england.

Jakmeehan

Bigus wrote: »

I think you're getting ahead of yourself , but sure that's the beauty of youth on your side.

You need to think seriously about spending some money on your own insurance policy first, because strictly speaking you're not properly covered with the miles you are doing and the fact that the mother never sits in the car never mind drives it.

In reality you won't get anything a whole lot more economical then a 1.1 petrol 206 unless of course you get a 1.4 petrol 206.
Try limit your foot to the floor and see you're mpg increase by 25%.

as for suggestions of a 1.7 diesel civic they are scrap, huge variable turbo problems, gearbox problems and old fashioned diesel feel, and built in england.

The 206 has been nothing but trouble for me, and is also drinking petrol, using almost a full tank driving from Wexford to Mayo. And that's one way. I could get a second hand engine put into it but to be honest I've spent too much on it already.

I like the car in general and it drives nice (when it does at all) but has been too much trouble, that's why I'm changing. All I want is something economical, nothing fancy.

Jakmeehan

colm_mcm wrote: »

http://m.sandwellcarsales.co.uk/advert/201120387337456

For example

I make that to be €2450 plus vrt and travel

Thanks for that. If I'm going to go up north for one I need to be 100% on it tho as I don't want a wasted trip up, so I'll keep an eye out.

Jakmeehan

Model: Renault Megane
Year: 2005
Engine: 1.5 DCi
Mileage: 174,000 KM/ 108,000 Miles
NCT: 03/13
No Tax

Price: €3,500


This sounds like a good enough deal to me, the onboard computer reports an average of 60.4 MPG. Any opinions?

EPM

Jakmeehan wrote: »

Model: Renault Megane
Year: 2005
Engine: 1.5 DCi
Mileage: 174,000 KM/ 108,000 Miles
NCT: 03/13
No Tax

Price: €3,500


This sounds like a good enough deal to me, the onboard computer reports an average of 60.4 MPG. Any opinions?

Thread very carefully. The older Meganes have a terrible name for reliability. Some are absolutely fine, others are a disaster.

Damokc

EPM wrote: »

Thread very carefully. The older Meganes have a terrible name for reliability. Some are absolutely fine, others are a disaster.

girlfriend bought one 2months ago.spent more than half that time in the garage with "injection fault". nice car to drive though when it is actually working.

Jakmeehan

EPM wrote: »

Thread very carefully. The older Meganes have a terrible name for reliability. Some are absolutely fine, others are a disaster.

I have heard about older Lagunas being terribly unreliable (especially 1.6 petrol models) but that's the first time I've heard it about the Megane. Could you tell me a bit more about that please?

On a side note:

I would LOVE your octavia

EPM

Jakmeehan wrote: »

I have heard about older Lagunas being terribly unreliable (especially 1.6 petrol models) but that's the first time I've heard it about the Megane. Could you tell me a bit more about that please?

On a side note:

I would LOVE your octavia

It's more finnecky electrics tbh. Engines are good, although have heard of one or two turbo failures. A detailed service history might show what work was actually done to date.

Jakmeehan

Damokc wrote: »

girlfriend bought one 2months ago.spent more than half that time in the garage with "injection fault". nice car to drive though when it is actually working.

Interesting, injectors can be expensive I had to get them replaced in the 206.

EPM wrote: »

It's more finnecky electrics tbh. Engines are good, although have heard of one or two turbo failures. A detailed service history might show what work was actually done to date.

Where would I find out about the service history? I know that the timing belt was done at 75k so that will probably need doing again soon.

grantk2

i have a 2001 Seat Cordoba 1.9 SDI and i consistently get 60mpg... although i do a little more than town driving.. i've had it 5 years, 167k miles on the clock and its never given me any trouble whatsoever.. tax is 582 a year which kills me.. but the fuel efficiency by far covers it...

Jakmeehan

grantk2 wrote: »

i have a 2001 Seat Cordoba 1.9 SDI and i consistently get 60mpg... although i do a little more than town driving.. i've had it 5 years, 167k miles on the clock and its never given me any trouble whatsoever.. tax is 582 a year which kills me.. but the fuel efficiency by far covers it...

Is it reliable?

grantk2

Jakmeehan wrote: »

Is it reliable?

very reliable... i've had mine 5 years (and 77k miles done) and its never let me down.. cheap on diesel.. and cheap on maintainence..

Jakmeehan

Thanks for everybody's help - I decided to go for the Megane in the end.

The windows are acting up though.:pac:

CarsOnTest

Yes an Octavia would appear to be a sound buy but insurance could be an issue? While you may be determined to get something bigger a 2007 Fiat Panda with low milage and a small but very efficient 1.1 petrol engine can be bought in your budget. It would be much less to tax and insure than the larger octavia. The panda would set you back 286 for the year for tax while the octavia would be 582. As many used cars are sold without in-date tax discs make sure to add this straight away onto the list price in the dealers.

The panda too is known for quite good reliability and regularly does very well in JD Power Surveys, which take into account thousands of cars. I was looking at one on Tuesday and they are roomy for their small proportions and are perfect for town driving. While not as comfortable as the Golf or Octavia on the motorway the lower prices and ease of use in town should more than make up for it.

While it has only begun this week and very, very, very low on content my website <snip> may give you some help as to finding what works for you, what to look out for when buying a used car and give examples of specific used cars that are good examples.

Dealers are happy to sell so remember that if your budget is 3000 look at cars up to 4500 and give them an offer, if the car is there a long time you could get a bargain. On ads on carzone at the bottom you are told when the ad was last updated. If it was a while ago, such as a month, the dealer will probably be very willing to simply sell the car and you can get it on the cheap!

best of luck with it all!

CarsOnTest

Oh I nearly forgot, here is an example of a Panda for sale! http://www.carzone.ie/search/Fiat/Panda/1.1-ACTI/201124202858645/advert?channel=CARS

n97 mini

That 1.7 engine in the Civic is also in the Astra. If you don't like the Civic get the Astra. The 1.9TDI Golfs handle like butter and the engine is about a agricultural as you can get.

colm_mcm

OP bought a migrane

Which baffles me really.....

n97 mini

Jeez.. me too.

For Forks Sake

Jakmeehan wrote: »

I decided to go for the Megane in the end.

The windows are acting up though.:pac:

Did you do any actual research? That's the most common fault in that model Megane

Jakmeehan

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Did you do any actual research? That's the most common fault in that model Megane

I know about it being a common fault, luckily I'm not having the usual problem where it won't budge at all. It only goes up or down 2cm at a time but a commenter in another thread tells me it's just because the battery has been disconnected.

Jakmeehan

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Did you do any actual research? That's the most common fault in that model Megane

Plus, if that's the most common fault then I'm happy with my purchase

colm_mcm

It's one of the cheapest common faults, I hope you're lucky but that generation megane is widely regarded as junk. Especially the pre facelift models.
Did you get the car professionally checked out beforehand?

Jakmeehan

colm_mcm wrote: »

It's one of the cheapest common faults, I hope you're lucky but that generation megane is widely regarded as junk. Especially the pre facelift models.
Did you get the car professionally checked out beforehand?

I haven't picked it up yet as it is going thru the NCT tonight and the timing belt is being replaced tomorrow. I will definitely get it checked tho and the dealer is more than happy to let me take it to get checked.

Is the 2005 model "pre facelift"?

colm_mcm

The phase 2 came out in July 06 as far as I know.