Recomendations for a used car with V good MPG

pedro7

Hi all,
I want to pick your collective brains again.
I'm buying a new car in the next month or so I've about £2500 to spend (live in Tyrone) I do highish millage about 15000miles a year. But 90% is on motorways.

I'm looking for a comfy, quiet and most importantly highly economical car.
I've been looking at:
02-06 Mondeo's
02-06 Mazda 6's
98-02 Audi A4's
98-02 BMW 320's
Vauxhaul Astra's & Vectra's
Nissan Almeras
(all diesel)
I'm open to any suggestions though. Any body know what those cars are like to run?

I drive a Nissan Sunny at the moment and get over 40Mpg consistently from it. And it never lets me down. Its got a few annoying quirkes... (Doors not opening when its wet and/or cold) but other than that its ok.
I thought a newer diesel might get me up around 60mpg on the motorways?

So in summary, what do you think would be a good new car? Or should I hold onto my Sunny until it dies of old age?

Thanks alot folks!

wandererz

Volvo S40 1.9D is what i have been driving for quite some time now. 2003 model.

Mileage in the 50+MPG.
Even with an ecu remap you will still average mid 40-46MPG. Besides which it hauls ass.

No problems other than having to replace EGR valve (€80 from main dealer).

A low mileage 03-04 model is what i would go for.

shedweller

In before the skoda octavia!

OP, what do you mean by "highly economical"
Your sunny is petrol right? Thats about 2556 euro per year in petrol. 60mpg in a diesel will cost you 1590 euro per year in diesel or a saving of 966 euro. You won't really do more than that unless you go to a small diesel for 70+mpg. (For what its worth; i drive a 1.4 d4d yaris with a tank average of 80mpg all year or 1192 euro per your mileage) But based on your list above i'm guessing you don't want that.
So the savings are ok but not massive. If you're happy with your current car then keep running it. You'll get nothing (or very little) for it as a trade in anyway so you are saving on that front by keeping it.

ugglasdav

you could go with the Vauxhall astra 1.3cdti or the older 1.7cdti both should get 60mpg no problem, also a ford focus 1.6tdci would be a good option also doing 60mpg

unkel

I'm with shedweller here. Keeping your current car will save you money!

But I can understand if you want something a bit bigger and more comfortable

How about a Citroen C5 diesel?

BTW, do not buy the Mazda 6 diesel, the engines give serious trouble...

pedro7

unkel wrote: »

I'm with shedweller here. Keeping your current car will save you money!

But I can understand if you want something a bit bigger and more comfortable

How about a Citroen C5 diesel?

BTW, do not buy the Mazda 6 diesel, the engines give serious trouble...

I'm inlined to agree, but I have the Sunny 5 years now and if I can get upwards of 55MPG as shedweller pointed out I'll save a considerable amount of money in a year. The newer car would certainly pay for itself in 2 to 3 years.

I've heard awful things about the mazda's alright. I'm a fan of the Mondeo but again I've heard quite a few horror stories.

What are the C5's like? My parents have had Citreon Bx, Visa's, XM's and xsaras in the past and they were all prone to problems.

bazz26

I would not consider 15k miles a year highish to be honest.

Have a look at one of the last Peugeot 406 HDi models around 2003/2004. They were very well kitted out, very nice to drive and the HDi engine is reliable.

shedweller

bazz26 wrote: »

I would not consider 15k miles a year highish to be honest.

Agreed. In a cortina, maybe so, but today? Hardly

bazz26

I'd also recommend a Rover 75. BMW diesel engine is reliable and good on fuel. A few examples:

http://www.usedcarsni.com/78882216
http://www.usedcarsni.com/77484951

pedro7

Are the Rovers not awfuld piles of scrap? I used to repair a freinds old 00 75 and it was a money pit. Little bits constantly going wrong. Have you good experiences with it?


Anybody got feedback on the TDCI 130 Mondeo's? They're very cheap up here and in the UK.

barura

I think if the most annoying aspect of your car is the doors not opening in the wet (but surely you can open it somehow?), I'd stick with it til it dies. But in fairness, if you got cash to upgrade, go on ahead.

I'd stick with it longer if I were you and buy something newer if possible after saving for another while, though!

vectra

Seat Toledo ?

http://www.autotrader.ie/search/SEAT/Toledo/DIESEL-S/201030198956261/advert?channel=CARS

zilog_jones

pedro7 wrote: »

What are the C5's like?

I believe they are a lot more reliable than what French stereotypes would leave you to believe. The HDi engines are generally good if looked after - Ford TDCi and the later Volvo diesels are actually based on these. Dual-mass flywheels and particulate filters can cause trouble but that's more or less the same with any other modern diesel.

The hydro-pneumatic suspension requires a lot less maintenance than older systems like your parents' BX or XM (five year service interval I think) - if it's working right it'll ride a hell of a lot better than your Sunny

I was looking at C5s earlier this year but ended up going for a '02 Peugeot 406 2.0 HDi Rapier instead. I think trim levels are different in the UK but this has half-leather, automatic lights/wipers, trip computer, aircon, and other nice things. Besides a minor oil leak (wrong sump plug washer!) and some dead electrical accessories (one of the heated mirrors, mirror motors, passenger window) I've had no trouble with it and I'm averaging 46 MPG in mostly city traffic.

If you're doing 15k miles a year I'd certainly upgrade to something bigger and more comfortable at least, i.e. not an Astra or Almera.

TJJP

pedro7 wrote: »

Anybody got feedback on the TDCI 130 Mondeo's? They're very cheap up here and in the UK.

Yes; the clutch rots. Dust from clutch plate hits the starter and over time you're looking at a clutch, DMF and starter all in one, only after a few years. Design and location makes it a lot of work. Post 60k/100klm take care, otherwise seem ok.

exador

wandererz wrote: »

Volvo S40 1.9D is what i have been driving for quite some time now. 2003 model.

Mileage in the 50+MPG.
Even with an ecu remap you will still average mid 40-46MPG. Besides which it hauls ass.

No problems other than having to replace EGR valve (€80 from main dealer).

A low mileage 03-04 model is what i would go for.

drove one these for about a year a few years ago not by choice and I had already made my mind up I didn't like the caR. I did everything to get out of it and convinced myself I didn't like. I ended up almost sorry to see it go and it was a wolf in sheeps clothing giving the impression of older persons car but it was amazinlgy quick and great mpg...

zilog_jones

Where did that 1.9 diesel come from? Is it Renault?

bazz26

Volvo S40 1.9 diesel lump was a Renault unit.

pedro7

barura wrote: »

I think if the most annoying aspect of your car is the doors not opening in the wet (but surely you can open it somehow?), I'd stick with it til it dies. But in fairness, if you got cash to upgrade, go on ahead.

I'd stick with it longer if I were you and buy something newer if possible after saving for another while, though!

If i can get the doors to open, one entire 500ml can of wd40 in and around all the locking components of the driver door keeps it working for about 2 weeks in wet weather. I think its the solenoid and or the linkage in the driver door is worn. If I find a solenoid in the scrappie I'll replace it out of curiosity. But I get where your coming from. The Sunny is almost indestructable. Once I get into it, its started every time I turn the key.


Thanks for all the advice everybody plenty of food for thought on here. I'm a big fan of the Volvo s40, but they're not the cheapest cars going.

I'll just have to go start test driving and see what they're all like. It'll be hard to match the Sunny for Maintenance cost and ease of DIY.