Diesel Car - Budget 3 - 3.5k

Carb

Hi all,

Currently need to buy another car for the house, either a small run around for my wife or something more practical for my commute. Becasue of a change in work location, I currently do 500 - 650 miles per week (60 of national roads/motorway and 5 miles of city centre hell) commuting in a 2002 1.4 astra, which is hard on petrol and not very comfortable. I have around 3k/3.5k to spend (maybe a little more if I could get rid of the astra).

Main criteria would be comfort, comfort, comfort, reliability and fuel economy. Estate would be more practical, but not the priortiy and whilst I can live with higher tax, I would struggle to justify the cost of anything greater than 2.2 (2.4 at an almighty push)

So, I'll throw it out to the rest of you for your opinions and if anyone is aware of something that might suit, or know the history of something that is for sale, I'll be glad to hear it.

Thanks.

Foxhole Norman

Comfort you say? How about a Peugeot 406 Coupe? Leather and 2.2 Diesel, here's one example:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3956775

I'm sure dgt will be along soon with his recommendations of 406's too.

Carb

Thanks for the suggestion. Hadn't thought of these. That particular one and a few others I seen seem very cheap. Is there a catch.

What are the C5s of this vintage like. Examples;
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Citroen/C5/2.2-HDI-/201243210627035/advert?channel=CARS

Automatic??. And probably the wrong side of a major service.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Citroen/C5/2.0-D-HD/201245210846200/advert?channel=CARS

Better for my budget

Strangely drawn to this;
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V70/D5-SE-05/29813468588793890/advert?channel=CARS

Fuel economy/high tax may be a hard sell

I know I've selected just estate models. I'm an accountanct so boring practicality is my thing. I'm open to all suggestions.

Carb

The seond one has really caught my attention now due to a price drop.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Citroen/C5/2.0-D-HD/201245210846200/advert?channel=CARS

Anyone got an opinion on this, what to look out for, potential issues, and any info on the this suspension as I'm not familiar with it.

Supergurrier

I would be having a 406 coupe/alfa 156 personally over a VAG at that price

Carb

Supergurrier wrote: »

I would be having a 406 coupe/alfa 156 personally over a VAG at that price

Sorry, I'm missing something here. Or was this meant for the Golf/A4 thread

Carb

Sadly, that particular car has disappeared off carzone.

Although they are a little rich for me, anyone got thoughts in relation to the other two examples mentioned. I can watch for a price drop if it happens.

Meanwhile, I shall have a look around at 406s. If anyone has any other suggestions on other cars to consider, I’ll be glad to hear them. Not that keen on A4s/Passats of this era

dgt

406 or possibly a 607, both are peanuts to buy and run.

Have been looking at 607s myself, plenty of 2.0 and 2.2 dayyyysels for under 2k, ready for the road. 2.2 has a DMF and FAP so be weary (what I'm trying to source). Unsure about the 2.0, I'd need to look into it more.

To everyone else, not that kind of fap :pac:

Idbatterim

what about converting to LPG op?

or how about a 320d or Vw passat? a 525d would be good for comfort, reliability, but high tax and not too sure about mpg

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4094790

BMW 5 SERIES 525d SE 4dr Diesel Saloon 2.5 2002
Overview Vehicle Summary Performance & Economy Dimensions Interior/Exterior Safety
Fuel consumption (urban) 30.7 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 53.3 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 42.2 mpg
0 - 62 mph 8.9 seconds
Top speed 136 mph
Cylinders 6
Valves 24 v
Engine power 163 bhp

BMW 3 SERIES 320d ES 4dr Diesel Saloon 2.0 2003
Overview Vehicle Summary Performance & Economy Dimensions Interior/Exterior Safety
Fuel consumption (urban) 36.2 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 61.4 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 49.6 mpg
0 - 62 mph 8.9 seconds
Top speed 134 mph
Cylinders 4
Valves 16 v
Engine power 150 bhp
Engine torque 243 lbs/ft

Carb

Ok, to close this off, finally had a resolution last week. My wifes golf went for a fraction of what we paid due to a recurring "checksum" issue on the ECU, the cause of which we couldn't diagnose, and there were going to be a couple of other large bills before it was 100%.

For my wife, we got a 05 Corsa SXI for 2.5k, with 67k on the clock, 3 months tax and 3 months warranty that will take us up to NCT renewal.

I got a 2003 C5 extate 2.2HDI Exclusive, with 97k (documented on MOT certs) for Stg940, have got the timing belt done, FAP removed and ECU remapped for €600, and will need to pay about €500 to VRT it, so all in for about €2,300. At some point I expect a DMF issue, but no signs yet. All I need is for the fuel economy to be reasonable enough to justify the tax, which time will tell. Couple of little niggles such as rear wiper motor sticking sometimes, and the passenger door lock will need to be changed, but other than that, its extremely comfortable and a nicer way to get to work.

Fingers crossed for better luck with these cars.

Thanks to everyone who made suggestions.