Recommend Xsara, Polo, Peugeot 2/306 for a grand?

kevin936

Hi,

Looking to buy something cheap to run and buy (budget about €1,000) with a 1.1 to 1.4 petrol engine, so far looking at the various sites I'm looking at something like Peugeot 206/306, VW Polo or Citroen Xsara, or even a Punto, year about '98 to '01.

Does anyone have experience of these cars at that age - how reliable would they be and what to look out for? Or any other car I should consider?

What might I expect MPG wise from such a car in average city conditions?

Thanks,
Kevin

Alanstrainor

You have to realise that everyone and their mother wants small 1.0 -> 1.4 cars, that cost next to nothing to buy and run. Good ones are thin on the ground.

Take every car as they come, at the kind of age you're looking at, no matter how reliable a car was said to be, you'll have to check everything.

Personally, I would be looking for a Punto. They tend to be cheaper as people tend to not want them. They're reliable enough, and still look good today.

kevin936

Yeah, I know!! My current car is a 2.3, not had a small car like this for 20 years

Is the Punto ok? That was my first choice as they seem cheap as your say, but I keep hearing "it's a Fiat" in the back of my mind!

Wicklowandy

97-02 Primera, really good ones valued at a lot less than the default corolla, timing chain engine, not the corrosion issues that seem to affect the same gen. Micras and almeras. Simple cars, easily fixed, common and actually good to drive and reasonably well equipped (abs, esr, ew etc)

1.6 engined so €500 tax (€6pw more than a 1 litre, €2 more than 1.4 litre) but economical in real world use.

Too many over valued 1.0 litres and common favourites (corollas etc.). Plenty of tested ones on donedeal for well less than a grand, and use the fact that its a largish petrol motor as a bargaining tool

bazz26

On a €1000 car you need to judge each individual car on it's own merits and current condition. Brand names mean nothing in this price range as even the most reliable brand can be a dog if it is has been abused or not cared for.

kevin936

Wicklowandy - thanks for that, you are right about them, but if I'm going to change it will be to make a big saving, no point giving up a car I really like otherwise.

bazz26 - a good point, but if I can also get some experiences that would help too. You can never have too much info!!

JohnBoy26

bazz26 wrote: »

On a €1000 car you need to judge each individual car on it's own merits and current condition. Brand names mean nothing in this price range as even the most reliable brand can be a dog if it is has been abused or not cared for.

Saying to judge a car on it's condition is very good advice but saying brand names mean nothing is not good advice even at this price range imo.

There are obviously more reliable makes and models out there than others. Going for a good condition reliable well built make/model is the way to go imo instead of just buying any make/model and assuming just because it's in good nick that it will be reliable.

JohnBoy26

For 1k euro id recommend a late 90's Corolla. For 1k euro you won't get a better more reliable well built car, they are also one of the least expensive cars to maintain and are economical enough.

Also have a look in the bangernomics thread, I have a tidy mazda 323 posted there. These are very reliable cars also, they may not be quiet as good as a corolla but they are very good all the same.

dgt

kevin936 wrote: »

Looking to buy something cheap to run and buy (budget about €1,000) with a 1.1 to 1.4 petrol engine, so far looking at the various sites I'm looking at something like Peugeot 206/306, VW Polo or Citroen Xsara, or even a Punto, year about '98 to '01.

Polo: fairly decently put together. Decent mpg, don't expect to go fast in one

Punto: years span over the mk1 and mk2. Both cracking cars. Find a well minded one, hg repaired ones might be hiding ring damage. Keep on top of the cooling system at all costs oxy sensor packs up if crap petrol is thrown in. Keep the tb cleaned. Electric power steering on the mk2s is gay. Expect well over 40mpg

Peugeot 1.1: zippy. The French like to make things awkward though. Beware lying rear wheels, axle has had it

Have/had all at one stage or another. Punto is my choice, I swear not biased..... :pac:

bazz26

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Saying to judge a car on it's condition is very good advice but saying brand names mean nothing is not good advice even at this price range imo.

There are obviously more reliable makes and models out there than others. Going for a good condition reliable well built make/model is the way to go imo instead of just buying any make/model and assuming just because it's in good nick that it will be reliable.

My point is that even the most reliable car in the world could be a complete pile of dirt in this price range. It all depends on how it was maintained rather than the reputation of the brand.

kevin936

Hi thanks all for your advice.

dgt - what is "hg repaired" and "tb"? would a 10 year + Punto have electric ps? I thought that was a very recent thing?

dh0011

hg repaired is head gasket repaired and tb is timing belt
my brother had an 02 punto back in the day and i said i would never buy a fiat myself after that. It had electric power steering and the girly button.
I had a look on donedeal and
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4716642
looks good. There is two cars on the ad a daewoo and a fiat. The daewoo is a rubbish badge but it is opels 3 cylinder engine in the car which was a good engine. Something like this for a grand would be a good buy.

dgt

kevin936 wrote: »

Hi thanks all for your advice.

dgt - what is "hg repaired" and "tb"? would a 10 year + Punto have electric ps? I thought that was a very recent thing?

dh0011 wrote: »

hg repaired is head gasket repaired and tb is timing belt
my brother had an 02 punto back in the day and i said i would never buy a fiat myself after that. It had electric power steering and the girly button.
I had a look on donedeal and
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4716642
looks good. There is two cars on the ad a daewoo and a fiat. The daewoo is a rubbish badge but it is opels 3 cylinder engine in the car which was a good engine. Something like this for a grand would be a good buy.

Throttle body. I should have been clearer in my post

I hate that electric power steering with a passion, its only on the mk2s. Mk1 had a standard fluid assisted setup.

As for a 3 cylinder Opel engine, do a search on here to find out posters views and experiences with them. There will be plenty of negative views and experiences

dh0011

not saying it is the best car or engine in the world but it is a decent engine in a car with a rubbish badge for not much money. If the mileage is genuine it would be a good buy.