Reliable diesel car for €1500

DoctorStrange · 23-07-2015 11:06pm #1

Looking for advice on a couple of cars to look at.

Criteria:

Budget up to €1500

Must be diesel.

Must be very reliable.

Any engine size, bigger the better.

MPG not important.

Performance not important. :pac:

Been looking at Toyota Avensis, Carina etc.

Also looking at a couple of 1.9SDI, Leon, Fabia and the likes.

Any other suggestions?

Edit: would be going to an island so NCT except and road tax is charged at a flat rate regardless of size

colm_mcm · 23-07-2015 11:08pm

Avensis td. Not d4d

5ub · 23-07-2015 11:08pm

Couldn't go wrong with a turbo diesel 405

DoctorStrange · 23-07-2015 11:15pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Avensis td. Not d4d

would that be similar to the old Carina engine?

bazz26 · 23-07-2015 11:39pm

Skoda Octavia:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-1-9-t-d-i/9961000?offset=28

Seat Toledo:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/02-seat-toledo-1-9-tdi-just-nctd/9487749?offset=4

Seat Leon:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/seat-leon-1-9-tdi/9921274?offset=18

Peugeot 406:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugeot-406-hdi-for-sale/9870918?offset=10

mickdw · 23-07-2015 11:46pm

This is an interesting question and there must be a bargain out there considering you are not worried about test, big tax or seemingly fuel costs.
so reliable, big engine high tax diesel with an expensive to fix niggle possibly.
A nice old diesel mercedes maybe.

DoctorStrange · 23-07-2015 11:52pm

Saw that Leon, looks good. Might be worth taking a look at.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-avensis-2-0td-nctd-taxed/9777794?offset=5

This is up for a month, no mention of mileage but could be good if description is genuine.

DoctorStrange · 23-07-2015 11:59pm

mickdw wrote: »

This is an interesting question and there must be a bargain out there considering you are not worried about test, big tax or seemingly fuel costs.
so reliable, big engine high tax diesel with an expensive to fix niggle possibly.
A nice old diesel mercedes maybe.

Seems to be some decent options available alright.

Servicing would be DIY though as no mechanic / workshop available so this would probably rule out a Merc - lads would be more used to working on the likes of Toyota.

Anything major going wrong with it would essentially mean a write off

allthedoyles · 24-07-2015 12:02am

Wonder what this one is like for extra €200 - seems economical

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-fiesta-1-4-tdi-nct-5-dr/9433591?offset=16

DoctorStrange · 24-07-2015 12:10am

allthedoyles wrote: »

Wonder what this one is like for extra €200 - seems economical

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-fiesta-1-4-tdi-nct-5-dr/9433591?offset=16

Could be a candidate, although rust is also a big problem on the islands. A quick google says the mk6 may not be as bad as other fiestas though.

Also I'd say you're more likely to get the price down on the bigger engines than a 1.4

colm_mcm · 24-07-2015 10:09pm

DoctorStrange wrote: »

would that be similar to the old Carina engine?

Yeah, quite similar. The avensis has EFI where the carina doesn't, but they're very similar.

bazz26 · 25-07-2015 12:55am

DoctorStrange wrote: »

Could be a candidate, although rust is also a big problem on the islands. A quick google says the mk6 may not be as bad as other fiestas though.

Also I'd say you're more likely to get the price down on the bigger engines than a 1.4

The old 2.0 TD unit in the Avensis would be alot more reliable than the PSA unit in that Fiesta.

DoctorStrange · 25-07-2015 6:39am

The most common models on the Islands seem to be the exact same as coming up here! Avensis and the 405.

Looking like one of those two so.

Thanks all

dgt · 25-07-2015 12:59pm

DoctorStrange wrote: »

The most common models on the Islands seem to be the exact same as coming up here! Avensis and the 405.

Looking like one of those two so.

Thanks all

Add the following to the look at list:

406 1.9TD
Mercedes C220 diesel (non turbo 1993-1998)

Seweryn · 25-07-2015 5:48pm

dgt wrote: »

Add the following to the look at list:

406 1.9TD
Mercedes C220 diesel (non turbo 1993-1998)

And Mercedes-Benz:
W201 190D
W124 200D, 250D, 300D, E200 Diesel, E250 Diesel, E300 Diesel.

Greenmachine · 25-07-2015 5:53pm

Request is pretty irrational. You have a set budget for the car, on the lower end of the scale at that but, you don't care about mpg, tax, insurance, servicing the thing that will could cost you the big bucks.

DoctorStrange · 25-07-2015 7:20pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-220-diesel-for-sale/9634623?offset=13

^^ this might fit the bill

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-c220-big-nct-small-miles/9520682?offset=4

Any thoughts on this one? Seems to be in good condition.

Hidalgo · 25-07-2015 7:26pm

Greenmachine wrote: »

Request is pretty irrational. You have a set budget for the car, on the lower end of the scale at that but, you don't care about mpg, tax, insurance, servicing the thing that will could cost you the big bucks.

If it's going to an island, I'm guessing tax, insurance, nct won't be a factor. Mpg not major issue as the island is most likely a few miles square. Diesel most likely farmers colour.
just a case of drive her on.

Having spent a few weeks working on one of the islands off Ireland that's how they all operated. Where cars go to die

DoctorStrange · 25-07-2015 7:28pm

Greenmachine wrote: »

Request is pretty irrational. You have a set budget for the car, on the lower end of the scale at that but, you don't care about mpg, tax, insurance, servicing the thing that will could cost you the big bucks.

Car is for someone else so that's the budget.

mpg - mostly short journeys and low annual mileage so + / - 15 mpg will not make much difference.

tax - tax is €79 a year

Insurance is roughly the same regardless of car.

Servicing - as mentioned before, servicing will be diy job.
Can amateur mechanic do it?
yes - only cost of parts
no - car is a write off

Not really worth investing 4-5k

DoctorStrange · 25-07-2015 7:32pm

Hidalgo wrote: »

Where cars go to die

Boskowski · 25-07-2015 7:33pm

Only thing I'd say at that budget and MUST diesel you'd be looking at a fairly old car, over 10 years anyway, close to banger. Its virtually impossible to guarantee reliability there. You could catch anything with god knows how many owners and history. If it was certain to tick all those boxes it wouldn't be €1500. Not saying its impossible but you need to be realistic.

Greenmachine · 25-07-2015 7:50pm

DoctorStrange wrote: »

Car is for someone else so that's the budget.

mpg - mostly short journeys and low annual mileage so + / - 15 mpg will not make much difference.

tax - tax is €79 a year

Insurance is roughly the same regardless of car.

Servicing - as mentioned before, servicing will be diy job.
Can amateur mechanic do it?
yes - only cost of parts
no - car is a write off

Not really worth investing 4-5k

Low mileage wouldn't a petrol car make more sense.

DoctorStrange · 25-07-2015 8:00pm

@Boskowski - if you got it to last two years you'd be happy enough.

@Greenmachine - no petrol pump available

CJhaughey · 25-07-2015 8:06pm

Something like my RAF Avensis TD estate would be the ideal vehicle, mind you the engine will outlive the car body. That's what I have found with mine.

bazz26 · 25-07-2015 8:28pm

Nissan Primera:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2001-primera-diesel-taxed-and-tested/9987312?offset=17

Audi A6:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-tdi/9947700?offset=3

colm_mcm · 25-07-2015 10:33pm

I don't think you can actually buy petrol on the islands.

DoctorStrange · 25-07-2015 11:38pm

@ Bazz - primera look decent. http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-quattro-2-5-diesel/9622598

@ Colm - I know a couple of them had a petrol pump. AFAIK most, if not all, are diesel only now. You could get your hands on enough petrol for a lawnmower but would be too much hassle for a car.

DoctorStrange · 25-07-2015 11:41pm

CJhaughey wrote: »

Something like my RAF Avensis TD estate would be the ideal vehicle, mind you the engine will outlive the car body. That's what I have found with mine.

you selling??

Seweryn · 26-07-2015 9:24am

DoctorStrange wrote: »

@ Bazz - primera look decent. http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-quattro-2-5-diesel/9622598

These engines are far from being reliable.

Greenmachine · 26-07-2015 9:42am

DoctorStrange wrote: »

@Boskowski - if you got it to last two years you'd be happy enough.

@Greenmachine - no petrol pump available

Thanks for clarifying.

George Dalton · 26-07-2015 11:32am

Given these criteria and bearing in mind the fact that the diesel available on the islands is probably of slightly questionable quality/cleanliness then I would recommend staying away from anything common rail (or PD in the case of VW TDIs).

Pre D4D Toyota would be good but not many left at this stage plus they seem to be developing a bit of a cult following so may not be within budget.

Hard to beat the old VE type 1.9TDI VW engine for reliability. Skoda Octavias had this engine right up to 2005 so might be a good option. One potential drawback of the VW is that most of them are quite prone to breaking sumps when used on rough roads so budgeting for a sump guard or shallow sump would be a good plan.

Another good option would be something like a Mk3 Mondeo 2.0TDDI (avoid the TDCI) or even a Mk1 Focus 1.8TDDI.

George Dalton · 26-07-2015 11:33am

2004 Octavia Estate:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-estate/9978965?offset=13

allthedoyles · 26-07-2015 11:54am

The roads must have improved a lot , cos last time I was there , it was virtually impossible to manouvre bicycles .

Wouldnt like to be doing a 3 point turn , on some of these dead-end roads where turning is only option especially in any of the cars recommended above .

bazz26 · 26-07-2015 12:01pm

Old Peugeot 1.9d (non HDI) is fairly robust too.

Cheap 406 maybe worth a punt:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/96-peugeot-406-2-0-t-dsl-/9973562?offset=8
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugeot-406-sldt-taxed-nctd/9994498?offset=21

2 for under €1500.

Red Kev · 26-07-2015 1:54pm

Audi 80 B4. Reliable diesel engine, very few electronics to go wrong, very reliable mechanics and cheap and easy to fix. Excellent rust proofing as a bonus for an island.

Here's 5 to choose from.....

Estate for €950 (even has NCT till 01/16)
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-80-estate-with-nct/9992678?offset=5

Saloon for €650
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-80-1-9-tdi/9163934?offset=22

Saloon for €900
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-80-1-9tdi-1995/9762690?offset=13

One for €600
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/1992-audi-80-1-9-diesel/9662413?offset=24

New NCT for €1000, towbar too. You don't need an NCT but it gives a bit of confidence.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-80-tdi-new-nct-/9240960?offset=25

DoctorStrange · 27-07-2015 10:36pm

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll post back with whatever I get.

Roads improved a lot during the tiger years, actually pretty decent compared to many mainland rural areas.

Reliable diesel car for €1500

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