Cheap diesel, 50,000km p/a. Help!

daysulpowar

Hi guys, long time lurker here. Finally necessitated the need to make an account as nobody is giving me a clear answer, perhaps because there is none. But maybe you can help.

Need a cheap diesel, preferably <= €3k but can stretch to €4k and possibly beyond if NEEDS be.

Driving 30k miles / 50k km a year, 50/50 urban/motorway driving.

Fan of the 1.9TDI's, specifically the 130bhp engine.

I like estate cars, big ones.

So yes, a C5 A6 Avant is what I'm currently looking at. However people keep advising me not to buy one, for what reason, I don't know.

However I will consider anything, will happily import from UK if needs be.

Rather not tax a car over 2L but will consider larger engines if there is reason to. Anything around 270Nm / 200ft-lb and upwards.

Other than internal engine/gearbox work, all mechanical work and maintenance will be done by myself, so the easier it is to work on the better. Don't really want to be spending too much time under the car either so reliability is a key factor here.

Age of the car doesn't matter but obviously the lower mileage the better. However I'm not put off by higher mileage well maintained cars.

Would rather something with stiffer suspension over maximum comfort. Driving position is very important too as I'll be spending a lot of time in the car.

Obviously an Avensis is a massive player here but not really a fan, feel free to convince me otherwise if you like.

Any suggestions?

selectamatic

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-estate/14813966

These are very simple and reliable.
Only 100bhp but the reliable a series 1.9tdi engine which is easy to tune.
There's a few saloon variants on dd too but a lot are asking big money compared to what they're worth I'd be thinking €2500 is plenty for one.
Chape tax too

colm_mcm

With that mileage you'd really want to consider something with good seats and cruise control.

CIP4

Octavia 1.9tdi 105bhp mk2 ideally elegance to get cruise control and some toys. Mk1 might be a simpler car with potentially less to go wrong but it's very dated at this stage and would be a hard place to be for 50k per year. The mk2 isn't exactly luxury transport either but would be a lot better than the mk1. Don't get one with a BXE engine code they were mid 07 onwards so get one older than that.

dooroy

I like estate cars also and have an A6 Avant (2003) which I bought 18 mths ago with 203 K mls on the clock .
It has the 130BHP AWX engine , 5spd box and I have put about 30K mls on it since I got it.
I cannot fault it and I , like yourself, do all my own repairs.
Its very spacious , great on the road , good performance even though it now has 234K on it. Most things work and the cruise control is brilliant for motorway driving - and even in 30mph zones at times. The climate control system is not working too well but the AC is fine .
As my daughter is hoping to learn to drive I may have to sell it as insurance for her could be a problem due to the 130bhp. hopefully not .
I see some of them for sale in great condition .
Not much help to you really:D but they are a great car and not too bad for working on . The 1.9 TDI is the one to go for , the 2.0 apparently not as reliable (though some will probably disagree:rolleyes:)

colm_mcm

I would second the A6 as a suggestion. Skoda Superb would be a good shout too IMO.

daysulpowar

Hi guys, thanks for the replies, can't seem to quote anyone, maybe a new user limitation? Anyway...

selectamatic - Didn't know they made Mk1's that young, nice to have the cheap tax alright. They're a bit too utilitarian for my liking though.

CIP4 - Bang on about the Mk1's, great cars but would indeed much rather a Mk2. My only hitch with them is that I always end up looking at vRS's instead! They're becoming seriously affordable now. Will definitely have a sconce at an elegance spec one during the week though, might be a bit too compact for me though.

Dooroy - That's exactly the spec car I had my eyes on, I love 'em! So much car for the money. Good to hear yours is treating you well. Always so tempted to just go out and buy one. Would definitely be going with the 1.9 alright. Does yours still drive tight with 200k+ miles on it? Was hoping to get one with 160-180k on it. You've pretty much made my mind up now!

Colm - Well my current car certainly doesn't offer me either of those two 'luxuries'. Would definitely be looking for a more comfortable place to sit, and cruise control would be a nice bonus! Always detest driving my own car after driving another with cruise control, so maybe I should prioritise the inclusion of it.

I'm liking the A6 recommendation! Do the Supurb's come in a PD130 variant? Will definitely be having a look at one of these too during the week, will have to do a bit more research on 'em first. Am I right in saying they're basically an improved B5 Passat? Would be a lovely car to own too!

bazz26

The MkI Superb is basically a stretched B5 Passat, it used all the same diesel engines as the Passat.

dooroy

I still find mine handles very well - great for twisty country roads where it really comes into its own. And it looks very well also. Only rust is on the front wheel arches - a common problem.
Good to work on and most parts available from motor factors etc.
It only let me down once - brought it fro NCT in January , tester came back in to say car wouldn't start ; I had to have it recovered home - fuel pump failed .
Otherwise it has been faultless - starts first time every time ,winter or summer.

chicorytip

Ford Galaxy. Not an estate, of course, but massively spacious. 1.9 TDI (129b.h.p.) engine - regarded as a reliable and good to drive car.