Reliable diesel under 2k

Pecarlo1

Hi lads,

So i was off the road for nearly a year, just saving money but there has been some bad news in the family and im thinking going back to driving as ill probably will need to travel a lot from now on.

Ive 5 years ncb and full irish driving licence for 6 years.

My options were limited, but i always found fords reliable for some reason. I had a ford fiesta and it never gave trouble.

It has to be over 08 for cheaper tax. And on a bigger side, good fit for a family, but not a 7 seater
Im just looking for recommendations based on your experiences, it could be a petrol if its economical.

Share your thoughts thanks

Audioslaven

Pecarlo1 wrote: »

Hi lads,

So i was off the road for nearly a year, just saving money but there has been some bad news in the family and im thinking going back to driving as ill probably will need to travel a lot from now on.

Ive 5 years ncb and full irish driving licence for 6 years.

My options were limited, but i always found fords reliable for some reason. I had a ford fiesta and it never gave trouble.

It has to be over 08 for cheaper tax. And on a bigger side, good fit for a family, but not a 7 seater
Im just looking for recommendations based on your experiences, it could be a petrol if its economical.

Share your thoughts thanks

if you are going diesel and it may be a bit over your budget/not sure if the size fits, but at that age I would stick with a Honda Civic Diesel. There are pretty reliable with the exception of the clutch so at that age they would probably have changed it by now. The replacement clutch was an improved version.

bazz26

Mk1 Skoda Octavia:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2009-skoda-octavia-1-9-litre-diesel-nct-11-20/21750508

Mr_Muffin

bazz26 wrote: »

Mk1 Skoda Octavia:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2009-skoda-octavia-1-9-litre-diesel-nct-11-20/21750508

Quite a nice ad I must say.

Audioslaven

bazz26 wrote: »

Mk1 Skoda Octavia:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2009-skoda-octavia-1-9-litre-diesel-nct-11-20/21750508

Alot of owners on that car which always makes me wonder why this is the case.

biko

To know what brands to go for look at reliability index
Bangernomics is a sub-2K updated by posters who hopefully know what they're talking about.
Your car for sale here is a thread where boardseis sell their own cars so you can ask questions by PM and get some info before meeting someone in person to check car out.

bazz26

Audioslaven wrote: »

Alot of owners on that car which always makes me wonder why this is the case.

But the OP is looking for a bangernomics diesel for 2k on the new tax system. There is always going to be some give and take. One cannot afford to be too fussy. It's pricey but having a lot of previous owners these days doesn't mean it's a bad car.

Mad_maxx

Fiat bravo

Nothing wrong with them and dirt cheap

Should get an 09 for less than 2500

acronym Chilli

Was looking for similar about 2 years ago. bought a 2004 Audi A6 1.9 TDI 130BHP, 5 speed, which is the one with the AWX engine. 155k miles and I paid EUR1k for it privately. Nice clean model (orig UK import with leather, electrics etc.,). Then spent I think €600 on a timing belt, alternator belt, service, and thermostat replacement with George Dalton in Abbeyleix, so near 2k on the road.

It's been very reliable, gone through NCTs without issue and I've put about 35k miles on it. Problems since I bought:

• cracked wire in the wiring loom for the boot-lid (covers the servo for the central locking, number plate illumination, one fog light). Easily accessed and got it fixed during a service
• Window regulator needed to be replaced this year (it broke DURING the NCT test, somehow). I think this is common failure.
• Needed helicoil on the sump-drain plug as someone previous had over-tightened it previously, used sealant to seal it up, and then over time it developed a leak
• I changed out the rear brake pads and disks as some corrosion (not critical). I also put new tyres on (personal preference), although the originals were all legal and "decent".
• I'm amazed how much of the electrics still work.
• Only stranded me once: tyre on the motorway, not really a car-reliability issue.

Cars like this would be similar:

• https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-1-9tdi/22232964 NCT probably too short, but looks clean
• https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-estate/22262387 if the timing belt kit checks out, it's a good sign, and it's an estate
• https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-1-9tdi-2004-reg-estate-nct-tax-fsh-130hp/21849359 might be gone already. Note that's the 6 speed gearbox, some say the 5 speed is more reliable. I only saw a 5 speed, and others say the 6 speed is grand.

I think the A4 of the same generation can have the same engine, so much the same reliability. I test drove one and it drove nicely, but I was looking more for the A6 for the more "bargey" motorway experience and comfort (and for no more money, at least at the time).


HTH