My Dilema budget 3k max

RoverJames wrote: »

Reckoning that a 00 Mondeo or Avensis diesel will prove more reliable than an 04 ish 2.0HDi C5 is a tad naive.

I hardly think so, there is far less to go wrong in either car. What if the hydropneumatic suspension in the C5 went? Or a common rail injector or a DMF? Whatever about the Mondeo, old Avensis 2.0 TDs are nigh on indestructable. It won't go wrong because there is nothing in it to go wrong in the first place! You see plenty of Avensis taxis for a reason after all.

Anyway if an old car gives up you can just scrap it and get something else equally cheap.

andyseadog wrote: »

A Polish (is that relevant?) friend of mine has a 02 C5 HDi, with around 200k miles on it and it runs as sweet as a nut,you wouldn't think for a second the car has done that kind of mileage. he's just back from poland in it, said it dealt with the snow of there effortlessly too, and nearly got the whole way there on one tank of diesel (not sure if i believe that?)

hasn't been wothout it's fair share of problems, speedo failures are common, aswell as headlight stalks, both parts are expensive new and like hens teeth second hand. his car has also had a failed coolant temp sensor, sticking brake caliper and some suspension issues. i think you also have to remove the front bumper to change a headlight bulb?

Headlight stalks are common, but it just means the lights come on sometimes when you use the indicator.....so just ignore. Sticking brake caliper on the back is normal cause they dont work unless there is weight in the back so just carry some passengers every now and again. Never had to remove the bumper for anything!
ive done over 700 miles to a tank (snow and ice last year) dunno how far it is to poland though

I too would say 2.0 hdi all the way, 1.6 has the same power output but imo its gutless with passengers/weight in it


I wish id seen that saab a couple of weeks ago. Thats a crackin car for the money!

Tbh id stay away from the mk2 mondeo, just purely from personal experience, I had one and it was a dog. Just a soft car. There was always something wrong with it. Maybe it was just mine though

+1 for the avensis though, seems to be the farmers car of choice round me, never maintained, towing cattle and sheep for a living and never a problem.