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Cheap Runaround - suggestions?

Jimmy Bottlehead

Hey all.

I'm going to be picking up a second car as it'll lessen the petrol bills of the S2000 & also will be handy to have extra space for people, animals & trips to Ikea.
The S2k is grand as a daily driver, but my mileage (300 miles per week) might be increasing - even if it stays the same, I'm putting €75 petrol into her per week.

Anyways, I need a motor that has the following:

Cheap enough to buy - budget is prob €2000 - €2500 max
Good MPG - most driving will be motorway
As reliable as possible
More than 2 seats :pac:
Engine size of 1.6 MAXIMUM, preferably lower
Decent space
Anything else is a bonus

So, what would you recommend?

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biko

I'm putting this to rest.
Use Buying forum please.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Hello, zombie thread

So I'm finally biting the bullet and putting the S2000 into storage from the end of July. This is to save on tax mainly, as I'm doing very little driving these days.

I'm going to buy a super-cheap car to tide me over til early 2015 anyways. This is really bangernomics territory, ideally I'd like to spend no more than €500 on a car.
Not fussy about what it is, once it's reliable, decent wedge of NCT, has 4 seats and is a 1.6 or below for tax costs.

I've made a wee list from DoneDeal but if anyone has any finds I'd love to see them

Cheers guys!

MidlandsM

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Guys can I get your thoughts on this?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3888338

yep, I'd buy that!
good weee yoke......:pac:
do the usual checks.....make sure the clutch ain't slipping, its running sweet, no leaks, starts stop and brakes A1 and you could be onto a weee bargain!

Jimmy Bottlehead

Guys can I get your thoughts on this?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3888338

[Deleted User]

MidlandsM wrote: »

pure scrap........one of the worst diesel engines made

Yep, you'd be very much taking your chances with one 2nd hand as even with full SH they give turbo turbo relatively fresh. The Uncle is on his 2nd and no trouble but that's in new ish cars.

I'd be very slow to advise anyone to buy one.

I know one or two lads in car sales that won't retail anything with the PSA 1.6 unless they have thousands built in for warranty issues and they prefer not to take them in too.

MidlandsM

Max Power1 wrote: »

Peugot 406/407 hdi? The 407 comes in 1.6 diesel anyway. Should pick up an earlier model privately for 2k

pure scrap........one of the worst diesel engines made

[Deleted User]

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3934855

1.9 tax but f all cost to buy

Asking €350.

Jimmy Bottlehead

bazz26 wrote: »

Cheap to run cars especially diesels generally cost more to buy these days because of their mass appeal. Imo the only sub €1000 cheap to run diesel cars out there are knackered ones on their last legs or ones that need money spent on them.

Any suggestions on which ones would be worth looking into though?

bazz26

Cheap to run cars especially diesels generally cost more to buy these days because of their mass appeal. Imo the only sub €1000 cheap to run diesel cars out there are knackered ones on their last legs or ones that need money spent on them.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Bumping this as I'm going down this route... but with a very cheap car.

I like the idea of a 1.5L diesel Saxo or 106, but what other super cheap (€500-€800) cars to buy and run are out there?

Any suggestions would be mighty, lads

Cheers.

[Deleted User]

RoverJames wrote: »

I said that yesterday.
You have to be realistic about the longevity of a cheap car too, there gets a point where putting a set of tyres and an NCT makes them effectively worth nothing and they don't last forever either.

I suppose the way to go about it is to try to change car every so often for little of no outlay if possible. It wouldn't be easy and you could end up with a lemon at some point but it would be one way to go about it.

[Deleted User]

RoverJames wrote: »

You're looking at potentially a two year period before the savings cover the expenses.

Carson Many Threat wrote: »

If your initial outlay was around 1000 to 1500 and you intend keeping up having the two cars long term, he would start to make savings after 2 years or so. It would depend how long term his plans are.

.........

I said that yesterday.
You have to be realistic about the longevity of a cheap car too, there gets a point where putting a set of tyres and an NCT makes them effectively worth nothing and they don't last forever either.
After 4 years there is potential for a tad over a grand in savings, presuming an insurance company plays ball, I'd be investigating that first.

[Deleted User]

RoverJames wrote: »

That €522 is after whatever the initial outlay is to buy the yoke and factoring in €0 depreciation. In reality you're looking at no financial saving I imagine unfortunately.

If your initial outlay was around 1000 to 1500 and you intend keeping up having the two cars long term, he would start to make savings after 2 years or so. It would depend how long term his plans are.

I said it in another post but the most logical way to save money but have a car with a bit of poke is sell the s2000 and buy a powerful diesel for the same money or a bit more. This will save on insurance and running costs. I'm not saying its what I would do or what you should do Jimmy but its actually the logical thing.

I put 87 euro of petrol in my car last friday drove Cork to galway and then back monday morning, parked the car since (well maybe about 3 miles of driving to the shops etc) and I wont get back to Galway again this weekend without filling up so I'm not really one to promote logical thinking

Logical would be get the bus for 20 euro return, but I cant stand the bus, hate the thought of it even.

Jimmy Bottlehead

berrycherry wrote: »

Hi i would REALLY suggest a Nissan almera hatchback 1.5 petrol... i had one and in three years the only thing to replace was window wipers and tires.... you'd prob get a 04 model for your budget! and they are absolutely brilliant on petrol... i live in westmeath and i could do sligo and home for 20euro. When i owned it about 7 months ago. And they are really nice to drive and have lovely interiors

Good suggestion.. but MPG only seems to be about 42 or so... and I'd like higher than that.

berrycherry

Hi i would REALLY suggest a Nissan almera hatchback 1.5 petrol... i had one and in three years the only thing to replace was window wipers and tires.... you'd prob get a 04 model for your budget! and they are absolutely brilliant on petrol... i live in westmeath and i could do sligo and home for 20euro. When i owned it about 7 months ago. And they are really nice to drive and have lovely interiors

Jimmy Bottlehead

166man wrote: »

If you're getting close to 30mpg y'ain't drivin' it right Jimmy!

Believe me, I know :pac:

166man wrote: »

The savings you could make doing 50mpg@25k km a year are quite substantial and would be recouped within about three years. Buying a diesel car for €1k should retain most of it's value too if you re NCT it before sale and it doesn't blow up on you.

It's a no-brainer for me anyway to recommend a diesel and even though there's higher tax I'd second the suggestion of a 406 diesel.

At the moment, I'm doing 300 miles, but there's a possibility it'll increase at some stage, so if it does it definitely makes sense to me. I'll keep the 406 in mind

RoverJames wrote: »

I wasn't able to post any figures when I commented earlier, let's say JimmyB does do 25k kms in his bangernomics diesel, ignoring purchase price (as 166man mentioned the depreciation should be small enough, realistically €300 a year would be a practical figure imo though) the figures are the following (ish)...

Annual savings on fuel costs if the diesel returns 50 mpg compared to 30mpg in the S2000 are €1500.

Motor tax on the bangernomics yoke would range from €478 (for a 1.5 diesel) to €660 for a 2.0 diesel like a 406HDi, the ole 1.9 XUD yoke would be the same to tax I think, anyway, €1500 - €478 = €1022. We can sort of ignore maintenance costs (very crude strategy admittedly) if we buy into the logic that whatever wear and tear items need replacing on the 2nd car would have had to have been done on the S2000 if the miles were going on that, I've ran a fair few sh1tters and the catastrophic failure or uneconomical repair are few and far between. Also tyres and most consumables will be cheaper on the ole diesel

So we're looking at €1022 saved (maximum) after taxing the thing, more of course if you actually take the S2000 off the road for a month or two at a time.

Insurance is a huge variable but €500 might be realistic with mirroring I imagine.

So running a small diesel that returns 50mpg over 25 k miles will effectively reduce your running costs by €522/annum.

That €522 is after whatever the initial outlay is to buy the yoke and factoring in €0 depreciation. In reality you're looking at no financial saving I imagine unfortunately.

In my opinion it makes sense from a point of view of keeping the miles off the S2000 as Nox mentioned, it's not really a huge money saver.

As the mileage might increase a bit, the savings would probably work out higher. Also, one reason I'd prefer a smaller engined car is because my insurance will still not be too low - all going well, I'll have 2 years NCB to work with in August, but that's still not a huge amount, so I want to make it as cheap to insure as possible.

166man wrote: »

I can't imagine that a Peugeot 106 would be the most comfortable way to spend over 500km's a week in tbh.

I agree with RJ's figures until the issue of insurance. Surely both cars could be put on one policy lessening the effect of the insurance premium?

What are you paying for insurance on the S2000 currently Jimmy?

Hopefully my insurer will be accommodating if and when I want to have another car on the policy.
Currently paying €2500 or so on the S2000, so it's rough as hell. I'm sure that'd come down a fair whack if I got a main second car, and the S2000 was on limited mileage.

RoverJames wrote: »

Nor I, he wants the cheapest option though from what I can gather. If he gets a car costing €660 to tax than the saving is down to €300/year best case scenario.

Aye, the cheaper the better. By having the S2000 I'm putting my heart ahead of my head. With this small diesel, I'm only thinking of savings.

[Deleted User]

166man wrote: »

I can't imagine that a Peugeot 106 would be the most comfortable way to spend over 500km's a week in tbh.

Nor I, he wants the cheapest option though from what I can gather. If he gets a car costing €660 to tax than the saving is down to €300/year best case scenario.

166man wrote: »

I agree with RJ's figures until the issue of insurance. Surely both cars could be put on one policy lessening the effect of the insurance premium?

Two cars on one policy? Doubt that will happen in Ireland, mirroring the NCB onto a 2nd policy is the best option me thinks. Many insurers won't even accommodate that, one who will might not be as competitive as his current insurer on the S2000 either.

166man

I can't imagine that a Peugeot 106 would be the most comfortable way to spend over 500km's a week in tbh.

I agree with RJ's figures until the issue of insurance. Surely both cars could be put on one policy lessening the effect of the insurance premium?

What are you paying for insurance on the S2000 currently Jimmy?

[Deleted User]

166man wrote: »

..........
The savings you could make doing 50mpg@25k km a year are quite substantial and would be recouped within about three years. Buying a diesel car for €1k should retain most of it's value too if you re NCT it before sale and it doesn't blow up on you.

It's a no-brainer for me anyway to recommend a diesel and even though there's higher tax I'd second the suggestion of a 406 diesel.

I wasn't able to post any figures when I commented earlier, let's say JimmyB does do 25k kms in his bangernomics diesel, ignoring purchase price (as 166man mentioned the depreciation should be small enough, realistically €300 a year would be a practical figure imo though) the figures are the following (ish)...

Annual savings on fuel costs if the diesel returns 50 mpg compared to 30mpg in the S2000 are €1500.

Motor tax on the bangernomics yoke would range from €478 (for a 1.5 diesel) to €660 for a 2.0 diesel like a 406HDi, the ole 1.9 XUD yoke would be the same to tax I think, anyway, €1500 - €478 = €1022. We can sort of ignore maintenance costs (very crude strategy admittedly) if we buy into the logic that whatever wear and tear items need replacing on the 2nd car would have had to have been done on the S2000 if the miles were going on that, I've ran a fair few sh1tters and the catastrophic failure or uneconomical repair are few and far between. Also tyres and most consumables will be cheaper on the ole diesel

So we're looking at €1022 saved (maximum) after taxing the thing, more of course if you actually take the S2000 off the road for a month or two at a time.

Insurance is a huge variable but €500 might be realistic with mirroring I imagine.

So running a small diesel that returns 50mpg over 25 k miles will effectively reduce your running costs by €522/annum.

That €522 is after whatever the initial outlay is to buy the yoke and factoring in €0 depreciation. In reality you're looking at no financial saving I imagine unfortunately.

In my opinion it makes sense from a point of view of keeping the miles off the S2000 as Nox mentioned, it's not really a huge money saver.

But potential yokes to consider....

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3391171

No mention of NCT, 150,000 miles and the tax is €660/annum.

An NCTd until Feb Opel Vectra 1.7 diesel with 160k miles, asking €875....

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3364751

A 106 needing an NCT, asking €450 or €750 with an NCT
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3197980

166man

If you're getting close to 30mpg y'ain't drivin' it right Jimmy!

The savings you could make doing 50mpg@25k km a year are quite substantial and would be recouped within about three years. Buying a diesel car for €1k should retain most of it's value too if you re NCT it before sale and it doesn't blow up on you.

It's a no-brainer for me anyway to recommend a diesel and even though there's higher tax I'd second the suggestion of a 406 diesel.

Jimmy Bottlehead

skyhighflyer wrote: »

I would recommend a Saxo or 106 1.1. Amazingly economical, the 1.1 started life in the Peugeot 104 and is a very tough and well-proven engine. We had a Saxo for 8 years and never gave any bother once serviced. There's also a load of room if required as the back seats and bench fold flat, helped transport a friend's drumkit a few times no bother. They have a surprisingly high fifth gear so not too bad on the motorway.

Downsides: don't crash it.

The Saxo diesel 1.5 was mentioned earlier and I'm warming to the idea... cheap, simple, seems to be a great suggestion. The MPG looks very good and owners report that you can even do better than the quoted 58MPG

Sadly the 1.1 is mid-40s while the diesel is high-50's so I'd go with diesel.

smash wrote: »

Sadist!

I like to think I'm taking one for the team :pac:

smash

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

As a side-note, I'm more than happy to move to diesel on this one!

Sadist!

Jimmy Bottlehead

RoverJames wrote: »

What mgg would you expect out of a 1.6 carina?

Quite honestly I don't know... I was mentioning it mainly because when someone wants a cheap old car that will go on forever, it's usually brought up.

skyhighflyer

I would recommend a Saxo or 106 1.1. Amazingly economical, the 1.1 started life in the Peugeot 104 and is a very tough and well-proven engine. We had a Saxo for 8 years and never gave any bother once serviced. There's also a load of room if required as the back seats and bench fold flat, helped transport a friend's drumkit a few times no bother. They have a surprisingly high fifth gear so not too bad on the motorway.

Downsides: don't crash it.

[Deleted User]

What mgg would you expect out of a 1.6 carina?

Pdfile

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3395396

classic boards marmite mobile...

miles are high and its over priced but surely everythings up for barter...

Jimmy Bottlehead

Pdfile wrote: »

how big a space do you actually need and does badges really matter ?

an s2k is so cool you could justify owning a skoda fabia or something rather uncool like that ( throw bbs's on it, be grand )

Not much space, its along the lines of being able to throw a big weekly shop into it, or something from Ikea. Anything bigger than a 2 seater convertible will do the job space-wise!

And I'm open to drive ANYTHING, whatever the badge or drivability. Like I said, I thought someone would have mentioned the famed Toyota Carina already :pac: And that WOULD be an option!

Pdfile

how big a space do you actually need and does badges really matter ?

an s2k is so cool you could justify owning a skoda fabia or something rather uncool like that ( throw bbs's on it, be grand

)

Jimmy Bottlehead

As a side-note, I'm more than happy to move to diesel on this one!

[Deleted User]

RoverJames wrote: »

But he's getting close to 30mpg from the car, its not very heavy on petrol at all.

The majority of people would count 30mpg as very heavy on petrol. I get around this myself and as I said I'm happy enough with that considering the amount of driving I do and the amount of fun the car is but it doesn't change the fact its heavy on petrol.

I would have to be getting 40mpg+ (in normal driving) to stay sane if I was doing 300 miles or even less than that every week without fail.

Tell my dad who gets 55mpg+ that 30mpg isn't heavy and he will fall over laughing. Any thing below high 30's I would call heavy personally.

smash wrote: »

CRX... they get good mpg don't they?

Unless he aims for a diesel which is going to almost double his mpg its not worth it imo, gaining 10mpg by changing to another petrol is pointless. Diesel is also cheaper to buy so savings are also greater than just in mpg.

Now, having defended the op's idea of buying a second car I dont know if I would do it myself. Personally I would probably sell the s2000 and buy a nice diesel with a bit of power, with mpg somewhere in the middle between the 30's in the s2000 and the high 50's from very under powered, small engined diesels. That said I have always had the idea of having a few cars at some point so maybe I would buy the cheap runabout, who knows.