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Gateway to the South

My daughter recently started a new job in South London and rather then stay up there she wishes to commute. As we live in Southampton the commute is a 150-mile round trip per day, 5 days per week. She is currently driving my wife's 1.2 1998 Clio and this seams to be doing 42 mpg but she is keen to get her own car now, preferably a small frugal diesel to bring down the daily cost to below the current cost of £16 per day? She would like a small 5 door, no bigger then her mum’s current Clio, she has no deposit and would like to spend no more the £5k, this would be funded by a bank loan or she may consider HP if the deal was right. What is you opinion on the diesel Citroen C3 and the Ford Fiesta and they both seam to be good on mileage and reasonable running costs? Or could you recommend another option?

Asked on 18 July 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
That's a hard drive (35,000 miles a year) that will become gruelling, especially when there's a crash on the M3 and a 3-hour delay (as there frequently is). Will become dangerously boring, too. Yes, the old shape Fiesta 1.6TDCI is quite a good bet. Characterful, economical and low tax. But hard to find for £5k. Fiesta 1.4TDCI not nearly as good. The Citroen C3 has the same diesel engines and the same applies: 1.6 much better than 1.4.
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