I've got an 02 Saab 9-3 Tid at the moment.
It's the family car, but I also use it for a daily 70 mile round trip to work.
I get between 45-48mpg and it never lets me down.
My other half is hopefully getting something Focus sized on a lease which would take care of the family duties, leaving me with a pretty big car just for getting me to work and back.
What with the price of fuel and the increase in road tax I was thinking of maybe getting something a bit smaller - more suited to carrying one bloke to work.
I've been looking at Peugeot 206 HDI's. There's a 1.4 that gets over 60mpg apparently and is a lot cheaper on tax too. Anyone any experience of these on the motorway (maybe 60 out of my 70 miles a day is motorway). Would the 2.0 be a better bet?
Or are there any other suggestions. Is the Pug pretty reliable?
I'd like to do it in the next few months as the Saab still has less than average miles and they are piling up.
Cheers.
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My mother has one of the 1.4's and she does indeed go an unbelievably long way on a full tank.
Its never had a single problem reliability wise but then again I think she only does about 2-3k a year.
In the few occasions I have been in it on the motorway it seems pretty good for a car its size, I have a 406 myself and obviously its nowhere near refined but I think once you got used to the fact its not the motorway car your used to it would be fine. Just keep remembering how much fuel your saving by putting the radio slightly louder to hide the extra noise:-)
Best thing is to take one for a test drive that incorparates some motorway.
Edited by Whisky on 15/05/2008 at 22:11
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I drove a 1.4 hdi 206 for 10,000 miles over a couple of months mainly on motorways and trunk roads.
It sat quite well at 90 mph but it was a struggle to accelerate back up to that speed in busier traffic. Be prepared to be terrorised by Merc Sprinters etc.
Of greater concern however was the seating position. I am of average build and weight and suffered a lot of back ache.
I had a 2.0 hdi (90 bhp) in the car I got after the 206 and it was a lot more relaxing.
Can't remember the fuel economy of either as I don't pay for my fuel (pre trip computers)
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I suppose there's always the diesel GTI too!
It doesn't have to be the Peugeot.
I'm open to suggestions for any car that fits the following criteria.
Relieable and able to handle 70 miles a day
60 of those miles are motorway so reasonably comfy with CC/AC
Very good MPG (diesel or LPG)
Priced around what I'd get for the Saab (£4-5k hopefully)
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Morning Glacier -
Oddly enough I would probably have completely the opposite reaction. If you have a good car which has proven reliable and is reasonably economical, in the current climate I would just keep it and run it for as far as it will go. Keep it well maintained and it will give years of service. On the money side you will lose something whatever deal you do on replacement. Also for a 70 mile commute, presumably that involves some higher speeds? In that case I would rather be in a Saab than a smaller car both for comfort and potential accident protection.
That doesn't help at all does it? Sorry !
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What about a few changes to your car and driving style?
Michellin tyres often give good fuel economy. Maybe a remap on top of that to get some more MPG out of it? Drive more smoothly?
I have the 2.0 HDi 110 in my Xsara, its hard not to get 50+ on the motorway and I keep up with traffic no problem. Infact, the 110 version is slightly more economical compared to the 90bhp version thanks to its intercooler (138g/km on the 110 vs 141g/km).
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I'm in a similar position, and have contemplated much the same thing, but reckon from a financial point of view, there is little incentive.
I drive a 330D -it's a 53 plate, and probably worth about £8k (guess). Wife has a Mondeo estate, which is the 'family vehicle'. Contemplated downsizing to a Mazda 2 - cheap fuel, good reports, low road tax, and probably perfectly serviceable for my 12,000 or so miles a year.
However, even with the improved fuel efficiency (I get about 42 mpg out of the BMW, but diesel is carrying quite a premium at present), and the lower road tax (£150 / year), I still reckon that the saving is less than £500 / year. Cheaper tryes, lower maintenance would all add to the saving, but not enormously.
Big hit though is depreciation - In two years time, my guess is that there is another £2-3k in the BMW. There must be at least that in a new Mazda 2 in the first 2 years.
So, I reckon there is a cost case, but it is marginal. Selling cars is a hassle, my BMW is reliable (or has been), and the non-financial enjoyment of it is enormous....
Just my thoughts....
Jon
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Concurring with some here, fuel and tax are small beer compared with the total costs of running a car, i.e. purchase costs, dpereciation and servicing.
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I must admit I have started driving a little faster of late, so I could do better on the MPG's.
I'm kind of glad that there a few suggestions of keeping it. Deep down that's what I want to do.
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You know it makes sense :-)
I'm 5"10' and I can't drive a 206 comfortably due to the appalling seating and pedal layout, I also find the gear change clumsy. I would never sacrifice a nice car to save a marginal amount of money that will end up being offset by faster depreciation etc.
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The pick of the 206 diesels is the 1.6 HDI 110 IMHO. Quick, refined, and easily does 50 mpg in real world conditions.
Also remappable to a staggering 150 bhp if you ever get bored with it. ;-)
I drove a 1.4 and was very impressed for the size of engine. Felt remarkably zippy around town, but much less so on open roads.
Cheers
DP
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Concurring with some here fuel and tax are small beer compared with the total costs of running a car i.e. purchase costs dpereciation and servicing.
Cant always agree with that any more.
It depends what you drive and how far you drive it.
If you drive a thirsty older car depreciation is small beer compared to fuel costs.
I dont think its wallet friendly to drive a big old car these days in the current climate.
People are being persuaded financially to buy a new car with all its additional carbon cost in its manufacture to save the planet in fuel use.
May be its to wipe out the gas guzzlers quickly.
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I agree with you Jon about keeping the 330D
What I think works for you is that you have a fuel efficient "aspirational car" that does a great MPG and goes like stink.
You wont get anything to touch it performance wise for the fuel and its not far shy of a small petrol car in usage terms.
You'll get a steady stream of buyers for it.
The small petrol car is simply dull in comparison - you're not in a bad situation for the future because I reckon that type of car will offer the car enthusiast the last bastion of hope for actually driving a motor that actually makes them smile.
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"Aspirational" - very politely put.
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Ive recently done the downsize.
Originally we were running a Forester auto with 30 mpg and road tax at £300 ( next year ) and a Suzuki Carry van with 38 mpg and £180 on the RT.
The Subaru was on target for doing 10,000 a year, the van about 9000.
As we like the Forester and its very useful, we decided the van should go and its been replaced at no cost ( straight trade in ) for a '53 Daihatsu Charade EL giving 59 mpg and £35 RT.
What we also did however, to make it really work for us was we reduced the Forester's mileage down to just 4000 and the Daihatsu has now taken up the slack.
So far the figures are suggesting we will make a saving of around £1400 a year, perhaps more if fuel rises more. We have no regrets.
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Bit of an experiment on the way home - stuck to 60mph on the motorway.
Actually ended up sitting in traffic for half an hour too, but the onboard computer said 57mpg.
Had just filled the tank and had the air con on too.
I know it's not going to be 100% accurate, but it's a big jump.
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Which engine does it have, the 1.9 Tid or the 2.2 ?
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It's the old shape 9-3 with the 2.2TiD.
I'm sure I read it's an Isuzu sourced van engine!
next step is considering biodiesel. It might only be 20p a litre less but it all adds up.
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I'm pretty sure that was the engine that really benefits from a remap. I think someone under the profile name of rich 9-3 had it done to their 2.2TiD and mentioned how it transformed the engine, and improved their MPG. Might be worth a bit of research?
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I'll look into it.
I think there's a 115bhp version that can be done.
Mine's the 125bhp.
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