Motorway diesel for @ 2000

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Thu 4 Jun 2009 15:34
Motorway diesel for @ 2000 - GB27
Hi,

I was looking about a motorway diesel hatchback / sedan for some serious mileages.. 40K / year. Would it be feasible to keep the budget under 2000?

I browsed through autotrader and came up with few Fabias, Octavias, Almeras.
Could you suggest some frm your experience..

Cars already done 100k plus whether would be worth considering?

Your replies would help me decide..

Cheers!
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Thu 4 Jun 2009 15:41
Motorway diesel for @ 2000 - SpamCan61 {P}
I buy my bangernomics Vauxhalls ( petrol) at around 100K and put 30K+ a year on them until they're not worth mending, typically 2 -3 years. I expect there's a fair chance that they'll need a head gasket change at some point, but apart from that I've not had any scary bills.

A cheap gamble.

The suspension does wear though, handling gets a bit wallowy with age - and not exactly sharp to start with ( to pre-empt any comments from the Vectra 'fan' club ;-) ). I would think a replacement clutch would also be on the cards if the car had done its 100K around town.
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Thu 4 Jun 2009 15:47
Motorway diesel for @ 2000 - GB27
Hi SpamCan61,

Many thanks for your immediate reply. Much appreciated.
I also had a look at the Astra / Vectra however comparing them with the used car reviews on this site.. led me to believe that Skodas / Nissans would be a better gamble considering there overall reliability..

As you ought have guessed.. image / brand bothers me least..

Regards.
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Thu 4 Jun 2009 15:54
Motorway diesel for @ 2000 - SpamCan61 {P}
My predeliction for Vauxhalls is partly genetic ( born & bred in Luton, my father worked for Vx for 28 years) and partly 'better the devil you know' having owned several with the same engine.

On a level playing field then yep the Nissan and Skoda are probably better bets, although, as always, there are good and bad cars of every make and model; it's just the odds of getting a good one that change, and are to a degree in the control of the buyer.

At this end of the market looking for FSH and overall condition of a specific car is more of a factor than a specific makes / models IMHO.

EDIt : oh, and welcome to the Backroom!

Edited by SpamCan61 {P} on 04/06/2009 at 15:55

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Thu 4 Jun 2009 16:04
Motorway diesel for @ 2000 - GB27
Thanks again.. completely agree..

Hope to be a regular at the backroom now!
Thanks for the welcome..
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Sat 6 Jun 2009 09:05
Motorway diesel for @ 2000 - Pizza man
Mondeo diesel? if you get a mk1/2 there nto hugely fats btu they'll run forever due to simple mechanics.

Seat ibiza/Cordoba Diesel same as the skoda sometimes cheaper.
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Sat 6 Jun 2009 15:40
Motorway diesel for @ 2000 - barneybear
I had a Xsara (not the MPV version, just straight hatch) 1.9 TDi and both the hatch and estate versions were comfy and apart from a misaligned belt once, were relaible. Now have Megan Estate for work trips which after 18 months and 36K is going well
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