Advice on reliable car for under 8k

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Wed 7 Mar 2012 23:43
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

Hi all. I am looking to buy a used car to replace my R reg peugeot 306 1.9 tdi, which is becoming less and less reliable, with a similar small family hatchback.

I commute to work so reliability is a priority.

I am doing roughly 22k miles a year so a car with good mpg (over 60) would be preferable.

My last requirement is that I use the car for surfing and wouldn’t really like to go any smaller than the 306.

My budget can be up to £8k. I am currently looking at manufacturer used approved diesels because I like the idea of a warranty if I am going to part with that much cash. Is this a good idea or an expensive extravagance?

Any advice on petrol vs. diesel, used approved vs. private, and specific model recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Apologies if this question is asked all the time, if I could be pointed to previous relevant threads that would be just as good.

Thanks in advance, Chris

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 00:22
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - carl_a

Kia Cee'd 1.6 Diesel on a 58 or 09 plate would come in at 8k or under. You'll still have 3-4 years warranty left if the service schedules been kept up to date. You might be abe to find a facelifted model with Co2 of under 120 grams for cheaper road tax too.

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 00:22
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - jamie745

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Well first off theres no petrol v diesel debate to be had, on 22k a year you're definately better off with a diesel if you're looking to keep costs as low as possible. In fact on mileage like that even diesels with notorious DPF problems should cope quite well in fact.

If you're looking to spend good money then having as much comeback as possible is always a good idea and theres plenty of choice out there for £8,000. A Ford Fiesta TDCi which can turn in 50-60mpg can be had for 6-8k in its most recent bodyshape or quite a bit less if you get something like a 57 plate of the old model. I've driven the 1.4TDCi (the most common diesel variant) but i'd say the 1.6TDCi is the better engine. Its a comfortable car which feels and drives like a bigger car so 22k a year wouldnt feel cramped. In fact the larger Focus TDCi could be bought for under 7k. Usual suspects really, Astra, Fabia etc.

Getting that sort of economy from anything bigger is pretty much impossible so you should consider spending nearer 4-6k on the car and keeping some in reserve if 8k would be tight. Its never a good idea to spend your entire budget on the car itself. Remember an 8k car needs tyres, servicing, fuel, insuring, brake pads etc just as much as an £800 car and you're not going to get your £8k back down the line either.

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 10:13
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - Sam49

I'd also go for a Kia Ceed. However get an estate (SW). Way better for surfing - roof bars built in (all you need to add are the cross bars) if you've got a bigger board. The bigger boot means you can easily get all your additional kit in - and even sleep in it if need be! And I think they look nicer than the hatch.

Or, again, a Focus, Astra etc etc

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 11:08
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - mike hannon
>>My last requirement is that I use the car for surfing<<

Something with a galvanised body seems like a good idea...
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Thu 8 Mar 2012 12:02
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

Wow thank you so much everyone for the prompt advice! That has certainly clarified a few things for me.

I guess all that is left to do is make a descision. I'll update this post when I have made a purchase in case anyone is interested.

Thanks again, Chris

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 15:38
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - jamie745

My last requirement is that I use the car for surfing

I've got to see that!

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 22:18
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

My last requirement is that I use the car for surfing

I've got to see that!

It's quite a skill

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 16:20
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - Bobbin Threadbare

Wow thank you so much everyone for the prompt advice! That has certainly clarified a few things for me.

I guess all that is left to do is make a descision. I'll update this post when I have made a purchase in case anyone is interested.

Thanks again, Chris

Yes do - we of the forum are disappointed when people ask and don't say what they bought!!!

I can only echo everyone else's comments - the Kia seems like a good bet (esp. with warranty) and there's plenty commendable about the Focus too.

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 17:34
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - pugswhdi

Whatever you do don't think 'this peugeot has been very good until recently, i'll get another'. Also don't forget that the 306 is actually quite a small car, certainly the Kia mentioned by others will be very significantly larger.

(i must add that i am biased - take a look at my username and work out which car i needed help to try and understand when i joined this forum!)

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 22:25
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

No risk of me returning to the 306. Any chance of that evaporated when the driver’s side window decided to drive down and stay down while it was snowing. The electronics on that car are abysmal.

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 22:21
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

Next stop Kia garage for a test drive then. They've obviously come a long way since my Kia Pride (aka elaborate go kart)

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 22:29
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - jamie745

Most Korean manufacturers have improved beyond recognition in a very short space of time. I drove a 1998 Daewoo Nubira once and it was without question the most dreary piece of rattly rubbish i'd ever sat in. However these days the likes of Kia and Hyundai make nice cars which make viable alternatives to Ford's and Vauxhall's while maintaining an impressive price advantage. The only downside is they will still depreciate like a caravan falling off a cliff but who cares?!

I like Peugeot's by the way, i've had two 406's which oddly has a much better reliability record than everything else Peugeot were making at the time. Mine have been bulletproof snow-mobiles.

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 22:42
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

It is amazing how quickly those cars have improved even when just considered from an aesthetic point of view.

As for my peugeot, mechanically it is an absolute work horse and I do love it. The electronics however are a constant source of frustration.

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 22:46
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - jamie745

Peugeot are well known for electrical gremlins. I still have my 406 Executive automatic as a second car and being the Exec model it is full of buttons and electronics. The only problems though occured when the radio stayed on and drained the battery, which sent everything else through a loop when i charged it and replaced the radio. Its a Y reg and practically everything still works, including the air conditioning believe it or not.

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Thu 8 Mar 2012 23:13
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - Avant

I agree with the others that the Kia Ceed is well worth a look. A Focus estate should be on your shortlist - more of them around than Kias, and better to drive than any Vauxhall.

If you look at anything from the VW Group ( a Golf estate or Octavia hatch or estate would have lots of room for surfing kit without being any more expensive to run than a 306) go for the 1.9 TDI rather than the 2.0 unless you can afford a 2.0 common-rail diesel. The 2.0 PD had some reliability issues. Driven gently a 1.9 TDI can give you 60 mpg on a long run.

Any used diesel is something of a gamble so make sure it's got a full service history and a change of cambelt if relevant.

Good luck!

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Sat 10 Mar 2012 09:36
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

What are people's opinion of the Renault Megane mkIII 1.5dci?

Also the Kia Pro'ceed 1.6 CRDi (not wildly pratical I know but for some strange reason its caught my eye)

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Sat 10 Mar 2012 11:10
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - carl_a

A no no from me with regards to anything Renault

The Pro'ceed is fab, slightly more room in the cabin than the Cee'd too.

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Sat 10 Mar 2012 14:20
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

A no no from me with regards to anything Renault

Really? I thought the new meganes were ok. Just been to a kia dealer. I was impressed with the pro ceed, and the new rio for that matter. Hard seats though (nitpicking) I guess it's cos the Peugeot seats are like arm chairs!
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Sat 10 Mar 2012 15:14
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - Carole4X4
Please please please my previous posts on the Megane Iii 1.5 dci. If you want reliability then stay as far away from Renault dealers as possible, also I struggled to get 42mpg from a 1.5dci Megane and I can usually better manufacturers claimed mpg.

Please stay away from the Megane you will be disappointed.

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Sat 10 Mar 2012 20:38
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - Xileno

Nothing wrong at all with a Megane MK3, apart from being possibly a bit bland compared to the MK2. MK3 is well built and reliable - Driver Power 100 it came 11th out of 100 for reliability. To put that into perspective the MK2 came 99th and Laguna MK2 100th....

Renault's poor period for reliability was from about 2000 to 2004/5. They are clearly struggling to throw off that reputation given some of the comments here.

I have met many happy owners of both MK3 Lagunas and MK3 Meganes. There will always be a poor one floating around, Carole4x4 seems to have got one of those. There used to be somone on this forum who used to have a problematic Honda Accord diesel. Surely not - aren't Japanese cars bombproof?

When we had a MK2 Megane 1.5dCi, it struggled to better 45mpg until it had about 10,000 miles on the clock, then it got steadily better and peaked at about 58mpg.

I would have a Megane MK3 tomorrow if I could locate the spec I want - 1.9dCi with 16'' wheels.

I think you will struggle to get a MK3 for under £8k

Edited by Xileno on 10/03/2012 at 20:40

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Sun 19 Aug 2012 12:22
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

Still haven't bought a car but have more or less decided on a a seat leon.

If anyone has any opinions on the these two engines it would be greatly appreciated!

2.0 tdi pd stylance (2008) 140PS - £8500

1.4 tsi stylance (2009) - £8200

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Mon 20 Aug 2012 15:57
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - BenG

I believe the 2.0 PD is worth avoiding in some cars as the oil pump drive has a habit of failing. Also I gather some of the later PD engines have piezoelectric injectors which are prone to failure which stops the car, and are costly to replace. Better to go with the 1.9TDI or the later common rail 2.0 diesel....

Also some issues with the 1.4TSI with broken piston rings causing engine damage.

Check out the reviews of the VW Golf Mk5 for the same engines.

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Mon 20 Aug 2012 20:29
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

Thanks for that, I was unaware that there were so many reliability issues with the 2.0 pd.

I'd have to spend £10000 and £12000 for a used approved leon 1.6 and 2.0 common rail tdi respectively and with the differences in mpg it will take a while for me to see the benefits over the 1.4 tsi. Alternatively could get a 2009 used approved 2.0 tdi common rail golf for £10000.

As £9000 is a stretch I'm most likely going to go for the 1.4 tsi. Still need to test drive it though!

Thanks again for your help

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Mon 20 Aug 2012 23:16
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - brettmick
I replaced an Audi a3 with a Kia Ceed as number two son meant a cabriolet was too rich for a second car. I bought the 2 litre diesel at two years old (a year ago now) and my only complaint is road noise, much improved when the tyres were changed recently. Five years warranty remained, competent all round but never spectacular, well equipped (half leather, cruise, USB and iPod, ESP, abs, Tsc) and now giving 46 mpg brim to brim on my 19 mile each way commute.

I want to dislike the car so I can justify buying something posher sooner, but as a white goods car it is unbeatable and I can spend the cash saved on holidays or child care costs.
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Tue 21 Aug 2012 18:54
Advice on reliable car for under 8k - rustygate

The sensible part of me knows that the ceed is the best car to buy...

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