Bildo Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Since I've spent the last week spending hour upon hour detailing my M3, it's looking absolutely stunning and I've fallen more in love with it than I have since I purchased it. After taking my current daily driver Seat Leon Cupra R (which is soon to be sold) out tonight and seeing how bad the weather/roads are it'd kill me to take the M3 out at the moment and I'd prefer to keep it looking nice and avoid racking up the miles on it!I would keep the LCR as I do like it, but I'd rather have something cheaper to run and preferably diesel. I don't really care what it looks like, just want something that will cost me as little to maintain as possible. Ideally has to be a normal sized car so not really after a 306 or anything.Budget realistically is £2k but I'd rather it was lower, the best car to fall into the category at the moment is the VW Bora TDI which aren't the best looking cars but a decent one can be had for around £1-2k.Any other/better ideas? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amjad Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 VAG TDi for sure! Either a MK4 Golf or Bora TDi should fall within budget, it's what I'm hoping to buy in a year or two as well!I drove a MK4 Golf 90 TDi on long journeys on a number of occasions and it was a very good, comfortable car! (averaged 60mpg on a 200,000 mile engine lol)We have a Leon FR TDi now which is a tad thirstier but a great car, VAG diesels are superb Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bildo Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 Have been looking at Golf's as they haven't been beaten with the ugly stick quite as badly as the Bora but they do seem to hold their value a lot better than the Bora's do. Passat is also another option, again it is much cheaper than the Golf and although a bit of a "grown up car" could end up being practical.I think realistically bang for buck it's got to be a VAG diesel after looking around. Would like a something AWD for all year round practicality but to be honest anything will be better in the snow than the M3! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ste91 Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I know you're going to lean more towards VAG, but have a look at the Rover diesels, the Rover 400/45 is probably the ideal sort of size for what you want.They might not be as refined or attractive as a modern diesel but they're still very good, and you can get a good R400 for well under a grand.Forget what you've heard about reliability. The diesel engine in them is bomb proof. And the car itself is based on a Honda Civic. Build quality is fine, the seats are comfy and they drive really well. Upwards of 50+ mpg and they can be tuned for pennies. They come with all the usual electrics and air con too.The VAG 1.9 diesel engine is a good choice, and you've got a variety of makes and models to choose from, but if you want a good alternative then I wouldn't over look the Rovers, as most people wouldn't even think about them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Idrees Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Vag for sure. Take a look at a Leon TDI, you should get a decent one for £2k. You might pick up a decent Mk4 Golf for that if you're lucky, but as you said they do hold their value better than the Bora. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bildo Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 I know you're going to lean more towards VAG, but have a look at the Rover diesels, the Rover 400/45 is probably the ideal sort of size for what you want.They might not be as refined or attractive as a modern diesel but they're still very good, and you can get a good R400 for well under a grand.Forget what you've heard about reliability. The diesel engine in them is bomb proof. And the car itself is based on a Honda Civic. Build quality is fine, the seats are comfy and they drive really well. Upwards of 50+ mpg and they can be tuned for pennies. They come with all the usual electrics and air con too.The VAG 1.9 diesel engine is a good choice, and you've got a variety of makes and models to choose from, but if you want a good alternative then I wouldn't over look the Rovers, as most people wouldn't even think about them.Interesting, may look into that buddy thanks.Vag for sure. Take a look at a Leon TDI, you should get a decent one for £2k. You might pick up a decent Mk4 Golf for that if you're lucky, but as you said they do hold their value better than the Bora.I think Bora's are better looking than Leon's in standard form, they're ugly as sin but I may consider it mate thanks. Just know I'll end up changing the bumpers and all sorts which is something I don't want to be doing! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bildo Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 Don't really cover the miles, no, but I won't miss my frequent visits to the Shell garage put it that way!When you say "these days" are you talking about the really recent ones? If so I'd imagine they'd be well out of budget, I want to achieve 40-60mpg realistically. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bildo Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 I couldn't really be scraping the bottom of barrel to be honest. I don't want something that barely moves either as I will sometimes be making motorway journeys and I don't want to be planning an overtake for 20 minutes!I will definitely start having a look around, you've opened my eyes a bit that petrol probably isn't bad as I was making out. Still edging towards diesel though mainly as they just chomp miles and I've not had great reliability from the petrols I've had in the past and they're normally high milers that are cheap and I just don't find they like pushing over 100k quite like the diesels do if you get me?Just want something that will be nippy when needed and cost me sod all to maintain really! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ste91 Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 The whole small petrol engine vs diesel MPG debate... personally after having both a small engined petrol car and a diesel, I'd take the diesel every time.I can't speak for other diesels so I'll use mine as an example (although I do know the VAG diesels are highly tunable). In standard form my Rover 220 SDi has 100bhp/155ftlb. I spent £70 on a decat and tuning box, and turned the boost up via the wastegate actuator. It now has around 125-130bhp and 200ftlb torque.That's 25bhp and 45ftlb over standard, for less than £75! And okay it's not exactly a drag strip demon but in the real world it's as quick as anything as you're almost always on the power, and keeping up on the motorway is no problem. Overtaking is effortless, you get a pensioner doing 30mph in a 60, put your foot down in 3rd and it makes them look like they're standing still. I don't suppose you'll be too bothered about performance as it's a daily driver but the thing is it doesn't affect the car in a negative way. Infact mpg has improved a tiny bit because you barely need to use any revs to get around. Driving round town you don't even need to go above 2k rpm.Basically, for less than £700 (that includes buying some MG ZR leather seats, tuning box, and decat) I've got a car that is comfy with a leather interior, reliable, good on fuel, and can pull like a train if I want it to. It's not going to beat much at Santa Pod but in the real world it's as good as anything. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rob2.2 Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 get a EP82 GT Turbo cheap to run/insure and tax and great fun when you wanna give it some sticki will soon be running my EP82 as my daily driver and S2000 as show/track car Quote Link to post Share on other sites
morgey Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I dont get where everyone gets the "VAG is soooo reliablez" from either, any we've had in the work have been piles of shit, we dread working on them lol.im so glad someone else has finally mentioned this whole VAG reliablity thing. from my own experience i think there a pile of sh*t a good 6-8 of my friend own or have owned VAG's and they've been nothing but trouble. egr valves, thermostats and there housings, head gaskets, water pipes perishing, eating through brakes, wheel bearings, aircon pumps the list is endless.and not a single one of the cars is older than 8 years old and has less miles than my 1.4 corolla and almost all of them have spent more on repairing their cars than i did buying and keeping it going for the last 2 1/2 years.then when you bring it up they just say oh its the dub way WTF!!! anyway rant over Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Toffinator Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Thankyou^^^^ I work on mercs and there bad, but when a VW come in i feel like going home, there horrendous to work on, like stupid unless there a van which still arent the best! Like the mk4 golf gti for example, sparkplugs on them? Rather take an engine out of a merc!FML lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ste91 Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 They're also very expensive. Rover ftw Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liam_D Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Yeah VAGS really arent as relaible as everyone works out. My brother runs both a Bora and Golf as dailys and they have been terrible. If it was me i would have to go Jap, but not too sure what to suggest for your budget buddy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dan507 Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 can't beat a diesel mondeo. bullet proof and go on for miles. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pandamonium Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Im partial to the Fiats, never had an issue with them, diesel stilo etc, but also had a mg zr diesel still going strong with 110k, great car to drive but would have benefitted from a few more horsies Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ste91 Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Im partial to the Fiats, never had an issue with them, diesel stilo etc, but also had a mg zr diesel still going strong with 110k, great car to drive but would have benefitted from a few more horsiesAn "extra few horses" on an MG ZR/ZT and (and Rover 25/45) is easy. All you need is a decat (£40ish), a set of injectors from a Rover 200/400/600 (less than £50 from a scrappy), and turn the boost up (free), and you easily have atleast 130bhp. Spend a bit more and get it remapped and you'll be touching 150bhp. Diesels are actually quite good for tuning. You don't even need to be too precise on the air/fuel ratios (within reason). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Driver Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 can't beat a diesel mondeo. bullet proof and go on for miles.I was going to suggest this or diesel escort. I hate fords with a passion but these are what id run as a daily if i didnt have the clio van (which although is the most economical car ive owned getting 65-70mpg everywhere! But lets not talk about reliability ! dash is like a christmas tree with all the lights) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nanglebadger Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 go against the grain...go Alfa!for they am sexy!Phil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amjad Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Ste been looking at the MG diesels, quite liking them and damn they're cheap! :IWhat's the reliability on those like? Civic diesel would be nice but there's not much under 2k I guess? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ste91 Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 The MG's are pretty reliable, you may get the odd dodgy MAF sensor which can affect performance but you can easily change it as you can use a MAF off a Vauxhall I forget which one though, or use a "MAFAM" (MAF amplifier) which is made by a member on the MG-Rover forum, basically makes your duff MAF sensor work like it should. So that's easily solved.Other than that there isn't really a lot that can go wrong with them. Good solid cars despite the bad reputation that Rover have. And as much as I love Starlets, even my standard Rover 200 diesel handles and brakes far better than a standard Starlet, and is has comfier seats and a better ride too. They haven't got that "fun factor" that Starlets seem to have though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amjad Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 What's urban mpg like Ste? Most of my driving is city driving with a trip from Southampton to Cardiff and back maybe once a month at most, so for me EP is good bar the long tripsSorry for the hijack Bildo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ste91 Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I think they're quoted at 55mpg, so I guess about 50 around town. When crawling in slow traffic I just stick it in 2nd and let it tick over. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rob_bower Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Just to throw something else in to the mix! I'm now driving a 1.5 diesel clio it cost £30 a year to tax is nippy enough, fairly comfy a tank cost £6o odd and you easily get 550 miles to a tank. We've had ours for 5 years and never had a problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rob_bower Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Yea very cheap handling ain't the best but for pootling about in its spot on! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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