Lude Generation

What do we think? Needs to have at least 4 doors, be economical but not a complete snail off the lights.
BMW 320D springs to mind but any other good little cars worth considering?

seat leon???

mercutio wrote:seat leon???

Leon petrol yes for 2k you can get a pristine/modded 270bhp/350f/lb torque fun motor (but juicy )

but the diesel re-mapped only go to 184bhp but are nice and the f/lb torque off the line is huge

A 2k diesel is going to be a money pit

You're too new for old mechanical diesels such as was in the Peugeot 406, and on the cusp of partially injected diesels like the VAG PD engine and common rail diesels - most of which will be nearing the time/age when you'll be looking at costly repairs to turbos, injectors and the awful dual-mass flywheels they insisted on fitting to everything.

At least your budget is too low for more modern direct injection diesels with Diesel Particulate Filters to add to the list of items to need to spend out on.


What is the mileage you'll be looking at doing? Seriously look at something like 2.0 petrol Mondeo.

Rover 75 diesel would be nice - has an excellent (and chippable) BMW engine in it, solid Getrag gearbox and the car itself is very tough. Not a sporty drive, but mega comfy for a family car or long distance cruiser. Nice retro looks, getting rarer, parts still available...

I do 250 miles a week for work. plus another 50 a week on average around town n stuff.

2.0 petrol is going to cost lots on fuel. I'm trying to save money here lol. Ok, how about reliable, economical cars for 2k? Please dont say Nissan Micra or KA lol!!

I bought my 2.0 HDi Xsara for £600 a year ago. It had 130,000 miles on the clock when I got it. It's boring as hell but does about 45mpg all day long, not bad for a hefty estate imo.

Since then we've done roughly 20,000 miles in it. It's not broken down once mechanically. The electrics aren't great (central locking was faulty when I got it, which I fixed, and 1 door speaker doesn't work). In terms of the cost to run, all we do is put the cheapest diesel possible in. Insurance is cheap too (multicar ). I change the filters and oil when needed as you would with any car. For it's MOT all it needed was a headlight adjusting (my fault) and 2 seatbelts (previous owners fault). £20 to rectify at the breakers yard. I recently had to change the front pads and discs too at about £50 all in, again routine maintainence.

So all in all, for not much money you can get a car that'll plod away all day long without complaining much. For a workhorse I wouldn't suggest chucking as much money as you're budgeting into it initially as you'll just lose it in depreciation. I doubt I've lost too much of my £600 so far as it's value has pretty much bottomed out. Plus if you spend a lot initially and later it blows up then it's likely you'll feel you should fix it, which as mentioned can be very costly with modern diesel cars. When the Xsara goes bang then she'll just be sent off to be squished and another cheap turbo diesel will fill her place

Just my 2p mind, each to their own

If it were me looking for something relatively economical, reliable, comfortable, with value for money, at 2k or thereabouts, I'd probably be looking at something like this;
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/f ... 7157827993

or

If you want a bit more oomph - something like this;
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/f ... 7157827965

But hey, depends what you're after..

You might consider a diesel Accord, Diesel Passat, Diesel Vectra, Diesel Focus, or perhaps even an audi.

Had a look at the Mondeos a few times now. And the titanium one is tempting but too pricey.


What are people's opinions on civics? Obviously I'm now considering ditching the diesel idea.
After a quick look through online they sell realy cheap and you get a well equipped car for the money , being a Honda kind of makes me like the idea too lol. The 1.6 vtec engines in the ep shape civic do over 40mpg mixed driving. Could be worth a thought for me.
Could even go the generation before that! 96-01 shape.

People's experiences with the smaller engined civics?

With the civics there a lot out there and some at good prices!
Just have be wary with some of them obviously because we know a car that looks too good to be true normally is lol!
I know u want smaller engine but u considered an accord?