Hi

As a total novice where cars are concerned, i wondered if anyone could offer me advice. I currently have a Fiesta 1.1, very reliable little car but not up to doing the Tunbridge Wells to Manchester journeys i need to do. So can anyone suggest a car that is still cheap and cheerful and most of all reliable and up to long motorway journeys!

TIA

 

When I was a kid I was always surprised that the hoooge cruisers would sell for the same price as Fiestas. Running costs I suppose.

 

Yeah, my fiesta did 250 miles on 21 quid over the weekend. Thats good right?

 

LPT Saab 900/9-3?

Comfy cruisers, should be able to get a cheap one, and can return decent mpg. My ex 2002 9-3 Aero returned 39mpg on a 700mile round trip with 2 adults, 2 kids and a bootful of luggage (I was wearing my best pair of slippers!).

And when you get bored - chip it.

 

Ex-fleet Mondeo or similar, cheap to buy and maintain and v. comfy compared to the Festa! Not too economical in town, but will eat miles comfortably on the motorway in 5th. I run an old 1.6 SFI Cavalier, will do 450 mway miles to £45 of juice so not too bad considering the age of the car!

 

What about an older diesel? Golfs etc will easily get 50-60 mpg.

Alcazar

 

Once I get my westie, I may sell my 1995 2.5 Omega Great for long journeys, Comfy, powerful on motorways etc.

 

Depends on your budget - I used to use a Rover 216 H reg for mway journeys and it was pretty good. There is a clean white L reg one for sale near me for £500!!

 

Keep an eye out for some of the 1.8ltr diesel fiesta's, just look in the autotrader, there are some right bargains around the 94 year (with low miles too!)
You could have a look at mondeo's also, i saw a car that just needed a bumper going for 695 quid, ffsh, 50ish k miles, 98 R reg (hpi clear), needless to say, it didnt last long. Search the bargains first but put some cash to one side for new belts, service and possably tyres.

Tony

 

I bought a car for exactly the same purpose, and it has not missed a beat in 18 months. Go here http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=298723

Hint: It's not the M3

Let me know if you're interested.

 

If we're talking big cars how about a Vauxhall Senator? Comfy, cheap to buy, loaded with toys but a wee bit thirsty, not too bad on a run though. I picked up a 1992 J reg with 10 months MOT for £350.