What would you get - max of £2k and 80 miles a day...
06 July 2005, 08:07 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
What would you get - max of £2k and 80 miles a day...
thats the main criteria basically. Probably should be diesel and less than 60k miles (idelaly less than 40k) and be suitable to drive on the motorway.
I've got my own ideas on this but thought some alternative ideas/views would be helpful.
I've seen some petrol Rover 200's at some very keen prices, £1500 for a 97 model with 35k on the clock. No idea on how parts are replaced now though Rover has gone t!ts up but at that price I can't exactly lose much money!
I want to find out if there is a car out there that could replace the bike cost wise to commute into London (outside of congestion zone).
I've got my own ideas on this but thought some alternative ideas/views would be helpful.
I've seen some petrol Rover 200's at some very keen prices, £1500 for a 97 model with 35k on the clock. No idea on how parts are replaced now though Rover has gone t!ts up but at that price I can't exactly lose much money!
I want to find out if there is a car out there that could replace the bike cost wise to commute into London (outside of congestion zone).
Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 06 July 2005 at 10:16 PM.
06 July 2005, 08:29 PM
#2
I wouldn't touch an old Rover my wifes gave up the ghost at 18 months..rust, wouldn't start in the rain, no 1st gear. Rover offered another 2 years warranty and AA cover but it still wouldn't start in the rain still rusted and wouldn't go into 1st gear. Dealer couldn't solve the problem with several new gearboxes/ clutches
If you're after an older runabout go for Japanese. Micra/ Almera. Boring to drive but start first time and economical. Plenty of cheap parts available too.
If you're after an older runabout go for Japanese. Micra/ Almera. Boring to drive but start first time and economical. Plenty of cheap parts available too.
but must be something wrong with it for £1500. Corolla might be the most sensible option - do they still go on and on like they used to?
Trending Topics
06 July 2005, 09:33 PM
#8
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The amount of Vectra's i fix every other day is scary,petrol and diesels...keep with a jap..Carina is a good motor,corolla,Mitzy carisma,Primera,Almera,all pretty boring but good reliable cars.
07 July 2005, 02:14 AM
#9
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Merseyside
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry- Vectra again,petrol or diesel.
Ive had a few of both,good on fuel and ultra reliable.
My last one i sold for 900 (98 R plate with 110k)
Well within budget.
Ive had a few of both,good on fuel and ultra reliable.
My last one i sold for 900 (98 R plate with 110k)
Well within budget.
07 July 2005, 07:49 AM
#10
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My 2nd car is a boring Honda Accord 2.0iLS
Very dull drive, dull performance, well made though, cost just under 2K for a 1997 FSH 65K, all the toys inc a/c. Roomy enough for 5 adults, huge boot, soft suspension for comfort and pretty cheap insurance
It has never given less than 35mpg, saying that I have never caned it either, as it appears to go no faster the more revs you use!
Very dull drive, dull performance, well made though, cost just under 2K for a 1997 FSH 65K, all the toys inc a/c. Roomy enough for 5 adults, huge boot, soft suspension for comfort and pretty cheap insurance
It has never given less than 35mpg, saying that I have never caned it either, as it appears to go no faster the more revs you use!
07 July 2005, 08:55 AM
#11
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by fatscoobyfella
The amount of Vectra's i fix every other day is scary,petrol and diesels...keep with a jap..Carina is a good motor,corolla,Mitzy carisma,Primera,Almera,all pretty boring but good reliable cars.
07 July 2005, 06:36 PM
#13
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by TheBigMan
Must be alot of Vectra's where you are then cos the things are really reliable. Also, when/if they do break the parts are cheaper than Mars Bars.
?????Are they?? Tell me where to buy Cheap air flow meters??£200,we keep them in stock,fitted 31 since beginning of year.
Idle control valves?
Crank position sensors?
Camshaft position sensors?
Lambda sensors?
Coil packs?
Just to add,its a coincidence but we had a SRi 130 in today,EML on...
Car is 2001 and done 29k..Problem was Lambda number 1 switching slowly,in relation to lambda 2..sets up a long term fuel trim fault..Ho Hum another £200 to spend!!
I may be bein a bit unfair,as i specialise in diagnostics and we see more vauxhalls than any other car..I would say every 4th car..ish we get in is a Vauxhall.
Some of the early Vectra's suffer a problem where they blow cam and crank sensors about every 6 months.(costing about £250).This is due to the under bonnet loom bein soaked with interference,due to the poor shielding used on the cable..Only answer is fit new under bonnet loom,which we build ourselves..Not cheap as Mars Bars i assure you..
07 July 2005, 06:43 PM
#14
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
vectras are horrid in looks,drive, everything, even for 2k. dont do it-much more satisfying cars for the money-even a "boring" mondeo would be alot better, being a much nicer drive.
07 July 2005, 06:51 PM
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks for the replies.
Had a Cavalier years back and that had its idle control valve go wrong and I was never happy with the car so Vauxhall is out for me.
I think its going to have to be Japanese as coping with the mileage and reliability are a must.
Had a Cavalier years back and that had its idle control valve go wrong and I was never happy with the car so Vauxhall is out for me.
I think its going to have to be Japanese as coping with the mileage and reliability are a must.
07 July 2005, 07:02 PM
#16
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got a Mondeo 1.8 TD Ghia X on an S plate for 995 [with a couple of dents thrown in for free].
Its sooooo sluggish on the m/way I have to avoid the outside lane as I make my own traffic jams.
Get a Citroen or Pug 306/406. All advice threw me that way but I got tempted by leather and toys I really didn't need ...
Its sooooo sluggish on the m/way I have to avoid the outside lane as I make my own traffic jams.
Get a Citroen or Pug 306/406. All advice threw me that way but I got tempted by leather and toys I really didn't need ...
07 July 2005, 07:09 PM
#17
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bajie
I got a Mondeo 1.8 TD Ghia X on an S plate for 995 [with a couple of dents thrown in for free].
Its sooooo sluggish on the m/way I have to avoid the outside lane as I make my own traffic jams.
Its sooooo sluggish on the m/way I have to avoid the outside lane as I make my own traffic jams.
Bravo......good choice.
07 July 2005, 07:12 PM
#18
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by fatscoobyfella
Try having the timing control solenoid on the side of the pump changed..There a bugger for going wrong,and make the car slow and sluggish..sometimes the idle goes a bit lumpy too..HTH..
I''ll get it checked out this weekend
07 July 2005, 09:03 PM
#20
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
306 diesels can be had for 2k,there plenty around from 1k up..
There pretty reliable..power steering pump have a bit of a habit of throwing the cards in,but not an expensive repair.A;so check all the components on the water system,radiators are worth a look at to make sure there ok,and check for damp carpets,as the heater matrix on 306's do leak..(£350 job!!).What i would also say tho is,make sure you get one thats had a fairly recent timing belt,and make sure the clutch is ok..Both fairly expensive jobs..so if ya can avoid them the better..all in all tho,there ok.
BTW..most of the Nissan range dont have timing belts..something to bear in mind..
Bajie..to check timing solonoid..look at the side of the injector pump..it should have a cylinderical shape object with wires coming out from it..If you put your head down near it,and get someone to turn on ignition on car,it should produce a rapid clicking noise,almost a buzzing sound..if it just clicks or no noise as you turn on ignition,theres ya fault..
There pretty reliable..power steering pump have a bit of a habit of throwing the cards in,but not an expensive repair.A;so check all the components on the water system,radiators are worth a look at to make sure there ok,and check for damp carpets,as the heater matrix on 306's do leak..(£350 job!!).What i would also say tho is,make sure you get one thats had a fairly recent timing belt,and make sure the clutch is ok..Both fairly expensive jobs..so if ya can avoid them the better..all in all tho,there ok.
BTW..most of the Nissan range dont have timing belts..something to bear in mind..
Bajie..to check timing solonoid..look at the side of the injector pump..it should have a cylinderical shape object with wires coming out from it..If you put your head down near it,and get someone to turn on ignition on car,it should produce a rapid clicking noise,almost a buzzing sound..if it just clicks or no noise as you turn on ignition,theres ya fault..
Last edited by fatscoobyfella; 07 July 2005 at 09:08 PM.
08 July 2005, 12:14 AM
#23
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: The place where indicators don't exist....
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How bout one of those pig ugly granadas...? Surely they can't hold they're value too well and should be a comfy reliable motorway car with a bit of poke too I'd have thought..?
08 July 2005, 05:18 AM
#24
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Notts, UK
Posts: 4,935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd say go down the Mondeo route.
They are a decent drive, I had a 1.8TD many years ago and didn't have any problems. They are not as quick as modern diesels but still have the same torque as most 2.0litre petrols. A work collegue has one with over 200k miles and it's still going strong.
Cheers
Lee
They are a decent drive, I had a 1.8TD many years ago and didn't have any problems. They are not as quick as modern diesels but still have the same torque as most 2.0litre petrols. A work collegue has one with over 200k miles and it's still going strong.
Cheers
Lee
08 July 2005, 07:42 AM
#25
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: weymouth
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Toyota Carina E, I woned one and was comfortable, had all the trimmings and very reliable
you can pick them up for pence, estate version has massive load space
i'd have another
you can pick them up for pence, estate version has massive load space
i'd have another
08 July 2005, 09:24 AM
#26
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: N. Devon
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cheap and reliable? I would go for samething VAG. Maybe a VW Vento 1.8TD
Motorway muncher? Granada Cosworth. Quite quick and very comfy, just a bit heavy on fuel.
Motorway muncher? Granada Cosworth. Quite quick and very comfy, just a bit heavy on fuel.
08 July 2005, 11:17 AM
#27
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got a SAAB 900 2.0 N reg.
Its good on fuel, very very comfy on the motorway and quiet.
I've done 10,000 miles since buying it in October for a grand and all has been fine.
Its saved me a shedload on expected higher depreciation and running costs on an M5.
Its good on fuel, very very comfy on the motorway and quiet.
I've done 10,000 miles since buying it in October for a grand and all has been fine.
Its saved me a shedload on expected higher depreciation and running costs on an M5.
08 July 2005, 05:39 PM
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Well just checked insurance on a 1995 1.3 corolla and got quoted £430 because I can't apply any no claims bonus as this would be a second car policy from new 
If insurance is going to be silly money then that will rule out being cheaper than the bike straight off.
Are there companies who do policies for two cars where you can apply your NCD for both cars?
If insurance is going to be silly money then that will rule out being cheaper than the bike straight off.Are there companies who do policies for two cars where you can apply your NCD for both cars?