£2-3K Cheap Runabout?
Discussion
I am hoping to swap my Mini Cooper S for another VX220 and a cheap runabout for the winter and/or bad weather generally. I have a 40mile each way commute to work so I need something fairly reliable, economical and cheap to tax insure etc. I have been thinking about a Ford Fiesta of the 2002-2007ish shape. Any other other suggestions would be great?
A Nissan Almera (1.8 as the 1.5 is too slow). I've had one for 8 years, does about 2,500 miles a year to the train station, school, nursery etc. Decent spec, a/c, CD, ABS etc and very reliable. Mine has had a £40 jammed window and £80 (fitted) front spring in 8 years (apart from pads, oil etc). Not as dynamic as a Focus (or Fiesta) but much cheaper and you'll get a better car(spec/condition) for your money.
jimmyV8 said:
I am hoping to swap my Mini Cooper S for another VX220 and a cheap runabout for the winter and/or bad weather generally. I have a 40mile each way commute to work so I need something fairly reliable, economical and cheap to tax insure etc. I have been thinking about a Ford Fiesta of the 2002-2007ish shape. Any other other suggestions would be great?
In fairness, what can't you realistically get for £2-3k??You have options from almost any car maker.
If it's a bad weather run about how about something like a Jimny, Vitara or Terios. All ok on fuel and fun to drive (in a different sort of way). Would offer a great contrast to a VX220 and keep you going no matter the weather.
300bhp/ton said:
... Jimny, Vitara or Terios. All ok on fuel...
Why bother getting a 4x4 to deal with 1-2 weeks of bad weather and have to suffer the dreadful ride, non existant boots and awful performance for the rest of the year.A Jimny, for example, even the 1.3i can only manage 34mpg, costs £200 a year tax is insurance group 13 - not exactly cheap.
durbster said:
Fabia VRs is a good shout 
They're all terrible choices for a long commute unless it's cross-country.
I don't seem them truly being any less comfy than most hatches.300bhp/ton said:
... Jimny, Vitara or Terios. All ok on fuel...
Compared to what?They're all terrible choices for a long commute unless it's cross-country.
Edited by durbster on Wednesday 12th January 14:18
aka_kerrly said:
300bhp/ton said:
... Jimny, Vitara or Terios. All ok on fuel...
Why bother getting a 4x4 to deal with 1-2 weeks of bad weather and have to suffer the dreadful ride, non existant boots and awful performance for the rest of the year.A Jimny, for example, even the 1.3i can only manage 34mpg, costs £200 a year tax is insurance group 13 - not exactly cheap.
I have only had the misfortune of having to drive a Jimny once and it made my 10 year old fiesta feel solid. Web have a grand vitara at work as a fleet car and its pretty awful to drive as well due to being only a 1.6, its saving grace is a pretty good interior though.
Both the suzukis when compared to the LR defender, freelander, Rav4 are well outclassed, the Rav especially is far better on road. The only 4x4 ive driven that i think is worse than the vitara is a Shogun with a diesel engine + Auto box.
If you are going to go 4x4 then why not get a Discovry 3door TDI as a full size 4x4 which still offers around 3-40mpg and have some fun doing organised off road events or perhaps something a little less full on off roader like a RAV or HOnda CR-V which are still capable of dealing with snow/ice/flood water but actually drive quite well and with 2.0L petrol or diesel engines aren't THAT slow.
dave
Both the suzukis when compared to the LR defender, freelander, Rav4 are well outclassed, the Rav especially is far better on road. The only 4x4 ive driven that i think is worse than the vitara is a Shogun with a diesel engine + Auto box.
If you are going to go 4x4 then why not get a Discovry 3door TDI as a full size 4x4 which still offers around 3-40mpg and have some fun doing organised off road events or perhaps something a little less full on off roader like a RAV or HOnda CR-V which are still capable of dealing with snow/ice/flood water but actually drive quite well and with 2.0L petrol or diesel engines aren't THAT slow.
dave
durbster said:
aka_kerrly said:
...If you are going to go 4x4...
OP never said they wanted a 4x4.I agree that there are many cars id rather have for 2-3k, coupes, hatchbacks and saloons galore but a lot depends on the OPs definition of cheap insurance an running costs, cheap insurance to me is under group 10 an should manage around 35-40 or more mpg
- Ford puma is a cracking shout, Focus is cheaper to insure
- VAG TDIs with a cheeky remap or a lupo sport
- Honda Jazz, civic
- Toyota yaris sport
dave
Clio 182 FF, sorry I`m bias I have one, I paid £3100 about 6 months ago, on 99k on 109k now,it has full Renault history, it was owned by head mechanic at Renault dealership, it had all the belts done, fully serviced, new tyres, shocks, discs & pads all replaced before I bought it. Only issue so far is leaky rear hock
I had the steering wheel re-trimmed as the old when had literally melted. Mine has been perfect apart from a shock absorber which has started leaking recently, its upto 108k now.
Really fun little cars, I`ve had what maybe considered better cars in the past 530d, Audi TT, and drive a 60 plate 320d M sport or EOS in work, the Clio`s handling is superb it just seems to just hold on the grip is phenomenal, on the "usk" road for any local people it will show up some serious motors
I use it mainly for work and will easily do 40mpg if sticking to the speed limit on the motorway, it averages between about 30mpg and 35mpg depending on how you drive it. Went from London to Manchester to Newport it today it averaged 38mpg @ 80ish
So superb handling, 40mpg on a run, 0 - 60 sub 7 seconds, excellent spec. Just make sure you get a good one
Its also got a good spec, with cruise, xenons, cd multichanger, climate control, half leather.
I had the steering wheel re-trimmed as the old when had literally melted. Mine has been perfect apart from a shock absorber which has started leaking recently, its upto 108k now.
Really fun little cars, I`ve had what maybe considered better cars in the past 530d, Audi TT, and drive a 60 plate 320d M sport or EOS in work, the Clio`s handling is superb it just seems to just hold on the grip is phenomenal, on the "usk" road for any local people it will show up some serious motors
I use it mainly for work and will easily do 40mpg if sticking to the speed limit on the motorway, it averages between about 30mpg and 35mpg depending on how you drive it. Went from London to Manchester to Newport it today it averaged 38mpg @ 80ish
So superb handling, 40mpg on a run, 0 - 60 sub 7 seconds, excellent spec. Just make sure you get a good one
Its also got a good spec, with cruise, xenons, cd multichanger, climate control, half leather.
Edited by coley20 on Wednesday 12th January 19:53
aka_kerrly said:
I have only had the misfortune of having to drive a Jimny once and it made my 10 year old fiesta feel solid. Web have a grand vitara at work as a fleet car and its pretty awful to drive as well due to being only a 1.6, its saving grace is a pretty good interior though.
Then I reckon you are either a big softy or have some pretty unrealistic expectations 
Personally I like 4x4's to be.... well 4x4's. I don't want one to drive like a car - that's the fun of them
aka_kerrly said:
Both the suzukis when compared to the LR defender, freelander, Rav4 are well outclassed
Defender is hugely more money and certainly isn't as peppy or nimble as a Jimny.And a Freelander doesn't have a low box if you want a "proper off roader" (not saying the OP does, but see my comment above about what I like about 4x4's
)aka_kerrly said:
If you are going to go 4x4 then why not get a Discovry 3door TDI as a full size 4x4 which still offers around 3-40mpg
I hate to burst your bubble, but a Tdi will NOT do 40mpg, in fact for most it'll struggle to get anywhere near 30mpg.Normal driving I'd say 24-26mpg is very realistic with highs of around 28mpg. Few will truly get them to 30mpg or above.
In fact my 200Tdi will often be around the 19-21mpg range!!!
And just as a side note, while I love driving LR's (I'm a HUGE Land Rover nutcase and have been involved with them all my life). A stock Tdi is pretty sluggish, and while a tweaked one might be quicker than a 1.3 Jimny it won't actually feel as lively or as nimble.
The Jimny also won't leak
-- Comments from a 3 door TDi Disco owner
--aka_kerrly said:
and have some fun doing organised off road events
A Jimny at least is just as capable as any LR. Ladder chassis, good suspension travel and live axles. It'll match or beat a Defender any time. Vitara's are also used in off road hill rallying and comp safaris.aka_kerrly said:
or perhaps something a little less full on off roader like a RAV or HOnda CR-V which are still capable of dealing with snow/ice/flood water but actually drive quite well and with 2.0L petrol or diesel engines aren't THAT slow.
The Rav 4 is fugly. And my brother has a Honda HR-V.These are fine vehicles if it's what you want, for me I'd rather either have a car or a proper 4x4 though. These are sort of neither. Oh and BTW, my Jeep Cherokee is quite a lot faster than my brothers HR-V although I admit the Honda can corner at higher speed - but that doesn't mean its any more fun.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Thursday 13th January 13:43
300bhp/ton said:
aka_kerrly said:
I have only had the misfortune of having to drive a Jimny once and it made my 10 year old fiesta feel solid. Web have a grand vitara at work as a fleet car and its pretty awful to drive as well due to being only a 1.6, its saving grace is a pretty good interior though.
Then I reckon you are either a big softy or have some pretty unrealistic expectations Personally I like 4x4's to be.... well 4x4's. I don't want one to drive like a car - that's the fun of them
aka_kerrly said:
Both the suzukis when compared to the LR defender, freelander, Rav4 are well outclassed
Defender is hugely more money and certainly isn't a peppy or nimble as a Jimny.And a Freelander doesn't have a low box if you want a "proper off roader" (not saying the OP does, but see my comment above about what I like about 4x4's
)aka_kerrly said:
If you are going to go 4x4 then why not get a Discovry 3door TDI as a full size 4x4 which still offers around 3-40mpg
I hate to burst your bubble, but a Tdi will NOT do 40mpg, in fact for most it'll struggle to get anywhere near 30mpg.Normal driving I'd say 24-26mpg is very realistic with highs of around 28mpg. Few will truly get them to 30mpg or above.
In fact my 200Tdi will often be around the 19-21mpg range!!!
And just as a side note, while I love driving LR's (I'm a HUGE Land Rover nutcase and have been involved with them all my life). A stock Tdi is pretty sluggish, and while a tweaked one might be quicker than a 1.3 Jimny it won't actually feel as lively or as nimble.
The Jimny also won't leak
Comment from a 3 door TDi Disco owner
-------aka_kerrly said:
and have some fun doing organised off road events
A Jimny at least is just as capable as any LR. Ladder chassis, good suspension travel and live axles. It'll match or beat a Defender any time. Vitara's are also used in off road hill rallying and comp safaris.aka_kerrly said:
or perhaps something a little less full on off roader like a RAV or HOnda CR-V which are still capable of dealing with snow/ice/flood water but actually drive quite well and with 2.0L petrol or diesel engines aren't THAT slow.
The Rav 4 is fugly. And my brother has a Honda HR-V.These are fine vehicles if it's what you want, for me I'd rather either have a car or a proper 4x4 though. These are sort of neither. Oh and BTW, my Jeep Cherokee is quite a lot faster than my brothers HR-V although I admit the Honda can corner at higher speed - but that doesn't mean its any more fun.
aka_kerrly said:
durbster said:
aka_kerrly said:
...If you are going to go 4x4...
OP never said they wanted a 4x4.Sorry for the curt reply but I could see this thread turning into yet another completely irrelevant discussion about 4x4s so tried to nip it in the bud for the OP's sake (looks like I failed)
Edited by durbster on Thursday 13th January 15:04
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