Small diesel 2k

[CX53]

Currently spending a small fortune on fuel in a car that's done 180k miles. I'd like to keep it, transfer the insurance to a cheap classic policy and buy something to halve my fuel costs. My experience of small petrols (especially the way I drive...) is that they aren't all that economical.

I'm not usually a fan of diesels but the power delivery with a turbo makes for decent driveability with the economy.

I don't want to spend much otherwise I may as well just keep fuelling my current car. Around the 2k mark would be great because it would pay for itself in a few months and then start saving me £'s.

I don't know much about small diesels so if anyone has experience with the following engines I'd be grateful to hear... Any inherent problems or likely failures:

1.4 TDI (polo, Audi A2 etc)
1.4 HDI or 1.6 HDI (pug 207 etc)
1.4 TDCi (fiesta)
1.3 CDTi (corsa)
1.3 multi jet (punto - is this the same as the Vauxhall?)
1.5 dci (Clio, megane)

Anything else I should consider or avoid? Could spend a little more if need be. I'm aware diesel failures can be costly but if it works out then I'll have saved considerably over a sluggish old petrol. Cheers all.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say go for the 1.9 diesel Punto decent poke lots of torque, still good on fuel also with the extra power you won't be on the gas as much meaning you will get closer to the fuel figures rather than being hard on the throttle more of the time & pretty bullet proof.

2006
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Or the later 1.6 version with the £30 road tax

2009
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[CX53]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say go for the 1.9 diesel Punto decent poke lots of torque, still good on fuel also with the extra power you won't be on the gas as much meaning you will get closer to the fuel figures rather than being hard on the throttle more of the time & pretty bullet proof.

2006
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Or the later 1.6 version with the £30 road tax

2009
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Thanks definitely worth considering, you're probably right about the extra poke, won't be working as hard, might do the economy some good. Quite like the puntos, was impressed with my panda 100hp's servicing costs so I can't see this being a million miles away, reasonable amount of kit etc.

Is the Renault 1.9 dci also worth looking at I wonder...

[ZX10R NIN]

Not sure as you only get that in Megane form & that is a hard car to look at, unless of course it's the 175bhp 2.0 diesel Renaultsport version but they all have high mileage.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

If you want something bigger then the Alfa 147 is worth a look to.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Or Nissan Almera (well under budget) FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[rallycross]

From experience of driving lots of different cheap small cars two diesels under £2k I'd recommend looking into are

1. Polo 1.9 Tdi sport model or Gt Tdi model 130 bhp 6 speed. Also worth considering the 1.9 100 bhp model 5 speed. These models have really good seats, the car is fine for long journeys, decent handling actually better than similar aged Golfs, great economy, 50 mpg av should be possible even driving quite hard. Polo's always hold their value well so expect a £2k one to have big mileage or be quite old if sub 100k miles, loads to chose from.

2. Colt CZ DiD model 1500cc Mercedes 3 cylinder diesel engine 100 bhp, the 5 door model is a bit like a Honda Jazz but cheaper to buy, get a manual one they are fairly bullet proof, chain driven motor, 5 speed, they are a bit noisy but go well for a cheap diesel you should find a 2007/2008 for £2k.

3. Seat version of the Polo 130 is the Ibiza 3 door model 1.9 diesel, cheaper than a polo but at £2k will feel a bit cheap and nasty inside and the ride is a bit harsh v's Polo which feels a lot more car than the Seat.

[Evanivitch]

Anything Volkswagen group with a 1.9TDi PD engine, pre DPF and in 100hp version will probably come without a Dual Mass Flywheel too.

Fabia, Polo, Golf, Octavia, Leon, Ibiza, Passat.

Really just a matter of what you find in the right condition and how comfortable you'd like to be.

[CX53]

ZX10R NIN said:

Not sure as you only get that in Megane form & that is a hard car to look at, unless of course it's the 175bhp 2.0 diesel Renaultsport version but they all have high mileage.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

If you want something bigger then the Alfa 147 is worth a look to.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Or Nissan Almera (well under budget) FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Funny you should mention the almera, I had a petrol one as my first car and really liked it! I think I'd prefer something a bit more stylish though this time, but I know the 2.2 goes well.

Thank you for the links, food for thought there

[CX53]

Thanks both for the VAG suggestions. I've had two in the past, octavia and Bora. Both incredibly uninspiring.. I think if I had to, I'd perhaps try the Ibiza or polo instead perhaps. Never had any reliability issues with either.

Had another go in my friends MK4 mondeo 2.0 tdci earlier. Each time I drive one I like them, my dads had a couple now, but can't shake the dad image, and would have to stretch the budget... With a remap they seem to go pretty well and still have the economy too. Although I'd prefer something smaller.

Will have a browse on the classifieds at some of the above suggestions anyway.

Cheers.

[Johnny 89]

Currently driving a sub 2k Alfa GT with the 1.9 JTD

It's a good mix of economy, style and comfort.

[CDP]

Me and a friend did a 1500 mile run round the Scottish highlands in a Polo 1.4 TDI. On those roads it was actually quite a lot of fun. While it was hardly a rocket ship it didn't feel underpowered. 60 mpg too.

I wonder if the three cylinder is going to handle better than the 1.9 due to the marginally lower weight on the front wheels.

I guess you're already thinking Skoda and Seat as well.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd still take the Punto out of those listed:

2008 57k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2007 79k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

If you want VAG then the Ibiza is worth a look but IMO the Punto has more appeal:

2008 Ibiza 80k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Get some test drives in

[CX53]

Johnny 89 said:

Currently driving a sub 2k Alfa GT with the 1.9 JTD

It's a good mix of economy, style and comfort.

Good looking cars! Hard to believe they're so cheap now...

[CX53]

CDP said:

Me and a friend did a 1500 mile run round the Scottish highlands in a Polo 1.4 TDI. On those roads it was actually quite a lot of fun. While it was hardly a rocket ship it didn't feel underpowered. 60 mpg too.

I wonder if the three cylinder is going to handle better than the 1.9 due to the marginally lower weight on the front wheels.

I guess you're already thinking Skoda and Seat as well.

That's the main reason for me looking for a turbo diesel, because a small petrol with good economy, 1.0 things etc are glacial and feel pretty underpowered in comparison. Polo is definitely worth a look but I've been fairly uninspired by the VAG cars I've had so far.

[CX53]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd still take the Punto out of those listed:

2008 57k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2007 79k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

If you want VAG then the Ibiza is worth a look but IMO the Punto has more appeal:

2008 Ibiza 80k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Get some test drives in

Thanks for the links!!

I agree the punto definitely has more appeal. Would never have thought of them if you didn't mention them..

Someone will no doubt come along and say they're rubbish compared to the German offerings but I was pretty impressed with the fiat I've had.

[GSalt]

CX53 said:

I agree the punto definitely has more appeal. Would never have thought of them if you didn't mention them..

I've had two (petrol) Puntos over the years and they're nice cars to drive. There's a very active Fiat Forum with lots of info and driver/owner experience.

I suggest avoiding the Dualogic models, lovely semi-auto when it works but when it doesn't it can be terminal and few garages (and even fewer main dealers) will touch them.

[CX53]

The search has gone from just seeing what's out there and browsing, to - I need to get another car quick!

Flicking through my bank statements online, in September I spent £625 on fuel, and last month £480. Wasn't paying much attention but think I should do now haha.

Going to broaden the search to look at bigger cars too, and the budget could possibly strecth too, up to 4K. Still keen on these little puntos though, just a couple of grand seems to get a really good one!

[ZX10R NIN]

Not the best looking but a Nissan Primera is still in the original budget:

2003 Primera 48k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

4k Lands you a nice Mondeo sized car:

2007 Mondeo Titanium X 65k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2009 Insignia 70k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2010 71k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2007 Honda Accord Sport 63k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Small Hatch wise at 4k there are lots of options:

2009 Alfa 147 Collezione 57k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2009 Clio GT 53k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2007 Megane GT 58k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

I can also recommend the Mercedes diesels at 4K you'll get a good one & they're pretty much bulletproof, also in 270 form there's no DPF to worry about.

2003 CLK270 Avantgarde 70k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2005 C220 Sport (3 Door Hatchback) 63k Full MB Service History

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2005 C220 Avantgarde SE 70k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Out of that lot I'd be taking a good look at the C220 Sport but from what you've said the Punto's at 2k will do the job, but if you spend 4k then that lands you a 2011 model.

2011 Punto Sporting 66k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[V12biTurbo]

If you're on about keeping your current car OP then, and I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but have you thought about a smart car as a second car?

You clearly do a lot of miles, so an auto might be good for traffic, the 0.8 cdi does a combined 80 odd MPG, reported real world figures of 70.

Obviously it depends on how much motorway blasting you do but that could cut that £600 fuel bill in 3 to £200, and £400 spare cash isn't to be sniffed at.

Of course some people would rather be shot than drive one of these types of cars for any great distance, but my GF's one has impressed me whenever I've had a go in it.

[ZX10R NIN]

I loved my Smart Diesel I even had it mapped it was a right giggle I sold it two years later with another 20k on the clock for £500 less than I paid for it, oh & then there was the fact I didn't have to pay congestion charge or Road Tax but even though I took it to Birmingham on a couple of occasions I'd have to say these are city cars.

[V12biTurbo]

ZX10R NIN said:

I loved my Smart Diesel I even had it mapped it was a right giggle I sold it two years later with another 20k on the clock for £500 less than I paid for it, oh & then there was the fact I didn't have to pay congestion charge or Road Tax but even though I took it to Birmingham on a couple of occasions I'd have to say these are city cars.

I'd agree, city cars for sure, not sure what sort of driving the OP is doing. It might be worth putting up with while doing the more boring miles if they have a more interesting second car, it's a massive fuel saving!!