3k budget

[Citylad]

Any recommendations for a diesel car with a budget of around 3k?
Looking for comfort and reliability.
Thinking an insignia as they are the most comfortable car I've ever driven but it's hit and miss whether you get an absolute pig or a decent runner.

[Brassblaster]

Depends what other requirements you have...

And how old you're willing to go.

Me?
On 3k I'd be looking at P2 Volvo S60 D5's (slight preference for the euro 3, though the euro 4 isn't unreliable if you're doing the miles) and manual boxes.
Diesel engines don't get better than that at this price point, seats are superb, spares plentiful, etc.

Okay you'd be looking at early 05's at latest for Euro 3 (non-dpf) which might put a few people off, but these engines are usually good for 250k+ if they've been looked after anywhere near properly - for me, buying one with 150k+ on the clock is less risky than an Insignia with half that (to each their own!).

If euro 4 and DPF/etc doesn't bother you at all then you can find some pretty decent deals on P3 S80's with that D5 (or the detuned 2.4D version) as well as the last year's of the P2 S60's.

Either S60's or S80's are fairly easy to work on yourself, too, if that's your bag... Just avoid the 1.6D (16v).


Food for thought maybe - that's what I'd be thinking on 3k at least.

[oceanview]

I would go with a Mondeo 2.0 TDCI over the Insignia.

Better drive and engine not as troublesome as CDTI in the Vauxhall.

[ZX10R NIN]

Citylad said:

Any recommendations for a diesel car with a budget of around 3k?
Looking for comfort and reliability.
Thinking an insignia as they are the most comfortable car I've ever driven but it's hit and miss whether you get an absolute pig or a decent runner.

The thing with Insignia's of this era is that you have to sort the oil pick up pipe as it gets clogged up over time, it's not an overly expensive preventative fix but it does add to the cost.

If you don't need four doors then the CLK270cdi is the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208208...

320cdi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208208...

Rep car wise at the last of the line Laguna is a very good buy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207077...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204194...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208088...

Citroen C5 VTR+:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208319...

[G111MDS]

Audi A2 TDi. You should be able to find a good one with lots of history for that.

[georgeyboy12345]

If you want a reliable diesel for only £3k, I'd be looking at older stuff that has less things on it to fail, so pre-2006 with no DPF, ideally a torque converter automatic, as it'll likely have high miles on and a manual will probably wanting a new clutch.

Volvo S80 2.4 D5 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206106...


Mercedes W211 E220 CDI Avantgarde
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208158...


BMW E39 530d SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208098...


Peugeot 407 HDi Zenith
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207147...


Skoda Superb 2.5 TDI V6 Comfort
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207127...