Are There Any Cheap FUN Diesels?

[KTMsm]

I'm looking for a cheap to run, car for my daughter and wondering if any cheap diesels are actually fun to drive ?

My initial thoughts were Swift 1.3TD (apparently it's a Fiat engine) or the old Fabia vrs

[Al U]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309272...

You haven't defined what cheap is. But this could be considered cheap and fun to some people.

[Belle427]

The Fabia is ok but most are battered now with knackered suspension etc but they are quite good fun and great on fuel if you can find a good one.

[Alfa Pete]

We have a 2010 Fiesta TDCi.
That’s pretty good fun. Only 95bhp but quite torquey and decent handling.
Picked ours up for £1350 from someone in London as no longer ULEZ compliant.

[biggbn]

F56 Mini One D. Had mine five years, pretty worthless now, love it, huge fun.

[Ezra]

Can I ask....what's the budget and why, specifically, diesel?

[Patrick Bateman]

If the car itself is fun it will have nothing to do with a diesel engine IMO.

[KTMsm]

Ideally sub 2k

Better mpg

I'm aware that diesels generally aren't fun, hence the question

[Tam_Mullen]

Would agree with others, considering the budget. R56 Mini diesel, my girlfriend has one and its really quite a nice thing to drive. Theyre overly complicated electronically though is the only thing, hers always has warning lights up.

Another vote for the Mk6 Fiesta Zetec S TDCi, same engine as the Mini (I think?) for a diesel its quite happy to rev (up to about 4.5k revs)

Fabia VRS diesel, but as others have said, it will be tough to find a good one that hasnt been neglected.

I had a Mk5 Golf with the 1.9pd engine, it was only 105hp but you'd get 140ish with a remap, and it was a pretty nice handling car.

[biggbn]

KTMsm said:

Ideally sub 2k

Better mpg

I'm aware that diesels generally aren't fun, hence the question

Polo 1.4tdi or a Golf/Beetle with the 1.9 tdi. 2k is the old £500 banger sadly. You might have to forgo the 'fun' part. Remember a small engined, light petrol won't be that much different than an older small diesel on fuel? Can't comment on the earler mini shape.

[VeeReihenmotor6]

I know you say diesel for economy but what about something like this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

1.2 TSI, should get similar economy cost figures to a diesel considering difference in fuel price.

My wife has a 1.0 TFSI in a Q2 and i regularly get 50mpg out of it on a trip 10miles+ or at least 42 on a short local trip.

[biggbn]

VeeReihenmotor6 said:

I know you say diesel for economy but what about something like this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311113...

1.2 TSI, should get similar economy cost figures to a diesel considering difference in fuel price.

My wife has a 1.0 TFSI in a Q2 and i regularly get 50mpg out of it on a trip 10miles+ or at least 42 on a short local trip.

Good shout!

[jrock78]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402116...

How about a nice looking Brera

[georgeyboy12345]

Why does she need a diesel? Is she clocking up over 12,000 miles a year? If not, then just stick with petrol.

[BrettMRC]

Find an old 405 with the 1.9TD, they were quite a lot of fun.

[Drive Blind]

the majority of £2K diesels are going to be 120K miles plus. At that age and miles any car could throw a dpf, dmf, egr fault that could cost close to £1K to fix.

I'd be looking at NA patrols if possible, less to go wrong.

If you must have a diesel, how about,

Ibiza 2l FR

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Mito

[Ezra]

At that budget I'd forget the diesel criteria - could well be a false economy between maybe slightly better mpg vs lots of this going wrong.

My daughter has a 2014 Citigo. Little 1.0 petrol engine, manual, 5 door. She regularly gets 50+mpg, it's a fun little car and has been totally reliable. She was away for the whole summer last year and left the car with me. I'd regularly use it cos it was a good drive. I'd stretch the budget a bit and look at one of these.

[Mr Whippy]

BrettMRC said:

Find an old 405 with the 1.9TD, they were quite a lot of fun.

Decent ones aren’t cheap any more.

1.6HDi 206 with GTi180 bits, and a remap.

50mpg easily and 140bhp in a 1100kg car is pretty fun.

[biggbn]

Panda 1.3td or 500 wit the same engine?

Edited by biggbn on Thursday 15th February 23:07

[Tim Cognito]

Yaris 1.4 d4d?