Banger for the winter (£800 - £1000).

numnutz

numnutz

numnutz

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Planning on taking my volvo 480 off the road at the end of November (possible engine overhaul, bigger turbo, watch this space) , so im on the hunt for a replacement to run over the winter and sell on next year, with minimum loss on money.

Ive got a 10mile round trip commute to work, so fuel economy aint the most important factor. However i do need it to be ok on the motorway as im making trips up to newcastle ever couple of weeks (eek 450 mile round trip). Ideally 30MPG+ would be nice.

Primary concern, reliability. Needs to get me from A -> B without breaking down. Ill be working on it myself if it does, so needs to be cheap on parts and simple to work on if possible.

Thoughts so far are maybe a Xsara or a pug 306?

Any others?
 
Mondeo?

Rover 220 Diesel or K series?

Xantia HDI?

306 would be a bit old for this sort of money id guess, but not sure.
 
how about a dirt cheap Volvo 340/360/440. Must be a few of those old bangers around for the winter, plentiful supply of bits from breakers. Had an old 340 that looked a bit rusty but the engine was built like a tank, i remmebr water pumped leaked once, paid £15 for a new pump from local motorfactor and had it fitted in under an hour and i had never fitted a water pump before!!
These old volvos don't attract any attention from the thieves/joy riders and they are as cheap as chips to insure.

Rob H
 
Berger said:
Mondeo?

Rover 220 Diesel or K series?

Xantia HDI?

306 would be a bit old for this sort of money id guess, but not sure.
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Depends on what you define as old. My 98 R plate went for £800 and I felt like I'd shafted the guy :o

Anyway I'd be looking at a mk2 Mondeo personally :)
 
I bought a P reg Nissan Primera SRi a couple of years ago for £675 and it has been a brilliant buy. It's got 130k on it now and it still feels like it will go forever and has had no problems since I've had it. Just had it serviced and MOT'd last week and it sailed through without a problem.

I'm about to upgrade it now that I have finished saving for a faster car now, but in some ways I am hesitant because the primera has been so good.
 
recently i got rid of an n reg nissan primera sri (p10) for £500.

Ive had absolutely trillions of cars in my 20 years of motoring and £ for £ this was the best. It still drove like it was brand new and was simply an amazing car.

Not had the p11 model but i reckon either of these would be a wise choice. Seriously.
 
R124/LA420 said:
Spoken for truth, although a mate of mine got rid of his D reg 280k+ mile 740 due to its sub 20 MPG......
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I have the 2.3 litre 740GLE. It has a suprising turn of speed when needed, and i recently got 400 miles to £45 of petrol (motorway miles)

Normally get around 250 miles to £45. It never needs anything apart from oil and filter changes every so often :D
 
James_N said:
I have the 2.3 litre 740GLE. It has a suprising turn of speed when needed, and i recently got 400 miles to £45 of petrol (motorway miles)

Normally get around 250 miles to £45. It never needs anything apart from oil and filter changes every so often :D
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Yes iirc his was a 2.3 (4 pot) great car, he's spent any saving on fuel keeping the crap Calibra he replaced the Volvo with, on the road!

Never been my #1 choice Volvo's, but from a durability point of view, Volvo & Saab / Scania take some beating in both car & truck form.

Something about swedish vehicles, must build them from granite or something! :D
 
mattpc said:
Supercar fuel economy for shopping trolley performance!:p
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Any petrol car isnt going to be amazing around town, but as above, they are suprisingly good on a run, and given they are so cheap to buy in the first place, you can afford the extra tank of petrol here and there ;)
 
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