Economic car for £1k - £1.5k ?

mr tommo · 25 Sep 2008 at 10:51

Im thinking of having an S2000 or Z4 for around £10-11k in the summer.

However I will be doing approximately 25,000 to 30,000 miles a year as from next year.

Obviously I dont want to be doing that in an S2000 or Z4 as it will be worth nothing in a couple of years and id prefer to have the car as more of a play thing.

So... If i was to spend around £1k - 1.5k on a second vehicle what would you recommend?

Insurance is not a problem as it will be insured as a company vehicle.

Fuel economy is the main aim here.
Not bothered about performance... Thats what my other car will be for

Size - not bothered, anything will be fine.
Got to be fairly reliable as I dont fancy getting on personal terms with the AA helpline.

So..where would your money go?

EDIT/ I dont want to compromise and get one car that does both. Ive had my heart set on the S2000 & Z4 for a long long time...So long that logic no longer comes into it

Shimmy · 25 Sep 2008 at 10:53

Mondeo 2.5 V6 Ghia.

L0rdMike · 25 Sep 2008 at 10:55

Shimmy said:
Mondeo 2.5 V6 Ghia.

I would have thought the 2.0 would have been a better choice as he wants better economy.

mr tommo · 25 Sep 2008 at 11:12

Shimmy said:
Mondeo 2.5 V6 Ghia.

Thanks for reading my thread title.

Malt_Vinegar · 25 Sep 2008 at 11:18

Perhaps an old Derv and some chip fat

Rybo89 · 25 Sep 2008 at 11:22

All your going to get from these lot is either Mondeo or Bmw

look around and check the cars specifications on www.wisebuyers.co.uk

mr tommo · 25 Sep 2008 at 11:24

Was thinking along the lines of
206 , 306 , Xsara.. not really clued up on other diesels tbh.

AndrewP · 25 Sep 2008 at 11:27

Something Peugeot/Citroen with the HDi engine would be my suggestion, so 306/406/Xsara/Xantia. The Citroens are probably better value, though the Xantia is more complex so I'd have a Xsara (and did a couple of years ago

).

mr tommo · 25 Sep 2008 at 11:39

AndrewP said:
Something Peugeot/Citroen with the HDi engine would be my suggestion, so 306/406/Xsara/Xantia. The Citroens are probably better value, though the Xantia is more complex so I'd have a Xsara (and did a couple of years ago ).

Xsara is favourite so far tbh. What kinda MPG you getting mate?

Shimmy · 25 Sep 2008 at 11:40

mr tommo said:
Thanks for reading my thread title.

You're welcome :confused:

Yes, I could have said a four pot in the Mondeo; but if it were my choice I would prefer the 6 pot for larger mileage in Ghia form. The economy isn't vastly different anyway, you asked for a cheap and reliable to run £1-£1.5k car for motorway mileage. Not only did I read the title, I read the OP. (Go Me!)

The reason I didn't offer a city diesel, is because you will be doing big motorway mileage. You will want something comfortable to do it in, even if it's slightly more thirsty in fuel.

If it had to be a diesel, maybe something like a 405/6 derv?

AndrewP · 25 Sep 2008 at 11:45

Shimmy said:
The economy isn't vastly different anyway

You what? To kill two birds with one stone, I've a Mondeo V6 now and the best I've managed is 33-34mpg (with a taller 5th gear). On the same route my Xsara hovered close to 60mpg. That was mostly A-road driving, pushing up to motorway speeds knocks a few mpg off both.

Shimmy · 25 Sep 2008 at 11:49

Shimmy said:
You're welcome

Yes, I could have said a four pot in the Mondeo; but if it were my choice I would prefer the 6 pot for larger mileage in Ghia form. The economy isn't vastly different anyway, you asked for a cheap and reliable to run £1-£1.5k car for motorway mileage.

AndrewP said:
You what? To kill two birds with one stone, I've a Mondeo V6 now and the best I've managed is 33-34mpg (with a taller 5th gear). On the same route my Xsara hovered close to 60mpg. That was mostly A-road driving, pushing up to motorway speeds knocks a few mpg off both.

Now tell me, where did I mention anything about a Xantia or any other diesel to compare to.

mr tommo · 25 Sep 2008 at 12:42

Shimmy said:
You're welcome

Yes, I could have said a four pot in the Mondeo; but if it were my choice I would prefer the 6 pot for larger mileage in Ghia form. The economy isn't vastly different anyway, you asked for a cheap and reliable to run £1-£1.5k car for motorway mileage. Not only did I read the title, I read the OP. (Go Me!)

The reason I didn't offer a city diesel, is because you will be doing big motorway mileage. You will want something comfortable to do it in, even if it's slightly more thirsty in fuel.

If it had to be a diesel, maybe something like a 405/6 derv?

Fair enough. Its just fuel economy is the main factor here. plus I presumed you were being like the majority of people in motors who never read the OP and suggest S2000's to people after family cars

. Id rather be getting 55mpg in a Xsara hatchback with no power than 35 in a V6 modeo.

For example...annual fuel for 30,000 pa
Modeo @ 35mpg = £3850
Xsara @ 55mpg = £2450

Thats £1400 a year saving in petrol alone. which id rather not pay for the priveledge of driving a Mmondeo over a Xsara

L0rdMike · 25 Sep 2008 at 12:45

mr tommo said:
Fair enough. Its just fuel economy is the main factor here. Id rather be getting 55mpg in a Xsara hatchback with no power than 35 in a V6 modeo.

For example...annual fuel for 30,000 pa
Modeo @ 35mpg = £3850
Xsara @ 55mpg = £2450

Thats £1400 a year saving in petrol alone.

I make it a £3850 saving in petrol.

SiHH · 25 Sep 2008 at 13:44

BMW 318TDS

I have recently bought a P reg one mainly for work as I do lots of miles and needed the estate for practicality.

If im careful I can get over 60mpg on the motorway, even higher in some cases and consistantly get around the 50mpg mark around town once I get going.

Car cost me £1400 and all i've spent on it so far was a few quid for a diesel filter, oil filter, pollen filter (which i cant fit its bloody tricky!).

It runs great, no problems whatsoever.

fonzee · 25 Sep 2008 at 13:50

someone mention Xsara?

probably looking at '02 HDI 110 SX's for that money. solid cars generally.

(plus they remap to 145ish easily and economy is further improved

)

i've seen some '03 ones with 70-80k on clock go for that on the 'bay too, stupidly cheap.

The Edge · 25 Sep 2008 at 16:17

I wouldn't say the Xantia is complex, but it is differant. I'd rather have one of those than a Xsara, but i need the bigger car.

If you're worried about potential problems with the hydractive suspension, go for one with history that has been well maintained

[TW]Fox · 25 Sep 2008 at 16:22

Rybo89 said:
All your going to get from these lot is either Mondeo or Bmw

Not this crap again :rolleyes:

mr tommo said:
Was thinking along the lines of
206 , 306 , Xsara.. not really clued up on other diesels tbh.

AndrewP said:
Something Peugeot/Citroen with the HDi engine would be my suggestion, so 306/406/Xsara/Xantia. The Citroens are probably better value, though the Xantia is more complex so I'd have a Xsara (and did a couple of years ago ).

That shut you up, much?

[TW]Fox · 25 Sep 2008 at 16:23

mr tommo said:
Id rather be getting 55mpg in a Xsara hatchback with no power than 35 in a V6 modeo.

For example...annual fuel for 30,000 pa
Modeo @ 35mpg = £3850
Xsara @ 55mpg = £2450

Thats £1400 a year saving in petrol alone. which id rather not pay for the priveledge of driving a Mmondeo over a Xsara

I would - or if you like change 'Mondeo' for anything similar - the Xsara is NOT a long distance car, 30k a year in a Xsara would drive me insane. It's a good car - I've recommended them lots - but it isn't a mile muncher, its a small hatch.

Anyway the difference is far less if you ignore V6 engines - which I agree is a silly thing to buy - and go for a smaller 4 pot petrol or diesel. Whatever - just make the car 406 sized. You'll thank me for it after 6 months. The nicer your car is inside the less tedious and soul destroying lots of driving can be.

OllyM · 25 Sep 2008 at 16:26

Do you ever actually buy a car after these spec me threads you seem to post weekly? I'm sure I remember your last million and one and don't think you've ever actually acted on any of the advice given!