Most economical car for £1k (or less)

[MikeHiow]

It has to be really quite economical, and reasonably reliable. It also needs to be fairly comfortable - as it'll likely be where I reside for four hours each day for a while.

Needs to be cheap to insure, as it'll be a third car so nothing that would normally attract youngsters etc.

I think the best I've come up with is a 2.0 HDI Xsara or Octavia 1.9TDI which both have book figures of 53MPG.

I'm open to suggestions of something a little more expensive if it is significantly better, or will provide significant economy gains.

I don't think the usual 'Mondeo' thing really works here - according to the Book figures it is down 10MPG on the Xsara (I'm quite aware of their differences, before anyone steps in there ). That said, a MK3 2.0TD seems almost acceptable going by the book figures, but its both an economy hit and at the very top of/over the budget.

 

[The Edge]

I'd go with an octavia. VW Passat is acheivable, albeit with high miles but at this you have to compromise somewhere.

 

[realscot]

Had a customers 02 plate mondeo tdci in for MOT yesterday and it was showing average of 53mpg on the dials, granted it was an older bloke but shows what is possible. The Skoda would probably be better mind you, and i'd avoid the Xsara if you have to be in it for 4hrs a day. You could get the TDCI for your budget if you get one with 130k ish miles thats a little bit on the rough side, but hey if its only for eating up miles.
Very hard to get a decent diesel for around £1k as there's such a big demand, hence people can ask more than they are worth and usually get it. My advice would be go to an auction and take a punt on one there, sometimes you do get a bloody good deal.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Four HOURS of commuting a day? And into central London?

Why is this even being considered?

 

[v0n]

Four HOURS of commuting a day? And into central London?

Why is this even being considered?

Why is it strange? I do 3-4 hours commute day from Kent to White City in West London for years. That's what most of us in the office building do.
I was spending nearly 2 hours a day commuting under the surface of the earth in public transport when I actually lived in London..

 

[the_r_sole]

i was looking at a glof 1.9 at the weekend advertised at 1250, was in good nick, 90 odd k on the clock, probably the same engine as the passat but might be a bit easier on the fuel

 

[Will Gill]

4 hours of commuting per day on a 1k car surely is inviting a world of trouble?

 

[DJMK4]

4 hours of commuting per day on a 1k car surely is inviting a world of trouble?

This

It wont last you long before its broken or costs you more than £1k in repair bills.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Why is it strange? I do 3-4 hours commute day from Kent to White City in West London for years. That's what most of us in the office building do.
I was spending nearly 2 hours a day commuting under the surface of the earth in public transport when I actually lived in London..

He lives on the Isle of Wight!

 

[DJMK4]

He lives on the Isle of Wight!

Is it even possible to do a 4 hour commute on the Isle of white? unless your driving round the circumference of the island a few times

 

[neil3k]

Is it even possible to do a 4 hour commute on the Isle of white? unless your driving round the circumference of the island a few times

he works in london.

 

[DJMK4]

he works in london.

Ah, still, I would no way be thinking of a 4 hour commute a day, in a £1k car, its asking for trouble, not unless it had hardly been used.

As

A) Reliability is going to be questionable
B) With 4 miles commuting every day, you are going to be racking up some mileage and that's without personal mileage.

 

[Blackhawk47]

Is a jaguar xj diesel out of the question?

These less than £1k car threads are something I find bizarre unless you want a 10 year old ragged taxi as a commuting car.

 

[MikeHiow]

Four HOURS of commuting a day? And into central London?

Why is this even being considered?

Because some of us have mouths to feed.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Because some of us have mouths to feed.

So the only way to have a family on the Isle of wight is to drive to London and back daily?

You will never see your family anyway as you will be doing 10 hour door to door days.

 

[EddScott]

Four HOURS of commuting a day?

Theres something to be said for living in rural areas. I find 4 minutes a chore

Hence why I can get away with a 4.0L Jeep


As for the question. Skoda I would say. Guy in work has one and its proved quite reliable.

 

[MikeHiow]

So the only way to have a family on the Isle of wight is to drive to London and back daily?

You will never see your family anyway as you will be doing 10 hour door to door days.

Without drag it out too far, it is a possibility, yes - you asked why is it a consideration. Besides, it would be three days a week most weeks.

When faced with a commute or looking for a new job, in a time where jobs are hardly available in abundance, you need to consider doing whatever neccesary to get the job done.

 

[Will Gill]

regardless of the cost of the car, How much will 8 hours driving cost per day ?

Really doesnt sound like a well thought out plan, cost of running and maintaining an old 1k heap will negate any salary increase London affords

 

[eatcustard]

OP

move closer to job!!!!1

 

[Will Gill]

OP

move closer to job!!!!1

Well I also thought about posting that but the costs involved there are even greater both financially and emotionally

Personally I can't see either being a valid option, its a tough world out there but there is plenty of work around if you actually bother to find it and chase it.