Car recommendations, cheap to run

IvanDobskey · 19 Mar 2018 at 11:16

My mk2 TT is getting on a bit now and is likely going to start throwing up bills. So I want to trade it in for something newer and cheaper to run.

My car is worth about 5k and I have about 2k cash on top. Want something economical, low tax, at least 2012 and not totally gutless.

Any ideas? Are diesels a bad idea right now?

Fusion · 19 Mar 2018 at 11:26

Preferred brands/fuel/body style? How much power does it need to not be "totally gutless"?

Focus is the obvious choice. 1.0 ecoboost petol, 125ps is £30/year tax, would that be powerful enough? You can get Golfs for that price, but they're likely to be pretty basic or underpowered (or both).

Scania · 19 Mar 2018 at 11:38

IvanDobskey said:
My mk2 TT is getting on a bit now and is likely going to start throwing up bills. So I want to trade it in for something newer and cheaper to run.

My car is worth about 5k and I have about 2k cash on top. Want something economical, low tax, at least 2012 and not totally gutless.

Any ideas? Are diesels a bad idea right now?

I’d worry about it once the TT actually generates bills rather than worrying about the prospect of it doing so (which it’s always had arguably) and in the meanwhile have a look around and see what you like, try a few and then you’ll have a better idea.

IvanDobskey · 19 Mar 2018 at 11:52

The TT has been very reliable in the 4 years I have had it. I'd be very sorry to see it go.

It's due a new cam belt and water pump next year though and it's not getting any younger.

By not totally gutless, I mean anything over 100bhp. Was looking at a few ford focuses (foci?) But most seem to be the 1.6 zetec diesel.

Fusion · 19 Mar 2018 at 15:55

Seemed to be plenty of 1.0 petrols about, what search radius were you using?

tom_nieto · 19 Mar 2018 at 19:05

Is the thought of an expensive service putting you off the TT? If it’s been reliable it seems a shame to ditch it for an unknown entity (which could still throw decent sized bills at you). Do you need more practicality or just lower running costs?

[TW]Fox · 19 Mar 2018 at 19:14

What about something reasonable like a 4 cylinder VW Golf?

Sound practical?

Good, because thats what the TT is - so just keep it! It's nicer than much else you'll get for similar money.

beefybarn · 19 Mar 2018 at 19:51

MG6, later ones are pretty nippy and only £30 tax.

[TW]Fox · 19 Mar 2018 at 20:03

beefybarn said:
MG6, later ones are pretty nippy and only £30 tax.

lol

mjt · 19 Mar 2018 at 20:05

beefybarn said:
MG6, later ones are pretty nippy and only £30 tax.

I suspect the OP would rather use a bicycle without a saddle than purchase an MG6.

beefybarn · 19 Mar 2018 at 22:07

I have had mine for 5 years, 85000 miles later, no problems just normal things like tyres and brakes. Much more reliable than the Fords I had before.

IvanDobskey · 20 Mar 2018 at 09:58

Running costs and potential bills are the big factor here. There's a very real possibility of being out of work for a while towards the end of the year. Could really do without the TT throwing big bills my way and the 30mpg economy isn't great.

I'll have another look about for a focus ecoboost.

I quite like the current civic, but a little on the pricey side still.

IvanDobskey · 11 Apr 2018 at 11:08

Just put £500 deposit down on a red 64 plate Seat Ibiza FR. Only 12800 miles on the clock, one owner, absolutely immaculate inside and out. Bought from Horton Seat in Lincoln. Paid a little more in the end, £2990 plus my 07 plate TT. Picking up a week on Friday.

Techen · 11 Apr 2018 at 11:51

IvanDobskey said:
Just put £500 deposit down on a red 64 plate Seat Ibiza FR. Only 12800 miles on the clock, one owner, absolutely immaculate inside and out. Bought from Horton Seat in Lincoln. Paid a little more in the end, £2990 plus my 07 plate TT. Picking up a week on Friday.

Good choice mate. I love the new FR ibizas they've done well with the looks and the price! Engines are great too. 1.2 tfsi?

IvanDobskey · 11 Apr 2018 at 11:56

Techen said:
Good choice mate. I love the new FR ibizas they've done well with the looks and the price! Engines are great too. 1.2 tfsi?

Yep, it's the 1.2 TSI engine, 105bhp, 55mpg and £30 tax.

It's a nice looking and well specced little car

Techen · 11 Apr 2018 at 11:59

IvanDobskey said:
Yep, it's the 1.2 TSI engine, 105bhp, 55mpg and £30 tax.

It's a nice looking and well specced little car

It's also very mappable if that's your thing. I've drove both the 1.2 Ibiza and the 1.4 Leon. Fun little cars. Is that the one with the wonky glued on sat sat on the dash? XD

IvanDobskey · 11 Apr 2018 at 13:01

Techen said:
It's also very mappable if that's your thing. I've drove both the 1.2 Ibiza and the 1.4 Leon. Fun little cars. Is that the one with the wonky glued on sat sat on the dash? XD

Any idea how much extra performance is possible with a basic map?

Yes, it does have like a built in sat nav mount point on the dash. It does look a little odd

Techen · 11 Apr 2018 at 13:11

IvanDobskey said:
Any idea how much extra performance is possible with a basic map?

Yes, it does have like a built in sat nav mount point on the dash. It does look a little odd

Stage 1 revo remap is around 140bhp and 150lbft. It isn't amazing but it would feel it ;P

IvanDobskey · 11 Apr 2018 at 13:13

Techen said:
Stage 1 revo remap is around 140bhp and 150lbft. It isn't amazing but it would feel it ;P

Decent improvement from the standard 105bhp then.

Any idea how much that would cost and any negative impact on the car?

Techen · 11 Apr 2018 at 13:16

IvanDobskey said:
Decent improvement from the standard 105bhp then.

Any idea how much that would cost and any negative impact on the car?

Revo charge £400 and you'll have to go to a approved Revo garage which you can find via there websites.

As per any remap there's always a risk of clutch failure however at such a small increase in torque I very much doubt you'll have any problems. Revo has pretty solid customer support so you can always throw them an email about said remap and they'll give you plenty of information