Another what car advice

nicholas_yiu · 13 Jul 2009 at 17:50

Hi all,

I think it's time for me to move to an oil burner and need advice on what car to get.

I currently have a 51 reg 2.0l petrol Mondeo with 113K on the clock. It does about 39mpg on the motorway.

My reason for going diesel is that my annual mileage will be going up from 12K to about 35K a year shortly also because of the recent drop in diesel price.

My budget is 2.5K + what I get for my current car.

My requirements are:
Around 60 motorway MPG
Reliable for the 2 years I own it
Similar running cost as my current car
Less than 2K depreciation in 2 years time

Comfort would definitely be a plus but not necessary. Interesting would be good but I am not expecting much. Size is irrelevant.

Can anyone help please? I'm also wondering if I'll be better off trading in or going private.

Or would sticking with what I currently have be the best option?

Thanks in advance

Scrutinize · 13 Jul 2009 at 17:53

You may still be better off getting an economic petrol at that price as for the money i would imagine the diesels will be at the end of their economical life given the mileage you are likely to do.

Stick with what you have till it dies which is much more cost effective unless yours is on deaths door.

nicholas_yiu · 13 Jul 2009 at 18:11

I'm not sure if mine will last an extra 70K though. It is getting on a bit and bits are starting to go wrong more frequently than I would like.

I actually have a bit of spare cash now so can stretch further (up to £4k + value of my car) as long as depreciation doesn't go past 2K.

I worked out it would not be worth it for the change if depreciation go past 2K.

Kitchster_uk · 13 Jul 2009 at 18:23

Late 406 2.0HDi 110 or Xantia of a similar vein with low miles? Ok, it'll be older and probably won't blow your entire budget, but if you could pick up a 406 exec or a Xantia Exclusive, you're laughing. Both would eat the miles at an easy 55mpg+, both would be what you need for a long run everyday - well spec'd, neither are going to get stolen unless the pipe and slippers brigade go on the rampage and both are fairly easy to look after, just find a local specialist.

Other than that, Mondeo TDCi but then you are running a risk with the injectors amongst other things, the A4 which will be a dreadful interior and cost a lot if it breaks.

Oh, how about a Skoda Octavia? Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

Scrutinize · 13 Jul 2009 at 18:33

nicholas_yiu said:
I'm not sure if mine will last an extra 70K though. It is getting on a bit and bits are starting to go wrong more frequently than I would like.

I actually have a bit of spare cash now so can stretch further (up to £4k + value of my car) as long as depreciation doesn't go past 2K.

I worked out it would not be worth it for the change if depreciation go past 2K.

I would still stick with yours till it dies then replace it.

fonzee · 13 Jul 2009 at 20:37

Kitchster_uk said:
Late 406 2.0HDi 110 or Xantia of a similar vein with low miles?

indeed. doubt you'll better them in this price range. any TDCIs in this price range will probably be ones to avoid...

iaind · 13 Jul 2009 at 21:03

Focus TDCi

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-FORD-FOC....c0.m14&_trkparms=65:7|66:2|39:1|293:1|294:50

I knew someone who had one of these with 200k on it and never had any issues other than usual wear and tear

Django x2 · 13 Jul 2009 at 22:22

Focus or Mondeo TDCI for £2500 is easily achievable.

iaind · 13 Jul 2009 at 22:29

Exactly, although the latter will struggle to do the sort of mpg the OP is asking for

nicholas_yiu · 14 Jul 2009 at 19:00

Thank you for all your help.

So I now have narrowed it down to 406/Xantia with the HDi engine, but when I looked at focuses, I noticed I can get a 2004 Ghia focus 1.8TDCi with around 50K for £4000 which is just within my budget.

Similar money would get me a 406/Xantia of similar trim and mileage so I am beginning to think that focus are better value for money.

Do you think that's a good option? I like fords because spare parts from scrappy cost pennies when it does go wrong.

Thinking about it, I think my Mondeo has around 40K miles worth of life left. So if I stick with it, I will be paying:

£1500 curret value of my car
£2000 minimum saving in fuel cost
£750 depreciation on the next car I get to finish off the 30K miles.

That's £4250

Compared to a simple £3000 depreciation that I will be likely to be paying on the focus, I think I need to change.

Any more suggestion on car choices because I think the suggestions are based on a £2500 not including the value of my current car.

Liquidfox · 14 Jul 2009 at 20:03

As you say, focuses are common as muck, so spares won't be an issue. It's a good spec, decent engine too

fonzee · 14 Jul 2009 at 20:34

a decent 406/xantia HDI should only set you back a max of 2.5k, hence the suggestion.

the focus is a good buy too, but obviously more expensive as your finding.

plus i bet your current mondeo will easily see another 100k

nicholas_yiu · 14 Jul 2009 at 21:44

Another 100K on the Mondeo? Probably, but not without major work....

I recently had the gearbox and flywheel replaced (scrappy job) and a new clutch fitted. I think it probably had a fairly hard life before I got it as it's now on its third clutch.

I know the next thing to go is probably the rear subframe bushes, then probably the engine. I've been intending to get rid of it pretty soon as I don't think it's economic to keep.

Any other suggestions other than the focus? I would like to keep an open mind.

osc89er · 14 Jul 2009 at 22:16

bushes are cheap to sort. not sure what you mean by engine though.

[TW]Fox · 15 Jul 2009 at 01:25

The Mondeo has reached the stage of its life where its monetary value is pathetic and its worth more to you than it would be to anyone else. Keep it and spend less than the £2.5k budget you have to upgrade it on the additional fuel costs. A Focus or a Xantia is not an upgrade, so I struggle to see what you get for your £2.5k outlay.

I see no reason why it will need a new engine anytime soon :confused: