fast/sporty diesel for around 4k ?

[Myshra]

I have had 2 Fabia vRS's from almost new (wife had one), mine has done 100k on it and the only things ever to go wrong on it were a door seal and the brake light switch (both £50 fixes from Skoda, both pretty common unfortunately but can be fixed by yourself if you want). The wifes blew a turbo at 80k but that was it's only back to garage incident and was eventually sold at 130k doing fine. Car is seriously strong and simple engine wise, they map well and are fairly big for their class inside. Worth a test drive at least.

 

[Grad]

Had a Fabia vRS from new (sorry!) and kept for just under 4 years. I think some of the criticism it attracts is a result of some of the overly enthusiastic praise it gets.

For the most part it was a good car to own.

Good
Reasonable performance - by no means a quick car but capable enough
Good economy - I commuted 60 miles a day and returned mid 50s with ease.

Bad
Handling - not really a rewarding car to drive on the Welsh back roads. The brakes and suspension coupled with the heavy front end made it a little tiresome. There is a trend to uprate these components and add a Rear ARB to help balance things up a little.
Interior - a bit drab to say the least. Seats were comfortable but an absolute pain to keep clean due to the colour of the materials used.
Weaknesses - my turbo blew after around 38k outside of warranty, I believe there are also issues with the DMF.

To sum up. Drive one first on differing roads and see if it suits you. Think of it as a diesel hatch rather than a performance car and set your expectations accordingly.

 

[poosemon]

in a similar boat myself and looking for a change of car.....

currently own a leon cupra 1.8t and looking to exchange/sell it and take some finance to purchase a newer, more economical car. Even with the finance payments of around £90 a month i am saving money over keeping mine...

looked at a accord 2.2 cdti sport today and was impressed, although the drop in performance will take some getting used to the car was very nice to drive and a very comfortable cruiser. need to test drive a few other cars before deciding but know that there are some hefty costs on my not too far away....

looking to find a mondeo 130 zetec s/bora 130/leon etc not worried so much about size as drove a primera before and was happy with that!

anyone got first hand experience of accord cdti ownership? real life mpg would be handy as parkers/autotrader give it a combined of 52mpg.

 

[bigbird76]

I know there are a few good reports here from SAAB but i had one which was full of problems and im not the only one with them...

93 1.9 Tid vector sport 16v (2005) was my model.

Problems were

Two broken EGR valves which were a bad design SAAB introduced a modified type not sure if the problems has ben cured on them yet though.

Broken swirl valves £££ job

Particulate filter blocking and causing limp home mode caused by swirl/EGR problems

Forced particulate clean £45 had this done twice.

2 broken springs.

Door electrics stopped working (found that a plug had come loose on its own and fallen off inside the door).

Oil leak from the crank seal which was the last straw so i sold the thing.

New clutch for a saab 93 diesel is £500+ Because of Dual mass flywheel.

So my opinion is stay away from a 16V GM/fiat engine 1.9 also fitted to vectras.

If i was going to buy another SAAB i think it would be a Aero Petrol.

Bought a 2005 bmw 320Cd M sport and i am very happy but they are more ££ to buy.

Leigh

 

[Ant84]

S60 D5?

Can easily be had for £4k.

 

[mjt]

S60 D5?

Can easily be had for £4k.

I wouldn't call it sporty though.

I'd get a Leon Cupra 150

 

[realscot]

S60 D5?

Can easily be had for £4k.

While i'd agree it's not exactly sporty, it is the best sounding diesel imo.

 

[builder22]

still haven't got this car yet....are the 150 VAG engines reliable? why does everyone suggest the 130 engine ?
been looking at astra/vectra 1.9 diesels too, they're also 150bhp, do these have a good reputation?
also saab 150
liking the idea of 150bhp and 50mpg (thats what autotrader says anyway)

 

[mjt]

The VAG 150 engines are very strong units.

I wouldn't bother with the 130 unless you can't find any decent 150s in your price range.

 

[233]

dont listen to the haters of the GM/fiat/saab/alfa 1.9 16v lump

have one thats fast approaching 1/4 million miles on it now and all its had big bill wise was a clutch at 150k and a replacement inlet manifold that cost £200.

map well (mines is putting out 190bhp ) and you'll get a facelift 2006 onwards vectra sri with most of the toys for 4k dont be put off by miles they run forever as long as their serviced properly

 

[MOOGLEYS]

dont listen to the haters of the GM/fiat/saab/alfa 1.9 16v lump

have one with a few hundred K miles on it now and all its had was a clutch at 150k and a replacement inlet manifold that cost £200.

map well (mines is putting out 190bhp ) and you'll get a facelift 2006 onwards vectra sri with most of the toys for 4k dont be put off by miles they run forever as long as their serviced properly

I have the same engine in my vectra also with around 190 HP. Its fairly nippy for a barge and returns great MPG.

 

[dave_beast]

Buy this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201116385014905

2006 CITROEN C4 2.0HDi 16v VTS £4000

• 2006 (06 reg)
• Coupe
• 66,000 miles
• Manual
• 2.0L
• Diesel

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Then add this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITROEN-C4-KE...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4aa9e0e622

CITROEN C4 KENNETH HANSEN WRC STYLE RALLYCROSS BODYKIT

and these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Citroen-C4-Re...365802&cguid=7605851f12f0a47a0593b5e3fff9713c

Citroen C4 Replica WRC Full Decal Kit

Then go rallying