So what's the cheapest used car to buy/run that isn't a complete POS to drive?

tom_nieto said:
For me the xsara is winning the thread, and I would probably like to do the most miles in that.
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Just avoid the later models equipped with the Com 2000 unit and multiplex wiring, they are a nightmare when they go wrong. I think these were introduced on the later mk1 models, W/X plate onwards.

What savings I made in that cheap green diesel taking it from 90 to 110k, I then wasted on these 2 sub 40k mile VTS's :(

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Saytan said:
if i was going to try and run as cheaply as possible, i'd be going for the best specced 406 TD (not hdi) i could find.
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The same engine in the 306 will give you better MPG, a better handling ride and a better acceleration.

The interiors of the 406 are hideous, the seats are like armchairs that give you no support and the engine feels underpowered.
 
Yeah I'm using a 406 currently albeit an SRI. The seats are very comfy but like you say little support and vomit inducing red striped grey velour. Although the dashboard and general feel of the interior is solid but the gearchange is very long and doesn't have a positive shift.
 
So basically tl;dr, french cars seem to be the popular choice.

I'm also looking for these requirements but also a bit of fun, or character to go with it. Plus cheap to insure because I am 20.

Currently driving a Rover 214. Compared to other cars of similar size, I gotta say it's pretty nippy. The interior isn't a bad place to be in, and when you ignore the fact it's a Rover its not a bad looking car. I've grown to love mine, and for some reason it never goes wrong. I bought it for 300 and so far i've done about 7000 miles since I've owned it and never gone wrong once. I changed the HG just to "be on the safe side", but it never really needed it done apparently.

I bought a Honda Civic Sedan in the summer and it blew up the first day and has been sitting in the garden since waiting to be sold. Also insurance companies wanted various body parts in order for me to pay to run it, otherwise i'd have fixed it up and sold the Rover.

So Rover is good in everything but.... economy! I get roughly 60 miles to a tenner. Even less now the petrol has gone up a bit. That just doesn't seem right to me even at the current petrol prices. I think when I worked out the mpg it was around 28 / 29mpg.

I'd rather have a nice pleasant diesel that can take me further for less money. 106s are out of the question, because I keep getting my feet caught between the peddles. Seriously how can anyone drive those things? 306s okay but not my thing.

Liking the look of the Xsaras, but is there anything similar? I'd much prefer a more "man-sized" car, as I think I'd happily suffer a bit on running costs if it means I can actually cart around all my camera, film gear etc and still have space left in case I need it (hence me buying that Civic Sedan I mentioned)
 
I'd still pick a Xantia over a Xsara, I love the way the succesor (C5) drives, hydro suspension for the win :).
Correct me if I'm wrong but a civic saloon isn't that much bigger than a xsara ? If you want a bit more space, you could always get a xsara estate of course or go a class higher and get something like a Mondeo, Xantia, Accord, 406, etc ?
 
Cheap cars to buy and run that ate good to drive, you have to look at Focus, MX5 and Clio 2.0.

I hear the case on the Citroen, it does handle for what it is, but the extra mpg over and mx5 means nothing we all know the french car will break and the jap car wont. Lets ignore image as both are flawed but Id still prefer the rwd car.
 
Aleksandrs said:
Liking the look of the Xsaras, but is there anything similar? I'd much prefer a more "man-sized" car, as I think I'd happily suffer a bit on running costs if it means I can actually cart around all my camera, film gear etc and still have space left in case I need it (hence me buying that Civic Sedan I mentioned)
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406 wagon.
 
MrLOL said:
How many petrols are going to average distinctly more than a MK1 MX5 that will do mid 30s mpg ?

You could get a diesel that will do 50 mpg + but for that you're going to need to do the miles to make diesel worth it.
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Which mk1 MX5's get mid 30's MPG?

Mine certainly doesn't - remember that a fair few of these are 15-20 years old, they're not going to be box fresh.

I'm going to be bold and suggest a Saab 9-3. Mine was great - not the best handling in the world, but very comfortable and reliable. Just not very economical with the 2.0T engine in, a NA 2.0 can be had for about £700.
 
dilated said:
I hear the case on the Citroen, it does handle for what it is, but the extra mpg over and mx5 means nothing we all know the french car will break and the jap car wont. Lets ignore image as both are flawed but Id still prefer the rwd car.
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You will spend more on an old MX5 welding up the rusty holes in the sills than you will maintaining a TD engined Xsara.
 
I'm quite liking the look of these Xsaras... especially the VTS / VTR, although they wont be as economical. They don't do normal engined coupes do they?

I think if I got a big car, it would be a nice one i'd spend money on. In my opinion a 406 is not a very nice car. In which case I'm looking more at the Xsaras at the moment.
 
-westy- said:
Which mk1 MX5's get mid 30's MPG?

Mine certainly doesn't - remember that a fair few of these are 15-20 years old, they're not going to be box fresh.

I'm going to be bold and suggest a Saab 9-3. Mine was great - not the best handling in the world, but very comfortable and reliable. Just not very economical with the 2.0T engine in, a NA 2.0 can be had for about £700.
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what real world combined MPG do you get out of interest ?

Mid 30s was just me quoting the book figure.
 
dilated said:
Cheap cars to buy and run that ate good to drive, you have to look at Focus, MX5 and Clio 2.0.

I hear the case on the Citroen, it does handle for what it is, but the extra mpg over and mx5 means nothing we all know the french car will break and the jap car wont. Lets ignore image as both are flawed but Id still prefer the rwd car.
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i wont use myself as an example as the only thing that's been replaced on my xsara in a year of ownership is a wiper blade, an oil filter and a ARB drop link. I've actually spent less than £100 maintaining this car last year, that includes those parts and a service and mot.

...stupid french tin can.

edit: oh and some oil!
 
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MrLOL said:
what real world combined MPG do you get out of interest ?

Mid 30s was just me quoting the book figure.
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I get around 26ish mpg, roughly worked out. That's from an H plate 1.6. Not great, but when you consider that they're peaky engines with a close ratio 'box (4k @70 in 5th), its to be expected really :)
 
Aleksandrs said:
Currently driving a Rover 214. Compared to other cars of similar size, I gotta say it's pretty nippy.
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So Rover is good in everything but.... economy! I get roughly 60 miles to a tenner. Even less now the petrol has gone up a bit. That just doesn't seem right to me even at the current petrol prices. I think when I worked out the mpg it was around 28 / 29mpg.
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The engine in yours is one of the most powerful road going 1.4s of it's time (if you have the twin cam version) making 103bhp, not bad for a 1.4 engine developed in the late 80s. They do feel rather quick, when warm don't be afraid to take it to 7k.

As for the economy... something is wrong then. :p

The K series engine is pretty economical, so I'd be replacing the coolant temp sensor, and giving it a thorough going over. Unless you have a silly cone filter and jap can y0, you should be getting 35+ in one of those... I did in my 416 and that's the 1.4's bigger brother, in a bigger car.
 
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