What to get?

fonzee

fonzee

fonzee

Soldato
Joined
23 Jun 2005
Posts
5,298
Location
Cornwall
Right, new car time.

Doing 72 miles a day, in a 1.25 Mk4 Fiesta. I have a heavy right foot (you have to with this car) and atm im getting around 38mpg doing this journey. I have approx. 3k to spend on a new car. Insurance needs to be under 1k max FC. Im 18, have 1ncb and it will be my own policy. Im looking for something more economical (so diesel probs), comfortable, nice ride and something a bit more powerful (oh and reliable of course, obviously :p )

My fiestas never let me down, reliable as anything. Great car, great ride, lovely handling and such a nice gearbox. Sad to see it go but its time to move on.

Most of the journey is dual carriageway so would like a nice cruiser. I have looked at focus' (ford man me :D ) especially the 1.8tdci which is apparently one of the best lumps in the range. Although nice examples fetch 4-5k. The lower the mileage, the better, simply for resale value.

So whats the best i can get for 3k?

Thanks
 
Something more economical and faster than your fiesta? That could be a struggle and leaves very little to be considered although the £3k price bracket might help a little

The most obvious choices would be the Focus and the Ford Mondeo but £3k is pushing it to get a low-mileage Focus. I can't understand why you'd want FC insurance though. Finding insurance quotes under £1k FC for anything with an engine larger than a 1.6 will be pushing it.
 
ci_newman said:
I can't understand why you'd want FC insurance though. Finding insurance quotes under £1k FC for anything with an engine larger than a 1.6 will be pushing it.
Click to expand...

I simply couldnt afford to lose a car worth 3-4k if i wrote it off. Thats a lot of money to me and its taken ages for me to save it. FC i feel is the only way to go.
 
I didnt want it to be quicker... just some nice torque for overtaking etc... some nice pull through the gears etc

any other options?
 
0-60 probably not much in it, between 306/xsara and fiesta, however after 60 i would have thought the extra torque would be better, especially for overtaking etc.
 
306 HDI is actually suprisingly quick, would expect it to be a good bit quicker than a fiesta.

Friend has one that hes put 50k on in a year and its just gone straight through an MOT with only advisorys to get new pads/discs! Gets super MPG everywhere too!
 
Another vote for the 306 HDi.

If you don't mind the 5 door, the meridian HDi can be had for £2500 in mint condition with 70k on the clock.

Plus you get all the nice A/C, electric windows all round etc.
 
If your guna go for a 306, stop, and get the Xsara version of the same car, only a hell of allot newer and with more toys, for probably less money. It sounds perfect for you tbh.
 
I used to have a Focus and I thought the ride on it was awful and the seats were very uncomfortable. Early Focus TDCi injectors are none too reliable either, costing £300+ a pop to replace and you'll only be looking at early ones for your budget.

A Xsara HDi would be an excellent choice. They seem to be far more durable than the 306, particularly the interior trim and upholstery. The facelift models (2001 on) are a better drive than the first ones with a bit less body roll, but a marginally firmer ride.

Having owned both, given the choice I'd take a Xsara over a Focus every time.
 
I'd also suggest a HDi Xsara for yourself.

blueboy2001, Which spec one, I find the Zetec ones really comfy and the ride all fine.
 
[TW]Fox said:
You will if the majority of those 72 miles are dual carriageways or Motorways.
Click to expand...

which the journey practically is. its all A30.

thanks guys for your input... ill look into the Xsara HDIs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom