If you had 4kGBP to spend on a car for a 20kmile commute...

coombsfh
coombsfh Posts: 186
edited May 2012 in The hub
What would you buy if you had £4000 to spend on a car to do 20000 miles in every year (or at least this year), What would you buy?

Criteria:
-Diesel
-Reliable
-Must be entertaining (or at least not loathsome) to drive in twisty bits

I have a short list in mind but want to see if there are any elephants in the room I am missing before i reveal the shortlist. Any reviews or opinions on cars that fit the bill would be great.

Thanks in advance,

Fred.

Comments

  • Gazlar
    Gazlar Posts: 8,084
    Personally, I've found chrysler group cars good, I'd personally suggest a pt cruiser or a dodge caliber, just as something a bit different
    Mountain biking is like sex.......more fun when someone else is getting hurt
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  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    Gazlar wrote:
    pt cruiser
    Hideous thing!
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    bennett_346 wrote:
    Gazlar wrote:
    pt cruiser
    Hideous thing!
    Gaz likes them as they attract fat slags.
    I don't do smileys.

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  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    cooldad wrote:
    bennett_346 wrote:
    Gazlar wrote:
    pt cruiser
    Hideous thing!
    Gaz likes them as they attract fat slags.
    Touche
  • bobpzero
    bobpzero Posts: 1,431
    seat ibiza tdi fr
  • Gazlar
    Gazlar Posts: 8,084
    bennett_346 wrote:
    cooldad wrote:
    bennett_346 wrote:
    Gazlar wrote:
    pt cruiser
    Hideous thing!
    Gaz likes them as they attract fat slags.
    Touche

    Actually, they seem to, a fella I used to work with had a cruiser, like me he really liked american cars, but like me, didn't want the hassles of owning a proper left hooker. He was a swinger into mahoosive women who also liked mountain biking. Think he saw me as his protege
    Mountain biking is like sex.......more fun when someone else is getting hurt
    Amy
    Farnsworth
    Zapp
  • welshkev
    welshkev Posts: 9,690
    i have a golf TDI you could have for less than that :-)
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Golf GT TDI. I've got a MkIV 130bhp one, and it's a great car. 102k on the clock and it's spot on still.
  • spongtastic
    spongtastic Posts: 2,651
    Meh more boring VAG diesel recommendations

    I'd go for another Fiat Panda.

    No reliability issues, cost £5k brand new, now has 96k on the clock and has only repairs outside recommended servicing have been tyres ans some new front suspension bits that cost about £100. Good for blatting it around the country lanes of Suffolk and Essex if you remember to keep the revs up.

    55mpg easy too.

    Only down side is that the insurance has gone up to £160 fully comp, protected no claims, legal protection and guaranteed hire car included.
    Visit Clacton during the School holidays - it's like a never ending freak show.

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  • Thewaylander
    Thewaylander Posts: 8,594
    LOL fiats they fall apart :P seen so many fiats die!

    I'd stick with VAg due to reliability, mine has been solid in my Seat leon FR.
  • bluechair84
    bluechair84 Posts: 4,352
    I'd have had a Leon if I didn't need a bigger car.
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  • matt_k
    matt_k Posts: 15
    I'd have another Seat Leon Cupra tdi, no question! Remap and its 190bhp 300ft/lbs torque which is plenty for a commute, nicer interior and exterior than the golf imo and quite fun to drive 8)
    do what you like and like what you do
  • ricardo_smooth
    ricardo_smooth Posts: 1,281
    Fabia vrs
  • steelie600
    steelie600 Posts: 519
    coombsfh wrote:
    What would you buy if you had £4000 to spend on a car to do 20000 miles in every year (or at least this year), What would you buy?

    Criteria:
    -Diesel
    -Reliable
    -Must be entertaining (or at least not loathsome) to drive in twisty bits

    I have a short list in mind but want to see if there are any elephants in the room I am missing before i reveal the shortlist. Any reviews or opinions on cars that fit the bill would be great.

    Thanks in advance,

    Fred.

    Mondeo ST Tdci. 2.2 litre turbo diesel 155bhp and 360nm or torque. Very sorted chassis, very comfortable and with it being top of the range has plenty of toys to keep you amused. Get an estate and youve got a bike transporter too!
    Idiot ^^^^^^^^^

    Ralph
  • steelie600
    steelie600 Posts: 519
    matt_k wrote:
    I'd have another Seat Leon Cupra tdi, no question! Remap and its 190bhp 300ft/lbs torque which is plenty for a commute, nicer interior and exterior than the golf imo and quite fun to drive 8)

    And eat injectors for fun, and at a cost of £1300 per injector for genuine Seat ones....... DO NOT buy a Seat and ramp up the power without upgrading the injectors, infact same goes for all VAG group diesels. Its a common thing with them, if you want more power youll need to modify or upgrade the injectors.
    Idiot ^^^^^^^^^

    Ralph
  • matt_k
    matt_k Posts: 15
    What engine are you talking about? The new 2.0 ones maybe?

    Mine was a 1.9tdi, pd150. Had this a 130 golf, 130 passat and 115 passat. All mapped. All 1.9tdi.Never heard of this problem before?

    All engines were close to, or over 100k miles and I did prob 60k between the cars. Perfect! Would get one again anytime, currently running an A3 with the older 110 non-pd engine and it's fine also.

    OP- you won't regret a 1.9tdi :)
    do what you like and like what you do
  • steelie600
    steelie600 Posts: 519
    I cant remember which engine. Pretty sure it was the 1.9 but could be mistaken. Will report back after tomorrow, need to check my work history at work.
    Idiot ^^^^^^^^^

    Ralph
  • matt_k
    matt_k Posts: 15
    Cool, would be interested to know what one it is.
    do what you like and like what you do
  • Ryan Jones
    Ryan Jones Posts: 775
    Our next door neighbour has had 2 injectors changed on his Audi A4, 1.9 TD PDI in the time he's had it. My dad's Caravelle TD PDI has been 100% aside from a chipped rear spring failing an MOT.

    BMW 330D should fit the bill, a bit old perhaps.
    Volvo XC70/Audi Allroad for gravel track amusement
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