Browsing for a cheap daily driver - The search is over! 27/05/2019

[tee.gilding]

EDIT: Subject updated (24/04/2019)

EDIT: Subject updated (27/05/2019) and search ended!

Now searching for an E46 320d touring but looking for a little help if anyone has one or knows of one not too far from me.

Hi all.

I'm currently trying to make up my mind as to what is the best option to replace my current daily driver - don't laugh, but it's a 2006 Fiat Panda 1.1 Active! For what it is, it's brilliant: a lightweight runabout that sips fuel like the Queen at a tea party, costs barely anything to maintain, and has so far been very reliable. It's showing its age now, needing some suspension parts replaced, brakes getting a little ropey, etc. And now I'm married (late last year) we're talking about dogs, kids, DIY on the house, etc...

And so I'm thinking: replace the daily with something bigger, a bit more comfortable, but equally as reliable (if not more so) and cheap to run/maintain.

My restrictions are:

• £2k budget max

• Low tax (<£150/yr)

My current options are:

• 2007/8 VW Golf 1.9 TDi

• 2006-2008 VW Passat 1.9 TDi

• 2006-2008 Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCi

• 2006-2010 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi

I know that what I'll be buying will be quite high mileage (probably above 150k) so I need to know I'm buying something which is reputable at high mileages. It would also be an added advantage if aftermarket parts are readily available, seeing as I'd probably be keen to throw in some lowering springs and alloys from a sportier model (like a GTI or ST).

Has anyone got any experience with any of the above? Or any recommendations for alternatives??

Thanks in advance!

 

[tee.gilding]

For what it's worth, my commute is 30 miles each way, 80% being on motorways, so superb cornering and handling capabilities are not at the top of the list.

 

[andyf1140]

My Petrol Focus has 160K on the clock and going strong. I've had it for about 5 years and done 100K miles in it and other than a clutch and a cam belt it's not needed much other than regular servicing. What I would say is the usual check the service history. Mine had missed an early service and I think that's why it's developed some piston slap, but despite that the emissions are good and it only uses about 1.5L of oil in 10,000 miles :wink:

 

[Trav]

Focus estate all day long at that money. Take your engine pick. Only problem is you will look like the local one man builders outfits. Trying to avoid charges at local skip sites. Sending their wives round with shower trays and plasterboard.

 

[JamieZ4C]

I have a 2010 B6 Passat and from my dealings with Passat forum, I think you'd be better off discounting the 2006-2009 models. Some early 2010s as well. I got lucky and by chance bought one that VW had sorted a lot of the problems on prior to releasing the barely different B7 in 2011.

Be careful of dpfs on all these cars too. Introduced across all manufacturers from roughly 2006 to 2008. I'd be tempted to get a slightly older car if it meant it didn't have one!

 

[philbo909]

The passats I've known of this era haven't been reliable, my money would be on the Ford estate. They might not be the prettiest, but they're pretty bullet proof
Or.... https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-features-sheds/shed-of-the-week-audi-a4-avant-b6/39429

 

[JamieZ4C]

Also, if you think kids are on the way then make sure whatever you get has isofix for the car seats. You'd be surprised at some of cars of that era that don't have them. MK1 focus (up to 2005) doesn't.

I'm sure the mk2 Focus would though and that would probably be my choice too.

 

[mr.tourette]

Id be considering a Honda Civic 2.2 ctdi , quick,comfy, super reliable 50mpg, £145 tax anually..really like mine as a daily, you'd be looking at a 2006 model at that budget

 

[tee.gilding]

The passats I've known of this era haven't been reliable, my money would be on the Ford estate. They might not be the prettiest, but they're pretty bullet proof
Or.... https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-features-sheds/shed-of-the-week-audi-a4-avant-b6/39429

I think the fuel and tax on that would bankrupt me on my commute!

 

[tee.gilding]

Id be considering a Honda Civic 2.2 ctdi , quick,comfy, super reliable 50mpg, £145 tax anually..really like mine as a daily, you'd be looking at a 2006 model at that budget

Hadn't really thought about Hondas. Is the Civic available as an estate? That's one of the drivers here - needs to have big luggage-carrying capacity.
I've only ever known Hondas to sound very rattly at higher mileage - is that still true of "modern" Hondas?

 

[chrisgreen]

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/e46-325i-m-touring-oxford-green-5-speed-manual-140k-was-%C2%A33000-now-%C2%A31800.181543/

 

[JamieZ4C]

Thought about a Skoda Octavia?

 

[buzyg]

I love my Mazda sheds. Have owned a few over the years. Basically they are Fords under the skin. You can pick up an Mazda 6 for peanuts, but it won't sip fuel like you little Fiat Panda. Mazda 3 is a very popular family hatch, the only down side,when hunting, is there are so many out there and not all have been looked after.

My current daily a Mazda 2,1.6 is nippy enough to shame the average older 2.0 tdi. Roomy due to being a cappella, nimble and chuckable with a great view of the road ahead, reasonably economical, and thus far, very reliable at 101k miles on an 06 plate. Cost me £1300 about 9 months ago and thus far cheap as chips to run. Oh and being the uggly duckling of the bunch you can pickup one previously run by a pensioner and in should last year's.

 

[tee.gilding]

Thought about a Skoda Octavia?

I had been browsing Skoda's, both Octavia's and Fabia's - I just don't like the look of them... Do they carry the same reliability reputation as VW's?

 

[JamieZ4C]

Thought about a Skoda Octavia?

I had been browsing Skoda's, both Octavia's and Fabia's - I just don't like the look of them... Do they carry the same reliability reputation as VW's?

I think they're generally a bit better actually. I know what you mean about the Fabia, but I don't think the Octavia is that bad looking. The boot on the hatchback is huge and the estate even bigger again obviously. Grab yourself a decent 1.9 tdi from 2006 prior to when the dpfs were introduced and it would do you proud. Easily remapped too. No point if you can't get over the looks though!

 

[tee.gilding]

Thought about a Skoda Octavia?

I had been browsing Skoda's, both Octavia's and Fabia's - I just don't like the look of them... Do they carry the same reliability reputation as VW's?

I think they're generally a bit better actually. I know what you mean about the Fabia, but I don't think the Octavia is that bad looking. The boot on the hatchback is huge and the estate even bigger again obviously. Grab yourself a decent 1.9 tdi from 2006 prior to when the dpfs were introduced and it would do you proud. Easily remapped too. No point if you can't get over the looks though!

What's the issue with the DPFs then? Problematic?

 

[JamieZ4C]

Yes, and expensive. If it goes wrong on a car of the value you're talking about it would likely be a write off. Cleaner for the environment though

 

[tee.gilding]

Yes, and expensive. If it goes wrong on a car of the value you're talking about it would likely be a write off. Cleaner for the environment though

Doing a quick search, the 2.0L on the Golf's is prone to DPF problems, but the 1.9 doesn't seem to show up with that as an issue. Likewise the 1.6TDCI seems to show up when searching for "Ford Focus DPF issues". Maybe the two engines I've been spying out in my original list are okay?

 

[JamieZ4C]

Yes, and expensive. If it goes wrong on a car of the value you're talking about it would likely be a write off. Cleaner for the environment though

Doing a quick search, the 2.0L on the Golf's is prone to DPF problems, but the 1.9 doesn't seem to show up with that as an issue. Likewise the 1.6TDCI seems to show up when searching for "Ford Focus DPF issues". Maybe the two engines I've been spying out in my original list are okay?

This is it, you'll have to do your research. Is it possible the 1.9 tdi and 1.6 tdci (isn't it the PSA hdi?) were around for a while before having dpfs but the 2.0 was introduced with a dpf from the off?

All guess work on my part of course. Research needed. Don't want to put you off any particular model. Every car has it's faults at the end of the day. Just thought it worth pointing out in case you hadn't given it consideration.

 

[SeanConnor]

My daily hack is a Skoda Octavia VRS MK1 of 2002 vintage. Absolutely brilliant cars. They go like the proverbial off a shovel and have all the
VW/Audi bits for reliability. Over 16 years I have replaced brake pads, a caliper the back box and a starter motor. It has done 155 K now and is still going strong. If it dies then I will probably replace it with a MK2 from around 2005 say.