Need a second car

Aebous

Elite
 Okinawa
So first let me apologize. I know for a fact I've seen this before (never paid attention) and I'm sure a search will answer questions. But I'm buzzed (not pissed) and lazy. So here goes.

Looking for a second car, (asking a lot) I'd prefer one that's reliable, good on gas, and I'm only looking to spend around 1,000 quid. I"m not too picky on what model/make.

Bottom line, I've noticed that BMW's here aren't like the ones you can get second hand in Germany. Those things are freaking tanks. So what I'm wondering is what have ya'll seen here in the UK that is best so far as to gas mileage vs long term reliability/use for around 1k quid going up to about 2k.
 
I've just bought my Mum's Honda Civic 1.6 Vtec. Might not be quite as fuel efficient as some but reliability wise it's a Honda!! Only cost me £2k with 29k miles on a 2001 X-Reg.
 
Interesting question. I am reviving a family owned Polo GTI (mk5) which is an X plate for use over winter. But the gear box is leaking :x :fuelfire:

I may need to reconsider. I have thought VW Gold TDI mk4

Also on my list for consideration are...

VW Lupo (Diesel) (I'm not too tall so room isnt an issue for me)
Honda Civic (some of the oldies are good, 1.8 Coupe VTEC has some kick)
Peugot 206 HDi (low mileage shouldnt be too problematic, but it is French :!: )
 
I'm really looking for something with great gas mileage. Top priority.

I know a guy at work has some old Mercedes hatchback van thing, ugly as sin, but he says average sized gas tank gets him 500+ MPG. The other day I rented a SEAT something or other and for the same $$$ of gas I put in my car the SEAT managed 500ish miles with another 180 miles to go to empty. So I know the cars are out there, I'm even ok with grabbing a diesel to help out.
 
Aebous said:
I know a guy at work has some old Mercedes hatchback van thing, ugly as sin, but he says average sized gas tank gets him 500+ MPG

Somehow, I think he might be lying... :roll:
 
Aebous said:
I'm really looking for something with great gas mileage. Top priority.

I know a guy at work has some old Mercedes hatchback van thing, ugly as sin, but he says average sized gas tank gets him 500+ MPG. The other day I rented a SEAT something or other and for the same $$$ of gas I put in my car the SEAT managed 500ish miles with another 180 miles to go to empty. So I know the cars are out there, I'm even ok with grabbing a diesel to help out.

VW Polo 1.4TDI (6N2) but good luck finding one under £2000 without over 100k miles on the clock..
 
You'll need a diesel to really maximize your MPG. A Seat Ibiza or Leon could prove a cheap alternative to the VW, and on the same token (if you dont mind the badge) you should see some Skoda's in your price range which are effectively VWs with a different badge... :driving:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Been down this road a lot - £1000 won't get you a decent efficient small diesel, but £2000 will..

The 1.4 Diesel engine in the Citreons, Peugeots & Fords is a great little engine - I get 65mpg out of my 57 plate Fiesta van and it cost me £2500. Similar 106 / 206 / Xsara with the 1.4 HDi engine are cheap too. It costs about £60 to fill & I get about 450miles - problem being it's great at 50mph but at 80mph it's revving pretty hard so motorway economy isn't as great as you'd expect unless you sit in the slow lane.

Everyone always answers with Polo or Golf Diesel when u ask for the best cheap car.. has anyone ever tried to get a reasonable one for £1000? Agreed on the Seat's & Skodas but still £1000 usually means there's things wrong with it if it's an otherwise efficient car.

Still either way the newer engines blow the older ones out of the water - I'm selling the Fiesta to swap for a facelift 520d.. 800 miles on a tank 8)
 
Here you go:

You will need to sign up to club polo though:

2002 POLO 6N2 1.4 TDI 5 door Silver in Luton
2 owners, 91K miles, 1 years mot and tax,
£2000
http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=266653

There was another for £1750 but its sold. You have to be quick with these. The one above looks pretty good so long as it has SH to back it up.

Disclaimer - Please note I have no affiliation with this seller and am just going on the facts provided in the listing.
 
What sort of driving will this car be doing?

I ask as a small diesel isn't at it's most efficient on short journeys, particularly around town. If that's the intended use then a small petrol might be more appropriate as you'll get something for less money, or a newer petrol car for the same price as an older diesel.
 
I bought an X reg Toyota Yaris for £600 a month ago as I got a new job with a 110 mile daily commute. Great for whizzing down the country roads and a lovely motorway cruiser. Not the greatest status symbol but over 50 mpg - saving £50 -£70 a week on petrol alone. Had to buy 2 new tyres - £70 for the 2 fitted !! :thumbsup:
 
a11y said:
What sort of driving will this car be doing?

I ask as a small diesel isn't at it's most efficient on short journeys, particularly around town. If that's the intended use then a small petrol might be more appropriate as you'll get something for less money, or a newer petrol car for the same price as an older diesel.

What he said is what I was going to say. People assume high mpg means it must be diesel, but book figures don't take into account the type of driving to be done. If mpg is a must, have a look at some eco-driving tips (but ignore the morons who do stuff like tailgating big lorries). Most articles on efficiency still say the biggest difference comes from driving style.
 
Have a spare 1.4 polo that's been owned since new by my mum with 24k on the clock, but want 2.25k for it. Vgc, FSH silver, air con, cd changer & alloys

Does around 400mls on its tiny tank

J
 
Good points all around, ya'll put up some things I didn't consider (like the diesel being bad for short mileage). It's primary purpose will be carting me to/from work about 40 miles round trip. I have two B roads I could take and the clogged A11 which at the point I'd drive it to work I'm lucky if we do 45 mph.
The car would probably also get used semi-regularly when the wife & I want to buy a larger item from say B&Q. (Don't tell her but it could also double as a parts runner for when I start doing bigger jobs on the Z)
 
I know from looking that Audi's are in the 1k to 2k+ range, but what is the general consensus for Audi's here in the UK? Are they worth it?

Reason I ask, is Germany you could have a 15 year old BMW 3 series run just as strong as when it was brand new with only minor maintenance needed, yet over here it's like the German's gave ya'll the crappy BMW's. I'm just wondering if it's the same with Audi's.

Of course that said, I'm kind of liking the Seat Ibiza's.
 
Back
Top Bottom