Second Car Ideas

[Dave]

I'm thinking of picking up a second car, just something small, preferrably diesel, I'm at present doing approx 5-600 miles a week as I'm not longer based in Dublin so I want to pick something up instead of spending the earth in petrol on the Zed and to keep the miles down..

Something cheap and cheerful, yet reliable that should get a least 500miles to a tank.... less than 4K (max)

Any ideas????

[colm_mcm]

I'd be looking at something like a Citroen Berlingo van, you can pick up 04 models for under 3k,

Colt 1.5 DI-D (95bhp) van
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mitsubishi ... annel=CARS

Need back seats?, here's a Punto 1.3 Multijet (cracking engine)
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Fiat/Punto ... annel=CARS
obviously not worth that much, but worth trying. they don't suffer the same problems that the 1.2 petrols do.

same 1.3 multijet engine, this time in a Corsa
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Corsa ... annel=CARS

02 Mondeo TD LX
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Monde ... annel=CARS

also check out Clio 1.5 dCI models

[Dave]

Cheers Colm, all a little too expensive, 4K is the absolute max, I was thinking something like this, I've heard 60mpg+

(I can't link it for some reason )

There's a VW Lupo, 1.7 diesel, 70K miles, for €2950......

[gary d]

What about a peugeot 306 D turbo you can pick those up for buttons now or mk3 Golf td

[Dave]

I will probably consider both!

The higher the fuel efficiency, the cheapest to insurer and maintain is what it's all about for me, I couldn't care less what it looks like or drives like for that matter as it's only going to be a commute car that I can drive the nuts out of, maintain cheaply and put about 50K a year on!

[gary d]

what http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/30 ... l=CARSbout this

[gary d]

better still http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/30 ... annel=CARS

[Dave]

That's not bad actually!! In saying that, back seats would be preferrable too!

A friend of mine has a 206 diesel and is doing what I'm planning on doing and it has been ideal for him, my only concern would be reliability on the Peugeot's, or is that a myth these days?

[gary d]

spark at work has a brave oul commute to work and has a 306 HDI later version of the D turbo. Tommy gives it loads of stick and hasn't let him down. It's o.k. sayin it's just a car for work and you don't care what it looks like etc. but you will be doin a lot of miles sat behind the wheel of it. I've been using the missus's Micra to commute to work to keep the milage down on the FTO. The novelty has worn off long since, on the flipside though makes me appreciate the fto more. I now wish I had kept my Baleno 1.6 gs for the missus. I never should have sold that car, I had it 6 years, guy I sold it to wrote it off in a week.

[Dave]

I know what you're saying, but I have the Zed sitting at home and honestly, I couldn't care less what I drive, it's a boring motor way drive any how, I'm driving a focus diesel at the moment on a short term loan, and it's boring as sin to drive as well, but as long as there's a radio to drown out the sweet sound of the diesel engine them I'm ok!
I might have a look at the 306 though, must do a little research on reliability!

[colm_mcm]

If you go old tech, you're less likely to have expensive fuel pump/injector issues. make sure whatever you buy is running correctly. a set of injectors is megabucks.

That 00 306 is megabucks for a 9 year old Pug. also consider the cheaper Citroen Xsara if the 306 is acceptable to you, they're the same car.

[Dave]

The €1000 one was acceptable, the second one came up as I was typing...

I may consider the xsara as you were saying...

I'll have a decent look later on to see what's out there in that price range, reliability and effeciency are my two main concerns, looks and all that are completely secondary!

[Bernard]

How about a nice FTO, they're cheap as chips now and 30MPG isn't too bad....

Go on, you know you want to

[Dave]

I had considered it, but I need something really economical and we all know FTO's can get expensive when you're changing parts!!

If the Zed sells, I'm thinking of getting another FTO as a track project possibly!!

[colm_mcm]

how long do you reckon you'll need the car for?

Consider something like a really cheap 1.3 Corolla XLi for tiny money. road tax half that of a diesel, 40mpg easy. reasonably nippy.

[Dave]

I'll need it for the next 12-18 months, possibly 24 months....

[colm_mcm]

You're doing serious mileage (50,000km per year), I now think you should look out for an Avensis D-4D (00-03 shape)

they're 116bhp, body is light, they're bulletproof once they haven't been dogged or fed on dirty fuel. as long as it doesn't need injectors or a flywheel you'll easily get 2 years driving without major bills.
If you're doing 30k a year, something like a small car will get on your nerves after a while, an Avensis will do 60mpg on a long journey and you won't be wrecked after driving it.


I don't have any in stock or anything but if I can be of any help, it's no problem

[Mustang]

I agree with Colm 50k in a small hatch back is going to be a pain. You'll end up driving the ring out of it in sheer frustration. Then it will break =>more frustration. Avensis or similar size would be preferable for that type of commute.
I've considered a similar approach in the past (although I don't do big miles).Diesel preferable for economy - however nearly all the older stuff within budget is 1.9l or greater, so not cheap to tax, and are probably bigger and heavier than you need -larger car/engine =larger running costs, parts etc in general.
Scroll forward a few years for the small capacity diesel engines <1.6l and the cars are over budget (with more depreciation on the way). I'd be interested to see what you settle on. Best of luck with the seach.

[Mustang]

If going for petrol i'd consider a 1.3 corolla. 1.3 colt late 90's early 00's shape, or for the refugee family image a mitsi spacestar 1.3. The yamaha 1.25 engine in the fiesta is nice -with ford parts cheap as chips.

[Johnk]

or for the refugee family image a mitsi spacestar 1.3.

Now Now I have 1 of them have to say great car to get around in but have to agree with mustang in the last few year gone a bit that way alright

[CJ]

Dave, theres a cheap and clean Almera going over @ Irish Rotary that you might be interested in:

http://www.irishrotary.com/forum/phpBB2 ... php?t=3605

CJ

[colm_mcm]

Wouldn't be too enthustastic about the 00-08 model (presuming that's what's for sale) We've seen a lot of problems with them at work including problems with headlights melting, timing chains streching, gearboxes going, and electrical problems like central locking anfd (built-in) stereos malfunctioning,
That's in contrast to the previous (95-00) model that is classic japanese reliability. The newer Almera seems to be a victim the Renault/Nissan alliance.
Added to that, it has very poor standard safety equipment, I traded in a 2005 Almera SVE (top spec at the time) and was shocked that it had no ABS or side airbags. apparently it was optional til 2006.
They're also pretty hard on fuel for a small car -and the low driving position and badly shaped seats make long journies not that pleasant.

[fatboyfat7]

Ford Mondeo... Its what Id buy....

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Monde ... annel=CARS

[Sebastian]

2 friends have them ,
they are thirsty as hell.

[fatboyfat7]

2 friends have them ,
they are thirsty as hell.

father is a taxi driver and drove one for 3/4 years, he adored the thing. Regrets getting rid of her. He said as fuel economy goes, its the same as similar 1.8 saloons. Perhaps it might be a bit thirsty for the sort of miles Dave is doing but at that sort of money it a good, solid and reliable car.

Edit: Just quizzed him about this again, his was Diesel. He said the petrol ones are known to be thirsty alright!