Cheapest £35 road tax cars?

fatbelly

Comstock wrote: »

Any others from the first half of the decade?

Audi A2 1.4 TDI (and Seat Arosa and VW Polo/Lupo with same engine)

Peugeot 307 hdi

Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D

Vauxhall Astra 1.7 dti Eco

Comstock

Thanks, Fatbelly

gmm30

johnson293 wrote: »

I had two Clios, a 2003 and a 2004 model, both 1.5 DCi 80's, and neither had any electrical issues whatsoever.

I also got 60mpg out both, no problems.

My last car (before the Astra I have now) was a Renault Scenic 1.5 DCi however, and I had engine issues with that (burning oil).

This would imply you had the Clios some time ago, when they were newer? Generally speaking, Renault electrical problems rear their heads when the cars are 5-7 years old (unless you get a real duffer). So they're often very good buys if you're buying new or nearly new, but older ones can be risky. Having said all that, 2002-3ish Clios are miles better than the equivalent age Megane though...

johnson293

gmm30 wrote: »

This would imply you had the Clios some time ago, when they were newer? Generally speaking, Renault electrical problems rear their heads when the cars are 5-7 years old (unless you get a real duffer). So they're often very good buys if you're buying new or nearly new, but older ones can be risky. Having said all that, 2002-3ish Clios are miles better than the equivalent age Megane though...

No, had both in the last year.

Admittedly, didn't have the first one long, as it was written off (someone crashed into back of me), but everything electrical worked while I had it, and it had elec windows, elec sunroof, climate control, etc.

2nd one was same spec (Dynamique) with elec windows etc, and I had that one for 8 months before I got rid to get a bigger car (what I thought I needed at the time).

So my 3rd Renault was a 2004 Scenic with electric (almost) everything, and again no electrical problems with that - just engine problems which led to me getting rid after only 4 months.

What the Renaults did have was superb economy. All had the 1.5 DCi 80 engines, and most of my weekly driving is urban with a small amount of dual carriageway, and both Clios returned 60mpg, without any 'granny driving', and 75mpg on a motorway run. The Scenic returned 50mpg urban and 60-65mpg on a run.

With any older car (which is what the OP is budgeting towards) you are taking a risk on reliability, and the likelihood of potential problems is increased.

Comstock

johnson293 wrote: »

With any older car (which is what the OP is budgeting towards) you are taking a risk on reliability, and the likelihood of potential problems is increased.

Yeah, that is a risk I've got to take. I'm hoping by spending £1500 I can avoid the out and out bangers, but it's still very much an older car I'm going to get for that money...

standingupforthepeople

Strider590 wrote: »

It's all relative..... If you buy a bigger higher taxed car for less money, it negates the saving on tax and you get a much better car.

For me it was:

Small basic 2004 car with low road tax and good fuel consumption = £6000
or
Large 2004 VX Vectra (leccy windows, aircon, etc etc etc) with £170 road tax and mediocre fuel consumption = £3000

Well im never gonna spend £3000 on extra fuel or tax in the time I own the car, am I?

It's utterly senseless, but small cars are holding their value because people just don't THINK

couldn't have put it better myself!!

Everyone seems so caught up on save £100-200 on tax they lose sight of the reality and practicality of the situation, look at purchase cost, insurance costs, parts and labour costs, potential purpose of the vehicle.

Someone has mentioned the 206 1.4hdi. what about the 206 2.0hdi? :shock: ...... slightly lower economy, £170 to tax... but stronger more reliable engine and a cheaper purchase because everyone wants the "small eco engine"... the 406 2.0hdi, as above, cheaper than a 206 in many cases, and a bargain purchase when you look at what you get for your ££'s.

I drive a 2001 406 2.2hdi, i've owned and maintained it myself for 12 months for £1700 (including purchase cost!!), £170pa tax, £250pa insurance, averaged 44mpg, done 20,000 miles in it, used it for family holdays, towing caravan, trips to the tip, trips to builders merchant, even moved 90% of my house contents in it!!

But I could have bought a new £6000 micro car and only paid £30pa tax.....

standingupforthepeople

Comstock wrote: »

Yeah, that is a risk I've got to take. I'm hoping by spending £1500 I can avoid the out and out bangers, but it's still very much an older car I'm going to get for that money...

buy a car with 12months MOT, and as much tax as you can for £1000, and be prepared to spend £500 on it for service, cambelt, a spare key fob, the drivers windows that doesn't work properly... it's a philosophy that rarely disappoints!

Horizon81

With the Clio electrics I'm not talking about CD, windows or lights - It's the engine electrics that can be problematic. For an example google 'clio ECU wiring harness' and you'll see what I mean.

If you're after a cheap reliable car then look for a well kept Yaris 1.0 or 1.3. The road tax on the 1.0 is £110/year IIRC and on the whole they're reliable cars with very few faults. It's got 67bhp which is very decent for a 1.0 and with the variable valve timing it's a fun motor. The 1.3 produces 86bhp so will give you a bit more if you do more motorway driving - I think the economy is very similar but the tax will be a bit more (still no more than £150 though).

MarieMc

Lupo 1.4 TDI

Mark_Hewitt

MarieMc wrote: »

Lupo 1.4 TDI

I think most cars with small diesel engines will be within the £20 band.