Your Bangernomics successes

alastairq

Cars are getting more reliable, not less. Yes, maybe more complicated, but not necessarily more unreliable.

not too sure about that observation.......especially when one trawls through the various 'new' car forums, or views the warranty claim histories of certain models?

Or, one discovers manufacturers' policies regarding fixing 'software' issues in their cars...Ford, for example, and their 'just fix it enough for now' policies?

What I have noticed is, the types of faults in modern cars have changed from those of old.....rather than the overall unreliability.

Older technology cars [ie, carburetors & points, etc, technology].....if serviced [and that has to occur a lot more frequently?]....tend to have their overall performance fall off gradually, getting worse & worse, until eventually they cease to run. But, the driver barely notices it until it stops.

Modern cars, with their electronics, are far more intolerant of even subtle performance drops...they let you know in no uncertain terms!

Ie, the nature of faults has changed.

scaredofdebt

I'm considering getting a new car due to increased commuting distances and need something with good MPG.

I've already posted about the Kia Rio but I am wondering if it's possible to get an older car that has decent MPG as I shudder at the depreciation of new or even "nearly new" cars.

One option is the Skoda Fabia, a 10 year old diesel with around 100k on the clock can be had for £1k-£2k and whilst it isn't as economical on fuel as the newer models it saves me the depreciation.

Any recommendations for other "bangers" (£1k or so price range) that can achieve MPG over 60 MPG?

I'm currently running a Pug 306 1.9 TD, 17 years old, returns me 53-54 MPG but I'd like to get something for the wife as she's getting 30 MPG from the Renault Grand Scenic we've got (1.6 petrol, 05 plate). Her daily commute is going to double to around 60 miles a day, mainly dual carriageway soon.

Low tax bracket also would be good as we pay over £300 or so currently per annum.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Just found this as an example:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201309148786857/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/2000/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/postcode/dl13dn/radius/1500/keywords/high%20MPG?logcode=p

mattyprice4004

I think I may now win the thread...

£550 for an MG ZT-T. 2.0 CDTI (BMW diesel lump) and had a new clutch shortly before sale. Sold due to failing MOT, which cost a little bit, but well under £1k all in including 6 months of tax.

Incredibly impressed!
So far 5,000 miles, a Cornwall holiday and 2 house moves without issue:

colino

Matty, that's a piece of old fashioned, unreliable junk in a terrible colour and spec. Just remember to contact me if your ever considering selling it though!

westwood68

I think this may be a bit too up market but here goes:-

After my Xantia decided that holding onto the exhaust was a little too much work, that is now off to the scrap yard in the sky to be replaced by..

A 1999 BMW e39 530D (manual). 185k on the clock with full service history and recent camchain tensioner/auxilary belt change. Everything works. Ice cold A/C; cruise control; leather heated seats; sunroof etc and apart from a 10p size bubbling on the tailgate the bodywork is immaculate. Still pulls like a train and not hint of smoke (blue or black) when giving it some beans.

10 months MOT and 5 months tax remaining for the princely sum of £750.

Today the Monday blues have been washed away

westwood68

scaredofdebt: for some reason the Javascript on my PC is playing up and I can't quote your message directly, but a PUG 106 or Saxo with the 1.5 XUD diesel would do what you want.

I've seen a few that are very nice.

Get one with a Bosch fuel pump and you can also run on Veg oil

scheming_gypsy

If all goes well I'll be paying £450 for this on Wednesday.

Winter bangernomics



ex police V70 T5

SLITHER99

Any make/model recommendations?

Looking to spend about £500.

Don't care what it is, so long as it will last 6-9 months (as in comes with at least 9 months MOT). Just need something to ride out while paying down some debt.

Anything I can work on myself would be a bonus.

scheming_gypsy

If you're on Facebook. Join the Cars under £500 page. that's where I found that one and somebody has just put a Hyundai Accent with 10 month MOT on, for £250.

[Deleted User]

Yeah I saw that white Volvo on that £500 cars Facebook page today. Never anything decent on it in my area. Just chancers flogging MOT expired scrappers which require unknown amount of work.