Small -Economical Diesel

Lindopski

Hello Folks

I have been running my beloved Rover 420 diesel now for about 4 years with very little grief but it is probably time now to start to think about saving yet more cash.

I have been nosing around and I can see that a lot of the newer small diesels are not only good on juice but also insurance costs are low and they also have VERY low tax for the year - many are like £30 a year

I have looked at the Citroen C3, and Toyota Yaris to name a couple and then a look also at what Fiat,Renault,Peugeot,Ford and Vauxhall have on offer but I am not sure what to go for.

I am assuming Vaux and Ford will be cheapest for parts ? I had a Citroen Xantia Diesel in the past and it was a cracking car so I am not adverse to another - Yaris have been recommended but Ive never had a Jap car so dont know if basic items cost a bomb to fix etc.

What small diesels do you drive ?
I think my budget will be about 2k max really.

s_b

you will buy a dog for this money

Lindopski

I bought my Rover for £300 in 2008 - its never failed on me yet, and the only work needed is general wear bits - Tyres,Batt,Exhaust and Brakes.

If modern £2k cars are dogs then I am shocked!

If this is indeed the case I may just stick with the Rover and when it dies get another 90's diesel to replace it with as well.

s_b

Lindopski wrote: »

I bought my Rover for £300 in 2008 - its never failed on me yet, and the only work needed is general wear bits - Tyres,Batt,Exhaust and Brakes.

If modern £2k cars are dogs then I am shocked!

If this is indeed the case I may just stick with the Rover and when it dies get another 90's diesel to replace it with as well.

you are looking for a car that everyone would want at your budget
even i probably would have one for the running around i do
ideally up the anti and look at something like a nice panda diesel from a lovely old lady whos packed in driving

going to a pitch with 2g and small diesel aspirations is proper leggin territory

hope that helps

worried_jim

Lindopski wrote: »

Hello Folks

I have been running my beloved Rover 420 diesel now for about 4 years with very little grief but it is probably time now to start to think about saving yet more cash.

Easy. Stick with what you have. £2K saved.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Those Rovers are underrated motors with the Diesel, so for the sake of a few quid in VED you could do worse than find another if yours is pegging out.

If you want a little Diesel you could do far worse than seek out a C2 1.4, no DPF to worry about, my old mate used one for years for his A road commute to work, never less than 60mpg and 70 now and again, last time i spoke to him it was on 150k and running very well.

The usual recommendations for small stuff will be expensive but the C2 can be bought fairly cheaply and isn't as bad as some people seem to think.

Yaris possibly the best quality in this market but holds ridiculous price, and isn't without its faults...try a rear wheel bearing for instance which is part of the rear hub/drum at around £250 plus fitting from mr T.

attila_

Skoda fabia 1.9 or seat ibiza 1.9 = 2k will get you a respectable one with 56mpg combined.

Less common is the seat ibiza 1.4 tdi 2002+ year. This is a little 3 cylinder chain driven engine from VAG. Mpg combined is 62mpg! 2k will get you an okish one.

cyclonebri1

There's lots around in all varieties but at that price don't get fixated on brand, just go for the best car available at your budget. The 1.5dci renault/nissam engine in the clio is an option if you can see through the negativity that surrounds them. But being a Rover owner I asume you've become immune to what others think, ;)

Lindopski

The Rover has been a brilliant car but its not only getting on now, its still a big old diesel.
This means it is in the old tax bracket of £200 - odd pounds a year
the insurance group for the 400's is unusually high for what it is as well.
I get about 45MPG which isnt bad but these little things now advertise 60mpg in some cases so that would be nice.

If I am looking at a newer car with 'probably' less things to fail in the next 3-4 years, a lower insurance group,more MPG and £30 tax a year it may be worth it.

I am put off by the statement that all cars around 2k will be dogs though. If that is the case then maybe I should stick with my £300 dog till it rolls over.

as for makes I am no snob and would happily drive a cheapo diesel

I am open to Petrol options too but dont know if any are as economical in that price range.
plus diesels seem to live far longer.

Lum

90s diesels live far longer. Modern diesels with their DMFs and DPFs, neither of which last well in a car used for lots of short journeys, don't fare so well. You're also unlikely to ever see the advertised 60mpg. Problem is in the drive to increase efficiency and reduce emissions modern diesels are much more complicated and faffy than the older ones. Look at the threads about Ford Duratorq diesels engines failing when filled up with Sainsbury's diesel for an example of a faffy diesel engine.

Admittedly at a 2K budget you're unlikely to end up in a car with a DPF, but still if I were in your position I think I'd stick with the Rover and put that 2K into an easy access ISA just in case anything does need fixing in the future.

Lindopski

It does seem a fairly resounding 'keep the 90s Rover' from many corners.
I am suprised I must admit that there is nothing that can match it on the second hand market now for almost 7 times what I paid for it 4 years ago.
Are modern second hand cars truly that awful ?