Little Diesels (Yaris et-al)

cybermat

Hello gang

I have come into a small pot of cash £2000
I travel a fair amount and my average annual mileage is touching on 16k on my main car (old tatty Rover 75 diesel) as I have a couple of classics that I share the 'fun' miles with.

I love the Rover but it is at 180k now and has a clutch that will need attention soon ish, it leaks like the titanic and I think that some suspension work is coming up shortly along with 4 new tyres.

I could whallop a grand at it and it would be a good car once again but as it only cost me £500 and its done such a high mileage I was thinking that it is probably more worthwhile me buying one of these supermini diesels that do something daft like 60mpg+

I have had diesels for donkeys years and they have always proven their worth. I did try a very brief spell with a 2 litre petrol and got rid within a few weeks as my fuel bill hit almost double the norm.

I am not completely adverse though to the little petrols - suzuki swift etc

Some ideas I have had are Citroen C3 1.4 Diesel,Toyota Yaris Diesel - even getting a proven oldie like a Pug 106 diesel in good nick.

I have my toy cars for fun days out and frolics so an everyday boring but frugal machine is what I am after.

I have even had a nose at the smart cars and the Aixam.
Keeping my running costs low is what I am after really - that should leave me with some spare change to feed and fix the classics

Any good recommendations or experiences with any of the more frugal motors ?

LandyAndy

16k a year in an Aixam?:eek:

Other than that. Buy something Japanese and buy it on condition not make or model.

I get 45-50 mpg out of a petrol Mazda2. I guess you don'y get much more from your Diesel Rover.

cybermat

My old Rover 420 SDI returned roughly 50mpg, but the 75 has a wonky thermostat and is overfuelling at the moment so I am down to more like high 30's

getmore4less

What sort of miles? lots off short runs, long runs, town open roads etc.

Probably better looking at something a bit bigger especily if you are doing longer runs, you will still get 55+ and slightly less popular so btter value as more people are going small so prices are relatively higher.

Wh05apk

I am currently using a 2003 yaris 1.3 petrol which gives and easy 45-50mpg, but is totally reliable, and cheap to maintain.

At this price/level, the difference between 45- 55 mpg is minimal, an unexpected repair bill can wipe out any slight saving, so condition is the most important thing in terms of overall running costs.

cybermat

getmore4less wrote: »

What sort of miles? lots off short runs, long runs, town open roads etc.

Probably better looking at something a bit bigger especily if you are doing longer runs, you will still get 55+ and slightly less popular so btter value as more people are going small so prices are relatively higher.

I usually commute daily (40 miles, a mix of 40 limits and 60 limits)
I also do a fair bit of pottering about town at home (15-20 miles at 30mph)
I have been to Manchester (60 miles away via the M56) 3 times this week but that is more of a rarity and not a weekly event but they all add up.

I have done 200 miles since Friday and I usually do at least that every 5 days for work (or more if I am between sites).
I find that I fill up my tank every week and a half - I always fill up when I reach 400-420 miles on the odometer as the light is well on by then.
The car then usually swallows about £80 in diesel for another 400 miles.

My Old Rover 420 SDI used to squeeze about 480-500 miles from an £80 tank before I would chicken out and fill it up.

I think both tanks on the Rovers are about 60 litres (guess) ?

My 75 isn't performing right though as my mate has an Auto that does (he reckons) 600 to a tank.


I am not adverse to the bigguns still and have had a nose at Octavias and even Auto Rover 75's (diesel) - I like my 75 a lot but the common clutch issues put me off a bit, two family members have had 75s and they have both had clutches go during ownership (one of them went twice - way before it should have done).
The Autos don't have that grief but will cost more if they do go wrong.

I have heard great things about the Octavias and Passats -1.9 Diesel VW in general.
The 1.4 diesels used by many also sound good on paper though I have no experience of them.
Pug 106 1.5 diesels are also a common sight and sound easy to work on.

so many choices :S

getmore4less

cybermat wrote: »

I have heard great things about the Octavias and Passats -1.9 Diesel VW in general.:S

We have the 1.9 DSG ocatavia it takes around 7-8miles/10-15mins to warmup completely.

pottering short runs 30-40mpg from cold this winter
mediums 15-20miles 50+mpg
longer runs 55mpg-60mpg depending on speed

The manual gets better.


I think with you mileage you will get fed up of a small car they just don't ride/drive as good.

steve-L

cybermat wrote: »

I usually commute daily (40 miles, a mix of 40 limits and 60 limits)
I also do a fair bit of pottering about town at home (15-20 miles at 30mph)
I have been to Manchester (60 miles away via the M56) 3 times this week but that is more of a rarity and not a weekly event but they all add up.

I have done 200 miles since Friday and I usually do at least that every 5 days for work (or more if I am between sites).
I find that I fill up my tank every week and a half - I always fill up when I reach 400-420 miles on the odometer as the light is well on by then.
The car then usually swallows about £80 in diesel for another 400 miles.

My Old Rover 420 SDI used to squeeze about 480-500 miles from an £80 tank before I would chicken out and fill it up.

I think both tanks on the Rovers are about 60 litres (guess) ?

My 75 isn't performing right though as my mate has an Auto that does (he reckons) 600 to a tank.


I am not adverse to the bigguns still and have had a nose at Octavias and even Auto Rover 75's (diesel) - I like my 75 a lot but the common clutch issues put me off a bit, two family members have had 75s and they have both had clutches go during ownership (one of them went twice - way before it should have done).
The Autos don't have that grief but will cost more if they do go wrong.

I have heard great things about the Octavias and Passats -1.9 Diesel VW in general.
The 1.4 diesels used by many also sound good on paper though I have no experience of them.
Pug 106 1.5 diesels are also a common sight and sound easy to work on.

so many choices :S

The PUG 1.6D is fantastic, my Mum got rid of hers when she needed an auto. Equally, if you can find a 306 1.9D they are also great. The 1.6D will sail up the hills. I used to have a GTi-6 at the time and remember what a fantastic car the 106 1.6D was.

As with any PUG/CIT avoid anything dependent on electronics!
So manual windows etc.

The engines themselves go on forever...
Avoid like the plague the newer duratorq 1.6 ...
The 306 and 106 are IMHO the last real cars PUG made.... shame really but ....