Petrol vs Diesel for high mileage car?

getmeouttahere

I am looking to buy a budget motor and looking on good ol' autotrader, I am confused as to which car to go for.

I need something that's Ford Focus to Mondeo size as I have a springer spaniel that needs to be accommodated.

So, looking at availability, there are an abundance of higher mileage cars at around my budget, so I'm just wondering what would make more sense, a petrol car with 100K on the clock or a diesel car with 130K on it? Bearing in mind, I'm talking about 2004 (or thereabouts) Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra, VW Passat in the £1000-£2000 region.

Driving wise, I probably do around 200 miles per week plus the occasional 140 mile round trip when visiting family.

OddballJamie

I wouldn't buy a used diesel Mondeo or Vectra, probably not a Passat either if it was the 2.0.

What's wrong with Skodas? Petrol Avensis?

Proper cheap motoring here
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201407236047482

£1000, FSH, alloys and satnav
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201406134988610

getmeouttahere

OddballJamie wrote: »

I wouldn't buy a used diesel Mondeo or Vectra, probably not a Passat either if it was the 2.0.

What's wrong with Skodas? Petrol Avensis?

Proper cheap motoring here
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201407236047482

I dont want something that old if I can help it. I possibly have family willing to help me buy a car so have between £1000 and £2000 to spend.

Can I ask why you would advise against a used diesel Mondeo, Vectra or Passat?

Nothing wrong with Skoda's in particular, just never had one.

OddballJamie

They all have their own faults and at your budget one fault could cost you the same as the car.

What's the oldest you'd consider?

motorguy

getmeouttahere wrote: »

I am looking to buy a budget motor and looking on good ol' autotrader, I am confused as to which car to go for.

I need something that's Ford Focus to Mondeo size as I have a springer spaniel that needs to be accommodated.

So, looking at availability, there are an abundance of higher mileage cars at around my budget, so I'm just wondering what would make more sense, a petrol car with 100K on the clock or a diesel car with 130K on it? Bearing in mind, I'm talking about 2004 (or thereabouts) Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra, VW Passat in the £1000-£2000 region.

Driving wise, I probably do around 200 miles per week plus the occasional 140 mile round trip when visiting family.

Ford Focus 1.6 petrol Zetec or Mondeo 1.8 Zetec for your budget.

Get as young a one as you can with a FSH and a years MOT for your budget. If there is no evidence of a timing belt being done, get one done.

Also buy privately. A £2000 car from a dealer is a £1200 car with £800 profit margin. And make sure you are buying privately - not off some low life trader advertising as a private sale.

Avoid diesels at this price point - they are very troublesome, and you're not doing the miles to warrant the risk.

motorguy

OddballJamie wrote: »

They all have their own faults and at your budget one fault could cost you the same as the car.

What's the oldest you'd consider?

Avoid a diesel and you'll avoid 95% of that risk.

getmeouttahere

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OnanTheBarbarian

Modern diesels are wonderful things when they are working right, but your balls will shrivel to the size of raisins when they play up.

In my book, a 100K+ oil burner, unless something with the 1.9tdi lump in (even then it's a gamble) is a liability.

If you're not after performance and want something reasonably durable, i'd be thinking along the lines of a MK4 Golf 1.6 petrol.

OddballJamie

motorguy wrote: »

Avoid a diesel and you'll avoid 95% of that risk.

Paul it was in reply to the question about diesels.

I wouldn't touch a used one.

lazer

With those miles I'd go for a deisal VW (make sure its a 1/9 engine and not a 2.0)

getmeouttahere

Thanks for the replies guys.

I didn't mean to sound like a snob in my earlier comment, so apologies if that's what I sounded like. I just meant that with the budget I've got, I could afford something newer.

If I'm looking at a petrol car, what about the query with mileage? I have seen a 2006 Vauxhall Vetra 2.2 Petrol that's done 123K miles for £1000. Is that a high mileage for a petrol car?