Diesel car recommendations

[sidewinder]

There seems to be quite a few people on here that know about cars so this is worth a go:

 

I currently drive an M reg Escort LX 1.6, which although mechanically fine, is likely to fail its next MOT due to the amount of corrosion on the bodywork. So it is probably time to scrap ir or at least get rid to someone who wants the work.

 

As I have started doing quite a bit more driving (roughly 180 miles a week) I would like something pretty economical, moreso than the Escort, which from my crude workings out seems to get me 45-50MPG already.

 

Was thinking of a mid to late 90's Peugeot 306D 1.9, since they seem economical, reliable, cheap (£1000 is my absolute limit) and cooler than my current car (though not a lot isnt tbf)

 

Decent choice, or is there anything else worth looking at for that price? (It doesnt have to be diesel, but economy is key for me)

[Haptic]

Previous owner of a 1.9l Pug 306 Turbo Diesel.....at times I wonder why I ever got rid of it.

 

Well worth a purchase, cheap to insure and a little poke from the Turbo unit (providing it isn't whistling when you buy it!)

[K.C.Leblanc]

Decent choice, or is there anything else worth looking at for that price? (It doesnt have to be diesel, but economy is key for me)

 

The Citroen Xsara is, under the skin, the same car. It's also often cheaper.

 

EDIT: Mondeos and early Focuses might be worth a look. However the diesel engines are meant to be pretty naff, until they introduced the TDCi engines.

Edited October 11, 2010 by K.C.Leblanc

[oalcock]

I know you may not want a large car but you can get some good Citroen Picasso Diesels for around £1000, the engines in them go for ever so if you buy a high mileage one - it is fine, but look for FSH and look for one that hasn't been ill treat.

[woodham]

nothing wrong with the early ford tdi engines mine eventually died but then that was down to other faults rarther than the engine which had done just over 200k

focus

[witch]

MrwITch had a trusty Pug 306 turbo diesel for many years and loved it - he now drives a 206 HDI Sport and loves that too.Very economical - he drives 150 miles a day - and comfy to drive, with good acceleration

[BenABF]

Another recommendation for 306 Turbo Diesel, I've owned 2 and found they are nice to drive, economical, cheap to fix and go quite well. Can't ask for more really.

[sidewinder]

Seems everyone likes them

I have taken a look at Citroens, but they just dont do it for me for some reason

 

Will probably look to purchase one then! Cheers everyone

[Andrew_C]

I really like Citroens, I had two Xantias and am seriously thinking of going to a C5 for the comfort. I know that they have a poor reputation for reliability/electrics, but I might be tempted to risk it!

[BenABF]

I really like Citroens, I had two Xantias and am seriously thinking of going to a C5 for the comfort. I know that they have a poor reputation for reliability/electrics, but I might be tempted to risk it!

All French cars do, but when they do work they are great

[Gonk]

I really like Citroens, I had two Xantias and am seriously thinking of going to a C5 for the comfort. I know that they have a poor reputation for reliability/electrics, but I might be tempted to risk it!

 

I worked for 6 years in a Citroën dealer. My only advice on the C5 is if you buy one, either make it an ex demo so its in manufacturer warranty or if its over 3 years old make sure its got a full service history and a good 12 month warranty! The previous model could be a pig of car when it wanted to be. The C5 from 2008 on is a good car without the faults!

Edited October 13, 2010 by Gonk

[john]

To be different, VW TDIs are good engines as well and if serviced and looked after should go on and on Loved all the VW Diesels I've had

[mac_shinobi]

I'd never go near another pug .... EVER !!!

 

Honda or Nissan for me so far, maybe vauxhall but not sure

[michael2k6]

A pug is sound if it's been looked after. I'm not sure about the older models but the newer ones are a massive donkey to do the timing belt on (don't even know if the 306 is a chain or belt), and i've had to do all sorts to my ex's pug 106 and a friends 306 sedan.

All doable mind, just a massive pain.

If it's right when you get it you'll be sound. It whether its been treated right, which i supose is true of any car, but bear in mind the french ones are generally more of a pain to fix.

[3s-gtech]

Another recommendation for 306. With a little of freshening up of any tired suspension parts, they also handle like a go-kart (same for the Xsara really). The XUD9 TE is a very tough engine with pleny of power too.

[pinemarten]

Recommend Astra Mk3 TD- have had an estate 9 years now-very few problems apart from a new cylinder head a few years ago, is now on 150K .

It's a GM engine - some say Isuzu engine (TDS) is better but mine's been fine (apart from the above).

 

it just goes on and on...

[K.C.Leblanc]

I really like Citroens, I had two Xantias and am seriously thinking of going to a C5 for the comfort. I know that they have a poor reputation for reliability/electrics, but I might be tempted to risk it!

 

Xantia's have very inconsistent build quality.

 

My folks have owned 3 of them, two of which were passed onto me.

 

The first one was an absolute joy;

 

Both my Dad and the previous owner hadn't looked after it properly. On one occasion my dad asked me to check the oil, it was off the bottom of the dip stick. The engine was obviously very worn, it used a litre of oil every 500 miles and sounded like a cement mixed full of bolts.

 

Despite this the engine pulled smoothly (it was the 1.8 8v petrol engine). And in two years the car only needed tires, brake pads and an exhaust (all item that will wear out on any car). The only fault that occurred was an actuator arm for the suspention system came detached, my mechanic fixed it for a tenner.

 

The other one, I owned for two months and then gave back to my parents after realising the following problems.

 

The Engine fan died,

There was half and inch of water under the back seat,

The driver's door needed it's hinges re welding because it was dropping,

There was something wrong with the fueling, emu, because it had no pull at low revs.

 

The 3rd on seems to be ok, but then my folks haven't actually driven it for 18 months, so it's hard to tell. Seamed pretty all together on the two occasions I've borrowed it.

 

The guy who looks after my folk's Xantias has advised against early C5s. I think the issue is they use the more troublesome suspension system from high end Xantias (VSX and Exective) and the XM.

[MK-2]

i may as well wade in too

 

i had a diesel 206 (of the 1.9 variety) which was ok, but at times could be a real bugger to start, or use in lower gears. have since got a 308 diesel and its amazing. it seems peugeot are doing something right with their diesel engines as a lot of them seem very decent.

obviously the 308 will be above the 1000 limit you have, but id say judging by the amount of people with 306's here, it looks a good bet.

if the 306's are the same as my 308, i'm averaging about 550/650 miles on a full tank (which is about £60). so i can generally get away with 5 weeks driving on a full tank before filling up

[sidewinder]

Well I've bought a 306 - 1997 1.9XLD with about 120k on the clock for £725. Years MOT and Tax. Not immaculate cosmetically but I had a drive and it was nice, very smooth. So I'm happy

[3s-gtech]

^^The XLD is the non-turbo (are you sure it's not an XLdT?), same as mine. Glacially slow. Not as good on fuel as the turbo. Mine benefitted from a heavy right foot, freed it up a bit. Incredibly tough car though.

[sidewinder]

Oh b0llocks...knew I shouldnt have just bought it. Yeah I'm pretty sure its just an XLD (picking it up later)

Oh well, I'll see how I get on with it. Tbh the full years MOT and tax probably made me a bit blind to what the car is actually like

[3s-gtech]

Don't despair, despite a bad rep on that engine it's still a good car. 72bhp, shorter gear ratios than the turbo. I just rev the guts off mine. it cruises nicely on motorways at 3krpm, and on B roads it's great fun as you just corner at the same speed you were doing. If you are not a quick driver, it's a good choice. If you like to make faster progress, it can be a bit frustrating.

[sidewinder]

Hmm could be good news - I think it could be a Turbo afterall - putting the reg number in to get insurance quotes comes up with 306 TD LX, and the V5 has it down as a LX DT.

Is there any physical way I can tell for sure, anything on the engine? I just assumed it wasnt as it didnt have the TurboDiesel badge on the back

[BenABF]

You will see a big intercooler on top of the engine, it looks like a radiator.

[sidewinder]

Oh, yay then, because it has that