Choose a car for £3...
 

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[Closed] Choose a car for £3k

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Driving 14-15k a year (mostly country type roads) - not much urban at all
Need space for shopping
Safe
Economical
Not one with a ****ing HDi engine or DMF
Can be diesel or petrol not fussed
Ability to have roof bars and/or a tow bar
5 doors a must
Not "clio" small


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 8:46 am
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1.4 Petrol Focus.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 8:59 am
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I spotted a 2003 5 door Audi A3 1.9TDI with 70k on the clock for 3250 this morning [url= http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=804825 ]HERE[/url]. A bit of haggling should get it for under 3K.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:04 am
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i got a 2.4 V6 Audi A4 Avant for £500 on ebay!

best family car ever! Dog, kids, bags and bike = Done!

EDIT- Missed the economical bit, only does 30MPG but its better than the 9mpg of Skyline powered 200sx


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:05 am
 cp
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Just keep things simple - any of the PD (i.e. 1.9 TD not 2.0 badged ones) VAG group diesels), pre-hdi pugs etc... Something like a Berlingo is well respected.

Petrol - 1.4 or 1.6 Focus, Corolla, Golf etc... etc...

Keep the tech simple and buy off condition - something with a very good service history and lots of records would be worth its weight in gold over something which on paper is more desirable but no records of having even an oil change etc...


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:10 am
 will
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Does sound like you are describing a Focus. However at £3k i'd say you'll either get a high mileage newer shape model, or a low mileage old shape.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:12 am
 hora
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DONT get rid of the Berlingo. Seriously.

You will be buying 3k of someone elses cast off. People tend to sell when a car has numerous issues, one coming up etc etc rather than just 'bored/time for a change'. 14-15k a year? You'd need a reliable car as well. Stick with what you know. Talking from experience here..

Also don't forget Mk1's are getting older and older now so you'll still have bills at somepoint. The seller will sell the car with 50% worn disc/pads etc etc etc etc etc... The cars new to you but it aint sure new to life.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:12 am
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3k? You could get a bike for that!


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:15 am
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Hora - i am concerned that the turbo (if its that) could go again sharpish and that i would be presented with a similar bill again.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:24 am
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1.9 DW8 berlingo/partner

no DMF , base model so no electric toys , no turbo.

does 40mpg religeously

slow as shit so will retain your licence

great in snow.

Find a written off one and get a garage to drop the engine in- youll get serious change from your 3k .... no body wants dw8s but they will run for ever.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:30 am
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Not one with a **** HDi engine

Why on earth not? Just sold my 406 HDi with 156k on the clock, having never had a problem with the engine.

Having said that, I just replaced it with an '08 plate Mondeo estate which I paid £4k for. A tad out of your budget, but you could do a lot worse than get one a year or two older than that for your budget (you're into big miles for that price, but I reckon that makes for better value). You could of course get a Focus instead, but if anything they seem to go for more money s/h than Mondeos once you're getting down to that sort of price, and I don't think there's much in it in terms of the running costs - you might as well have the extra space!


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:32 am
 hora
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Hora - i am concerned that the turbo (if its that) could go again sharpish and that i would be presented with a similar bill again.

If its a new turbo being fitted it will come with a 12months warranty.

Before then find a garage that WILL do the oil/filter/mesh clean change properly- look in a forum/ask around.

Madness. Seriously. I had something similar, car was fine to that point. Sorted the car and sold ASAP. Then walked into a full main dealer history/clean car with niggles/consumables that all added up..


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:32 am
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We bought Mrs TM a 2002 E46 325I with 86k on the clock for £3250 a few weeks back. Returns 30+mpg, and is supremely comfy. Will be buying another for me when the Mini needs to go back and leap off the car finance 'merry-go-round'

Any Diesel will always have the spectre of a failed turbo hanging over them and you'll soon wipe out any ecomonmy savings if it does go.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:33 am
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I know what you are saying hora thats why i have moved it to a new garage and want this:

OIL CHANGE PROCEDURE ON ALL DV6 ENGINES

It is necessary to follow a specific oil change procedure on all DV6 and DV6U engines so as to ensure that no used oil remains to mix with the new oil.

The following method must be used:

• The engine oil temperature must be at least 50°C :
- the engine oil temperature is considered to be at 50°C when the water temperature indicator is between 80°C and 90°C or the cooling fan has cut in
• ensure that the vehicle is level (side to side and fore and aft)
• remove the oil filter to allow the circuit to drain completely
• remove the oil filler cap and the dipstick
• remove the drain plug
• allow the oil to drain by gravity for at least 10 minutes (DO NOT USE SUCTION METHODS)
• fit a new oil filter
• refit the drain plug with a new sealing washer
• fill the engine with quantity of oil recommended for the engine
• refit the oil filler cap and the dipstick
• run the engine at idle until the oil pressure warning lamp goes out (about 1 minute)
• wait 5 minutes
• check the oil level using the dipstick: the level should be as close as possible to, but not exceeding the maximum mark (1) so as to be between (1) and (3)

For information, the lower mark (2) = Min (0%) the upper mark (1) = Max (100%) the intermediate mark (3) = ¾ litre.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:37 am
 cp
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Isn't that just normal oil & filter replacement procedure?


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:42 am
 hora
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If you 'must' why not trade it against a Citroen with a 2.0HDI?


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:44 am
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why would you do that ?


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:49 am
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cp yes but it must be done to avoid this sludge shite that ****s the turbo (but every 6-8 thousand km) not the 12k miles that is in the hand book, also needs all the sludge cleaning out


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:49 am
 hora
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The 2.0HDI doesn't have the foibles of the 1.6?


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:51 am
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what like a turbo ? you only have to google 2.0 HDI turbo failure.

all turbos are suceptable to this type of failure if servicing is not adhered to - unfortunantly many folk think servicing is optional.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:53 am
 hora
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Ah. What are the citroen petrols like?


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:54 am
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For a bit more cash you could have my Touran...

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/2005-vw-touran-20-tdi-sport-dsg#post-4554441


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:55 am
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the dw8 diesel is the citroen engine to have for longevity - it has its folibles too but nothing like turbo failure , usualy camshaft sensor failure or the ECU needing flashed as it has a hicup and forgets what its supposed to do nothing catastrophic just a bit of diesel hammer - havnt had mine flashed yet , i just kill the engine and restart it.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:59 am
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Have a look at a VW Passat 2.0 TDI (55 reg) have had mine now for 2 years and the best car I have had (and I have had a few). Great for the family large enough for bikes in the boot with wheels off, and average 50 mpg over the 2 years which is not bad.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 10:47 am
 hora
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That era Passat also has many documented issues (no not just the parking brake)- that era 2.0TDI.

Loddrik I did say you'd be better sorting the sensors yourself first!


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 10:53 am
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[url= http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/honda/civic-2001/ ]Honda Civic 1.4 2001 - 2005[/url]


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 10:59 am
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3k ish should get a 50-60k Honda CR-V. Big, safe, towbars, roof rack all ok. Fuel is heavy'ish with around 30-35mph on open road. Handles likea whale and is not fast, but several bikes in back= no problem. had mine for 50k iles and is now hitting 110k, no problems


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 11:29 am
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doesn't fit my criteria what so ever though


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 11:35 am
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[i]Loddrik I did say you'd be better sorting the sensors yourself first! [/i]

I actually agree with Hora. Lights on dash = MOT fail = expense for new owner.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 12:13 pm
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A Mercedes W124 E-Class. You'll easily find one for under £3k, mechanically very simple so things rarely go wrong with them, massive boot (can fit a bike and plenty of kit in the boot), nice enough to drive (not sporting or exciting, but competent and comfortable).

Maybe not the prettiest car to look at, but safe, reliable and practical. Still love my 1995 N-plate version, despite it being almost 18 years old now. Starts every time without fail and has never failed an MOT on anything other than a bulb or a tyre.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 12:16 pm
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doesn't fit my criteria what so ever though

Funny because when i was last looking for a car here were my criteria

Driving 14-15k a year (mostly country type roads) - not much urban at all
Need space for shopping[b], dogs, bikes, camping stuff[/b]
Safe
Economical
Can be diesel or petrol not fussed
Ability to have roof bars [b]and[/b] a tow bar [b](preferable with towbar already fitted)[/b]
5 doors a must
[b]Reliability a must[/b]
Not "clio" small
[b]Doesn't have to be an egomobile[/b]

and I've had a CR-V for a couple of years, am happy with it and would recommend it.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 12:44 pm
 timc
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Upped my budget to £5k ish. Focus estate petrol?


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:23 pm
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http://www.w124.co.uk/carsforsale.php
You can even have Steve Coogans old wagon:
http://www.w124.co.uk/carsforsale.php?page=detail&id=200737


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:32 pm
 br
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Should be able to get a face-lift Vectra for that.

I ran a 2006 2.2i SRi auto for a couple of years, 33mpg at a thrash (company car fuel) and £200 a 20k service. Plenty of space and handled far better than you'd think.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:39 pm
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Trying to steer clear of diesel


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:45 pm
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I'd get a 2 ltr Non turbo forester,fits your requirements except for the economical bit ,but driven conservatively it shouldnt be too bad,or see if you can find one thats had a LPG conv.


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 9:47 pm
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hora - Member

People tend to sell when a car has numerous issues, one coming up etc etc rather than just 'bored/time for a change'

Memo to all: Don't buy a car off Hora...


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 11:14 pm
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following from an earlier thread: http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/saab/9-5/saab-9-5-se-t-2001/947774

Driving 14-15k a year (mostly country type roads) - not much urban at all - [b]easy miles for one of these. While the SE has softer suspension than an Aero, it'll even out the rougher roads[/b]
Need space for shopping - [b]check[/b]
Safe - [b]one of the safest cars in its class, built to pass the moose test, door handles designed to be strong enough they can be used to drag it out of a ditch should you slide into one in the middle of the swedish wilderness 😉 )[/b]
Economical - [b]used to average about 35mpg on the daily commute, which equaled around 450-475miles out of a tank, long motorway runs i could get 550-600miles[/b]
Not one with a **** HDi engine or DMF - [b]nope, petrol, low pressure turbo, change the oil regulary and you'll be fine - especially doing lots of miles, they hate short urban drives[/b]
Can be diesel or petrol not fussed
Ability to have roof bars and/or a tow bar - [b]estates pre 2005 have roof bars as standard. ours had a tow bar fitted too[/b]
5 doors a must - [b]check[/b]
Not "clio" small - [b]check[/b]

A lot of car for your money - just get the sump dropped by a saab specilist and the oil pick up checked for any deposit build up, and run it on fully synth oil changing every 6000-8000miles and the engine will run and run (chain cam too, never needed changing in the 185,000k miles we had our last one)


 
Posted : 15/01/2013 11:31 pm
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If your worried just get a petrol Mondeo. You can pick them up for daft money. Any garage can fix one, parts are cheap & in plentiful supply, & they are actually a decent car to drive & live with. I wouldn't hesitate to get another if ours dies, ours is a diesel with 170k on the clock, drives perfectly though. Real world it does 40mpg, risk is a big bill hence me saying petrol engine. We only got a diesel for towing. Next one will be petrol.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 12:52 am
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Spend the money on sorting out you current car and save 4k in one fell swoop


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 7:26 am
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I ask spending £1k on a repair that may well go again imminently. This is on mechanics advice


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 7:32 am
 hora
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If you must buy a used car don't buy a used VW Golf. You'll be on here moaning about it very soon!

Just buy a petrol Civic, Accord or 2.0 petrol Toyota.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 7:56 am
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If it were me I'd go for a Nissan Note 1.6 petrol


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 8:01 am
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Hora 2/3 correct - well done


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 8:32 am
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golfs are bloody expensive as they get older and 3k doesnt get you much golf.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 8:33 am
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You'd get a half descent VW T4 transporter for that.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 8:34 am
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Right can we have a definitive list of good cars around £5k please


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 2:01 pm
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Hyundai i30


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 2:07 pm
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"You'd get a half descent VW T4 transporter for that."

i think the correct term is "lolzors"

youll get something with starship milage that the haters gonna hate and the players gonna love.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 2:09 pm
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AGH someone TELL me what to buy 🙂


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 3:38 pm
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rob jackson - Member
AGH someone TELL me what to buy

Mondeo 2.0 Ghia. All the bells and whistles, cruise, leather etc etc.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 3:40 pm
 hora
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Honda Accord.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 3:41 pm
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That Civic joolsburger posted.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 3:49 pm
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Go back to your original budget and get a mk Focus ST170 estate.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 4:00 pm
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+ 1 for a civic hatch ...
Ive had a 1.6 vtec for the last 6 years - 70,000 miles by me (103k total) and no issues whatsoever ....
Plenty of room with the seats down and 40+ mpg on a run - best car ive had - END OF !!


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 4:12 pm
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The Civic.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 4:25 pm
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Rover 75 estate/ZT-T with the L-series engine for bulletproofness, 50mpg (ZT-T has good handling) and low emmissions.

Dirt cheap.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 4:42 pm
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Old dti vectra

Robin reliant

Delorean

Lada riva

306 td

1.6 petrol berlingo

300 tdi discovery

A milk carton

An a loaf of bread.


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 6:02 pm
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^^^^^ Bit of work on the price and id certainly go for it ...


 
Posted : 16/01/2013 6:30 pm