More car advice

[Steve-D]

Sorry I know
My megane is scrap. Don't really mind, 1.6 petrol averaging 25mpg piece of french shite.
So I'm on the look for something better on fuel, don't mind petrol or diesel. Needs to be insurance group 5 or less because I can't afford any more on insurance.
Currently looking at Peugot 306 1.9 diesel, Corolla 1.3 16v, polo 1.4 and almera's 1.4.
Budget can stretch to about 700 quid, not to bothered about looks just need something reliable.
Any other suggestions or things to look for on above cars would be much appreciated.
Cheers Steve.
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www.southwestbikers.com
Tristan The said 'Dunno what my pace will be like, fastish slow puncture on the rear and if I go too fast I risk my 'keys' falling out'

[blurredman]

Peugeot 205 ftw, 1.4 carb version is great!

None of that injection and CAT rubbish



Just throwing one to ya
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.

[tvchimp]

My bro had a 1.9 XLDT 306. Fast enough to make you laugh, decent size boot + space inside for people, not butt ugly (although I can think of better looking cars) and pretty economical on fuel (would do london and back to Nottingham for 1/2 a tank of fuel, pretty good imo as his 1.4 fiesta now does it on just under 1 full tank)..

Decent car and can be picked up fairly cheap. Would recommend it. Insurance would be cheap too.
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Bike: Currently Bikeless... Gahh

[DrDonnyBrago]

I have a 97 2.0D GS toyota corolla.

Utter fugly to look, handle like a jelly castle and power is a distant dream but it is a noble workhorse and gets 45+mpg even with 'spirited' driving. I have changed the oil a few times, plugged a leaky sump with some putty and rewired a loose fan switch connection but that is all in 3 years of owning it. It has been written off twice in that period (cosmetic damage) and recently hit 130k without any hiccups. The previous owner didn't do ANY maintenence in the 8 years she owned it, they really are pretty much invincible.

A mate of mine had a 170k 1.3 petrol model, same as above really he abused it until he sold it. Showered with abuse and neglect but lived to tell the tale. I can't recommend them highly enough .

[Robby]

In your price bracket you're buying on condition rather than any particular car. Diesels will generally be more economical than petrols, but a knackered example will still cost a lot to keep on the road.

It's one of the few times I may consider a Rover - I would take a really clean Rover 45 diesel over a totally knackered escort. Not Rover petrols though, I'm not that stupid.

You can afford to go for a slightly bigger car with a diesel too, for about the same fuel burn. I had a 306 d-turbo for a while, hated the car, but the engine would have been better suited in something bigger and returned the same fuel burn.

If you can find a reasonable Japanese diesel in your price range in fair condition then go for it, alternatively get a pre-2000 Japanese petrol under 1.55 litres and it will never break down, return 35mpg or better, and be cheap(er) to tax. Could be more to insure though.