diesel estate for a grand, what should i be avoiding?

[legrandefromage]

cheers lgf. plenty to think about. didnt think a 2003 mondeo would be within budget.

got to get my van mot'd and sold first but that has cheered me up to be honest.

Mondeos have a big expense hiding in them that makes them cheap:

dual mass flywheel - you'll hear/feel if its gone when you put the clutch in.

It kills the starter motor as well and requires about £700 on standby. Beyond that, I cant fault them - deserve better engines as they handle brilliantly

I'd be weary around anything over 120,000 on the mondeos, see if its been done as its good for 100,000 once done.

Rear subframe bushes go but there are kits around to make it cheaper.

 

[lewis1641]

dual mass flywheel

bloody modern stuff

 

[legrandefromage]

dual mass flywheel

bloody modern stuff

if you go for a Passat, make sure the front footwells are bone dry, the windows work and that there are no clonks from the front end.

 

[lewis1641]

Cheers dude. I'm thinking the octavia or c220 are the ones for me.

Really tempted by the mondeos but spoke to my mechanic friend and they apparently suffer from water and power steering pumps.

Thing is with cars you can do all the research in the world, buy a cracker then 2 weeks later blow a head gasket or drop a valve or whatever.

Unless you can buy with warranty you just have to be a little philosophical about tings

 

[CAS]

I've just parted with a Citroen ZX 1.9 diesel on the scrappage scheme. Ran it for 12 years with very little problem. Big bootspace for the size of car - took my bike flat out ( but it is a little one!)

Was also good for trips to the tip, wine buying trips to Calais and a lot else.

Returned 50 plus to the gallon - cost me about £100 per month to run over that time ( not including depreciation)

 

[lewis1641]

If i buy french do i have to start drinking vino?

Cheers for info. It's all going in!

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

Our 1.9tdi Skoda Octavia has been a fine car. Does 60 on a run and has been reliable too!

 

[Bike Hoarder]

thinking of letting my transporter go and buying a diesel estate in the hope of better fuel economy. the van will fetch about £1600

Tell me some more about your van, i'm looking for one.

 

[lewis1641]

It is a 97 1.9 diesel. 130k just had recon head as the crank pulley sheared. Will have 12 months mot. Lowered, can supply with alloys or steels. 3 seats. A bit tatty though. Looking for 1600 ish