Cheap Diesel Runabout?
14-10-2009, 04:33 PM
#1
My Cossie Ate My Money
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Cheap Diesel Runabout?
With my VR6 going up for sale imenently i am soon going to be looking for something good on fuel to smoke about it for a while and ive been thinking about going diesel for the first time.
I will have a budget of about 1k and i have been looking at TD escort vans but what would people suggest is a good motor for what i need, the faster the better but tbh economy is paramount here.
Thanks
I will have a budget of about 1k and i have been looking at TD escort vans but what would people suggest is a good motor for what i need, the faster the better but tbh economy is paramount here.
Thanks
14-10-2009, 05:01 PM
#5
Wahay!! I've lost my Virginity!!
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got a saxo 1.5 dieslel 4door xreg! full history, 12months MOT, 1 previous owner 60mpg, got a private plate on (X36LOE)just had it valued at Ł700!
14-10-2009, 05:02 PM
#6
My Cossie Ate My Money
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My mate had a 306 D Turbo and he was really happy with it as a runabout never caused him any bother i may have to look into them. I think they can look pretty good with a set nice wheels aswell.
Last edited by lozi; 14-10-2009 at 05:14 PM.
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14-10-2009, 05:33 PM
#9
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
if you want sporty handling and 50mpg then the 306dt is hard to beat.
plus points are
50 mpg
great handling
design still looks great
rust proofing
reliable
bad points
notchy gearchange
trim is comfortable but wears fast
slightly dodgy electrics
if you need comfort and load space then buy a citroen zx estate td which is same engine as the pug.
had my citroen nearly a week and i really love the ride no longer worry about potholes it just glides over them
Good points
50mpg
great ride comfortable
huge load space if u get a estate
rust proofing
cheap parts and very reliable and cheaper to buy a good one compared to the 306
bad points
not much feel from steering
styling is bland (could be either a good or bad point depending on your point of view)
slightly dodgy electrics
plus points are
50 mpg
great handling
design still looks great
rust proofing
reliable
bad points
notchy gearchange
trim is comfortable but wears fast
slightly dodgy electrics
if you need comfort and load space then buy a citroen zx estate td which is same engine as the pug.
had my citroen nearly a week and i really love the ride no longer worry about potholes it just glides over them
Good points
50mpg
great ride comfortable
huge load space if u get a estate
rust proofing
cheap parts and very reliable and cheaper to buy a good one compared to the 306
bad points
not much feel from steering
styling is bland (could be either a good or bad point depending on your point of view)
slightly dodgy electrics
or a BM like my new one, lol.
14-10-2009, 05:38 PM
#11
It may not sound appealing, but the best you can do for very little cash is a Rover 420D
Has the Honda engine, and for what it is, it's excellent to drive.
I had one with 180k on the clock and still drove like it was brand new, and everything worked on it. Was well equipped too, comfortable, nippy enough etc etc.
As said, sounds about as appealing as a rickshaw, but is actually superb, and streets ahead of every other diesel of the same sort of age and price (Mine was a P-Reg).
Has the Honda engine, and for what it is, it's excellent to drive.
I had one with 180k on the clock and still drove like it was brand new, and everything worked on it. Was well equipped too, comfortable, nippy enough etc etc.
As said, sounds about as appealing as a rickshaw, but is actually superb, and streets ahead of every other diesel of the same sort of age and price (Mine was a P-Reg).
14-10-2009, 05:39 PM
#12
PassionFord Post Whore!!
I got an N plate Citroen ZX Vlocane TD with 6 month tax and 7 month test on it for Ł200. I have never had a 306 but love my ZX's, Ive had a few 
Turn the boost and diesel pump up a bit too and get the extra bit poke and still good mpg.
Turn the boost and diesel pump up a bit too and get the extra bit poke and still good mpg.
14-10-2009, 05:40 PM
#13
My Cossie Ate My Money
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14-10-2009, 05:42 PM
#14
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
306 Dt... Love mine, Cheap as chips to run and parts are peanuts had mine for years got it free with a blown head gasket, Did that, chucked some front arms on it, That was 4 years ago... Not spent a penny since.... Ok I lied... I purchased a Half leather interior for Ł100 last week 
Adam
Adam
14-10-2009, 05:43 PM
#15
PassionFord Post Troll
why not get something from the VAG group. passats are generaly the cheapest. 110 bhp and can be mapped up to 150. ive had 306dturbo and passat. vw all day long. hated the 306.
14-10-2009, 05:50 PM
#16
My Cossie Ate My Money
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What mk of passat are we talking here because i will only have about 1k, i quite like my golf i got atm so vag may be an idea but i need to get rid and get something good on fuel while i save for another saph or an rst.
14-10-2009, 06:58 PM
#17
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
and ZX ftw
"what speed hump"
14-10-2009, 07:39 PM
#18
PassionFord Post Troll
98 onwards, you can get a tdi passat for a grand easy. they drive so nice compared to pugs.
i gave a little over a grand for this........
but saloon ones without suspension, are ten a penny for a grand.
best runaround ive ever had. i get 100 miles to a tenner. and i drive it quite hard.
funnily its better on diesel than the pug 306
i gave a little over a grand for this........
but saloon ones without suspension, are ten a penny for a grand.
best runaround ive ever had. i get 100 miles to a tenner. and i drive it quite hard.
funnily its better on diesel than the pug 306
14-10-2009, 08:49 PM
#19
Wahay!! I've lost my Virginity!!
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14-10-2009, 09:31 PM
#20
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Ive had them all derv wise Ford, Vaux, Vw, Pug etc etc
For the cash the pug derv is the best, get the 1.9td over the hdi tho
be it 306/406 or older 405
For the cash the pug derv is the best, get the 1.9td over the hdi tho
be it 306/406 or older 405
and its nippy too
14-10-2009, 10:09 PM
#25
My vote would be the passat for your price range,we used to have this era of when we had the hire company years ago.Pretty nice to drive loads of low down go and mint on fuel for there time.I remember one journey of picking one of these up when I was in my mk3 3i which was not standard and my old man who was 20 stone in one of those.All I will say it was an interesting drive home
14-10-2009, 11:33 PM
#27
Advanced PassionFord User
DO NOT GET A 306 Dturbo or |Hdi!!my mates and i have owned them!. nothing but problems1
french XUD diesels are shite!!
i personally think a passat, i had one.. 172k miles and it was MINT paid Ł500 and sold for Ł1k... Loved it
I tuned my 306' and a few mates, Always happy with the work i done... Mot time was lovely.. Bushes and ball joint failure pornograthy lmao
bigern i had a well specced ph1 Dturbo, Was lucas and t2 when i got it.
Converted to bosch and kept the t2, got a round ported 1999 head and ported that, got a 1.9mm Headgasket, 2.5" boxless exhaust, no air filter, 28 psi of boost, ported exhaust manifold, max fuel screwed out 2 turns, boost compensator 3 and a half, pump advanced 10 degrees, Max rev limit 6000 rpm.
Was a bit too much...lol, at least it wasnt a later DHY engine that like to throw rods out after 25psi and 4500+rpm!
french XUD diesels are shite!!
i personally think a passat, i had one.. 172k miles and it was MINT paid Ł500 and sold for Ł1k... Loved it
I tuned my 306' and a few mates, Always happy with the work i done... Mot time was lovely.. Bushes and ball joint failure pornograthy lmao
bigern i had a well specced ph1 Dturbo, Was lucas and t2 when i got it.
Converted to bosch and kept the t2, got a round ported 1999 head and ported that, got a 1.9mm Headgasket, 2.5" boxless exhaust, no air filter, 28 psi of boost, ported exhaust manifold, max fuel screwed out 2 turns, boost compensator 3 and a half, pump advanced 10 degrees, Max rev limit 6000 rpm.
Was a bit too much...lol, at least it wasnt a later DHY engine that like to throw rods out after 25psi and 4500+rpm!
Last edited by crumpet; 14-10-2009 at 11:36 PM.
14-10-2009, 11:41 PM
#28
Advanced PassionFord User
lol.. me and my mates had these problems, On and bolster wear and the bodges from previous owners
14-10-2009, 11:50 PM
#30
Advanced PassionFord User
actually saying about passats....Mondeo tddi's aint bad! get them for cheap money now days and are fairly reliable, still not as comfy as golfs/passats thoughm build quality on vag is second to none
16-10-2009, 06:55 PM
#31
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Some very mixed responces now at first it seemed everybody was saying 306 and now everybody is saying not the 306 lol#
TBH in my head atm i like the idea of a HDi 306 with some extra boost and an fmic, some say get HDi but others say get the older 1.9 but the Ph3 Hdi's seem like better cars to me.
I would only get another golf if it was a Mk4 tbh performance car wise its Mk3 all day for me but for a derv it would have to be a Mk4 and the TDi's dont seem to exist within my budget. Passat is quite interesting but i think maybe abit big for tanking about it and abusing day to day tbh but on the plus side the quad wud possibly go in the back!
TBH in my head atm i like the idea of a HDi 306 with some extra boost and an fmic, some say get HDi but others say get the older 1.9 but the Ph3 Hdi's seem like better cars to me.
I would only get another golf if it was a Mk4 tbh performance car wise its Mk3 all day for me but for a derv it would have to be a Mk4 and the TDi's dont seem to exist within my budget. Passat is quite interesting but i think maybe abit big for tanking about it and abusing day to day tbh but on the plus side the quad wud possibly go in the back!
16-10-2009, 07:06 PM
#32
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
For what its worth I've just picked up a R reg 172k Passat for Ł600. Needs a timing belt and has a whistly turbo, but seems to be running fine.
JAmes.
JAmes.
16-10-2009, 08:01 PM
#33
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Avoid the HDI if you want a cheap run around as they are well known for going tits up.
1.9td Is the reliable one, Love mine cant fault it, parts are peanuts if you need them too, You can run about 20PSI on the top mount.. And it makes them very nippy! Usually get 550-600 miles to a tank.
Lozi Do you know Ginge with the 4x4 Saff from MK?
Adam
1.9td Is the reliable one, Love mine cant fault it, parts are peanuts if you need them too, You can run about 20PSI on the top mount.. And it makes them very nippy! Usually get 550-600 miles to a tank.
Lozi Do you know Ginge with the 4x4 Saff from MK?
Adam
Some very mixed responces now at first it seemed everybody was saying 306 and now everybody is saying not the 306 lol#
TBH in my head atm i like the idea of a HDi 306 with some extra boost and an fmic, some say get HDi but others say get the older 1.9 but the Ph3 Hdi's seem like better cars to me.
I would only get another golf if it was a Mk4 tbh performance car wise its Mk3 all day for me but for a derv it would have to be a Mk4 and the TDi's dont seem to exist within my budget. Passat is quite interesting but i think maybe abit big for tanking about it and abusing day to day tbh but on the plus side the quad wud possibly go in the back!
TBH in my head atm i like the idea of a HDi 306 with some extra boost and an fmic, some say get HDi but others say get the older 1.9 but the Ph3 Hdi's seem like better cars to me.
I would only get another golf if it was a Mk4 tbh performance car wise its Mk3 all day for me but for a derv it would have to be a Mk4 and the TDi's dont seem to exist within my budget. Passat is quite interesting but i think maybe abit big for tanking about it and abusing day to day tbh but on the plus side the quad wud possibly go in the back!
17-10-2009, 08:25 AM
#35
PassionFord Post Whore!!
HDI's can suffer duff injectors, rattling bottom pullys and oil pump failure
Nice smooth drive though
U cant stand there and moan that 1.9tds are shit when you have modded them to fuck just like cossie owners then cry when it breaks
Passats suffer fucked radiators and its practically a servicable item tbh as they rot like fuck on bottom n/s, suspension bushes gubbed-plenty to replace with the passat front wishbone, front/rear wishbone, upper arms x 4 each side and c-links aswell as arb bushes........not fucking cheap all in, common strut top bush's aswell, Vags can suffer headgasket failure, early pd engines had shite tappets that wear quickly leading the cam to be gubbed and starts missfiring aswell as sounding like a bag of spanners, common turbo failure aswell as dmf/clutch issues
Great cars but can suffer lots of problems just like any other brand
Since ive had both 1.9td pugs/hdi aswell, a 130 tdi bora (awesome power), 2002 passat TDI aswell as fords and vaux the pug still gets my vote for a cheap runner which you want compared to the others
Nice smooth drive though
U cant stand there and moan that 1.9tds are shit when you have modded them to fuck just like cossie owners then cry when it breaks
Passats suffer fucked radiators and its practically a servicable item tbh as they rot like fuck on bottom n/s, suspension bushes gubbed-plenty to replace with the passat front wishbone, front/rear wishbone, upper arms x 4 each side and c-links aswell as arb bushes........not fucking cheap all in, common strut top bush's aswell, Vags can suffer headgasket failure, early pd engines had shite tappets that wear quickly leading the cam to be gubbed and starts missfiring aswell as sounding like a bag of spanners, common turbo failure aswell as dmf/clutch issues
Great cars but can suffer lots of problems just like any other brand
Since ive had both 1.9td pugs/hdi aswell, a 130 tdi bora (awesome power), 2002 passat TDI aswell as fords and vaux the pug still gets my vote for a cheap runner which you want compared to the others
Last edited by Csm; 17-10-2009 at 08:36 AM.
17-10-2009, 08:58 AM
#37
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
my only beef with it is the notchy gear change and heavy clutch, reminds me of my old 406 in that regard.
Last edited by Dlatch!; 17-10-2009 at 08:59 AM.
17-10-2009, 09:01 AM
#38
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Agree with the comments re Rovers though, i've ran a couple of diesels now (an N plate 420SD and an R plate 420GSDi) and despite the Rover image both were extremely reliable and never gave me any issues whatsoever in the time I owned them!
Plenty in the scrappies for parts too.
18-10-2009, 09:44 AM
#40
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Avoid the HDI if you want a cheap run around as they are well known for going tits up.
1.9td Is the reliable one, Love mine cant fault it, parts are peanuts if you need them too, You can run about 20PSI on the top mount.. And it makes them very nippy! Usually get 550-600 miles to a tank.
Lozi Do you know Ginge with the 4x4 Saff from MK?
Adam
1.9td Is the reliable one, Love mine cant fault it, parts are peanuts if you need them too, You can run about 20PSI on the top mount.. And it makes them very nippy! Usually get 550-600 miles to a tank.
Lozi Do you know Ginge with the 4x4 Saff from MK?
Adam
Yes mate i know ginge but i havent spoke to him since my saph went tbh.
Lots of good info on this thread this site can be great for info on all subjects sometimes you just dont get it on other sites.
Its between a 306 and a passat it seems, i like the idea of the TD 306 with some extra boost but the passat may be the better car i think. All older cars have problems especially in my price range so i will expect that.