Hi,

we currently have a peugeot 106 which my partner malcolm drives every day to magna park in lutterworth for his new job. the car was bought about 18 months ago as a 'first car' and was only expected to be used for visiting family in london and hull and driving round sheffield. But as some of you know, malcolm got a new job just after christmas and now is doing 1000 miles a week. The peugeot 106 'independance' was registered in 2002 and has about 25,000 miles - does anyone know approximately how much it should be worth now?

Because of the increase in mileage mal will be doing, we are looking to get a new (but used) car and step the model up a notch. We are looking at VW golfs, Peugeot 206 (we like our 106 and it seems like an obvious progression) or a Toyota Yaris (our third choice and one we're not sure about). We're looking to spend about £6-7,000 including any money we can get for our current car. We are thinking about getting a diesel because it might save on petrol - can anyone advise on costs of diesel and efficiency?

neither of us know much about cars, and I have to admit I have just been looking at them aesthetically so far! We're going for a browse on saturday, so any advice or alternative suggestions would be much appreciated :)

Harriet

Originally posted by HarrietStar
We are thinking about getting a diesel because it might save on petrol

If you get a Diesel, you won't have to buy petrol, so it will save you money.

I don't know how much this will help you, as I live in California, not Sheffield. But here goes. In 1984, we bought a new diesel Mazda light pickup truck. We got it cheap because the dealer wanted it off the lot, and no one else was interested in a diesel.

21 years later. My husband still uses it to commute to work in. It has over 400,000 miles on it, and still runs strong, gets excellent mileage (about 400 miles per 12 gallon tank of fuel) we don't have to get a smog certificate for it every year because being a diesel, it's exempt from California's stringent pollution laws.

God only knows why...but it is.

It's gone through three sets of new tires, a half dozen batteries, two windshields, a couple of radiators (it's hot here, and cars will overheat if you don't watch it) one new drive line and two sets of universal joints, and had the transmission replaced twice. It seems to be a weak spot on this vehicle. Husband rebuilt the latest transmission last summer. He does all the oil changes and most maintenence himself.

It even outlived my father in law's diesel Mercedes. I will say that most of the driving we've done has been freeway miles. I used it to drive back and forth to the San Francisco Bay Area (about 180 miles round trip) every day, until the kids came along, and I quit working. It's also a five speed manual stick shift transmission, not an automatic.

If you don't mind it, I would say that a diesel will probably last you longer than a gas engine car. Something to think about. Good luck with your decision.

:) Sierra

Originally posted by viking
If you get a Diesel, you won't have to buy petrol, so it will save you money.


:clap: Certainly made me smile ;)

Originally posted by Sierra
It's gone through three sets of new tires,

Only three sets of tyres in 400,000 miles :o

I would suggest if you are doing lots of motorway miles. You would be better of with a larger car because it will be better suited and quieter at motorway speeds, and this makes the commute less stressful, and is much safer in a collision than a small car. If you want to save money on fuel and get a diesel.
you could look at Toyota avensis (the single most reliable car I have ever known) Mondeo, Honda, Mazdas.

I personally avoid renaults citroens and fiats. These cars look stylish when new but they have always suffered from electrical and build quality issues, and that's why they are cheap second hand.

"If you get a Diesel, you won't have to buy petrol, so it will save you money"

lol that's very pedantic. what i meant was if driving 1000 miles a week, would diesel be more economic?

i've been looking at the honda jazz, but not sure yet. we want a fairly small zippy car though for driving around sheffield and parking (i am a terrible parker).

I wouldn't consider a citreon because the seats i've seen in Saxos are horrible lol and fiat's always look cheaply made.

We're going to look at toyota on saturday so we'll look at the avensis.

ok, to re-phrase the question.. if you had £6,500 to spend on a car to drive 1000 miles a week, what would you choose?

diesel is much more economical than petrol in most cars. Unless you get a sports diesel like a BMW which uses so much of it you are better off with a petrol, which is cheaper to service.
Don't worry about parking, you will get better anyhow, and if you have a larger car then you will soon get used to the size.

I would want to know how much of your 1000 miles a week is motorway mileage. If it's mostly motorway, then you need a motorway car. A small car on the motorway will be less comfy and will be less ready to take the hammering of motorway mileage.

VW passat diesel or turbo diesel is also a fantastic car. Extremely solid and v. high build quality and a pleasure to drive. My brother used to have one. You can get these as ex company cars with higher mileage, well worth looking at.

nearly all the mileage is on the motorway - from broomhill via parkway to the M1 to lutterworth and back.

I do a similar routine, Shef to Brum and back, 600 miles a week.

My car is in the garage this week (Ford Cougar) so i've got a corsa.
It makes a huge difference.

Get a car with at least a 1.8 preferably a 2.0, diesel makes sense (I don't have diesel, but i don't pay for the journey).

Something in the mondeo size class would be ideal. Passat as mentioned already, or Audi A4, or a Mondeo itself. Vectra maybe, or get something a little nicer since your SO will spend what, 20hrs a week sat in it (that will feel like most of his life).
If you could find something with greater than regular service intervals it would be good, as otherwise you'll need it services at once every 2.5th months.

I'd spend a couple of grand less and hunt out a good Vauxhall Omega if I was in your position.

Well I do over a 1000 miles a week, and a 1.3/1.4 is perfectly fine for me.

Diesels are good though

I'd avoid a mondeo unless you want an accident (they are so dull they make you fall asleep).

Originally posted by Skatiechik

Only three sets of tyres in 400,000 miles :o

Obviously not a Rover. ;)

Originally posted by t020
Obviously not a Rover. ;) :confused:

I can only say driving over 100,000 miles on the same set of tyres, particularly the fronts is not reccomended regardless of marque. But if you want to drive bald tyres round and kill yourself feel free.

Originally posted by Skatiechik
Well I do over a 1000 miles a week, and a 1.3/1.4 is perfectly fine for me.
Having driven many hundreds of thousands of miles on our motorways, in lots of different cars. The difference in quality of a modern 2 litre and a screaming 1.5.
There is no comparison. It's more relaxed, much quieter, easier and less stressful, and the car lasts much longer, and looks in much better condition after a higher milage.
In fact I have driven quite a few hundred in a 3 litre car and that's even better!

Also bigger cars have larger wheels, often 16 or 17 inches. On larger wheels the tyres last for much more miles, this is much better for motorway mileage. As it will cost you less in tyres.

Originally posted by muddycoffee
Having driven many hundreds of thousands of miles on our motorways, in lots of different cars. The difference in quality of a modern 2 litre and a screaming 1.5.

Not disagreeing, not for me tho - big car = more insurance.

Agree about the engine, I have a 2.5v6 and the comparison when driving in traffic that keeps slowing down and speeding up to the 1.4 corsa this week is tremendous.
I don't change gear until 30 in my car, i'm having ot change at 60 in the corsa to catch back up when things accelerate again.

Regarding tyres, I've been a bit unlucky and had 5 tyres in 25k miles on 17" rims.

Have you considered a hybrid car? They will save you on petrol, insurance, tax and a congestion charge (if they bring it to town).

Originally posted by Pete1024
Have you considered a hybrid car? They will save you on petrol, insurance, tax and a congestion charge (if they bring it to town).

Part car, part bicycle? :hihi:

sorry i should have pointed out that because i've only been driving for 2 years this june, we don't want a car that will be in a high insurance bracket, and although it may be more comfortable, we don't want too powerful a car either.

I would love to get a car that runs on that gas stuff you see at those blue and yellow petrol stations (can't remember what its called) as it's good for the environment, but it costs a lot to convert the engine.

Originally posted by HarrietStar
sorry i should have pointed out that because i've only been driving for 2 years this june, we don't want a car that will be in a high insurance bracket, and although it may be more comfortable, we don't want too powerful a car either.

I would love to get a car that runs on that gas stuff you see at those blue and yellow petrol stations (can't remember what its called) as it's good for the environment, but it costs a lot to convert the engine.

If you want an LPG car, they are available on the second hand market.

You'll only find a few - if any - small cars with LPG though, mostly 4x4s and large saloons. Not only is it pointless fitting an LPG kit to an already frugal car, but the tanks are large, so are more suited to larger vehicles than small hatchbacks.


So one of these is out of the question then?:
http://www.amcpacer.com/images/kenosha-29-amx.jpg

Dont buy an Alfa, unless you like the excercise.

Originally posted by Skatiechik
Only three sets of tyres in 400,000 miles :o

I may be mistaken Skatie, but I'm pretty sure it's three new complete sets of tires. I'm not counting the odd tire here or there that had to be replaced because it couldn't be repaired. We always buy new, good quality tires, no retreads, and rotate them regularly. If they were bald, we'd change 'em. I've no idea why the tires on this car always lasted so long.

All things considered, our little diesel truck has been an excellent investment. The insurance and yearly registration is next to nothing. (compared to a new car)

When we have to go somewhere as a family, we take the minivan. But with a 3.3 liter V-6 engine, it sucks fuel like there's no tomorrow. And this car is on it's second set of tires after less than 60,000 miles. Go figure.

:) Sierra