2nd hand suggestions

[finlay666]

Well as news has probably travelled quite fast among Hexus (and long story short) my Megane engine has gone boom and isn't worth fixing so need a new car.

Not got a huge amount, say £2k or so, so looking for something around an 02 plate

Need to be suitable for a tall person

Good economy is a must, as is reliability (especially now)

Not bothered if it's petrol or a diesel to be honest, but needs to be comfortable to drive

Not bothered by much else to be honest, as long as it goes and is cheap to fix I'll be happy

[o0~Wiz~0o]

MK3 Mondeo TDCI's.

I have the older MK2 estate and will update to the MK3 in the future. They are comfy, good on fuel and being ford cheap to fix.

My old banger has served me well...

[dave87]

Seat Ibiza 1.6 or 1.9tdi - or if you've had your brave pills (for insurance) the 1.8t?

Or, the standard Pistonheads answer - Mx5

[PetrolHead]

You haven't really given us alot to go off..

A part of this would depend on how economical you want this car to be..

The ultimate eco/reliable car for that budget has got to be a 1.0 Yaris, they don't even sip fuel..

I think just sniffing fuel seems to be enough for that engine. Ultra reliable aswell..

How big does the car need to be? As everyone is giving larger options but you haven't actually said what size car you want.

[Biscuit]

edit ~ whups ignore me

[Andy3536]

Size of car required would help a little or does that not matter. .
Otherwise the Civic, Astra, Corsa, Focus and Fiesta will all be reliable with a good variaty of engines to choose from.

[finlay666]

You haven't really given us alot to go off..

A part of this would depend on how economical you want this car to be..

The ultimate eco/reliable car for that budget has got to be a 1.0 Yaris, they don't even sip fuel..

I think just sniffing fuel seems to be enough for that engine. Ultra reliable aswell..

How big does the car need to be? As everyone is giving larger options but you haven't actually said what size car you want.

I haven't given a lot to go off because I don't want to limit my options just yet

Economical coming from a 1.9dci megane so 40mpg+ combined really as I could do 700+ on a tank which cost approx £60 to fill (or as good extra urban as possibly as it's mostly motorway miles)

I need some grunt for motorway driving, a 1.0l engine won't be enough

I'm not bothered what size the car is to be honest, up to mondeo/passat size I'm happy with, not too keen on anything larger though

Size of car required would help a little or does that not matter. .
Otherwise the Civic, Astra, Corsa, Focus and Fiesta will all be reliable with a good variaty of engines to choose from.

It doesn't matter as long as it's not gigantic

[finlay666]

Well I've had a look at a few to see what I can get for my money

Mondeos:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1217&logcode=p 2004 model with the facelift (so has stuff like cruise control)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/974874.htm an 03 one with a bit less and a bit of a lower price

Honda Civic:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...3191&logcode=p It's a bit higher on insurance (had to go 1.5i as any larger and the road tax is a fair bit extra)

Toyota Corrola:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...6574&logcode=p 1.4 but seems ok

Vauxhall Astra:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...9454&logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1603&logcode=p
Not sure on those, had a look at Vectras but can't find anything without stupid miles on it

Mitsubishi Carisma:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...8515&logcode=p
Looks decent, what about reliability etc?

Fiesta:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1343968.htm 1.8td, no idea how reliable they are...

MG ZR:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1343923.htm bit of a sportier option

I fancy the look of the Ford Mondeos to be honest, size isn't too bad, the other ones I have looked at online (passats etc) seem to be a lot more expensive, in terms of sale value, tax and insurance

Any ideas on reliability, which is more entertaining to drive?

[Guy]

For what you want, a Mk3 Mondeo TDCi everyday.

[finlay666]

For what you want, a Mk3 Mondeo TDCi everyday.

Does that include the 03 one or is it 04 (or is the 04 one I posted a facelift one?)

I'm tempted by the 04 for the extras and the lower mileage

[Guy]

I would be quite wary of the '04' one at that price, something doesn't quite add up, its a little on the cheap side. (It may well be fine, but it does come across a bit iffy) check the mileage, and for any crash damage and you'll be ok.

The other one the Zetec-S on the '03' is also puzzling me, as I am 99% sure that they didn't start fitting 6 speed boxes until the face lift of '53-04', and that one does not have the face lifted interior, the centre console is the older variety, along with that of some of the controls. So someones either fitted a 6 speed gearknob, or it may have had a different box fitted, OR I might be wrong and towards the end of 03 they started shipping them out of the factory 6 speeded up. (I doubt it, but thought I better put this disclaimer in )

Oh its also not a Zetec 'S' as its not got the 'S' bodykit fitted (slightly chunkier front bumper, and sideskirts) also there not the 'S' wheels, if there 18's then there off a Ghia X.

[Guy]

Right that Zetec 'S' had been bothering me, so done a little digging, and its coming up as not being the 130-bhp model, instead its the '115'.
Ford put the power output on a sticker that you will see when you lift the bonnet, iirc its down near the radiator on the slam panel.

Oh and its defiantly not a Zetec 'S' its just a Zetec with some Ghia X wheels on.

[finlay666]

Thanks guy, I plan to see what the 04 one is like, slightly put off by the saloon body, but going to try the 03 one first and will check it out (I would prefer the 04 one though, interior looks less cack )

Parkers says there is a 03 115bhp one with 6 speed gearbox
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/...px?deriv=30815

[Guy]

Thanks guy, I plan to see what the 04 one is like, slightly put off by the saloon body, but going to try the 03 one first and will check it out (I would prefer the 04 one though, interior looks less cack )

Parkers says there is a 03 115bhp one with 6 speed gearbox
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/...px?deriv=30815

Ahh I missed it was a saloon, ok that would explain the cheaper price then

If you do go and look at the 03 one, remember its not a zetec S, this brings it down a fair whack, and you will be able to haggle a bit off. There is nothing special or extra about it, all they have added are the Ghia X wheels, which are nice, but don't bump it up that much. Also another thing to take into consideration are the Ghia X wheels are 18's and will be on a 225/40/18, so the tyres will be slightly more than the '04' LX, I wouldn't be too put off by this, (Falken FK452's are circa £60-£65 per corner, and thats what I have run on the ST220) but just something to bear in mind.

[Guy]

Throwing in a slight curveball . . . . does it have to be a diesel?

I only say this as the standard 2 litre Mondeo's have just as much power, will be cheaper to buy/you'll get a lower mileage one, higher spec etc. Service parts are *slightly* cheaper, and well it doesnt sound like it belongs on a farm

[Andy3536]

04 mondeo looks very nice, mabee in another colour though