Looking for a new diesel car ~10k

[kopite]

Hey all,

I`m starting to look for a new car to replace my pug 307 hdi. I`ve had it for about 4 years now and whilst its been ok Its put me off french diesels for life(the fap filter replacement cost me 1k thanks to the previous owner not doing it at 50k)

I`ve been looking at honda Civic diesels but was wondering what other cars people would recomend.

[MSIC]

Have you considered either Seat Leon, or skoda octavia. Around 3 yrs old I think should get a good model.

[PetrolHead]

You haven't really told us what kind of car you want.

For example do you want a medium sized hatchback, Focus, golf or a3 etc?

Or a Smaller hatchback?

Ibiza, Fabia, Fiesta? etc

I know your looking that the Civic, but why are you drawn to that car?

Do you want a performance diesel, or are you not really bothered about that, and just want good fuel ecomony?

[Biscuit]

the newer civic diesel (spaceship shaped one) is fast, seriously has some grunt to it however there is also plenty of other options as stated above.

I usually use www.parkers.co.uk to check user reviews, stats etc etc. Good website and you can easily lose half a day staring at it.

[kalniel]

10k and the world is your ocean. Everything from 1 year old focuses to 5 year old Audis, even the odd merc and BMW.

For comfort go for merc/audi/saab/mondeo. For handling go for BMW/focus/civic. For a blend go for Octavia VRS. For value for money go for SEAT. etc.

Lots of great diesel cars available for that price.

I went for an Audi A3 sportback 2.0tdi - I wanted comfort and build quality primarily, with seating for adults in the rear and enough boot space for reasonable luggage, but not as large as a mondeo. It's a little numb to drive, but very sure footed and more poke than I needed. And the cabin is a wonderful place to be.

[Biscuit]

I went for an Audi A3 sportback 2.0tdi - I wanted comfort and build quality primarily, with seating for adults in the rear and enough boot space for reasonable luggage, but not as large as a mondeo. It's a little numb to drive, but very sure footed and more poke than I needed. And the cabin is a wonderful place to be.

I remember discussing this with u a while ago and now that i have driven it more i totally see what you mean. Its more like driving a computer than a car.

I have driven a large rather powerful diesel mondeo and that thing seems a lot more responsive.

[kalniel]

I have driven a large rather powerful diesel mondeo and that thing seems a lot more responsive.

Mondeo's are - they've got much better driver feel. If they hadn't super-sized them I'd have seriously considered one.

[Russ]

I have an Astra 1.9 CDti 150 diesel, same lump is in a lot of gm models, vectra, signum, saab's etc.

its an awesome engine. you'll get over 50 on long journeys and 40 around town. They can be mapped to 200bhp(ish) too, if you get bored that is.

If you do get the astra, get one with the XP kit (18's and front/rear/side skirts) looks loads better, espicially on the 5 door.

[kopite]

You haven't really told us what kind of car you want.

For example do you want a medium sized hatchback, Focus, golf or a3 etc?

Or a Smaller hatchback?

Ibiza, Fabia, Fiesta? etc

I know your looking that the Civic, but why are you drawn to that car?

Do you want a performance diesel, or are you not really bothered about that, and just want good fuel ecomony?

Well at the mom I`m driving a 307 so something a similar size to that.

I like the shape of the civic and also the power it has as well as decent fuel economy.

I want really good fuel economy with decent grunt as well. Atm I`m driving the 110 bhp rapier which has been pretty good except for the dodgy fap filter issues.

[kopite]

Do all diesels have Filters like the 307`s do or is that purely a french thing?

[kalniel]

Do all diesels have Filters like the 307`s do or is that purely a french thing?

Diesels from about 2006 have to emit less than a certain amount of particulates by law. Therefore the vast majority of them at around that time for a few years onwards used DPFs as a work around unless they were especially clean burning. These days the technology is so good that many don't need filters to meet the regulations. I went for a pre-DPF mandated engine, and the newer common rail diesels from VAG don't need a DPF either (or are so clean they don't clog them up), not sure about the french derived engines (that ford also use).

Well at the mom I`m driving a 307 so something a similar size to that.

I like the shape of the civic and also the power it has as well as decent fuel economy.

I want really good fuel economy with decent grunt as well. Atm I`m driving the 110 bhp rapier which has been pretty good except for the dodgy fap filter issues.

Ford focus Econetic. Same BHP as your current car, maybe a little slower, but good handling and very good economy - something like 80mpg extra-urban (supposedly). Still uses a DPF though.

[roachcoach]

I had a 120d before my current car - very nice motors, very fast good MPG to boot (110 mph was getting 42mpg steadily) - though a word to the wise - it goes nowhere in more than a dusting of snow.

[MSIC]

Those BMW (and Mini) diesel engines seem to be something amazing... retaining great acceleration yet (according to the books) fantastic economy. I test drove a Mini Cooper D a few years ago, together with testing a Civic Diesel (both new), and both felt very strong indeed.
I currently have a Yeti (which this very forum helped me to get) and am very happy indeed with it (but they are out of your price range with virtually no second hand models, hence i'm not recommending it). It of course has VAG parts and uses the 110 bhp 2.0 diesel engine, which is fine, but does feel made for economy over power.

Edit: Looking around at something like a Seat Leon, parkers gives an example of a 2008/57 model (2.0 16V TDI Sport 5d) with 20,000 miles on the clock for around £10k. That would surely seem to be something of a reference point, at least to compare against other cars.

[roachcoach]

Those BMW (and Mini) diesel engines seem to be something amazing... retaining great acceleration yet (according to the books) fantastic economy.

Confirming its not just on paper - the fuel usage was excellent - low tax too for a 2 liter turbodiesel that quick.

Possibly a little expensive, though I imagine the 118d or 116 would give just as good mileage, but obviously less "oomf" for correspondingly less cash.

I drove mine from near edinburgh>cumbria and back again for under half a tank and that car was laden. Suitcases, buggy, two kids, 2 adults, pair of mountain bikes on the back. and it still got outstanding mpg - cant remember exact numbers now I'm afraid, last summer. And it was still very fast given that load/drag

[digit]

Diesels from about 2006 have to emit less than a certain amount of particulates by law. Therefore the vast majority of them at around that time for a few years onwards used DPFs as a work around unless they were especially clean burning.

Its worth pointing out that if your worried about DPF or similar filters clogging up you can take them off and fit a straight through pipe instead. Yes emissions will rise slightly, but you need not worry about the filter clogging up With Alfa diesels I understand its quite a popular modification to do.

http://www.alfacare.co.uk/

[Kimo]

Civic all the way

I have a 2006 2.2 i-CTDi ES and its been ace. If you are considering it, feel free to fire any questions my way