What to buy...??? - MBClub UK

rpe2 · 17-07-2007, 08:46 PM

Hi,

Having been a merc devotee for a few years, I am struggling with the following...

A friend wants a 5 door car, budget not exceeding £3k, reliable, cheap to maintain, either a 1400-1600 petrol or a TD.

Oh.. and nothing French.

Suggestions please.

Thanks in Advance

Richard

Rose Chap · 17-07-2007, 08:53 PM

Probably something dull and uninspiring from the far East would fit the bill. Tonda, Moyota, Hissan or Nitsubishi.

CAT220 · 18-07-2007, 09:37 AM

Honda Civic would be a good choice...bullet proof engines and cheap to maintain.

grober · 18-07-2007, 02:59 PM

SKODA OCTAVIA a world of taxi drivers cant be wrong!

Carrotchomper · 18-07-2007, 04:41 PM

Vectra. Great solid cars and don't cost loads to fix. Not sure what the TD engines are like though.

kwakdonut · 18-07-2007, 04:51 PM

VW or its Eastern brethren, the skoda

Howard · 18-07-2007, 04:55 PM

Gotta be a Honda ....

Had two of them , loved them , cheap to maintain , run , insure ....

In a total of 7 years of Honda ownership , i only had to buy a water pump ...

JC180 · 18-07-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard

Gotta be a Honda ....

Had two of them , loved them , cheap to maintain , run , insure ....

In a total of 7 years of Honda ownership , i only had to buy a water pump ...

I agree the 95 - 2000 civic was a very reliable car, cheap to run insure etc. Failing this any other honda would fit the bill.

Another great value but ohsoyawwwwningly dull choice would be a 1.5 Almera, never go wrong, never get a second glance but great value and a lot of car for the money.

gurpz · 18-07-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAT220

Honda Civic would be a good choice...bullet proof engines and cheap to maintain.

Exactly what i would say go for the 5 door hatchback years 1995-2000. Truly great cars and EXTREMLY reliable as i have one also

Go for the 1.6i SR Vtec or 1.6i SE Vtec there the range toppers with the most gear at your budget and spec. The 1.5i /LS Vtec-E is also a option if your after something even cheaper

lewyboy · 18-07-2007, 05:37 PM

You don't mention mileage.

If it's low and local trips I'd consider a classic car of some kind.

You're not going to get anything modern and exciting for the cash available.

Surely everyone has a soft spot for something old, mabe revisit something you've owned years ago?

A 1960's VW camper would do for me, as a reminder of my more youthful days!

tintin · 18-07-2007, 05:39 PM

I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Carisma - dull, but very cheap and reliable. 1800 GDi engine - bigger than you wanted, but always does around 40 mpg. Biggish boot, plenty of room in the back - 3 diagonal seat belts in the back, which was important to us. They are cheap even at Mitsubishi dealers. We don't do more than about 7k a year, but in five years it has had only 2 major things - new throttle body at a cost of £1200 (dealer) of which Mitsubishi paid half even though it was 3 years out of warranty. Caused by low octane petrol apparently (it's a Volvo part). Broken spring - caused I believe by speed bumps. Dealers aren't the cheapest but ours is reasonable. It won't be worth much after a few years but it is a good choice for a reliable car. Don't get a red one, the paint fades badly.

**jaymanek** · 18-07-2007, 05:45 PM

buy a W124 diesel estate, you will never look back...

Howard · 18-07-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpe2

a 5 door car, budget not exceeding £3k, reliable, cheap to maintain, , either a 1400-1600 petrol or a TD.

Unlikely to find a classic that fits this bill

gurpz · 18-07-2007, 06:08 PM

The lowest W124 one can buy is a 200E/D his spec is looking for a 1.4/4.5/1.6 unless they made a 150E

but then it wouldnt go far

**jaymanek** · 18-07-2007, 06:44 PM

well even a 3 litre 124 is gonna be cheap to run...

17-07-2007, 08:46 PM	#1
rpe2 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Silchester Car: 2002 C270 CDI Estate, 2008 Ford Galaxy Posts: 383	What to buy...??? Hi, Having been a merc devotee for a few years, I am struggling with the following... A friend wants a 5 door car, budget not exceeding £3k, reliable, cheap to maintain, either a 1400-1600 petrol or a TD. Oh.. and nothing French. Suggestions please. Thanks in Advance Richard

18-07-2007, 02:59 PM	#4
grober Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Perth, Scotland Car: W204 C200CDI Estate Posts: 14,451	taxi! SKODA OCTAVIA a world of taxi drivers cant be wrong!

17-07-2007, 08:53 PM	#2
Rose Chap Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cambridgeshire Car: W208 CLK Posts: 1,443	Probably something dull and uninspiring from the far East would fit the bill. Tonda, Moyota, Hissan or Nitsubishi.

18-07-2007, 09:37 AM	#3
CAT220 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Glasgow Car: 1994 E220 - Sadly gone! Posts: 193	Honda Civic would be a good choice...bullet proof engines and cheap to maintain.

18-07-2007, 04:41 PM	#5
Carrotchomper Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bristol Car: Audi A8 4.2 Quattro Posts: 1,234	Vectra. Great solid cars and don't cost loads to fix. Not sure what the TD engines are like though.

18-07-2007, 04:51 PM	#6
kwakdonut Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Highworth, Wiltshire Car: Frod Mundano TDCi, Kawasaki z650 Posts: 2,745	VW or its Eastern brethren, the skoda

18-07-2007, 04:55 PM	#7
Howard Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toad Hall Car: 2 x CLK 430 / 1 x A190 Posts: 16,470	Gotta be a Honda .... Had two of them , loved them , cheap to maintain , run , insure .... In a total of 7 years of Honda ownership , i only had to buy a water pump ...

18-07-2007, 05:37 PM	#10
lewyboy Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Up on Cripple Creek Car: SLK 320 Posts: 1,120	You don't mention mileage. If it's low and local trips I'd consider a classic car of some kind. You're not going to get anything modern and exciting for the cash available. Surely everyone has a soft spot for something old, mabe revisit something you've owned years ago? A 1960's VW camper would do for me, as a reminder of my more youthful days!

18-07-2007, 05:39 PM	#11
tintin Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 30	I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Carisma - dull, but very cheap and reliable. 1800 GDi engine - bigger than you wanted, but always does around 40 mpg. Biggish boot, plenty of room in the back - 3 diagonal seat belts in the back, which was important to us. They are cheap even at Mitsubishi dealers. We don't do more than about 7k a year, but in five years it has had only 2 major things - new throttle body at a cost of £1200 (dealer) of which Mitsubishi paid half even though it was 3 years out of warranty. Caused by low octane petrol apparently (it's a Volvo part). Broken spring - caused I believe by speed bumps. Dealers aren't the cheapest but ours is reasonable. It won't be worth much after a few years but it is a good choice for a reliable car. Don't get a red one, the paint fades badly.

18-07-2007, 05:45 PM	#12
jaymanek Authorised Forum Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nuneaton Warwickshire Car: Lots of Mercedes! Posts: 14,492	buy a W124 diesel estate, you will never look back...

18-07-2007, 06:08 PM	#14
gurpz Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Car: Mercedes C230K Sport Posts: 3,560	The lowest W124 one can buy is a 200E/D his spec is looking for a 1.4/4.5/1.6 unless they made a 150E but then it wouldnt go far

18-07-2007, 06:44 PM	#15
jaymanek Authorised Forum Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nuneaton Warwickshire Car: Lots of Mercedes! Posts: 14,492	well even a 3 litre 124 is gonna be cheap to run...

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