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Can you recommend a used car for a long commute?
My car was written off while parked a few weeks ago and the third party insurer is about to pay out. I have a commute of 90 miles a day, almost all motorway. My previous car was a Jaguar X Type which was great. Very comfortable and gave 50mpg+. I don't want to spend much more than £5500 as the depreciation will be considerable given my 25,000 miles a year.
My dilemma is do I go for:
1. Old Volkswagen Passat. Circa 2003 1.9PD 130. Friend has one on 172k miles, engine has been superb and only on 2nd clutch. No DPF but I guess risk of DMF failure. Would be buying one with circa 70k miles. Won't lose much in depreciation. £3500
2. Kia Cee'd 1.6crdi. 59 plate, pre-DPF, 35k miles. Couple of years warranty left better mpg. £5500-6000 so bigger hit on depreciation
3. Mazda 2. 1.3 or 1.5 petrol. Not sure what's it's like on the motorway? Not sure if petrol cost effective at 25k miles. Potentially less problems long term. 2010 with 20k miles for £5000.
My dilemma is do I go for:
1. Old Volkswagen Passat. Circa 2003 1.9PD 130. Friend has one on 172k miles, engine has been superb and only on 2nd clutch. No DPF but I guess risk of DMF failure. Would be buying one with circa 70k miles. Won't lose much in depreciation. £3500
2. Kia Cee'd 1.6crdi. 59 plate, pre-DPF, 35k miles. Couple of years warranty left better mpg. £5500-6000 so bigger hit on depreciation
3. Mazda 2. 1.3 or 1.5 petrol. Not sure what's it's like on the motorway? Not sure if petrol cost effective at 25k miles. Potentially less problems long term. 2010 with 20k miles for £5000.
Asked on 20 November 2014 by Porscheboy1982
Answered by
Honest John
Good thinking.
1. Old Passat. Circa 2003 1.9PD 130. Friend has one on 172k miles, engine has been superb and only on 2nd clutch. No DPF but I guess risk of DMF failure. Would be buying one with circa 70k miles. Won't lose much in depreciation. £3500
Makes sense. 1.9TDIs occasionally throw a rod, but better engines than the later 2.0YDIs and 1.6 TDIs. Peugeot 406 2.0HDIs were similarly long lived. One of my local taxis has now done 400k miles.
2. Kia Cee'd 1.6 crdi. 2009 plate, pre-DPF, 35k miles. Couple of years warranty left better mpg. £5500-6000 so bigger hit on depreciation
3. Mazda 2. 1.3 or 1.5 petrol. Not sure what's it's like on the motorway? Not sure if petrol cost effective at 25k miles. Potentially less problems long term. 2010 with 20k miles for £5000.
Curiously, the Mazda 2 1.3TS2 is longer geared than the 1.5, so better on the motorway. Great handling little cars, but a but harsh and that will probably start getting on your nerves doing 25k miles a year.
1. Old Passat. Circa 2003 1.9PD 130. Friend has one on 172k miles, engine has been superb and only on 2nd clutch. No DPF but I guess risk of DMF failure. Would be buying one with circa 70k miles. Won't lose much in depreciation. £3500
Makes sense. 1.9TDIs occasionally throw a rod, but better engines than the later 2.0YDIs and 1.6 TDIs. Peugeot 406 2.0HDIs were similarly long lived. One of my local taxis has now done 400k miles.
2. Kia Cee'd 1.6 crdi. 2009 plate, pre-DPF, 35k miles. Couple of years warranty left better mpg. £5500-6000 so bigger hit on depreciation
3. Mazda 2. 1.3 or 1.5 petrol. Not sure what's it's like on the motorway? Not sure if petrol cost effective at 25k miles. Potentially less problems long term. 2010 with 20k miles for £5000.
Curiously, the Mazda 2 1.3TS2 is longer geared than the 1.5, so better on the motorway. Great handling little cars, but a but harsh and that will probably start getting on your nerves doing 25k miles a year.
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