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No particular quarrels with any of the recommendations so far, but wouldn't an estate or hatch be more suitable if you're going to carry a racing bike?
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You could always fit a bike carrier on the rear if you find a suitable car at the right price.
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What's for you won't pass you by
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How about something different, a Hyundai Lantra estate because they lose so much money you can pick up a newer car than you could from any other brand.
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What about the ZX. Can get an early one with the same 1.9 TD as the Xantia but there are no hydraulics. On a cheap car you want things as simple as possible to reduce potential bills.
If you go for a Xantia check the LHM fluid is a nice green/yellow colour - indicates good servicing. Also there is a fifth sphere to check as well, it's the accumulator sphere. If this is weak it causes the pump to run harder, noticable by a more regular clicking of the pump to remain pressure.
Generally with any old car, it's hard to say car 'a' is going to be better than car 'b'. Depends on how the previous owner(s) have looked after it.
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What about the ZX. Can get an early one with the same 1.9 TD as the Xantia but there are no hydraulics. On a cheap car you want things as simple as possible to reduce potential bills.
The ZX is a good idea: a friend who bought a cheap one last year, and it's a good 'un. However, if you want simplicity, why not consider a non-turbo diesel: not so fast, but less to go wrong.
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>> What about the ZX. Can get an early one with the >> same 1.9 TD as the Xantia but there are no hydraulics. >> On a cheap car you want things as simple as possible >> to reduce potential bills. The ZX is a good idea: a friend who bought a cheap one last year, and it's a good 'un. However, if you want simplicity, why not consider a non-turbo diesel: not so fast, but less to go wrong.
Would agree about a ZX, however, it is a much nicer car with the TD engine, which is very reliable if looked after. There are lots about too. Not such good build quality as a Xantia though.
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I would say a Toyota Corolla, you should be able to pick up a decent early 90's one for £800
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Why not click on the link on the left side of this screen on the Autotrader ad, type in £800 as max and see what you can get.
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For your hobbies you may prefer an estate or hatch.....
Early Nissan Almera
Xantia, but don't go and buy a diesel 'at any cost' they did petrol as well and these go for peanuts!
Series 3 Land Rover - serious!
Montego estate - not so serious but if you find a good one..
Maestro - OK let's get serious for a min!
If you can stretch the budget a little you may get an early disco off e bay.
Renault Savanna Estate (21 diesel poss)
Peugeot 405 diesel or TD
Fiat.... No don't!
VW Passat estate
etc
H
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I recommend a Peugeot 306, petrol or diesel. You should be able to get a nice Phase 1(93-96) for that sort of money. They also have low insurance groups for their size.
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A 306 with the 1.9 turbocharged XUD engine would just about come into budget. Hard to believe but I actually know someone who's selling one for £800 (92k and very straight, original condition although I don't know the minutiae).
I really can't imagine a better all round car for the money, although obviously if you need more space, etc. then perhaps an estate would be more suitable.
Despite the reasonable performance, insurance is cheap, too.
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PS - 92k is the mileage, not the age. The car's a 94L.
PPS - Any of the above mentioned cars could be good, or could be a complete dog. You can tell if you know a bit about cars, albeit not with 100% accuracy, but you should really be buying on condition first, and then on model, at this sort of age and money. I agree with what Hugo says about diesel at any price - if you had a Seat Marbella you can't be a high mileage driver or you'd have lost the will to live long ago.
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Another vote for the Xantia. I had a Xantia (Still in the family) and have a Mondeo - I've never noticed the boot on my Xantia being that much smaller than that on my Mondeo.
I certainly prefer my Mondeo to the Xantia but then it is 5 years newer and also a top of the range model. For what I paid for the Xantia (And indeed what you'd pay now, given its current value) its hard to beet and I prefer it to the Mk1 Mondeo. The 1.9TD engine is excellent and contrary to popular opinion they are not nightmare expensive every time something goes wrong.
Despite 160,000 miles, the Xantia sailed through its last MOT with no advisories, as did the Mondeo.
The thing I liked most about my Xantia, other than the fantastic comfortable suspension, was the fact that in terms of fuel it was costing the same to run as a friends Fiesta 1.3. Then I realised that with my low mileage, fuel economy wasn't really an issue, so my next car was a 2.0 petrol becuase the Mondeo diesel is rubbish.
Despite the fact the 2.0 16v Mondeo is a good deal quicker than the Xantia, I still really miss the low down torque of the Xantia. Having to change into 4th on steep high speed hills is a constant pain. My next car will be a turbodiesel, but not for economy reasons.
I found the Xantia whilst on the lookout for a Citroen ZX and I'm very glad I did. It's such a nicer car than any ZX. Also don't bother with Peugeot 306 - unless you like the styling I see no reason to buy one becuase they command a price premium over virtually everything similar, have an awful interior, and the build quality isn't fantastic.
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Infact actually I'm sure my boxed 19" CRT monitor would fit in the Xantia without dropping the seats, yet it wont do that in the Mondeo.
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thanks for all the ideas people, i hadn't condsidered many of the cars mentioned.
> if you had a Seat Marbella you can't be a high mileage driver or you'd have lost the will to live long ago.
I do less than 10k a year and that thing nearly drove me barmy!
I often used to forget to lock it but let's face it, even a desperate car thief would turn it down!
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preston bca auction y'day
top of the range 1.8 p plate lantra estate in silver went for £1100 - i think.
was mint as well.
seemed bit expensive for the age - but car was mint and aged very well.
was 100 quid of buying it!
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