I am currently giving consideration to replacing my aging vauxhall Corsa with something a little more inspiring to drive (it would also be useful if it was up to a little light towing).
Bearing in mind it essentially a banger that has been 100% reliable for the last couple of years, maybe this bangernomics stuff isn't complete rubbish. (Although I only do about 3K miles a year so maybe it's not much of a challenge)
Therefore I was wondering about an old Audi 80 or VW passat as they seem a useful size and can be picked up for just over a grand in reasonable condition.
Prices (in general) don't seem as cheap as they were a few years ago so I was wondering whether this form of motoring still makes sense or if I should just stop being so tight and go and buy a proper car.
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Well i think in the past, other backroomers have mentioned the Citroen BX Diesel estate. 1.9 non turbo engine which is a useful but 'cheap as chips' lug-loader, there're a few on ebay me thinks, if you can find one that is in decent condition!
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Its not what you drive, its how you drive it! :-)
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I wouldn't have thought that either the Audi or Passat, though good cars, are what you would call stimulating, certainly not on a B-road blast.
If handling is the major criterion, with a bit of performance as well, I'd look at a high specification Peugeot 306 or 405 or a Mondeo Si or Ghia.
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Bangernomics still makes sense. Enormously so.
The big thing is to buy on *condition*. Not age, mileage, colour, etc.
You're much more likely to find a bargain if you go into your search prepared to buy the best you find, whatever it happens to be, than if you insist on a particular make and model.
If you want big, old, and cheap, HJ seems to like Primeras and [of course no thread would be complete without mention of...] Mondeos.
If you only do 3k miles per year, your cost-per-mile in depreciation will be enormous if you buy something that's still worth money.
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"I was wondering about an old Audi 80.."
Audi 90 is more fun! Same (very robust) body, with mellow sounding 5-cyl engine from the 100. Coupe version even better, but possibly not yet in banger territory. Pre-ABS and cat may be better from the 'expensive things going wrong' point-of-view. Alternatively, look for something newer - some very good private buys around, now garages have to give warranties...
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If we're talking half an Archer then its not really bangernomics as for that money can get you something pretty nice these days.
I would have to go with a Mk1 Mondeo. Likely get a Ghia for that money.
If your luxo barging it then a Ford Scorpio, probably get an Ultima for half an Archer.
I like saying half an Archer...
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Soemthing smaller?
Seat Toledo Mk1. Get an sxe for half an Archer. Mk2 Jetta underpinning. Everyone hates then no one knows why.
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I suppose all the usual suspects produced in high volume (Mondeo / Vectra etc) Ex-company cars often will have been well mainatined from new and therefore the mileage shouldn't scare you off too much.
If you want something newer than it has to be something unloved by the public in general and therefore hard to get big money for.
How about a Fiat Tempra (the estate looks reasonable and has good load carrying , or maybe one of the Brava / Bravo's might be in this range price.
Something that has been superceeded by a new model that has subsequently been facelifted / replaced again also helps the cost of what could be a very decent car.
For example one of the very last Escort's owned privately with not many miles on will be very well equipped and looked after but because the Focus is now onto it's second generation the Escort 'looks' old. I saw a W reg one today in pale metalic blue and it looked very good and is probably worth very little. Some of the last ones had Aircon as standard as well as other goodies to make them atractive in the face of the Focus.
A look on Ebay should give you an idea as to what you could find. Happy hunting!
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I take in "half an Archer" is a sum of money but how much? £500?
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An Archer is £2000. Explanation and other money slang here:
www.businessballs.com/moneyslanghistory.htm
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I've seen a quattro 90 coupe for sale for £600. (As my father would have said, £600 of trouble, but there you go!)
Certainly the 2WD version 20v is widely available in the sub £1k region.
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