tbc - 2k challenge

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Wed 18 May 2011 09:51
tbc - 2k challenge - Nickski2

Hi Guys i have 2k to spend on a small run about

what would you buy?

needs to have

5doors would consider 3

1.3 or something with a tiny bit of poke

fair bit of room inside.

obviously reliable and not a money trap, i reckon i can suss a fair few problems on engine, transmission,susp and brakes.

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Wed 18 May 2011 09:58
tbc - 2k challenge - Bobbin Threadbare

For £2k and 'something with a bit of poke' (I'm reckoning 1.4 to 1.6L ish for a wee runabout) and 5 door, you're looking at Peugeot 206, Ford Focus from 2003 ish, older Merc A-Class, 10 year old VW Golfs/Honda Civics with high mileage, or, for newer/lower mileage vehicles, one of those little MG hatchbacks, like a ZR 105+.

Whack your criteria in Autotrader - it can pass an entire morning entertainingly I assure you!!

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Wed 18 May 2011 10:09
tbc - 2k challenge - TeeCee

>older Merc A-Class

Do the older ones have more "get up and go"? The reason I ask is that I had a new 1.6 litre one on hire the other day. "Gutless" would be a horrific understatement. I actually opened the bonnet in disbelief to check that it hadn't been misbadged, but there really was something claiming to be a 1.6 under there.

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Wed 18 May 2011 10:29
tbc - 2k challenge - Sam49

Mazda 323F. You could get a facelifted 2003 1.6 with 50,000-70,000 miles and FSH for under your budget. Had one in the family and it was revered until it was written off. Supremely reliable, spacious and pretty quick.

When HJ's only comment in the What's Bad section is "needs alloy wheels to look good" , it's got to be worth a look.

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Wed 18 May 2011 10:32
tbc - 2k challenge - 12345oncei

I'd be interested to see how you get on with the 2k challenge.

I've been looking for a car for about 4 weeks now and I have come to the conclusion that I either live in an area devoid of anything decent, I have unrealistic expectations or the sellers have unrealistic expectations.

However, I am in the market for a decent small diesel which seem to be like hen's teeth and have allowed a budget of up to 4k.

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Wed 18 May 2011 13:57
tbc - 2k challenge - unthrottled

You're not being unrealistic but your options are somewhat limited.

It's only recently that that small diesels (I don't know whether you're referring to the car or just the engine!) became popular, and a lot of those cars will still be out of your budget.

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Wed 18 May 2011 16:57
tbc - 2k challenge - 12345oncei

Small car and/or engine.

5dr fiesta, focus, fusion, fabia, polo on 03 plate onwards.....

Seen a really tatty fiesta finesse (no toys) 40/50k on clock whining cambelt and they wanted £3,700 for it on an 03 plate.

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Wed 18 May 2011 12:59
tbc - 2k challenge - daveyjp

The new A class may have had a "160" badge, but it wouldn't have been a 1.6. It's a 1.5.

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Wed 18 May 2011 13:53
tbc - 2k challenge - Craigdm

I can do you a nice little Fiat Punto, facelifted 53 plate and only 44K miles...

£1300 to you sir..

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Wed 18 May 2011 19:06
tbc - 2k challenge - SteveLee

The A Class in your price range will be just about the most unreliable car money can buy – early A Classes were dreadful – definite potential money-pit. I'd be looking along the lines of a Nissan Almera, Toyota Corolla, as previously mentioned, a Mazda 323F (you get a mint low miler for £2K) If go for one of the Koreans (Hyundais/KIAs). A Daihatsu Terios would be within your budget (mini 4x4) as would the Suzuki Ignis, both very reliable and fun but bit bumpy ride wise.
You could go for a small (outside) big (inside) car! Daihatsu Sirion, they are extremely light so fuel economy and performance are excellent (given the puny engine size) not very nice to look at but they are probably the cheapest car to run in the real world. Sip fuel - run forever - Group 1 insurance and like the new shape Panda are actually quite fun to drive..

Last but not least - I've started to see the (2004-2008 type) Mitsubishi Colt coming in around the £2K mark. these are very under-rated. They drive nicely, are roomy inside, have a good range of engines and are supremely reliable. The much maligned 1.3 (not as smooth as the 1.1 or 1.5) makes nearly 100bhp so performs like an XR3 of yesteryear but uses much less fuel.

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Thu 19 May 2011 09:40
tbc - 2k challenge - Bobbin Threadbare

Yep - old school Mitsubishi Colt is a decent little car. Cheap parts too, on the whole. A friend of mine had one and he reckoned it was very economical. They look quite nice too.

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Thu 19 May 2011 17:45
tbc - 2k challenge - Nickski2

ok i was too vague by half, im looking for something that can carry a fair bit of stuff but not an estate something on the size lines of a jazz? but they are too unreliable.

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Thu 19 May 2011 19:13
tbc - 2k challenge - SteveLee

Well you don't want a small runabout then. I've seen plenty of Citroën Xsara Picassos for well under £2K, they are pretty reliable and are very roomy. As long as you avoid the ones used as Taxis they're pretty good, the cars in your price-band will often have the older more robust 2.0HDi engine to choose from too without DPF and all that malarkey. The petrol units are pretty bulletproof but are not particularly economical.

Sticking with Citroën (can't deny the value for money!) there are plenty of Berlingos under £2K, loads of space and smaller footprint. No looker sure - but a very practical real-world car.

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