S 1.6 TDI 5dr Hatchback

Solid and unspectacular

We bought this with 13,000 on the clock as an ex-fleet car and have now passed 40,000 miles. A 1.6 TDI with 90 bhp is not going to set any speed records but it has adequate performance. Average fuel consumption depends on who is driving with my wife averaging 52 - 55 mpg (it's her car!) and me averaging over 60 mpg on longer runs with a best of 70mpg driving like a nun.

Good points:
* Solid & comfortable
* Easy to drive
* Nice controls
* Can be very economical
* No reliability issues so far
* Has a spare wheel!
* Seats 4 in reasonable comfort

Bad points:
* 'S' model is poverty spec
* Manual rear windows
* No cruise control
* No rear stereo speakers or iPod input

Driving:
* 1st & 2nd gears too high
* Really crying out for a 6 speed box
* 1.6tdi engine rough below 1800rpm
* Poor low down torque
* Often need to use 1st gear when 2nd would do in other cars
* Great on motorway (high top gear) or open A roads

Summary:
* Does 99% of everything reasonably well
* 70mpg possible on long runs with a light foot
* Has been reliable so far
* Needs smoother engine and 6 speed gearbox
* Cam belt needs doing every 4 years

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