Is this likely to cause me grief?

[cort16]

Bit pricey mind.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/ford-scorpio-ultima-25-td/93761794

[MK5 Escort]

Also the Mondeo 2.0 TDCI with the timing chain instead of belt would be on my list.

 

Hmmm... I've had good and bad experiences with last generation diesel Mondeos. We had dozens of these in the company I used to work for.

 

The TDDi's (on 02 plates, amongst the last) were generally solid and just kept running on and on regardless of the treatment they had. I had one myself and it never missed a beat and I regret not buying it when it come to selling all them off. I didn't honestly think they were that unrefined either. I didn't mind them at all.

 

The TDCi's were generally shocking though. Very rattily/grumbly at tickover and low speeds and several had reoccuring rough-running issues which were never resolved. We had three 05 plates in our depot alone where all injectors inexplicably died between 75-90k miles. The example I had, which replaced my faithful 02 plate, was on the back of a low loader after only covered 400 miles... I knew then it wasn't going to be a happy relationship. I was proved right, unfortunately.

 

+1 on crap LX spec seats. You need to look for at least Zetec upwards.

 

In terms of comfort and space, I always felt the Vectra C was a better all rounder. It felt better screwed together too. Unless you regularly drive on a racetrack or drive on the limits all the time, the handling was perfectly acceptable and competent enough. That was the last car I had there, a last of the line 09 plate. Unlike the 05 plate Mondeo, it did actually run correctly... That was the first improvement...

[dollywobbler]

The 2.5 Tdi in the Audis is actually a V6. Pretty swift things and very long legged. A 100/A6 has masses of boot space as an estate too.

 

Straight 5 in the 100.)

 

Right you are. Memory went wrong. T'was an early A6 (ie the tidied up 100) that my mate had.

[AnthonyG]

I'd be looking at Mondeos and Vectras here, simply because you'll get the best choice at reasonable prices.

 

Particularly the Mondeos as availability of the new shape ones at lower prices is getting better every month, so the Mk3s get more and more 'valuetastic'. TDCis can have their (expensive) faults, DMFs, injectors and starter motors, but it all depends on how the car has been maintained, TDDis are simpler engines so maybe more reliable and easier to fix. IMHO the 1800 and 2000 petrol engines are bombproof.

 

Don't know about Vectra Cs, but they have a much better image than the B's (the first UK market Vectra). As with Mondeos, you will have a very wide selection to choose from.

 

If you can get away with a slightly smaller estate then the above two, then a Skoda Octavia is pretty unbeatable for value. Just make sure you get one that hasn't been a taxi!

[privatewire]

Again, thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

 

Last question, what about a Rover 75 estate?, the beemer engine is chain rather than belt right?, what do I need to look out for?

[dollywobbler]

Again, thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

 

Last question, what about a Rover 75 estate?, the beemer engine is chain rather than belt right?, what do I need to look out for?

 

To be honest, I probably wouldn't. They can be reliable, but seemingly only if you hurl large chunks of cash at them. They're a bit of an enthusiast's choice. They are indeed timing chain.

[Cavcraft]

2.5 dizzler engined VAGmobiles have a habit of throwing fuel pumps out and aren't cheap to repair. Mind you so do 2.0 Vauxhall dizzlers as well. It's a bit of a minefield buy a diesel car from about 1998 onwards in my humble opinion as most of them have their faults, so it might go down to personal preference.

[cort16]

How about this? Obviously you'd want some money off for the shit pictures.

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/audi-80-19tdi/94574185

[AnthonyG]

Unless you can find a low mileage diesel 75 estate in perfect nick (not easy by any means) I'd leave the Rover 75.

 

As DW says they are an enthusiasts car now - people on the club forum agreed with each other that they wouldn't recommend them as a high miler car to a mate anymore.

 

If you're going to be using it for your business then remember,if it does go wrong, it needs to be fixable quickly. There's no guarantees in life but a Ford/Vauxhall/Toyota/Skoda/Volkswagen isn't going to frighten an good independent garage and parts are going to as available as they can be.

 

For that reason I'd be forgetting about shite credentials, and looking at something that's pretty common. You don't want to be waiting 3 weeks whilst the garage hunts down the last vital widget in the UK for your beloved beast.

 

If all else fails you can use the main dealer, its all claimable against tax after all

[Pete-M]

I'd go for a Mondeo TDCi Estate, but in 115 bhp tune if it's a large estate you want. 130 bhp ones seem a bit prone to breaking. Also, the estate doesn't have the dreaded Mondeo rear subframe bush issues.

 

That Howdi 80 would be ok too.

 

DO NOT buy a Vectra. They really are shit.

 

Volvo 850/V70 with the 2.5 5 pot diesel is a nice thing and probably the best of the lot, they drive better than the A6 5 pot, are easier to fix when non-engine faults happen and they have great seats. Bit rattly when cold, but they'll do 30+ mpg around town even if you drive 'em like you stole 'em. Belt shouldn't be a big issue to do as it only takes an hour and a half on a T5 - which is also a five pot.

[Cavcraft]

Audi 80 TDi estate a good call but a slightly lowered red one would be better

[Lacquer Peel]

2.5 dizzler engined VAGmobiles have a habit of throwing fuel pumps out and aren't cheap to repair. Mind you so do 2.0 Vauxhall dizzlers as well. It's a bit of a minefield buy a diesel car from about 1998 onwards in my humble opinion as most of them have their faults, so it might go down to personal preference.

 

The VAG 2.5 V6 TDi and GM DTi engines have much the same fuel pump, the Bosch VP44, it's mega failure prone.

[privatewire]

Ahhh, loads of good advice there guys,thanks!

I'll be looking to start the process off at the end of next month, stay tuned for tales of shite purchases and bankruptcy....

[Skizzer]

Paging PrivateWire! (isn't that a Tom Hanks movie?)

 

Wasn't someone after a reliable shite estate?

I had suggested buying a Galant and considering an LPG conversion.

 

There's an LPG-converted one on Bumtree for just £650! Full MOT, too!

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... tem-full-2

[AnthonyG]

If you were using your car for business I'm not sure you'd want to turn up in that!

 

Unless of course it was a business in which shite credentials were essential, in that case it would be perfect !

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

For that kind of price and given the LPG conversion, you can afford to sort the cosmetic bits out without losing much, if anything, when you came to sell it.