New Work Hack, What's Right?

[phil_lihp]

In a few weeks I'm starting a new job which will involve a lot more driving as I'll be going to client's business premises.  That means I'll need a reliable, presentable and reasonably economical car to do so, hatchback or estate preferable, doing about 10,000-15,000 miles a year with very little motorway use.  Ideally £500 or under but that's not a strict limit.

 

Lots to chose from, naturally, but would welcome any alternative suggestions.  My current shortlist is...

 

Late Citroen Xantia HDi, no idea why but I like the facelift version a lot and eBay has a few cheap ones, this looks alright:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-X-CITROEN-XANTIA-2-0-HDI-DIESEL-110BHP-FORTE-MODEL-DRIVE-AWAY-395-/121857600289?hash=item1c5f476b21:g:PY4AAOSwwPhWjCD0

 

 

I like the Alfa 156 Sportwagon but I'd be concerned about it breaking, given my budget I'm unlikely to get a good one.

 

If it's to be a diesel, I do not want DMF, DPF, OMG nonsense, I used to use a 1.7TD Mk4 Astra for this purpose in a previous job a few years ago which was great except for temporarily ruining my spine, Vauxhall seats do not agree with me.  A Focus 1.8TDCi might do the job but is a tad dull, see also 1.9 diesel Octavia.

 

A Rover 45 with the L-series diesel does appeal but non-shabby ones are a bit thin on the ground.  One of my new colleagues has a 75 in 2.5KV6 flavour, I've driven it and I'm sorry but I don't like them!

 

Of course I could keep the Rover 214 but I would prefer something a little more modern in this case, plus it's an excuse to try something new.

 

I've got a good few weeks yet so plenty of time to mull it over, plus I should really keep the 214 long enough for Pride of Longbridge in April.  What does the Autoshite hive mind suggest?

[Pillock]

Do the 90bhp Leons get away without a DMF? I know my 110bhp did have one, although it was still fairly low tech and didn't cause any grief. They look quite smart still.

[phil_lihp]

I am wary of modernish Seat/VW as I've always tended to assume they're expensive to fix and not overly reliable but that could just as easily be an unfair prejudice on my part.  Leons do look smart but I've never been a fan of gloomy German interiors!

[Dave_Q]

 

 

I'm currently nursing a want-on for this @ £275, solid flywheel and a new clutch is 350, assuming you do the work yourself it would be about 650 all in.

[phil_lihp]

It's got the right wheels, too.  

[phil_lihp]

Also nice, needs de-lowering though, that'd be fun on potholed Devon farm tracks!  The silver one's obviously been well maintained though.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-ALFA-ROMEO-156-T-SPARK-VELOCE-SPORTWAGON-RED/182028696761?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3De6a32cf4b5b24c489a5e15708cb85557%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D121901618076

 

[Dave_Q]

It does seem like it's been looked after and perhaps the clutch is just the final straw.

 

I bet it's a £500+ job if you're paying someone to do it.

 

Red one looks lovely but surely you need a dizzler for the mileage you'll be doing.

[stripped fred]

What about the Octavia on here for £350? Better buying off a shiter as you're more likely to know what you're getting.

[stripped fred]

And it looks a good one too!

[New POD]

Are your company going to be paying you more or less than HMRC mileage rates 45p a mile up to 10K and 25p there after.

 

In order to maximise your revenue, try using blah blah car and charge people "petrol money"

[Alexg]

This is value. Good history and full ticket.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Rover-45-2-0-TD-Club-SE-113-5drJUST-ARRIVEDHPI-CLEAR-5-door-Hatchback-/111914592144

[phil_lihp]

I do like that!

[Robson3022]

What about the Merc estate that was on here a page back or so ?

[SiC]

High mileage, but these do seem able to fetch big miles.

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201601160141479

 

It appears a few of the saloons have gone for sub 1k through Cannock recently with many less miles on the clock.

[Junkman]

If the limit isn't 500, then any of those hanging 1500 quid Silver Shadows will do.

I bet they are GR94 for showing up at clients far from motorways.

 

And for God's sake, no Mercedesesses.

[fatharris]

I had a Xantia HDi and did nearly 20k in it with no issues bar the backbox breaking off.

 

Sent from my Vodafone 890N using Tapatalk

[doobietoo]

rover 600 like a 200/400 just bigger.....

[phil_lihp]

What about the Octavia on here for £350? Better buying off a shiter as you're more likely to know what you're getting.

 

...and this thread can now be closed.

 

That was easy.  Possibly the dullest car I've ever bought but it ticks every single box for a work hack and will be a nice economical, reasonably stress-free counterpart to the XJ40 which is absolutely none of the things I listed in my original post.

[phil_lihp]

If the limit isn't 500, then any of those hanging 1500 quid Silver Shadows will do.

I bet they are GR94 for showing up at clients far from motorways.

 

And for God's sake, no Mercedesesses.

 

Mercedeses don't appeal to me at all so no risk of that, I'm sure a dirt cheap, utterly hanging Silver Shadow would have been perfect but it's not quite what I had in mind, I'd probably be more of a Bentley chap.

[skattrd]

For the mileage you'll be doing just get whatever you fancy, 10k isn't a huge amount, not really worth a diesel so get something you want/enjoy driving.

I am currently using a 30yr old Honda as my daily and loving it.

[Tetleysmooth]

How about my mate's V40?

Auto, so stress free motoring.

Right price too.

[Asimo]

 

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201602131003533