Cheap auto needed - upto £1k - any suggestions?

[Barry Cade]

It's done starship mileage with 140000 odd miles

 

LOL!  Irv Gordon, watch out! Your record is in jeopardy

 

 

[Kiltox]

151k Scenic defies that but I see what you're saying

[Lacquer Peel]

Older Volvos with the 4 speed auto (same gearbox as a billion Toyota Camrys) are nearly indestructible.

[RustyNuts]

Where is the V40 located then? - i'm kent and can't travel far as we got a young nipper which means he won't let us travel far! Lovely looking minter that volvo!

 

@chompy the safrane and many volvos use the same gearbox as the toyotas - aisin-warner if memory serves and they seem to be right up there for strength and reliability.

[dollywobbler]

DOLLYWOBBLER TO THE SALES FLOOR

 

Technically, it's BavarianRetro's car now.

[egg]

Where is the V40 located then? - i'm kent and can't travel far as we got a young nipper which means he won't let us travel far! Lovely looking minter that volvo!

 

From Vince's post looks like Eastbourne way - not too far.

 

BTW - I know there is nothing more stressful than a long drive with a screaming nipper! (no not Nippa)

[Alexg]

SAAB 9-5, massive amount of car for your money, plenty under a grand, Diseasels and even the 250BHP AERO HOT.

 

 

This is true, I've got a 53 reg Aero HOT heading my way soon with low mileage and great history. I need to check it out properly but I reckon it could be had for a grand. 

 

Edit - I see you mentioned economical, I'd give this a miss then!

[Vince70]

I'm only just over in Bexhill, East Sussex.. My postcode is TN39 4DH

[Barry Cade]

This is true, I've got a 53 reg Aero HOT heading my way soon with low mileage and great history. I need to check it out properly but I reckon it could be had for a grand. 

 

Edit - I see you mentioned economical, I'd give this a miss then!

Mine, a 2.3 turbo auto, is doing 34 MPG. 24.4 towing a caravan. Long way from terrible, especially when you consider is not far off Cosseh power.

 

P.S. No Cosseh eva produced less than 500 bhp. Fact.

[Alexg]

I was driving an Aero HOT Auto (270bhp Dame Edna) over Christmas. I flipping loved it, but alarm bells rang when I saw the trip showed an average of 17mpg. I reset and managed 22, but that was really putting the effort in. 

[rantingYoof]

My 9-3 Aero HOT would do 40mpg on a very careful run and would average 30mpg everywhere else.

 

 

But it's a cheap Vauxhall badged as a Saab and I wouldn't recommend it unless you go for a higher spec model (Aero was quite stingy with toys), or find one like this which is a base model where the original buyer has decided to spec it up with Vector-grade goodies.

 

CLICKETH ME.

 

It also has a more sensible 150hp LPT.

[Alexg]

I'll smoke about in this 250bhp version I'm getting as PX on Monday as see how she goes.

[rantingYoof]

Aye, the 9-5 is a much better built and luxury-specced machine.

 

I drove an utterly fucked 9-5 Aero which looked good in the photos and was a bit of a dog in the metal and had a gearbox that was so obviously about to shart itself on the test-drive that I kind of gave the seller a look afterwards and they just shrugged and looked meek.

 

But inside it was bloody marvellous.

[Barry Cade]

I missed SAAB far more than I realised. I likes it a lot. Only ever owned classic 900's so this is a leap into modernity for me, but on my 2001 at least, the GM influence is well hidden. Bit paranoid about the sludge issue, so will drop the sump ASAP and fit the latest PCV kit. 185BHP is enough for me just now so won't be fiddling, just careful maintenence and maybe a nice set of wheels. I paid a bit over the odds for mine, but it has a full specialist history, and the previous owner knew all about using the correct fully synth oils etc. Lets hope it pays off.

[trigger]

I've got to be honest, that V40 looks great!

[purplebargeken]

I suppose I might be tempted to part with the Mitsu MPV for around the 450 mark. I suppose. 

[Tetleysmooth]

I suppose I might be tempted to part with the Mitsu MPV for around the 450 mark. I suppose. 

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/23861-maybe-looking-for-previa-or-similar/

[GoGently]

Have you considered an Citroen Xsara diesel automatic not too bad.  I have been attempting to find the Holy grail of automatics & at the moment I am running an old BX probably in its last year of high commute but still V willing Both cars do approx. 50mpg.

 

Comfort soft ride /  good fuel No costly parts / service bills.

 

its a shame an automatic 2cv was never made or diesel Visa automatic 50mpger.

[Claphamrangie]

Mercedes 190

[The Moog]

Is this too minging?

 

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/23738-civic-auto-roffle-reduced-end-of-line-clearance/

This is pretty bombproof!

 

Not even that minging and will eat up the miles. Long mot as well.

[Brodders]

What about a Subaru Legacy?

 

They seem to be pretty much indestructible, understated and completely anonymous transport that should be reliable.

However, I don't know if it would be as economical on fuel as you want.

[rainagain]

Autoshite.

Your motoring is our concern.

 

FWD for economy. Regardless of what you buy, warm it up for 5 minutes, especially before short journeys. This has worked quite well for me.

 

We don't have French cars here, unless you count Nissan. So as to which car, ahm oot.

 

Interesting...I've just bought my first auto (Volvo S80) and I've no idea what the best way to drive it is. According to the handbook I should just leave it in D always. I noticed when you stop you can feel it disengaging drive itself. Car mechanics did a great guide for the S80 and mentioned lots about the gearbox, but I'm buggered if I can find it in my back issues. I've been putting it in N when I'm stopped at traffic lights, etc I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing to do. RE the warm up do you just mean start the engine and leave the box in N for five minutes?

[dollywobbler]

I've never heard 'owt about letting them warm up. Just drive them! Gently at first, then with moor oomph later. Leaving a cold engine to idle up to temperature really isn't ideal. 

 

I tend to drop into neutral when stopped, purely because I can then apply the handbrake and take my foot off the brake. You really don't have to though. Nothing will wear out if you leave it in Drive. As explained here.

[Barry Cade]

I tend to drop into neutral when stopped, purely because I can then apply the handbrake and take my foot off the brake.

No, U R doin it rong. You MUST sit on the brake pedal in an auto and burn the retina's of anyone sitting behind- it iz the LAW.

 

Spesh if you have  9 brake lights.

 

[ianjobber87]

How about the v70 t5 that I brought from wuvvum a few months ago?

[RustyNuts]

Hi gang!

 

Although that volvo in bexhill looked tempting, my reply to that mysteriously vanished so i assume either a moderator decided to snaffle it for themselves or it was sin binned for another reason. Anyhow that clearly wasn't to be so i let it slide.

 

The good news however is that for £1050 the missus found a 54 plate astra (new style not the old one) which we've now bought. The downside is that its got no air con or second key but it drives nice, feels nice and tight and is roomy in the front at least! Plenty of horses, all seems nice and newish inside...

 

So... mission accomplished!