Evening all,

I'm looking to get a cheapish car to replace the Octy. I was considering a diesel but given the recent difference in price between diesel and petrol fuel, I am reconsidering that.

So in reality a petrol which can achieve somewhere in the 30's mpg would be suitable, obviously the higher the better. I want to really keep some degree of performance if possible though, and reliablity is a must.

Current thoughts are a Primera GT, which can be had for that sort of money (although are scarce). Another thought was a Celica GT, but they fetch slightly more money and aren't as frugal I believe.

Has anyone got any other thoughts? I did think about an older VAG car, maybe a mk2 or mk3 Golf petrol, but I am not convinced on their reliability.

Cheers.

Not the most exciting cars in the world.

But i had one about 6 years ago, never missed a beat, returned good MPG and was a nice comfy car.

Depends if you like Vauxhalls though.

Vauxhall : 2.0 sri 140bhp

Not the most exciting cars in the world.

But i had one about 6 years ago, never missed a beat, returned good MPG and was a nice comfy car.

Depends if you like Vauxhalls though.

Vauxhall : 2.0 sri 140bhp

A colleague had one of those 140bhp Vectras for a few years. Wasn't particularly reliable and returned about 30mpg, and he drove VERY gently all the time.

To be honest, I am prioritising the sensible stuff first and fun second, so maybe the Primera is a good choice on those grounds? Does the timing chain stretch and need changing with time do you know? Thanks.

petrol mondeo - drive it till it stops.

rinse and repeat.

I was going to suggest a Felicia

Dunno how cheap these are but what about a 405 MII6 or MI16 is it?

Audi 80/90

citroen sxara vtr.

found a 1999 1.8 16v, 53000 miles for £845

A colleague had one of those 140bhp Vectras for a few years. Wasn't particularly reliable and returned about 30mpg, and he drove VERY gently all the time.

To be honest, I am prioritising the sensible stuff first and fun second, so maybe the Primera is a good choice on those grounds? Does the timing chain stretch and need changing with time do you know? Thanks.

As i used to be a Nissan mechanic before no the timing chains don,t stretch on these engines but very very high mileage engines the chains do chatter a bit.(200,000K plus).

The Primera GT is a good car and well equipped too and sell for such cheap money these days.

A colleague had one of those 140bhp Vectras for a few years. Wasn't particularly reliable and returned about 30mpg, and he drove VERY gently all the time.

Maybe i was lucky, saying that, the car was only 2 years old when i had it.

Primera would be a good choice though.

Best bet would be a lateish petrol Almera for that - go search on autotrader...

Mondeo or Focus would be the best bed id think

Well, this weekend I bought 2 Mondeos. First one a 2.0 Ghia X, tiny bit of rust on a sill and a split back bumper, but otherwise an immaculate 1 owner car with 90k on the clock, for £650!!! :eek:

Managed to convince my mate to buy this from me for what I paid, and yesterday I bought this car - the photos dont do it justice, its like brand new!!!! :D:D

My advice would be a 2.0 petrol Mondeo, but there are some real heaps out there. Keep an eye out and there are some real bargains too.

You know I was looking for a Primera GT, but not one came up within 100 miles locally that looked like it was worth a punt. If you can afford to be patient you may just come up trumps.

Just make sure you get the red key, without it things become very difficult.

Well, this weekend I bought 2 Mondeos. First one a 2.0 Ghia X, tiny bit of rust on a sill and a split back bumper, but otherwise an immaculate 1 owner car with 90k on the clock, for £650!!! :eek:

Depending on age however tax on a 2.0 Mondy could be quite prohibitive.

Good run around that will go on and on though. IIRC the 1.8 was quite good too.

I had a 1.8 Mondeo as a company car back in 1996, it was great (at the time) but from what i remember it wasn't that economical.

I'm sure an older one now will cost a fair bit to keep moving.

The 1.8 is ok for sure, but similar economy to the 2.0, but the 2.0 normally has a better spec and is nicer to drive.

As long as you go for a Mk2 Mondeo, tax shouldn't be an issue. My V6 is £185 a year, so way less than the vRS!

Just make sure you get the red key, without it things become very difficult.

Red key?

Red key?

master key thats needed to re-set the immo when the battery is disconnected.

I think its also needed to code new keys to the car.

Its bascially a key thats red.

Still reeling from the thought of Tom selling his Octy and buying a shed I decided to have a look and see what I could buy for £1K and I have to say a Mundaneo or Vectra wouldn't be even considered.

Some good BMWs ranging from 316 compact to 318is, 318, 320, 325 and 525. Couple of Mercs that would give good reliable motoring and some Volvo's that offer a lot of car for the cash.

If it flicks your switch and you don't mind getting your hands dirty there were even a couple of reasonable Alfa's.

Still reeling from the thought of Tom selling his Octy and buying a shed I decided to have a look and see what I could buy for £1K and I have to say a Mundaneo or Vectra wouldn't be even considered.

I was looking at the list too and it's quite remarkable what you can get your hands on for not much money! That 3 litre Volvo 940 was in immaculate condition with all the toys imaginable and for just £500 (the cost of a remap), quite incredible!!!

Tom, you made one helluva mistake mate :thumbdwn:

master key thats needed to re-set the immo when the battery is disconnected.

I think its also needed to code new keys to the car.

Its bascially a key thats red.

Got my beady eye on one but there's no red key. :confused: The bloke said he's had the battery disconnected and never had an issue, has a master key and a second key, but neither is red. :confused:

I bought my Primera, and aside from a clutch I didnt do a lot to it. Went well and handled very well, just bored the crap out of me.

Got my beady eye on one but there's no red key. :confused: The bloke said he's had the battery disconnected and never had an issue, has a master key and a second key, but neither is red. :confused:

red key is for fords, think ive got my wires crossed.

Nissans dont have a red key i dont think :confused:

Mine didnt have one. Mine came with the dealer fitted NATS alarm system with regular keys and seperate fobs.

Looked at the Primera in question this evening. Wasn't good. :( Clutch was slipping a bit and the engine did not fell brisk at all (about on par with the 1.4 astra I drove there in). Methinks knackered engine, so I walked away.

Still, got the chance to feel what the car itself is like and it's very comfortable and solid feeling.

Primeras are great! My Dad has had two and we have just flogged ours on (96 TD). Nothing majorly went wrong with both my dads and ours was cheap and cheerful too.