Given the new job starting in March and the fact I will be doing a lot more miles than I do now (and I want to be able to make a bit of money claiming the expenses) I'm going to give the fabia to SWMBO.

Hence, I'm after a new (old) car.

Budget isn't set yet, but will be £4000 tops.

It has be diesel, has to be an estate, and I would like to be able to tinker with it a bit (i.e. little mods, alloys, stereo, minor tuning, etc).

I've had a look on autotrader etc, but £4000 doesn't seem to get a lot in the VAG group and that's all I know hence why I'm here asking for help!

Any ideas?

(EDIT) The reason SWMBO is getting the fabia is her 96 micra is starting to cost too much money so I'd rather give her a car I know is good than risk her having another dodgy one...

Edited 14 January, 201214 yr by djswivel

Focus or Mondeo?

BMW 530d sport 52 plate around that price.

The best diesels I've had are either the 1.9 tdi from VAG or the 2.0 HDi from pug-Citroen, both brilliant of fuel and very reliable.

trying to make money from expenses claims is not easy. 45p a mile might sound a lot when the fuel is costing say 14p/ml (45 mpg = 10 mp/ltr @140p) but fuel, servicing and especially depreciation soon eat up the money.

bmw 330d touring m-sport nice

Thanks for the ideas, quite keen on a BMW now I've seen them...

trying to make money from expenses claims is not easy. 45p a mile might sound a lot when the fuel is costing say 14p/ml (45 mpg = 10 mp/ltr @140p) but fuel, servicing and especially depreciation soon eat up the money.

It's easier when you get 60p a mile and servicing done by the company workshop paying only for parts... (I've made some useful contacts on my way up!)

Edited 15 January, 201214 yr by djswivel

Thanks for the ideas, quite keen on a BMW now I've seen them...

It's easier when you get 60p a mile and servicing done by the company workshop paying only for parts... (I've made some useful contacts on my way up!)

yes it must be - sound like a good deal. Remeber 'tho that you will be taxed on the amount above the HMRC limit of 45p/mile so will lose at least 3p/ml (60p-45p = 15p @20% + 3p) to the tax man (more if you are a higher rate payer)

Thanks for the ideas, quite keen on a BMW now I've seen them...

For 4 grand it'll probably be an expensive dog.

Something with a VAG 1.9 130hp. They're pretty bullet proof.

Mk1 Fabia VRS down to that price yet? Or a Golf.