I need to replace the Fabia before the end of this month, as it goes back 01/09...

I did have a deposit paid on a delicious low miler 523SE in silver (no auto or leather), fBMWsh etc etc, but the car will be purchased with my employers "car loan scheme", and I overlooked the small print that said "If registered before 2001 it must be 2000cc or less, if registered in 2001 or after it must have emissions of 185g/km or less"

So, bearing that in mind, and a strict budget of

Find a 520SE?

Rob.

Skoda superb 1.9tdi? almost as comfortable as the 523i

Does the 523 come with pimp tints and "spinners" as standard ?

For bullet-proof reliability, I'd be looking at Honda's and Toyota's. Is this just going to be a short-term car until you get the company car sorted? If so, just get an old Mondeo or similar to tide you over

Chris

Find a 520SE?

Rob.

The later 520s (the ones I'd be after) are actually 2.2l, smart ****... Likewise, the 523 I'd bagged was a 2.5l.

Woddie - Superb for

long term car mate in a bid to save money for a house deposit etc...

Diesel Mondeo TDCI it is then. They'll last for 150k miles so you should get a good 'un for

2003 03 Reg SKODA Superb 1.9 TDI PD 105 Classic4 Doors, Manual, Saloon, Diesel, 131,000 miles, Metallic Blue, 2 Owners. Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Computer, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Foglights, Front armrest, Head restraints, Folding rear seats, Immobiliser, Lumbar support, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Rear armrest, Remote locking, Radio/CD, Side airbags, Rear headrests, hpi printout available, major cards accepted, p-x welcome, service history, veiwing by appiontment only, warrenty available. £4,790

0208 3050055

sure you could bargain it down!

2003 03 Reg SKODA Superb 1.9 TDI PD 105 Classic4 Doors, Manual, Saloon, Diesel, 131,000 miles, Metallic Blue, 2 Owners. Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Computer, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Foglights, Front armrest, Head restraints, Folding rear seats, Immobiliser, Lumbar support, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Rear armrest, Remote locking, Radio/CD, Side airbags, Rear headrests, hpi printout available, major cards accepted, p-x welcome, service history, veiwing by appiontment only, warrenty available.

If you're looking at saving money - shouldn't you be looking at something small, newish and reliable. Most of the cars listed will have "big car" running costs, especially when they break

Chris

If you're looking at saving money - shouldn't you be looking at something small' date=' newish and reliable. Most of the cars listed will have "big car" running costs, especially when they break

Chris[/quote']

:iagree:

Corsa 1.0 12v

:iagree:

Corsa 1.0 12v

I know I "should"... but common, I love cars too much.

Saxo VTS?

the superb is not bad for the money, and TBH based on passat anyways, but without paying so much for the badge.

If you wanted older, bigger car, then look for sommat petrol with LPG, the e32 7 series can be had for peanuts, the m30 in the 730 and 735 are bulletproof chain driven lumps-capable of 300k easily.

plenty of leg room, leather, cruise,elec everything, air con and mpg eqivilent of 40mpg all for under £2k for a 1994 L plate

Pug 106 GTi, Saxo VTR/VTS, Fiesta Zetec S, Daihatsu Charade GTi?

Or if you're feeling brave an MG-ZR and a comprehensive warranty

Chris

the superb is not bad for the money, and TBH based on passat anyways, but without paying so much for the badge.

If you wanted older, bigger car, then look for sommat petrol with LPG, the e32 7 series can be had for peanuts, the m30 in the 730 and 735 are bulletproof chain driven lumps-capable of 300k easily.

plenty of leg room, leather, cruise,elec everything, air con and mpg eqivilent of 40mpg all for under

you could deffo get a decent mk1/1.5 Focus for that money, wouldn't neccessarily have high milage either:

2001 Y plate Esp 5dr in Silver with 70k FFSH (Had major service done less than 2k ago..)

Car has a near mint set of ST170's running Conti's all round (approx 6mm) 2 wheels have "very" light kerb marks

After around

The later 520s (the ones I'd be after) are actually 2.2l, smart ****...

Ah yes, the infamous BMW model numbering policy... Did mean one of the earlier ones...

If you want something with a nice 2.0l engine how about an FTO? Plenty of cheap ones about in good nick with decent equipment and fairly pacey too. Insurance may require some vaseline though...

Rob.

Gotta be looking at cheapo brands - Hyundai Accent MVi (actually not too bad - handle reasonable), Hyundai Getz 1.3 blablabla...

Oh who am I kidding

Get an old civic VTi

No Hyundai for me ta... Possibly a sound buy though.

May well end up keeping the GTI for a while... Its 20 years old this month too!

Tom, I wouldn't get a Passat if I were you. Been there and done that, the generation you're looking at are indeed very nice cars and drive nicely, but have the most overcomplicated front suspension setup which is prone to failure and costs a bomb to fix. Any engine repairs are expensive too (belts etc.) as the engine is longitudinal and therefore the front of the car comes off every time.

What about a TDi Octy? What about a TDi Fabia? I've got one which will be selling for about