Peugeot 106 -Cheap insurance, nippy, comfy interior, just make sure you get a 5-door rather than a 3-door You could get a nice Vectra for that sort of budget as well (nice meaning condition rather than speed), or a Volvo S40/850, but I'm not sure about insurance costs for the latter two
To be honest, even though I own a Saxo VTR, which is pretty much the same as a 106. They're not great on insurance at all, you'd get better insurance out of something like a Ford KA or Fiesta.
What about something Japanese like a Nissan Almera GTi or a Primera Sport? MK2 Mondeo's are ok, the car I'm about to get rid of is a '97 Ghia X 2.0 petrol and it's currently on 174k miles, it averages about 36mpg. I doubt you'd get a diesel MK3 Mondeo for 2k, not the better TDCi engine anyway, it would most likely be the older less economical TDDI engine. A petrol mk3 would be in your price range though and the 2.0 petrol is quite nippy. The mk3 is pretty big though, about as big as the old Ford Scorpio's! Mk3 Cavalier's are good cars but showing their age. I had a '95 one a few years back and it was the best car I ever owned. I'd stay away from the Vectra's of that era though.
Since you mentioned a Mk 3 Golf in the OP, I'll throw my hand up and say once I start saving for a car, one of those will be the object of my affections. My housemate had a 2L TDi for years and I still miss it (he has either a Mk5 or 6 now, can never remember). I don't think I'll be going for one as powerful, but damn that thing felt like a tank on the road. I went with one of my other friends when he was test drving a 106 and it felt like a tin can by comparison. I was actually afraid Can't really talk about any of the finer points of the Golf, lack of knowledge on that front. I just know I want one
If you're looking at the mondeo , go for the 2ltr is a much better engine than the 1.8 and more economical, i get about 28 mpg round town and at least 35 on a run, top speed is about 130mph, they are dead reliable too, £1200 will get a nice one as well, the focus would be a good option if you need something smaller and not so heavy on he insurance.
Wouldn't get a 106. Both that and the Saxo are based on the same floorplan, and having learnt in a Saxo, I fast made the realisation the pedals are too close to each other Volvo S40's are tidy cars - I'd go for the V40 personally though. Unfortunatly the MPG is a little lacking from what I've been told (from a driver of a 1.8 and 2.0 petrol V40). Might be worth looking into diesel figures though It's an older VW thing - my Polo shares a lot of parts with a MK3 Golf, and I had a fiesta reverse into me. Her bumper caved a nice Polo shaped dent. My numberplate had a slight crack. As for the general comments about insurance groups I'll look into that when I get home from the Office. I've still been basing everything on the old 20pt system. Thanks to all so far - I've added Mondeos and V40's to the list now.
Allow me to be the Forum Fanboy: Volvo is pure win. I had a S40, and only the new price and lack of good second hand specimens around here prevented me from buying another one.
As the Driver of a 10-year old (W) S40 1.8i, my average MPG as reported by the onboard tool is currently 36. I don't often use motorways, most of this is the 5 miles urban and 2 miles country lane to work and back every day. If you're considering a diesel S40 - I got warned off the 1.6 as it's apparently severely underpowered. <3 my Volvo, though if I had to do it again, I would indeed get the V40, as the saloon boot opening is a pain.
The 306 HDI is my dream car. Cheap, economic (low L/KM), silent, very reliable, excellent handling, good performance, good looking. Great tuning potential (though not as much as the non-HDI).
lol, yes I mean "possible dream car". "Impossible dream car" would be some Subaru made up for rally... You know, I had a 106 diesel as my first car. 30km/l and great handling, shame it only had 56hp. For me, the 306 would be what the 106 has not been: spacious and fast, while mantaning the mpg and good handling.
It's not a reliability issue, it's character The Clio i've got has plenty of it. The immobiliser needs cleaning on a 6 monthly basis dude to water damage from the roof. The dashboard light behind the rev counter needs hitting before it starts working, the interior light is always on (except I took the bulb out) and the airbag doesn't work according to the diagnostic lights. I did have a 306 1.9TD for a short while and it wasn't too bad for electrics - central locking didn't work because the key was borked, but that was about it. However the entire rear suspension was shot by the time I got rid of it, and the roof leaked lots of water. Still it only cost £100 to tie me over while doing repairs on the daily driver, so it lasted long enough
with that kinda millage id consider diesel. in ireland though diesel is about 10% cheaper than petrol so its more of a factor but its still worth considering in the UK id say a diesel focus at the right money might be up your alley? wouldnt consider a 106/saxo, if you saw the way my saxo vts crumpled in a 30mph crash you wouldnt. some thing from the next gen up is alot safer or something just alittle bigger
