Car Recommendation

Off-topic and topics which do not fit in elsewhere.
Steve_l
Forum User
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:33 pm

Car Recommendation

Post by Steve_l »

Just got a new Job which will involve a 80 mile commute, not wanting to use the gti for this every day I am on the look out for another car.
I want something that is fairly cheap prob less than 3k, diesel and cheap to insure, reliable etc.
As a rover owner I am looking at what rover models would fit the bill, anyone here have any experience with rover diesels, any specific problems with them?

Any other suggestions?

Cheers

Steve
Clawjaw
Forum User
Posts: 1268
Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:35 pm

Post by Clawjaw »

A Corsa, Punto or Clio or any of the other cheap tax and insurance cars that the boy racers stick big bores on and think they can out run some 600bhp american muscle car :laughing2
E_T_V
Forum User
Posts: 2915
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:25 pm

Post by E_T_V »

Any of the rover diesels should fit the bill. I've got a 600 which is great for long journies, and still returns 45mpg (not driven sympathetically either). You should be able to pick one up for 1k or less. You can even run them on veggie oil if you want.

The bubble 400 diesel is probably the nearest to your GTi in terms of size, as it runs essentially the same chassis and suspension. Tuning the 200/400/600 diesel is easy, and 130bhp is achievable for under £100 if you know what you are doing.

The wedge diesels are ok too, (pugoet XUD engine), but I prefer the rover L series as it is pretty bomb proof.
User avatar
Smithy
Club President
Posts: 2855
Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:14 pm

Post by Smithy »

The Rover diesels are good.
Rover 220 GTi Turbo.
Ravinder_Tomcat220T
Forum User
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2007 12:20 am

Post by Ravinder_Tomcat220T »

Golf mk4 turbo diesel. Mate has one and its a great car. Has 115k on the clock but goes very strongly.
E_T_V
Forum User
Posts: 2915
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:25 pm

Post by E_T_V »

My 620 is currently on 183k and still going strong. Infact I might be taking it on the rolling road to see how many horsies time and miles have robbed from the engine.
E_T_V
Forum User
Posts: 2915
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:25 pm

Re: Car Recommendation

Post by E_T_V »

Where are you based? Someone I know has just but a 420 up for sale.
Steve_l
Forum User
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:33 pm

Post by Steve_l »

Thanks for the suggestions,

I am located just north of London in Hertfordshire.

Been having a look on the net at some 400's and 45's, some very nice cars out there for very little!
E_T_V
Forum User
Posts: 2915
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:25 pm

Post by E_T_V »

Just bear in mind that the 25/45/zr/zs's are different than the 200/400/600. Although the engine is the same, they produce more torque as standard. However they are more troublesome in the fuelling area. The MAF sensor is very prone to failure. Also the fuel pump is more fragile than the earlier 200/400/600. Ultimately they have the potential to produce more power, and they can be remapped unlike the 200/400/600, but if you just want a bomb proof motor then I'd go for the earlier system as it is more reliable.
Steve_l
Forum User
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:33 pm

Post by Steve_l »

Thanks for the info, never knew that they were that different. Thought it was just a badge swap and a few styling improvements!
Post Reply