View Full Version : Runny bout!
Ok, I'm considering buying a cheap runabout to drive to work and back in (to save my 200 from it's 25-30k annual mileage).
Can anyone recommend a suitably cheap car for me to be looking for - or would any hatchback that runs on diesel and costs less than £700 be suitable? What's reliable and cheap/easy to reapir?
The longevity of my 200 is depending on this, at my current rate it'll have died within 2 years of terminal mileage syndrome http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/frown.gif I don't want that, and I'm sure some of you lot must have runny-bouts too!
I'm thinking Mk 3 Fester, but they go rusty on the arches - is this a problem. Also on the cards is a Citroen AX, any probs with these? Maybe a diesel Nova would be good, again there is a rust problem though. Choices, choices!
Or... should I just run my 200 into the ground - at great cost http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/frown.gif (AKA Plan-B)
Btw, my Nissan was/is my sensible car - the runabout will be car number 3 - the EXTRA sensible car!
------------------
S14a, 17" League 037's, Blitz NUR-Spec, K&N 57i, Blitz MSTT, De-catted
205 diesel mate - my missus used to have one thatd done 197000, and her folks had one that did 214000 before that. bulletproof engines, and nice to drive with it.
------------------
--------------------
92 200SX, grey
K+N 57i (Im ready for max power now!!)
Bit of ICE, cant be arsed to take the dash off to put more in
Manual, for I have the stick in the middle of my car and in the middle of my legs
Never refuse a challenge!!
gentlemen prefer blondes ......
Jezz_S13
11-12-2001, 15:07
BMW E30 3 series.
Mini!
Best small car in the world!
Jezz_S13
11-12-2001, 15:31
Originally posted by dreadly:
Mini!
Best small car in the world!
Best at what, being small?
I definitely need something economical, a diesel or teeny petrol engined car.
I like the sound of a 205 diesel, but I might see what I can get on the cheap http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/wink.gif
Nathan_200sx
11-12-2001, 15:50
How about a moped, http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/smile.gif
------------------
Nathan
Red S13 Mongoose, K&N T3 280ish BHP
http://www.300zx.co.uk/200sx/rides/nathan_200sx/mum_ra.jpg
Me at weekends!!!
Praying to the darklords to stop breaking my car!
70 miles a day on a moped?.. I'd be dead within a month!
I've got a J plate AX debut up for grabs.
I'd rather sell it than let mrs billy learn to drive, 'cos she'll only want a go in the 200, and she can feck off if she thinks she's got any chance of that! Jeeez, she can't even walk without bumping into things, and she can only just see the bonnet, never mind the corners!
Beg your pardon.....
I looked into this but couldn't get a sensible insurance quote for a 2nd car.
I'll wait and try again in the new year when I'll be 25 years old.
------------------
1995 S14, "Awaiting fitment of Autometer gauges"
I'm only 23... I'd better check insurance. I suppose I could put it on 6000 miles limited mileage third party only.
An AX sounds kind of good - small and economical. What mileage and engine size is it? One careful owner?... http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/wink.gif
Originally posted by Billy:
I've got a J plate AX debut up for grabs.
I'd rather sell it than let mrs billy learn to drive, 'cos she'll only want a go in the 200, and she can feck off if she thinks she's got any chance of that! Jeeez, she can't even walk without bumping into things, and she can only just see the bonnet, never mind the corners!
Beg your pardon.....
you wanna watch out mate - shell look through your net history, find this site, and think "ooo - I wonder what Billy has been talking about"
Then youll wake up with no balls or something like that http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/eek.gif
Happened to a mate of mine - honest http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/rolleyes.gif
Yeah, like she knows how to use a computer?
http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/biggrin.gif http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/biggrin.gif http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/biggrin.gif http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/biggrin.gif http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/biggrin.gif http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/biggrin.gif http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/biggrin.gif
SXOC Admin
12-12-2001, 13:23
I've got a 1.4 Renault 19! Had one as my first car, and decided to get another for my runabout. My first car was the most reliable car I've ever had, hence the choice.
Cost me 700 quid for a K plate. Only insure that car though cos the 200's STILL in the garage.
Originally posted by Jezz_S13:
Best at what, being small?
Best at being a mini. http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/tongue.gif
Can't beat 'em. I know of a Hill climb mini that hits 60 in 3 seconds, up hill http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/smile.gif
Howsabout a 1990ish Cavalier SRi?
I know of a couple for around the £500 mark.
Proper repmobile stylee - so great for distance work, and absolutely cheap as mess to fix. Decent engines, and comfortable
Bulletproof mechanicals, and impossible to kill.
Dunk
What I need is the car with THE lowest running costs...
I'm now looking at a Citroen AX 1.0 or 1.4D, or a Peugeot 205 1.1/1.8D. I might have a look at mini's as I expect they have good fuel economy - but are pricy to buy.
Around £700 will get me a good 40-60k AX 1.0, which will cost £4-500 a year to insure, plus tax etc, which will still be worth my while so long as I get about 20k out of it.
205 diesel is the way to go. The 1.4 diesal AX is cheaper to tax but if you do any motorway miles you will suffer, they are alot noiser and a fair bit slower (like that matters in a diesel). The 205 diesel will happily sit at 80-90 mph all day and return 55 mpg with intergalactic mileage. They are "a bit" tiny but they don't rust much, there are lots to chose from and £700 will get a reasonable E,F or even G plate, depending on model and location. The tubby versions are more desirable (read expensive) but give better accelartion, naturally. In the end i went for the NA version since there is very little to go wrong and there really isn't much in terms of speed. If i want to drive faster i'll buy a 2*****, but wait a minute whats this in my garage? http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/biggrin.gif
Bell direct will insure two cars with the same NCD bonus, but they don't like reckless drivers, so if you have any convictions go elsewhere.
------------------
1990 Blue S13
Mongoose 'zorst
K&N, ND Boost upgrade, Saab FMIC.
161BHP@wheels 28/1/01 Interpro. But clean credit card and a bonus on its way.....
[This message has been edited by Clong (edited 12-12-2001).]
Originally posted by Clong:
Bell direct will insure two cars with the same NCD bonus, but they don't like reckless drivers, so if you have any convictions go elsewhere.
I'll be going elsewhere then http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/frown.gif
I might look into the AX, as most of my driving is A&B road, in traffic, but I will consider the 205 as well.
Hows about a Citroen AX 1.4RD? I have one that might be coming available... http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/wink.gif
Seriously, though, look at Citroen diesels - they depreciate fast, and are really frugal. Or, of course, Peugeots, although they are a bit more expensive, like for like.
I hear you can get 60mpg out of an AX 1.4D! I think I'll be having one of those before too long.
I used to get 50mpg out of a BX Turbo diesel when I thrashed it, which was all the time!
Mind you it was worth thrashing, 133lb/ft at 2100rpm combined with frisky gear ratios results in something that will give a Golf gti, XR2, and every other wanabe tin-box a big surprise.
And leaving them chocking on soot has it's funny side too.....
Oh, and it is now my mum's, has done 250,000 miles on the original tubby, and simply refuses to die!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.1.9 Copyright © 2012 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.