Dying car - need a replacement!

Pickers · 06-03-2011, 19:22

Well after all that palava last year, the Clio I found myself purchasing has started to turn into a money pit, and the garages advice: "get shot of it before it becomes a problem for you, and for us".

Last Novemember the ABS played up and would fire whenever the brakes were applied. I took it to my friendly trusted garage, who looked at it and found a broken ring (used as part of the sensor to measure the rate of spin of the wheel). To sort it required a whole new driveshaft (apparently) so I decided what the hell - do a full service whilst you are there. £550 and one week later, the car felt like it was misfiring and kangarooing under acceleration (as if it was it too high a gear and was struggling, despite being in 1st / 2nd at 10-20 mph).
Eventually (owing to work commitments) I got it back to the garage and they changed the plugs (again) and all was fine for another week, until the problem re-emerged and grew to epic proportions. Just in time for MOT, so I got them to check plugs again during MOT - they couldnt find the problem. HOWEVER, the car failed MOT on (of all things) the rear centre seatbelt (you know, the one that NEVER gets used?), Reg plate bulb blown and corroded rubber on the boot (CV joint boot).
Replaced and put through MOT fo the princely sum of £250.

One week later, the ABS problem comes back. I drop it back to the garage, they replace the sensor under warrenty, and in the process the rear brake shoes fall to pieces. Another £70.

SO

Im looking for a car, at the same time as scraping together house deposit... I may JUST be able to stretch to £2k + trade in value of the clio. OR I could dip into reserve funds for more cash to get what (for the second time) I would hope to be a reliable car and last for years. I could go private sale, but with the Clio as it is, Id be worried of angry purchasers tracking me down demanding money back or even the fact that I could be selling someone a eath trap.

Basically, I'd love a Golf TDi, which I'm assured is good fuel economy. I need advice though really guys...

Im petrified of getting another car that falls apart or requires a dealer to read the diagnostics on the computer. My old old old fiesta, I could sort most things with a tool kit, but these new cars requires specialisms I cant achieve meaning when things go wrong, I have to pass it to mister garage handy man.

Pheebs · 06-03-2011, 20:04

Well... other than a good rear ending Toyota Yaris' aren't too bad for your shizzle! From what I have heard ye olde Yaris are better not the newer model.

I think you're onto a winner with a golf though too! Audi A3's are coming up pretty high on the economic side of things annnnd should you be able to stretch budget any further BMW 1 Series is seeeeeeriously amazing on fuel economy and from what I've read up, brilliant service wise.

I'd like an audi A4 avant

*dreams on*

Pickers · 06-03-2011, 20:08

Hahaha, do you know me at all?

. I'll never be able to afford a BMW or Audi! I'm a compact car man through and through!

Burble · 06-03-2011, 20:11

I had a Golf TDI and it was great but I'd suggest you avoid them unless you're 100% sure of their history. Lots of people took the cheaper option when it came to oil changes which resulted in worn cam lobes that required a new pair of camshafts.

The price escapes me, but it'll not be cheap.

My suggestion - Focus. For a front wheel drive car they drive really well.

Pickers · 06-03-2011, 20:16

I do like my dad's focus. He's been lending me it when Ive gone home the last two weekends. Much nicer to drive than my clio!

Pheebs · 06-03-2011, 20:20

They're the hatchback versions hun

You're looking at similar value to that of a golf but with more reliability!! Don't dismiss it so quickly and have a goosey gander about

I had to look at lots of cars lately because of the muppet that bottom kissed my Cyril!

I'm a seconder for a Focus too. Tis why the bobby like them so much, they can take a good thrashing

Have you spoken to who-do-you-macall it at the garage (I'm presuming you take it to the same place we always did on the estate?) Is it Ian? I think it's Ian. He does a service where he will hunt you down a car of your spec and pricing, check it out, do a full service check etc for next to nada. Trustworthy chap if you ask me!

He's mega ace. If he's your garage man pop back in and have a chinwag, see what he says

Take Trio - he'll be putty in your hand!!

leowyatt · 06-03-2011, 20:47

My mate at work has a Focus 2.0 TDI and he really likes it. From the lifts I've had in it it's comfortable and economical

lostkat · 06-03-2011, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burble

My suggestion - Focus. For a front wheel drive car they drive really well.

Agreed.

Desmo · 06-03-2011, 22:06

Yep, I don't think you can go too far wrong down that route. Should be pretty cheap to fix should any problems occur as well.

Mark · 06-03-2011, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pheebs

Well... other than a good rear ending Toyota Yaris' aren't too bad for your shizzle! From what I have heard ye olde Yaris are better not the newer model.

My Mum has 'ye olde Yaris' and it's been a good runner for her. Didn't like the new shape so didn't even think about changing it.

That said, Focus sounds like a sensible choice. Not that I know anything about cars.

06-03-2011, 19:22	#1
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	Dying car - need a replacement! Well after all that palava last year, the Clio I found myself purchasing has started to turn into a money pit, and the garages advice: "get shot of it before it becomes a problem for you, and for us". Last Novemember the ABS played up and would fire whenever the brakes were applied. I took it to my friendly trusted garage, who looked at it and found a broken ring (used as part of the sensor to measure the rate of spin of the wheel). To sort it required a whole new driveshaft (apparently) so I decided what the hell - do a full service whilst you are there. £550 and one week later, the car felt like it was misfiring and kangarooing under acceleration (as if it was it too high a gear and was struggling, despite being in 1st / 2nd at 10-20 mph). Eventually (owing to work commitments) I got it back to the garage and they changed the plugs (again) and all was fine for another week, until the problem re-emerged and grew to epic proportions. Just in time for MOT, so I got them to check plugs again during MOT - they couldnt find the problem. HOWEVER, the car failed MOT on (of all things) the rear centre seatbelt (you know, the one that NEVER gets used?), Reg plate bulb blown and corroded rubber on the boot (CV joint boot). Replaced and put through MOT fo the princely sum of £250. One week later, the ABS problem comes back. I drop it back to the garage, they replace the sensor under warrenty, and in the process the rear brake shoes fall to pieces. Another £70. SO Im looking for a car, at the same time as scraping together house deposit... I may JUST be able to stretch to £2k + trade in value of the clio. OR I could dip into reserve funds for more cash to get what (for the second time) I would hope to be a reliable car and last for years. I could go private sale, but with the Clio as it is, Id be worried of angry purchasers tracking me down demanding money back or even the fact that I could be selling someone a eath trap. Basically, I'd love a Golf TDi, which I'm assured is good fuel economy. I need advice though really guys... Im petrified of getting another car that falls apart or requires a dealer to read the diagnostics on the computer. My old old old fiesta, I could sort most things with a tool kit, but these new cars requires specialisms I cant achieve meaning when things go wrong, I have to pass it to mister garage handy man. __________________ Pictures

06-03-2011, 20:04	#2
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	Well... other than a good rear ending Toyota Yaris' aren't too bad for your shizzle! From what I have heard ye olde Yaris are better not the newer model. I think you're onto a winner with a golf though too! Audi A3's are coming up pretty high on the economic side of things annnnd should you be able to stretch budget any further BMW 1 Series is seeeeeeriously amazing on fuel economy and from what I've read up, brilliant service wise. I'd like an audi A4 avant dreams on __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

06-03-2011, 20:08	#3
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	Hahaha, do you know me at all? . I'll never be able to afford a BMW or Audi! I'm a compact car man through and through! __________________ Pictures

06-03-2011, 20:16	#5
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	I do like my dad's focus. He's been lending me it when Ive gone home the last two weekends. Much nicer to drive than my clio! __________________ Pictures

06-03-2011, 20:20	#6
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	They're the hatchback versions hun You're looking at similar value to that of a golf but with more reliability!! Don't dismiss it so quickly and have a goosey gander about I had to look at lots of cars lately because of the muppet that bottom kissed my Cyril! I'm a seconder for a Focus too. Tis why the bobby like them so much, they can take a good thrashing Have you spoken to who-do-you-macall it at the garage (I'm presuming you take it to the same place we always did on the estate?) Is it Ian? I think it's Ian. He does a service where he will hunt you down a car of your spec and pricing, check it out, do a full service check etc for next to nada. Trustworthy chap if you ask me! He's mega ace. If he's your garage man pop back in and have a chinwag, see what he says Take Trio - he'll be putty in your hand!! __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

06-03-2011, 20:11	#4
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I had a Golf TDI and it was great but I'd suggest you avoid them unless you're 100% sure of their history. Lots of people took the cheaper option when it came to oil changes which resulted in worn cam lobes that required a new pair of camshafts. The price escapes me, but it'll not be cheap. My suggestion - Focus. For a front wheel drive car they drive really well.

06-03-2011, 20:47	#7
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	My mate at work has a Focus 2.0 TDI and he really likes it. From the lifts I've had in it it's comfortable and economical __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

06-03-2011, 22:06	#9
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Yep, I don't think you can go too far wrong down that route. Should be pretty cheap to fix should any problems occur as well. __________________