Max £5000 runabout required. What is the best deal ?

[3point14]

Hi,

I need a runabout and I've always liked Golfs so I have found your forum and would like to ask your advice. We've been overseas for years so we're not clued up on prices or what is good and what is truly awful.

I'm not mechanically minded enough to go and buy one from some guy out of the paper or from the internet so I'm going to have to give some dealer a bit of profit and get a warranty in exchange.

Insurance isn't an issue as I'm over 40 but fuel economy is, especially with UK fuel prices seemingly heading off the charts. How long before the £10 gallon ?

Obviously I'd like as new as possible but I am realistic to know that this budget of £5000 max is not going to stretch too far. Would it be better to pay £4k for instance and then have £1k for repairs, new tyres, etc. ?

How old is too old ? What about mileage ? and how do I find out about big ticket items which have to be done, such as cam belt changes at 60k or whenever, or the risk of major malfunction is high ?

What about diesels ? The MPG looks good with over 40 around town and 60 on a run. I've had diesel trucks from Toyota and Isuzu and they can do stellar mileages. 100k miles on them is just run in but what about on a Golf TDi ?

What about major upgrades which significantly reduce running costs or the risk of part failure ?

And finally, please throw up your suggestions and reasons why. I need the help and advice. Many thanks.

Just out of interest, my main research tool is www.autotrader.co.uk (http://www.autotrader.co.uk) at the moment. Would you recommend anywhere different ?

[taurus_tem]

Golf mk5 TDI are failing with turbo issues, one after another....

Best thing to do when buying a used car is to have it scanned while buying it, so you take a diagnostic cable, link it up and have the car checked for faults, this will cost you around £150-£200 that is if you are looking for an mk5, best to get the cable first.

Again, there is no possible way to tell if a part is on its way out but best to have the car scanned to know what faults are currently there.

I have a golf mk5 1.4 FSI, FSI is very important as it's more economical and faster, suites me but im not sure if you need that extra kick.... Also petrol might not be the way you want to go. As i said, Turbos on the TDI seem to fail over time and cost £1500 to repair out of warranty. so do becareful.

[adamss24]

I would say to avoid newer cars like plague IF you're looking for a reliable car as a runabout. Not only you need computers to work and service them but, you need to be a NASA engineer to understand the new fiddly electronics. Back in the day (note that I am only 33 !) there was just a sensor a clock/light on the dash and a piece of wire in between- simple ! Nowadays there's a computer in between and you know the saying: "computer says No !"... I would look for an old 98-2000 audi a4 b5, a6 c5, passat b5 with the 1.9 Tdi engine, NON PD. Dont be put off by high mileage as 100-200k is low mileage for the age on them and they wear very well indeed. The electrics are proven (more gremlins on b5 passat but thats a cheaper car alltoghether) and mechanics are very reliable bar a few issues with suspension arms- they are cheap to replace anyway ! Newer cars with PD engines are smoother but they are very particular about the oil used and Longlife Service Intervals are a big No-No ! Fuel economy wise, the old VE engines are much more economical than new engines (soo much for 30 years of tdi progress ?!!) and many 90/110 Bhp engines will do 800-1000 miles on a full tank while not beeing slouch either. Pumps are easy and cheap to rebuild, cambelts are cheap and easy to fit and they will do 500k with decent maintenance. By the way, if you're looking for a decent runabout, i have a b5 audi a4 saloon 1.9 Tdi with a genuine 111k with only 2 owners from new and full service history ! A few scratches here and there but pretty straight for a 13 years old + no rust whatsoever as the body is galvanised. It needs nothing doing to it and will give no trouble for a few years. See classifieds/for sale for more details and pictures... Cheers,
Chris.

[3point14]

I would say to avoid newer cars like plague IF you're looking for a reliable car as a runabout. Not only you need computers to work and service them but, you need to be a NASA engineer to understand the new fiddly electronics. Back in the day (note that I am only 33 !) there was just a sensor a clock/light on the dash and a piece of wire in between- simple ! Nowadays there's a computer in between and you know the saying: "computer says No !"... I would look for an old 98-2000 audi a4 b5, a6 c5, passat b5 with the 1.9 Tdi engine, NON PD. Dont be put off by high mileage as 100-200k is low mileage for the age on them and they wear very well indeed. The electrics are proven (more gremlins on b5 passat but thats a cheaper car alltoghether) and mechanics are very reliable bar a few issues with suspension arms- they are cheap to replace anyway ! Newer cars with PD engines are smoother but they are very particular about the oil used and Longlife Service Intervals are a big No-No ! Fuel economy wise, the old VE engines are much more economical than new engines (soo much for 30 years of tdi progress ?!!) and many 90/110 Bhp engines will do 800-1000 miles on a full tank while not beeing slouch either. Pumps are easy and cheap to rebuild, cambelts are cheap and easy to fit and they will do 500k with decent maintenance. By the way, if you're looking for a decent runabout, i have a b5 audi a4 saloon 1.9 Tdi with a genuine 111k with only 2 owners from new and full service history ! A few scratches here and there but pretty straight for a 13 years old + no rust whatsoever as the body is galvanised. It needs nothing doing to it and will give no trouble for a few years. See classifieds/for sale for more details and pictures... Cheers,
Chris.

The main driver is going to be the missus and she's never driven in the UK before (though driven RHD cars in her country) and I reckon a small hatchback is the way to go. Otherwise I'd pick up a 5/6 year old Merc E series CDi for 8/10k. 10+ year old motors are not going to cut muster I'm afraid and I'm beginning to think that VW is not worth the premium as 2nd hand prices are so solid, yet problems abound.

[mbev51]

hi
if you are not bothered about acceleration get a mk 5 golf sdi, with high miles. Get one that has had a clutch and a cambelt, no need to worry about turbos or dual mass flywheels. I got a 4 year old one for 3 and a half.

[MalcQV]

There is always a premium for diesel cars on the purchase price. You have to look at the break even point as to when you will start to see a return. You probably won't see a return for a couple of years. Went through a similar thing recently and changed my mind more times than traffic light on what to buy.

VW are solidly priced and not that many here will agree there is far better VFM with modern motors.

I agree 100% with Adams24 regarding reliability.