Recommend me a diesel car!

As per the title really. Has anyone got any great advice on a workhorse of a diesel car? Needs to be up to doing 3000 miles a month without breaking a sweat and be nice and comfy.

And also if you have anything to look out for and things to avoid I'd appreciate it tons!

Budget is £2000-£2500 if that helps.

Old shape Skoda Octavia.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge/1?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/u...el-type/diesel

Any german diesel tbh, mk4 golf I'd go for, I had one from new for 4 years and put 50k on it with no probs.

Mondeo thats 6 speed 130bhp, as long as its either already had the clutch done or its done less tan 40k £600 for a new dual mass clutch setup

TBH, you're better off buying an older diesel, no silly dual mass flywheels and high pressure common rail diesel pumps.

If you could get an non PD A4 or Passat with the flywheel replaced or a solid conversion done to it, you'd be laughing.

Personally I'd spend a grand on a real good 1.8 non TDCI focus, no ball of fire but it'll keep going as long as the belt is changed and you put oil in it.

I'd avoid the Mazda 6 diesel and the Vectra diesels like the plague too.

Originally Posted by WeegieBlue

As per the title really. Has anyone got any great advice on a workhorse of a diesel car? Needs to be up to doing 3000 miles a month without breaking a sweat and be nice and comfy.

And also if you have anything to look out for and things to avoid I'd appreciate it tons!

Budget is £2000-£2500 if that helps.

Hi Weegie - I've just registered here tonight and have arrived in time to tell you about the best diesel you will ever get ! Don't Laugh - a Citroen Berlingo ! I'm on my 5th now and doing 3000 miles per month regularly. My first one did 250,000m without any problem until a lunatic white van man wrote it off for me, I'm sure it would have gone on for another 250k !
They are utterly reliable, extremely versatile and very ecconomical. Great to drive with high ride, good visability and large mirrors, takes 5 people in comfort and converts to a roomy van in seconds; Jeremy Clarkson took one on a booze cruise to France and absolutely raved about it on his TV programme ! I now have 2 of them and would not think of changing. For your budget you would get a good O2 model with about 80k on the clock and it would go on for ever ! Would be happy to give you any further advice or help and wish you the best of luck !
Cheers,
Bob.

Originally Posted by BigBaddad

Old shape Skoda Octavia.

Seconded. I miss my Octavia, t'was great.

Originally Posted by metalangel

Seconded. I miss my Octavia, t'was great.

I've currently got a 4 year old Octavia estate love in, getting 60+ mpg (55mpg when pushed)

It's a cut priced VW/Audi. Engine, mechanics etc are all the same......Skoda offer more room and equipment for your money. The 1.9 diesel can clock up 300k mile without issue.

I was looking at this actually:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...59gx?logcode=p

Bit older but low mileage and seems in good condition. Thoughts?

Also saw these two:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...59gx?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...59gx?logcode=p

That Skoda has "minicab" written all over it, I'd find it extremely hard to believe the mileage on the clock, you'd need to check the pedal rubbers, gear knob and drivers seat for wear, also the miles stated are right in the window for a failing clutch and flywheel.

The TDCI Mondeo also can be bothersome in the flywheel dept, coupled to their appetite for injectors and other bits, the TDDI in the bottom link still has a dodgy flywheel, but no injector hassles, but they are not the most economical car in the world by a long shot.

If you could prove the Skoda had genuine mileage on it, and had the flywheel changed, AND the guy would drop a few hundred quid, it would be the best buy.