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Posted By: dva99999 Small reliable runaround recommended - 11th Apr 2013 3:34am
Can anyone recommend or know of a small reliable runaround to do driving in town only.
Requirements are
Small petrol engine or diesel
Prefer German, Italian(?) Ford. Don't mind Peugeot..
Reasonable history with average mileage
Long MOT
Manual
From 2001 onwards.
My budget is around £600-700

I've searched on eBay and found a few, but they all seem to far to go

Thanks in advance
Posted By: reddragon Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 11th Apr 2013 7:45am
take a trip down mount /storeton road theres usually a few parked along there
Posted By: dizdazdoz Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 11th Apr 2013 10:20am
If you don't mind traveling to Chester try these Clicky
Posted By: Gibbo Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 11th Apr 2013 12:57pm
I can recommend the Peugeot 307 2L 90bhp model. Try for an LX or GLX model if you can as they have the most features.

If you see any Peugeot I'd be happy to give it the once over and a diagnostic. Even if the car doesn't have a fault light on, all problems are recorded and may help in haggling a discount.

But I don't think you'll get much with "average mileage" for less than £900.
Posted By: tonyh Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 11th Apr 2013 1:20pm
i've got a peugeot 205 diesel on an m reg in excellent condition mot'd and ready to go for 550
Posted By: venice Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 11th Apr 2013 2:35pm
Theres a red X reg Ford Ka parked with a for sale sign,oposite the entrance to Aldi's distribution centre at Fiveways junction Neston. Its a sort of layby where you can park by it to look. Price on screen is £695 but probably negotiable.
Posted By: dva99999 Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 11th Apr 2013 3:53pm
Thanks all will have a look around...I did go to mostons but there wasn't anything there of note.
Cheers
Posted By: Gibbo Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 14th Apr 2013 10:27am
Hi Tony,

I'd be interested in knowing more about the 205. Can you PM some pics and details?
Posted By: dva99999 Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 14th Apr 2013 1:59pm
Hi thanks for your advice. I've settled on a low mileage Fiat Punto HLX JTD for £550.
Posted By: Gibbo Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 15th Apr 2013 11:27am
Hmmm, not the greatest of cars for local town driving, from my experience The EGR valve will gum up. I had a 53 plate Punto JTD.

You can try and limit the problem by giving it a good motorway run frequently, use a good quality fuel and an additive like Miller's.
Posted By: _Ste_ Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 15th Apr 2013 11:34am
Not the best on fuel either or so i`ve heard.

Micra is what you need, nippy, good on fuel, not bad looking and you can get a lot in em.

I`m looking for one myself as my other cars take the piss on fuel consumption. thumbsdown
Posted By: Gibbo Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 16th Apr 2013 8:53am
Mine was OK on fuel, easily 500 miles to a tank. The interior was a bit rattly and plasticky. The parcel shelf was really light and rattled badly. But it was a comfortable drive and the £30 a year road tax was a big incentive!

But the previous lady owner had just used it around Wigan, it never went on the motorway and if you know Wigan you know it doesn't have any bypasses or roads where you can get up any speed for the diesel deposits to burn off.

The engine had done 34000 miles when I bought it but the EGR valve looked like it had done 80,000 because of the local driving.
Posted By: dva99999 Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 23rd Apr 2013 11:51pm
Everybody has an opinion about different cars, I just liked the Punto, it ticked all the boxes I wanted, small, Italian, diesel, and less than I was expecting to pay. Plus as you've said Gibbo, research is a good thing. After driving around town for the first 100 miles, I took it to London and back with a millers fuel additive as well. So far it's done exactly what I wanted it for and as long as it lasts the year, I'll be happy.
Thanks for all your advice, at least I'll know where to come for my replacement!!
Posted By: Gibbo Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 25th Apr 2013 1:04pm
Good stuff, keep us posted. How's that parcel shelf?
Posted By: dva99999 Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 4th May 2013 5:31am
Just a quick update....done about 1700 miles on it so far. Only problem is a grinding noise developed recently on front n/s wheel when on full lock right to left. Other than that touching wood, brilliant. Its a welcome change to the thirsty 2.8 Merc, but I hate (not) feeling like buy racer sometimes!! Fuel economy excellent as expected, a bit wobbly in windy weather on motorway though.
Any ideas on where I can get the ball joints, which is what it sounds like, fixed?
Cheers all.
Posted By: dizdazdoz Re: Small reliable runaround recommended - 4th May 2013 9:56am
Over your pm limit,

Phone Chris Gilly on 07783 628 321, he is based just behind the casino in birkenhead so not far from oxton.
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