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It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
#1571178
26/04/2016 18:08
26/04/2016 18:08
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603 Corridor of Uncertainty
Jim_Clennell
OP
Forum veteran
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OP
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
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With the meticulous research and successful implementation of Baldrick's cunning plans, I am once again seeking the advice of my esteemed FCCUK colleagues as I look for another vehicle.
The brief:
I've just been offered a job involving a 25-mile country B-road round trip daily commute. The coupé would be ideal, apart from being a) expensive to run, b) possibly not top of the reliability league (though no complaints so far - apart from the master cylinder. Oh, and the relays, etc...) and c) I've already done almost half of my precious 7,500 miles for this year after 3 months.
So, I need a reliable, inexpensive, small, diesel hatchback, right?
Wrong!
I need a vehicle that can
- carry at least 4 full-grown adults in reasonable comfort - take enough camping equipment/food/wine/spare clothes for said occupants to go to, say Goodwood, for a 4-day trip - when required, sleep 2 adults in the back and, finally, - serve as a van big enough to haul around a sofa or shed-loads of MrsC's art.
NB: I'm 6'1" and I can't sleep unless I'm pretty much lying flat, so that gives an idea of the size I'm after (Zafiras need not apply).
Obviously, it also needs to be relatively reliable and not ruinously expensive to run (by which I mean it'll probably be diesel, rather than petrol).
The fun part? Well, the budget, naturally.
£2,000 tops.
My favourite contenders are:
Chrysler Grand Voyager Limited (or Limited XS) 4th generation With Stow & Go seats. LPG could be a curveball. Struggling to get much within my budget that hasn't been to the moon and back several times. I know these are seen as Beelzebub on wheels, but they tick many boxes, even if they are either guzzling fuel or broken down.
Fiat Ulysse 2.2JTD Prestigio or Eleganza (with leather) Not as cavernous as the Chrysler (I can't find a figure for load-bay length, but I bet it's under my height) and without the trick foldaway seats, but cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, probably more reliable and a bit nicer than its Citroen/Peugeot stablemates. I believe bezzer might have something to say on this one?
Kia Sedona 2.9 CRDi (Whatever, with leather and gizmos) To our amazement and (obviously) shame, we loved our Sedona; it hated us. The high-pressure fuel pump/injector issue that killed ours is still a risk (and, at a cost of at least £490 plus fitting for just the pump, I'd want to know it had been done before I took a risk on another). Pity, because otherwise, it's exactly the combination of cheap and practical I'm looking for.
Outsiders:
- Mazda Bongo: always wanted one, but not in price range and questionable reliability at the cheap end of the scale) - Nissan Elgrand: how can you NOT want an MPV with the engine from the 350Z? Too expensive and possibly a tad heavy on the juice. See also: Chevy Astro, etc. - Ford/VW/Seat Galashambra: Plentiful, but not as big or cheap to buy as the Ulysse - Mitsubishi Delica: I like a bit of banter, but I'm not completely insane
What does the panel think?
Views on the contenders, or suggestions for other vehicles, if you please...
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571181
26/04/2016 18:23
26/04/2016 18:23
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patch234
Unregistered
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patch234
Unregistered
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571187
26/04/2016 19:18
26/04/2016 19:18
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patch234
Unregistered
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patch234
Unregistered
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You'd be better of heading on down to a BCA auction with that money Jim and hope something nice comes through. After all, it's what most dealers do for the forecourt cars....
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571188
26/04/2016 19:19
26/04/2016 19:19
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patch234
Unregistered
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patch234
Unregistered
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My friend had a GEspace. It was really good, roomy, comfortable, nice driving diesel and was reliable too. He sold it with 110,000 on it and all was okay
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571191
26/04/2016 19:37
26/04/2016 19:37
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852 Cambridge & Cotswolds
MeanRedSpider
Je suis un Coupé
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Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
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Not a plan, Patch. I used to buy quite a few bad cars at auction in France. FTFY, Jim - one of the words was in the wrong place Are you at risk of doing what I nearly did when considering the Merc R Class - letting the occasional need way override the daily need? What about a Mondeo Estate? And sleep in a tent. Or borrow the E Class. Even more left-field - Merc A Class LWB - stupidly big load-carrying capacity with all but the driver's seat removed but a great day-to-day vehicle. I bet you could even sleep on the totally flat passenger side with the passenger seat stacked on the driver's seat or outside.
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571193
26/04/2016 19:43
26/04/2016 19:43
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patch234
Unregistered
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patch234
Unregistered
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I hired a A Class in Kos last year. It was pretty fun to drive actually!
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: ]
#1571194
26/04/2016 19:46
26/04/2016 19:46
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852 Cambridge & Cotswolds
MeanRedSpider
Je suis un Coupé
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Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
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I hired a A Class in Kos last year. It was pretty fun to drive actually! With all of the seats taken out, it's not bad. My outlaws had our old one for years and, apart from suspension bushes (front ARB mostly) it has been very reliable. At least until someone crashed into it and the fire brigade cut the roof off to get MIL out.
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571204
26/04/2016 19:58
26/04/2016 19:58
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patch234
Unregistered
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patch234
Unregistered
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I must say Jim, your OP choice list is sh*te ahahahaha
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571211
26/04/2016 20:34
26/04/2016 20:34
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 21,630 Aldershot
PeteP
Hon Club Member 005, Membership Secretary
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Hon Club Member 005, Membership Secretary
Forum Fossil
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 21,630
Aldershot
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Fiat Ulysse 2.2JTD Prestigio or Eleganza (with leather) Not as cavernous as the Chrysler (I can't find a figure for load-bay length, but I bet it's under my height)
Here's the figures for the van it's derived from Jim. I had a turbo diesel one in the late 90's and it was totally reliable from new to 90odd thousand miles when it's contract was up. Never broke down once.
16VT and X1/9 1500
We must all do our part for the planet. I unplugged a row of electric cars that nobody was using.
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571226
26/04/2016 22:18
26/04/2016 22:18
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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Bongo bongo bongo bongo bongo. So there. Yes, I am biased. It was designed to be slept in. Is an 8 seater. They are very comfy. Reliability wise, they are good. The main concern is overheating, due to a failed coolant pipe, but that can be easily prevented. Huge support (and parts) network via the bongo forums. East to work on too. The only downside I can see, is that they are expensive to run. Diesel up to 30mpg on a run. Petrols about the same, but you can convert the petrols to lpg. If you got it properly converted to a camper, you could actually make a profit from selling it on.
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571245
27/04/2016 00:08
27/04/2016 00:08
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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Gripped - we've talked Bongos before and I'm a fan. But I can't find much for my budget... Yeah, I know sorry Jim. You can pick them up for under £2k, but you might be better spending a little more for better nick. I'm not sure I can think of another vehicle which meets your brief for under £2k unless you accept it might be a bit rough round the edges. With Bongos, they ALWAYS go first at the rear wheel arches, but many have them replaced such is the love of the vehicle. I've been patching ours up, and she's still going strong. Off to Northumberland in the summer ! Oh, and we tow with it, it has a tow bar bike rack too. Takes lots of logs for the wood burner. And I commute to work in it. The pop up roof is awesome too. OR A wildcard, how about a large estate car? They are long enough to kip in. Volvo..... Old Audi A6 Avant.... They also have the bonus of having low drag and frugal engines, so are cheaper to run than house brick shaped MPVs. Loads for the budget: Volvo V70 D5 Saab Vector / sportwagon Audi A6 Avant Then sleep in a tent........... or tow a caravan...
Last edited by Gripped; 27/04/2016 00:23.
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571256
27/04/2016 03:55
27/04/2016 03:55
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patch234
Unregistered
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patch234
Unregistered
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I must say Jim, your OP choice list is sh*te ahahahaha Presumably, then, you've seen the brief and the budget? What do you suggest instead? Jim, I'm only messing mate. I'd definitely go auction hunting, you'll find more for the money there...
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: ]
#1571266
27/04/2016 08:54
27/04/2016 08:54
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603 Corridor of Uncertainty
Jim_Clennell
OP
Forum veteran
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OP
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
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I must say Jim, your OP choice list is sh*te ahahahaha Presumably, then, you've seen the brief and the budget? What do you suggest instead? Jim, I'm only messing mate. I'd definitely go auction hunting, you'll find more for the money there... My apologies, Patch - I was aiming for deadpan, but I think I achieved snappy. Not my intention. Auctions appeal, but the problem is getting to the right auction at the right time. There only seem to be 2 or 3 vehicles I might be interested in on the entire BCA site... gripped - I really do like the Bongo (less so the Pontiac - I'd go Elgrand all the way for muscle MPV!), but I just think I'd be looking at such a tired example, it might sour the experience.
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571270
27/04/2016 09:40
27/04/2016 09:40
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n3dsd
Unregistered
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n3dsd
Unregistered
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VW Sharan Diesels are around for that money. petrol ones can be had much cheaper There's a lovely 2.8 one with full leather for not much cash .http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201603232267504?price-to=2000&radius=1500&page=1&searchcontext=default&sort=pricedesc&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&make=volkswagen&model=sharan&postcode=S10%204FL&search-target=usedcars&price-from=500&logcode=p
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571272
27/04/2016 09:46
27/04/2016 09:46
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,895 2011 and 2015 FCCUK F1 Champ.
bezzer
Forum is my life
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Forum is my life
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,895
2011 and 2015 FCCUK F1 Champ.
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Jim, as you know we had a Ulysee a few years a go. It was a great MPV for the money. Ours was an ex Addison Lee 'Taxi' that'd had been well used but also well maintained (Serviced every 10k miles). It was a 2 litre Diesel Eleganza. I believe the diesel engines were PSA ones. It was extremely roomy with the rear seat out and cavernous with the middle row out. Removing the seats was fairly easy but they are blooming heavy. I bought ours with 80k miles on the clock and eventually sold it 4 years later at 139k. Only costs incurred were tyres (every 15k on the front!) and servicing. For the money you're looking to spend I'm sure you'd be able to pick up one just above the shitty mark However, a quick search on AT came up with this one and this one. Don't forget the Pug 805 and the Citroen C8 are basically the same as the Fiat. Good luck! P.S. Congratulations on the new job.
......My Boy...... (PB #7)
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571275
27/04/2016 09:59
27/04/2016 09:59
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elder81
Unregistered
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elder81
Unregistered
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What about a VW transporter. You will certainly get one for your money, although likely to be a higher mileage 1.9tdi rather than the 2.5tdi. I have Alfa 147 seats in mine. The rear bench seat I fixed to a VW seat base which was a lovely mod for very little money. I used mine as a daily for 3 years and was absolutely spot on. Drives like a car, feels like an MPV. I would say come and have a look at mine at goodwood, but that would be too late
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571276
27/04/2016 10:08
27/04/2016 10:08
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603 Corridor of Uncertainty
Jim_Clennell
OP
Forum veteran
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OP
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
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Thanks chaps.
n3dsd - that link is to a diesel car, which is also Cat D...!
bezzer - I read your views on your Ulysse - as well as PeteP's; they contributed to it being on my list. From my research, they appear to be better kitted and screwed together than the Pug and Citroen versions as well as a bit cheaper. The review I saw said that the engines were Fiat, but I guess there are several versions. Both the cars you linked to are very much on my radar. Especially liking the blue one...
I'll take a look at Merc A-Class, MRS, but I'm guessing that the old quandary of seats OR load space could be a problem. Also, sleeping on the passenger side would be great for MrsC, but where do I go?!
The idea is not that we would always want to sleep in it - we will generally be loading up with camping gear and kip in the tent. However, there have been more than a few occasions when in a cold, wet and windy paddock at a race weekend when it would be preferable to just stretch out in the back of a dry vehicle!
The job doesn't start until July, so I can keep looking and listening to ideas for a while yet!
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571278
27/04/2016 11:20
27/04/2016 11:20
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n3dsd
Unregistered
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n3dsd
Unregistered
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sorry ...but there are lots of others...
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: ]
#1571282
27/04/2016 12:55
27/04/2016 12:55
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603 Corridor of Uncertainty
Jim_Clennell
OP
Forum veteran
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OP
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
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sorry ...but there are lots of others... Absolutely - my main quibble with the (no doubt decent) Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra is that it isn't quite as big as the Ulysse/Eurovan models. If I'm going to go large, I'd rather go reyt large (as they say in Sheff).
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Re: It's back! Not Game of Thrones - Jim's cars...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1571328
27/04/2016 16:46
27/04/2016 16:46
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TbirdX
Unregistered
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TbirdX
Unregistered
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Just sold my 57 plate Merc Vito dualiner for £1500. Mind you, I suspect that was a bargain tbh.
Seats 5, carry everything you need and the rear seats come out for a nice flat load/sleeping deck.
145000 on the clock and still going strong.
I've had 2 and are a fan but, I didn't pay for them or the upkeep.
Not sure you'd find one like that in your budget though.
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