Thread: Recommendations for a underrated car for low $ and commuting high Kms

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Avalon.. just do it, trust me...

Not as far as I could throw ya’

Originally Posted by prelude

Perhaps not many were sold down under, which is a good thing

Models in which the 1.6 HDi was/is installed: Peugeot 206, 207, 208, 307, 308, 407, 508, Partner, 3008, 2008, 5008, Citroen C2, C3, C4, C5, C4 Picasso, Xsara Picasso, C3 Picasso, Berlingo, DS3, DS4, DS5, Ford Focus, C-MAX, Fiesta, Fusion, Volvo C30, S80, S40, V60, S60, V50, Mini Cooper D, Mazda 2, 3 and Suzuki SX4

I remember reading an article in a fleet owners magazine specifically talking about this engine and that it was the number one in engine problems over all brands. They mostly did not make the standard lease term (down here anyway, 180K or 4 years mostly) and needed rebuilding or replacing. There is at least one company that does nothing else then rebuilding these types of engines and there is a wrecker here that has a special service for fleet owners which has this engine on #1 as well.

Perhaps we have way more of them running around and that accounts for the large number of trouble, I don't know. In any case, my money would still be on an isuzu diesel!

Cheers!
-P

That may be the one. Your not confusing it with the petrol 1.6 (supercharged??) I think its a BMW derived engine that had a lot of issues as well. Mostly with the cam timing setup if I remember correctly. Most of these have probably been fixed under warranty.

My mother owned a 1.6HDi from new in a Citroen C4. Other than incredible fuel economy ( 4.5'ish L/100km from memory) it was a little rocket on overboost. We changed the oil every 10,00kms (I think the manufacturers recommendation was 20,000kms .... so obviously a missed oil change is a HUGE deal .... 40,000kms without an oil change ).

For goodness sake, forget European and buy something Japanese or South Korean.
Funny thing to say on a European forum, but I only need one workshop queen so bought Honda as the main runaround.
Honda have good resale for a reason.
Regards PhilipA

Over the last 40 years we've had a series of small petrol Hondas, Toyotas and Mazdas and they have all been excellent. Just make sure they get regularly serviced.
They included:
A Corolla which was great until it was written off when an on-coming vehicle pushed me off the road near Nabiac on the old Pacific Highway.
A early Civic which we flogged up and down the Pacific for years, loaded to the roof.
Another Corolla hatch which survived family abuse until it was handed on to our student son, who totally neglected it in Sydney, but it refused to die.
A Vios which we bashed around Bangkok and the back blocks of Thailand for 3 years without ever letting us down.
Our current Mazda 2, which is the best of the lot.
So I certainly endorse those who recommend Japanese. I have no experience with Europeans. Our oldest son has a Kia Carnival family wagon which seems a good thing.
Whatever you buy, don't neglect servicing. It will save you money.
Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

That may be the one. Your not confusing it with the petrol 1.6 (supercharged??).....

Yeah, 1.6Hdi is definitely available in the 307s. As I posted, my dad's wagon has it.
I'm of the opinion that, if it's 'dad' proof .. in that he hasn't killed it in the 2-3 years he's had it .. it's unbreakable. He's notorious for breaking a vehicle in one way or another.
Bro owned it prior to dad, so the little 307 has some history on it now.

I service it for him, I don't think we've gone over 15K klms tho .. most likely 10K klms at most.
It has had it's share of problems tho .. but in it's defense he's smashed it 3 times now, 2 minor, one major.
Worn gearbox bush, then had a loud knocking noise .. moron repairers didn't tighten subframe fixings properly, and worn rear wheel bearing, all after his accidents.

Like I said in my earlier reply, DPF fluid was a bit of a pain to finally do.

At the moment it has a starter issue, in that when hot, it doesn't want to kick over. Small copper link into the stator is old/worn(greened up).
Can work around it for now, flicking key on/off rapidly till it powers up. Dad can't get it through his head how to do it tho.
Starter not an easy job to remove/replace, is the only reason I haven't done it .. will get it to mechanic as it's just a lot easier on a hoist.

Otherwise, 307(wagon) is a relatively decent design I'm finding it's more easy to work on than not, and economy wise, he's getting 6.5lt/100 around town, and 4 on the highway.

Our Mazda 121 Shades won't die, over 240K
Amazing large inside, even for 2m tal (fat) l #1 son

Probably a little late on this one but here's by two bobs worth:

1. Freelander 2 TD4 - great on the highway 7L/100, comfy and reliable

2. Jaguar XJ8 - Freaking awesome on the highway, comfy as ****, ultra quiet and great on fuel on the highway 6L/100

3. Commonwhore - cheep, comfy, good on the highway, and not too bad on fuel at highway speeds 9L/100

4. Falcon - same as commodore

5. Toyota Yaris - I wouldn't but many do.

Originally Posted by squizzyhunter

Thanks mate I know nothing about these PTs apart from my partner having an illogical visceral hatred of them
Keep me posted mate and ill try read up on them

Sorry mate but the Granddaughter took the PT Cruiser, her Mum had me get a safety check & RWC , apart from a couple of indicator globes that had the orange peeling off it only needed a Tierod end. Not bad for 260,000km ish . RWC bloke commented that he never realised they were so good to drive & bloody solid underneath.