My bravo crashed through 200k on the way home from work today.

Well done - they are tough old lumps aren't they?

My GT is just shy of 222,000 and still returns 50+ mpg

Indeed they are. Although it's on its third clutch/dmf (it's the DMF that dies) and it's due its third cambelt later this year, it's on its second exhaust and all the suspension bouncy bits were replaced last year after a spring broke.

I stopped counting tyres and services...

Mines on its second clutch & DMF and its fourth cam belt. Original exhaust and all suspension replaced after the shock absorbers dumped most of their oil.

My second service book is 3/4 full and I have now spent twice as much in fuel as the car cost me four years ago.....

What are these Italian's like in stop-start traffic? I was sold on a 147 JTDm 8v as a daily commuter but, having used the Coop for three weeks, I'm now thinking something a lot more comfortable with an auto box. Which rules out Alfa Romeo...

320ds are too expensive (I'm not goin more than £3k) and I'm not sold on Passats / Octavias etc. I'm even looking at Saab 9-3s now and it appears they use the Fiat 1.9JTDm in both 8 and 16v.

I ran a 2005 9-3 tid 8v for 5 years and 100,000 miles, bought it on 119,000 for £3,400 as I was doing a lot of motorway miles at the time.

needed front springs at 130,000, DMF and clutch at 170,000 (original up to this point). other than a throttle body sensor and interior fan that needed replacing + servicing that was it.

very comfy 6 speed motorway cruiser, and would do 46mpg round town.

Massive boot for a saloon also.

Absolutely fine, as long as the clutch and dual-mass flywheel are in good nick (they go very heavy and rattly when they are nearing the end of their life)

My average speed on my commute is around 30mph. When you consider that 18 miles of the 34 mile commute is dual carriageway or motorway, you can probably work out how much of it is in stop-start traffic.

Yes, an auto would be nicer, but its not a huge issue.

FWIW, the 159 came with an auto-box, but it isn't particularly refined - I'd stay clear.

You should definitely avoid anything with a Selespeed box. All the disadvantages of an auto with none of the advantages of a manual - nasty and often problematic

Yeah, no problems for me with the manual box on the 150HP 1.9 lump.

Average speed on the 55 mile commute is 43mph, so not so much town traffic as Nigel, but enough stop-start on the motorway rush-hour

Even when the DMF goes, it stays operational but as Nigel says, very very rattly.

Im running a 1.9 jtd 8v atm in a stilo estate. Plenty of power and go. Economical as you wish it to be while driving.
Minimum for a tank atm is 450 but nearly as high as 600 on my last tank. Really rate the jtd engine.
just 900 ish miles till the big 100000 miles. Not bad for a car costing £350

Heh. Minimum for a tank is 600 on mine, with a best of over 750

You know what they say...big tank.. more miles..
750 is crazy! I'm positive the 16v is more frugal to be fair.
Providing mot goes well etc. Egr blank and a terraclean treat for the old beast I reckon.

Oi you, behave or I'll let the air out of your computer...

I cursed the old girl. Changing discs and pads today what do i find.... Snapped spring.. Dam

Changed the winter wheels for summer today, and discovered the offside rear calliper leaking

My average speed has been working out at around 25-28mph on a 28 mile commute. It's absolute misery in an old, high power coop

I really quite fancy the Saab 9-3 with the late 2007 facelift. In fact one followed me around for a good few mils on the way in this morning. I'm sold on one of these now

Have one of them now, though the 2.0 Aero petrol - bought at the end of last year + a 70 quid re-map, which actually makes it fairly quick, with full boost from 2,000 rpm - so great as everyday as well. averages around 30mpg with occasional motorway for business, but otherwise similar commute to you. facelift is better inside also.

Cost me £4,600 with 90k on it at the end of last year. For a 28 mile commute I'd go for one of these, much nicer than the diesel, and no DPF rubbish to deal with. Tax is a bit higher, but no difference in insurance at all for me...