Commuter banger sub £1000

Looks like I am going to start a new job in the next 4-5 weeks.
No more company car/van so a purchase is needed.
I plan to lease eventually but ATM while under probation I will be purchasing a car.
40 miles a day with mix of motorway and urban. I need something that is
50mpg plus or near it
Bigger than super mini generally for tip runs.
Non basic

I have a few on a shortlist...
Stilo jtd
Bora 1.9
Golf
A3
Leon
Bravo 1.6 (there's a few at that money)

I have generally discounted French cars.

Any thoughts on the above or any outsiders

Merc A-Class diesel - tardis of a car.

Hmmm, brother had one.Drove one but not really my thing, he also had lots of issues with the alternator I believe.

Plenty of vw 1.9 varieties. What are the engines like.
I may consider slightly smaller such as an Ibiza or polo but how is the 1.4d?

alfa 147 1.9 JTD

Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD Lusso 5dr

[url=Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD Lusso 5dr http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610249085269?make=alfa-romeo%26model=147%26utm_source=Email_a_Friend%26utm_medium=Email%26utm_campaign=Email_a_friend_car]147[/url]

For the bargain banger I am actually moving towards a stilo jtd estate.
Given out house is being ripped apart ATM and I am going to be loosing my van and estate makes sense. I'm very fond of the jtd 8v no no one wants stilos.
Anyone had an estate?

Discounting alfas on rust and not keen on the 16v engine. Ours burst it's oil cooler over Mayzon's parents drive. Not good..

JTD on the 147 comes as an 8v too

New one on me with rust - I doubt it would be any better or worse than the others you list....

Skoda Fabia 1.9 Tdi? We've had our 2001 Estate for the past 6 years and it's now approaching 150K miles, but it just keeps on going. Easily 50mpg, and the 'Elegance' trim has a decent spec (heated seats etc).

I think I just grouped it with the 156 with horrors of rusty floorpans and gt's.


Fabian maybe a possibility, will check them out. I have seen a few Vauxhall signum diesels for decent money also so might be on the list.

Dunno about the Signum but Vauxhall and Saab used the Fiat/Alfa 1.9 turbo diesel around 2008 or so.

Nothing wrong with the 16v Jtd engine - goes on forever if looked after. You can't really blame a burst oil cooler on the engine.

All 147 / 156 / GTs can have rusty floor pans. There doesn't seem to be any real pattern though, it's just a lottery. My GT is absolutely fine at 215,000 miles, but I've seen holes in the floors of cars with a quarter of that mileage. Only option is to get under any car you're viewing, just to be sure.

Stay well away from Stilos of any description - electrical nightmares.

My suggestion? A 1.9 or preferably a 2.4 156 Sportwagon, in a dark colour, with roof rails and tan leather.

That was my point, which I forgot to make... my 1.9 JTD is till fine at 190k.

We had a stilo previously so know the electrical bugs.. Likes to chime every time you get in one for everything but nothing im not used to.

Suppose alot is irreverent based on a 3-6 month banger.

Actually alot to choose from sub 1k. Not after perfect at all just to suit its purpose.

Stunner

There's a bloke who works mornings at our local Morrisons uses one of those as his daily drive. Must be reliable, it's there most days.

Maybe it won't go home?

I got burned up by one of those, years ago: I was driving a Datsun 240Z with a brand new clutch and as I started to move the clutch delaminated in a big way; there were a dozen bits fell out when I took the box off later. Embarrassing, particularly as if that car always looks as if its sniggering.

I remember my dad watching in horror as a Robin steamed past him on the M4 many years ago. Admittedly, it was *only* doing about 90, but I wouldn't fancy it myself.

On one of the oddest days of my life (so far) I drove three cars back to back one afternoon.

A Trabant.

A Maserati Biturbo.

And a Reliant Robin with a 3.5 litre V8 in, driven from the back seat.

Ok the commuter banger has been selected and will be collected on Saturday.
Unfortunately it is not a reliant robin. It fits criteria and even sub 500 quid so proper banger. Will post pics upon collection

Collection day today!

I'm bizarrely interested!

The suspense is killing me.
I started a drum roll four hours ago.

It's a 2cv6 , isn't it????!

Arms tired yet?

Lol MRS.
Coupedummy will post soon as the RAC get him home.

Joking. Also keen to know...

Yes.

Despite my previous jobs as wavy arms racecourse side bookie and duracell drummer bunny, I've to stop.

It's going to be a Stilo....

Sorry guys been a very long weekend.
Three vehicles picked this weekend.

Our Mazda bongo from Plymouth on Sat, now parked at mine.

This morning another early start collecting my brothers new Audi A7 3.0 Quattro s line in the center of London..awesome car..
Then to pick up the bargain banger from Warwick on route home

Huw is correct!

Fiat stilo 1.9 jtd multi wagon. Got it cheap. Nobody wants them but seems fit for purpose so far.
Heres the link if people are interested.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272447913952
Even came with quarter of a tank left.

You guys above have made me chuckle.

The car is not without its little faults but have some time before the new job.

Hooray. Nice one.
My mate runs a yellow Sporting jtd for his missus and loves it to tool around in.
Are you and Joe going to start up FSCUK now?

It looks tidy, nice colour too

Quarter of a tank? Should be good for 150 miles then...

Pretty much Neil, 140ish on trip when first looked.
I know the stilo and its querky ways so hopefully I can keep under control. Also needs alittle work to keep me occupied.

Jtd engine is great, decent torque and just her to worry abou. No dpf.

Don't forget the ERC valve on the back battery end of the engine. If it's been pootled around town it might need a clean or replace - though having said that, mine started complaining at 40k miles and the replacement's been in 150k since then...

Yup egr is one of my first jobs to do , a clean and likely blank off.

Just ordered two new wing mirror glass.
Will get some of my own pictures up soon

Also link probebrly shows sold at 450. Actually paid 350 so pretty good I reckon.

My old Stilo jtd was as tough as old boots and just as comfortable