Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Hi all,
I had a quick search and was surprised that there weren't more threads about this, so here goes...
I work in the dreaded London ULEZ - so I've had to swap my previous E87 BMW twin turbo diesel (which was frankly perfect for the job) for the wife's brand new Golf. I don't like it. It's sterile. And I don't like the pressure. It's already been hit once (when it was literally 3 days old) by a clown at the petrol station. The wife also hates rolling coal daily and doesn't like RWD. So the days of the Beemer look sadly numbered.
So I'm in the market for a beater - but I'd like an interesting beater as I'm in it at least 2 hours a day. Is it possible to get something retro (or even a bit retro-inspired), capable of at least 40mpg, and relatively affordable...around the 5k mark? What is as isn't ULEZ seems to be a minefield (My SLK with the 2.0 engine is ULEZ compliant, whilst the 2.3 isn't?) so I'm appealing to the greater hive mind.
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,082
Club RR Member Number: 146
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That's going to be a tough one to find. The "easy" solution is to obviously spent £5k on a 40+ year old turbo-diesel but.... it's not going to measure up to the BMW in terms of comfort, equipment, and performance.
I'm assuming the SLK doesn't provide the fuel economy which is why you're not using that, or even getting a second one for beater duties?
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Oh I'm not fussed about matching the performance or creature comforts of the Beemer, I'm happy to go with something more basic.
Best mpg I can get on the SLK is around 35...and my commute is 70 miles. It adds up on the daily.
I'm just trying to avoid buying a 1.2 Ibiza or a Polo...
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,082
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Bigger French stuff might fit the bill, they do tend to be pretty good on the economy with the diesels and should easily get you the 40mpg+ you're after. Parts support is generally pretty good, just a case of finding something that is ULEZ friendly. Prices are usually good on them too, especially if you're not too worried about resale value. It's a shame so much of the options from the 90s and early 00s isn't ULEZ compliant because they'd tick a lot of your other boxes nicely well within the budget you've set and tolerate quite a bit of use for not a lot of coin. I wonder if something like a Citroen C6 would work? If you want something that's going to munch miles effortlessly and sip diesel you often can't go far wrong with a big diesel Citroen.  |
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,865
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Your starter for ... linky From the TfL site :- " Petrol cars that meet the ULEZ standards are generally those first registered as new with the DVLA after 2005, although cars that meet the standards have been available since 2001 Diesel cars that meet the standards are generally those first registered with the DVLA as new after September 2015" So petrol - Euro 4 & Diesel Euro 6 (NOX & PM) |
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Last Edit: Feb 6, 2024 9:00:09 GMT by westbay
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Your starter for ... linky From the TfL site :- " Petrol cars that meet the ULEZ standards are generally those first registered as new with the DVLA after 2005, although cars that meet the standards have been available since 2001 Diesel cars that meet the standards are generally those first registered with the DVLA as new after September 2015" So petrol - Euro 4 & Diesel Euro 6 (NOX & PM) Yeah, they're all fine...I suppose...I was just hoping for something a little more interesting and if that means taking a wee hit in mpg then I can take it. I wonder if i'd be able to eek 40mpg out of a z11 Nissan Cube? Travelling at rush hour I rarely get above 70 even if the opportunity arises... |
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Paul
Posted a lot
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That is without doubt one of the ugliest cars I've ever seen...I love it Sadly the general consensus is that they'll do well to get 30mpg... A mk2 Polo on the other hand... |
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Right, so far I'm thinking: R50 Mini Mk1 Focus (early 1.6s get 40-50mpg apparently) Nissan Cube (not sure how practical this would be daily I'm actually leaning towards the Mk1 Focus...I think they've aged very well...  |
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,244 
Club RR Member Number: 160
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If the focus shape floats your boat, don’t discount the 206, various hot models were made, and they cost buttons to maintain. I replaced the heater matrix and radiator in mine with change from a £20 from Euro car part’s close-out stock. The hatch (sedan, weirdly) ran until 2010 so you can find a really tidy example for not a lot. They are huge fun to throw around. Ours is a wagon, for practicality reasons, but even then, best looking compact estate in its class IMO.  |
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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If the focus shape floats your boat, don’t discount the 206 That is a really good shout - I like that. |
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,244
Club RR Member Number: 160
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If the focus shape floats your boat, don’t discount the 206 That is a really good shout - I like that. Considering the design has been around since 1998 largely unchanged except for some style-considered facelift parts like lighting improvements and sportier bumpers I’d say it should be a contender especially with versions like the quicksilver with the 16V TU, spicy enough to be fun but simple enough to spanner on with no real issues. |
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Depending on what you are prepared to tolerate, some late Pug 106s are ULEZ compliant (our Y reg is), and we consistently get high 40s mpg without trying to drive for economy. It is a base model 1.1, so the lack of any kit (& thus unnecessary weight) no doubt helps.
Parts are very cheap (£30 for front discs & pads last time I did them, & that wasn't even the cheapest option.) Downsides are that they are made of tinfoil so the airbag is purely to aid identification of the driver...
If a 1.1 is a bit too grim, may be worth looking to see if some of the more interesting versions such as the GTI or Rallye are also ULEZ compliant?
The only problems that I'm aware of with Peugeots of this era seem to be the sourcing of the correct fitment / version parts, as they seemed to use multiple suppliers - a friend has the same issues with his phase 1 306. Rich will probably be able to comment if that was still the case with the 206?
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,244
Club RR Member Number: 160
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The only problems that I'm aware of with Peugeots of this era seem to be the sourcing of the correct fitment / version parts, as they seemed to use multiple suppliers - a friend has the same issues with his phase 1 306. Rich will probably be able to comment if that was still the case with the 206? Not a problem I've encountered thus far. The 206 seems to be very much a lego set of parts in as much as stuff like the front panel will accept the cooling pack of any model etc. All rear axles are the same excepting the stub axle setup, drums with or without ABS (usually just supplied with) or disc. Definitely something I'd come across on other older PSA stuff though. |
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We've recently bought a 2010 1.4 petrol Titanium Fiesta as a run around, well speced and great to drive, currently showing 39mpg having mostly being used around town.
only issue has been a flaky cruise control switch (£30 new from Ford) and the 16" wheels/ 40 profile tyres are not compatible with the state of Essex roads. (probably will swap for 15").
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There is quite a few interesting cars that are ULEZ compliant, but that don't get near to the 40mpg your looking for. How bigger deal breaker is fuel consumption?
Things like E46 BMW'S including the M3, Merc sl, Jag X350, possibly a few audi s8.
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1988 Mercedes w124 superturbo diesel 508hp
1996 Mercedes s124 e300 diesel wagon
1990 BMW E30 V8 M60 powered!
1999 BMW E46 323ci project car
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They call this The Yellow Peril. Its a 2005 Honda Jazz. I get it as a loaner on an as and when from the garage. I know it to be ULEZ compliant because I used it to go see DEVO down in London. I'm sure I've seen neat things done with this generation Jazz. its not unpleasant to drive. I'm sure you can buy them for buttons right now.  How important is the 40mpg part? You could rock a P6 Rover 2200 or an MGB or anythng proper classic and those are all exempt. Something like a Morris Minor would hit your 40mpg and if you get one with a 5 speed box in then they are OK cruising at motorway speeds. |
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1937 Austin Street Rod - 1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1976 Rover V8 - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Right, so far I'm thinking: I'm actually leaning towards the Mk1 Focus...I think they've aged very well... "future classic" and all that. I kinda like 'em. Their day will come. Get one now. |
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Last Edit: Feb 7, 2024 11:49:52 GMT by akku
1937 Austin Street Rod - 1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1976 Rover V8 - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
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Cheers for all the tips - I kinda like the Honda Jazz, although when they came out they had a reputation for being a granny mobile and I'm sure the service intervals were really short? I'm commuting 350 miles a week so with fuel prices only headed one way I need to maintain a decent level of efficiency - the wife's golf gets 60mpg so I can do all my commuting for £40. Dropping to 30mpg makes that £320 a month at least  I'm off work next week so the plan is to clean up the Beemer, get it listed, and look to replace it I think. If nothing comes up in the short term I'll use the SLK until something does. |
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,865
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Take a yellow jazz, add lows, wheels and some blue vinyl... 👀  |
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