Diesel Small Family Car

fjon

Looks like it's time to ditch the current car (Alfa 147) in the next few months. Would like to replace it with something about the same size, diesel, and not too common.
What are your thoughts on these?
I've included all the cars I think in this class. There are some I don't think I would go near (1 series, A class, Korean cars), but I'm open to suggestion.
Out of the limited research I've done, I quite like the Leon TDI, and Civic 2.2 CDTi (pretty rare/ expensive).
Any other recommendations?


Alfa Romeo 147
Audi A3
BMW 1 series
Chevrolet/ Daewoo Lacetti
Citroen C4
Fiat Bravo
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Hyundai i30
Kia Cee'd
Mazda 3
Mercedes Benz A Class
Nissan Tiida
Opel Astra
Peugeot 308
Renault Megane
SEAT Leon
Skoda Octavia
Suzuki Baleno
Toyota Auris
Volkswagen Golf

EPM

the best Leon/Golf/Octavia/a3 is the 2.0 tdi, the civic is a great car but its got really bad road noise and you really can hear the suspension working, the Focus is coming to the end of its life but is still a good buy. If you can wait there 147 replacement is due soon enough but it doesn't look great from the pictures. Might be better in the flesh. Alternatively you could try the new bravo

Lex Luthor

add the Subaru Impreza diesel to your list if you want

fjon

Thanks guys!

The VAG cars are really common (probably for a good reason), so out of the 4 I think I'd only be interested in the Leon. Haven't seen any of them in 2.0 TDI.
I should have mentioned that I'm not buying new though, so the new 147 is out of the question. Actually I don't think I'd get it even if it was an option - I love my current car, but don't want to go through all the pain again!
Focus too is common as muck (but probably a great car too).

Any other opinions on any of these?

paddy2008

suzuki sx4 1.6l tdi

mumblin deaf ro

I drive a 1.6L diesel Focus and, after a week driving around the Burren and scenic Kerry, can't recommend it highly enough. You're right that they are very common though (best selling car in ireland actually).

EPM

You'll get a better Leon in the UK to be honest, and a better chance of getting a 2.0 tdi. Great car with that engine

coup1917

mumblin deaf ro wrote: »

I drive a 1.6L diesel Focus and, after a week driving around the Burren and scenic Kerry, can't recommend it highly enough. You're right that they are very common though (best selling car in ireland actually).

+1 for 1.6L diesel focus.....seriously economical.....
Can't remember when I last filled it....!

r3nu4l

EPM wrote: »

You'll get a better Leon in the UK to be honest, and a better chance of getting a 2.0 tdi. Great car with that engine

This! A 2.0L TDI Leon is very popular in the UK. Second hand car prices over here are quite strong at the moment but the spec you'll get will likely be better than the equivalent car in Ireland.

Not sure about the Leon but the 2.0L TDI A3 comes in 140 and 170 bhp versions...

fjon

I didn't realise the sx4 came in a diesel. It's a wee bit small though.
Even looking at a few UK sites, the 2.0 Leon isn't really all that common - most sites only have one or two, versus hundreds of 1.9s.
I do like the Focuses (Foci?), and I do agree with the 1.6 TDCI being extremely economical. If only everyone on the road didn't have one!
Don't suppose there are any other more uncommon cars I should look into?
New model Civics seem relatively rare which is why I was considering them.

EPM

Ya you can get the 140 in normal Leons but the 170 is available in the FR model. DSG gearbox can be had on the 140, just be sure to get either a stylance or sport spec for some goodies. Sport even uses FR suspension but just lower powered. Interior is identical bar steering wheel and seat colour.


FR



Sport

fjon

The Sport model looks great, and with VRT it would just be slightly over budget.
The FR is lovely, but a bit too much!
Seems it's almost easier to get an A3 with the 2.0 TDI engine though than a Leon...

paddy2008

the ford focus and the suzuki sx4 has the same fiat engine in them.

fjon

paddy2008 wrote: »

the ford focus and the suzuki sx4 has the same fiat engine in them.

Um, I'm not sure the Focus has a Fiat engine. I think perhaps the sx4 has the same engine as the similar-looking car that Fiat make? Can't remember the name of it at the moment...

EPM

paddy2008 wrote: »

the ford focus and the suzuki sx4 has the same fiat engine in them.

No they dont. The 1.6 focus diesels are shared with peugeot and citroen. Shares no diesel with fiat and suzuki

paddy2008

lads go check them out the engines are the same!Same filters to.
I have serviced all three, i could hardly believe it myself!:(

EPM

not in a focus they are not. The Fiat sedici and suz sx4 are the same car but thats it

paddy2008

The refined Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI 16V diesel DPF engine accelerates the new shape hatchback car to 62mph in around 10.9 seconds, with 31 - 62mph taking an identical time. The new all alloy diesel powered 1.6TDCI engine is of French origin and has DOHC (twin overhead camshafts) and 16 valves which represents an improvement on the 8 valve 1.8 TDCI diesel engine. Common Rail Fuel Injection is used for improved fuel economy and power output and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is fitted to meet stringent Euro stage 4 emissions standards.

www.stevelarkins.freeuk.com/images/ford_focus

Aren't the 2.0 VAG diesels known for cracking cylinder heads at 70K miles ish.

Pete67

Ford C-Max 1.6TDCi. Huge space in them, same good handling as the Focus, and not too common yet. Very economical to run too.