Davie's french attraction.

[Hell Razor5543]

If you could find a good one, a Xantia 110 HDi Exclusive probably would be right up your street.

[daviemck2006]

It probably would be James, but for maintenance issues with an old car. Although even any car I can afford is going to be getting on now, probably like 7 to 8 years anyway.

[lexi]

Davie: The Megane is a nice car to drive etc etc. I don't think it is for you though.
Need to be at them with spanners and a CLIP. Leccy handbrake problems are rife. Dash problems and on it goes. You need to be up for a challenge to get one. I would think the old Picasso might be a safer bet.

A Honda Jazz is not a fun car but in your situation it may be worth a look. Easy to get in and out of and decent build.
I drive Mrs Lexi's 2010 1.4 i shift V tech. I don't like the pretend auto box but car is amazing on space and fuel economy.
I have a leg and back problem. I can get in and out of Jazz easier that the Vel Satis.
You know yourself, with cars, it is what becomes available. Hard to plan good s/h car purchases.

[daviemck2006]

It just came to me what I should get. I sold one this time last year. £20 road tax, I was £94 for insurance, 55mpg without trying, easy in and out, comfort ok for short journeys, nippy in 1st and 2nd but needed thrashed, no DMF no DPF no diesel, 998cc petrol, reliable, nothing to go wrong simple japanese engineering with a french badge. C1 or pug 107 again. Upgrade the drivers seat and its sorted. Why did I not think of this earlier. If all I need is simple, reliable cheap motoring I need look no further. I took my one from 9k miles to 65k in 2 years, nothing more than oil and filters every 10k and plugs at 20k, 2 sets of tyres no brakes, and I think 1 headlight bulb, and 1 change of brake fluid. Thats what I need. Even if it needs a clutch, £100 for the upgraded kit and 1/2 a day for my son in law. Only downside is performance ok in gears when hammered, but slow out the road. Probably no slower than a 1.8 freelander or a broken c2 though

I think I'll advertise the freelander for a swap for a small car and just wait and see what I get offered. I'm not to bothered by the clutch so I will take a manual. As you say Lexi who knows what I will end up with. I may well keep the landie for a while I find it incredibly comfy and easy getting in and out. Its doing 30 mpg so its not too bad on fuel, the bits that are prone to going is headgasket, not too bad a job really and if done properly with upgraded gasket and skimmed and flushed out properly should be ok, or I have heard the rear diffs go, but remove propshaft cures that and you have a fwd landie. I could live with that.

[Northern_Mike]

Davie, this might at first seem a ridiculous suggestion, but have you considered a Berlingo? You should be able to pick up a decent 2.0HDI M59 model on your budget. The driving position is quite high, quite bus-like, which may or may not be an aid to your ailments - my gran (no comparison intended) has mobility problems, and finds it way easier to get in and out of than any of the other family cars. They're actually bloody useful little cars too, cheap enough to run, loads of load space, and if you get a Desire with AC and the modutop, have loads of space. I think I pay £170 a year road tax (or £140, can't remember which) and it's averaging 47mpg driven normally.

[daviemck2006]

A berlingo is not a ridiculous suggestion. In fact way back in 2002 whilst still married to the first mrs and I was making big money we bought a brand new picasso 2.0hdi sx. We had also tested a berlingo hdi, it did not have the modutop, there was a petrol which did have. I wanted the berlingo, but the car was mainly for her and she did not want a "van wi windaes" so the picasso it was. I have done a few miles in one at a job I was at, it was the 1.9d facelifted one, think it was 54 reg and I liked it. I certainly would consider one, preferably the 2.0 hdi, don't think I'd do a 1.9, would possibly consider the 1.6 hdi if the service history was impeccable. The way my circumstances are I would actually consider a van.I think the 2.0 would be the engine of choice, possibly with a remap or tuning box on it.

[daviemck2006]

My Daughter had a wee girl on Saturday morning so I am now a granda. Absolutely no problems at all with everything, healthy baby, healthy mummy, healthy(ish) Granda and pissed daddy Now thats by with time to resume the fight to get the c2 fixed. It starts and moves now but not driven due to broken road springs. Away to fight with the AA since I'm convinced they broke them, and Pedigreed say when moving it in their workshop and yard it is clattering and banging which I would have noticed.

[bxzx16v]

Congratulations Davie on becoming a grandad and good luck with the C2.

Mark

[CitroJim]

Indeed, hearty congrats Davie Can't wait to be a grandad myself...

They say it's when your kids finally learn what you went through as a parent when they were kids...

And you can hand grandchildren back when they become too troublesome...

[Eddie Nuff]

Nice to see 'em come, nice to see 'em go!

Wish I'd had my grandchildren before my kids!

[daviemck2006]

Wish I'd had my grandchildren before my kids!

Thats not the first time I've heard someone say that.

[daviemck2006]

Not much to report. The Landy has just been sold today so I can start a search for the car I want to keep. That car is not really the c2, it is too small for comfort although it is ok, just! It's running well though after its surgery although front springs not changed yet. Still waiting for them to be delivered, were dispatched last week so should be here soon. I have a young mechanic organised to come here at the weekend with spring compressors to do it for me. I would like a largish estate, C5? must be diesel prefer auto but not really fussed about that. The only time I would need an auto would be in rush hour traffic in Aberdeen where you move the length of the car at a time for about an hour or more. Solution to that, don't go to Aberdeen at rush hour. Then I cannot guarantee that due to hospital appointments, last one of them was at 9am ant the hospital I have to go to is right in the city centre.

[bxzx16v]

It's good to hear that the freelander has gone Davie . Are you sure I can't tempt you with the laguna .

Mark

[daviemck2006]

If I had 3&1/2 grand lying about I would be speaking to you about it Mark, but I don't have that to spend:-(

[bxzx16v]

No problem Davie, I thought I would offer it to a forum member before the autotrader.

Mark