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[Webby the Bear]

As per the previous thread I've had a word with the old man and I think we've agreed that we need a new economical car for the type of driving we mainly do. We rarely go on the Mway and we are just literally pootling round town so a ''city car'' is the wat forward for us. 

Firstly unlucky for you lot you're not getting rid of me!  I still consider this forum to be THE car forum and I will be here just as often as I am now but it's highly likely that the old girl will be sold. Not posting ads or anything like that yet as we're going to get a car, run it for a few weeks and THEN sell. Anyway more on that at a later date....

The Panda is what I want if I'm honest but there's not that many autos for sale (has to be an auto). So I'll be keeping my eye on them. Luckily there are lots of Fusions and got my eye on this one in particular....

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302245475975/sort/default/usedcars/transmission/automatic/model/fusion/make/ford/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/radius/1500/postcode/nn37bl?logcode=p

Does anyone know anything about them? The autobox reliable? The car reliable? Known probs?

As in the Panda thread (or Focus thread... can't remember  ) we got talking about performance a lot. In all honesty I'm not interested in that. I want an uber reliable car that's fairly cheap to run, is quite comfy and gets warm quick 

Cheers guys.

The Bear

xxx

[Del Boy]

1.4 petrol and Auto, it won't be good on fuel at all. Webby honestly if you want an economical car, get a Corsa diesel or an Astra diesel  .

[Del Boy]

This needs a bit of work body wise, but it'll be a good car, and economical:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302115283909/sort/default/usedcars/transmission/automatic/fuel-type/diesel/make/vauxhall/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/tn231ln/radius/1500/page/1?logcode=p

One of these is most certainly your best bet:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302205424376/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/transmission/automatic/model/corsa/make/vauxhall/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/postcode/tn231ln/radius/1500?logcode=p

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks Del.

I've read plenty of reviews and they all reckon that 40mpg round town is easily do-able. 

[omega3000]

I was looking at the fusion a while back , would have suited me well especially now i have the pipe and slippers  but not keen on its looks , its slated for its handling and basic cabin features but guess its ok as a town car 

[Webby the Bear]

I was looking at the fusion a while back , would have suited me well especially now i have the pipe and slippers  but not keen on its looks , its slated for its handling and basic cabin features but guess its ok as a town car 

i personally really like its looks. like a sort of mini jeep 

handling is of no real issue as you say for just toon driving 

just really wanting to find out about the autobox in them and the engines 

[doz]

I've had VAG cars for years as daily drivers. It's only recently I've moved over to Ford for the family hack. We've got an S-Max and I have to say the quality is as good as the Alhambra's we've had in the past and the actual dynamics are far better. I'd say if your looking at a Ford you won't be disappointed but do your homework. Most cars are crap in stop start traffic and I doubt your get more than 30 from a 1.4 on a auto box. If you want good MPG around town I'm afraid a Oil burner is the way to go

[TheBoy]

Thanks Del.

I've read plenty of reviews and they all reckon that 40mpg round town is easily do-able. 

I would be surprised if they can do that on a combined.

To get that sort of mpg around town, you need a modern, small manual oil burner I'm afraid.  Though, IIRC, thats not really an option...

*any* auto is going to be a dog on mpg around town.  Last small engined auto I drove for long enough to worry about mpg was a hire car, a 1.6l auto Matrix shitbox. I reckon I managed about 10-12mpg off it.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I've had VAG cars for years as daily drivers. It's only recently I've moved over to Ford for the family hack. We've got an S-Max and I have to say the quality is as good as the Alhambra's we've had in the past and the actual dynamics are far better. I'd say if your looking at a Ford you won't be disappointed but do your homework. Most cars are crap in stop start traffic and I doubt your get more than 30 from a 1.4 on a auto box. If you want good MPG around town I'm afraid a Oil burner is the way to go

Altogether now, 'oh no there not'

A modern one will die quickly due to the DPF clogging.

[TheBoy]

I've had VAG cars for years as daily drivers. It's only recently I've moved over to Ford for the family hack. We've got an S-Max and I have to say the quality is as good as the Alhambra's we've had in the past and the actual dynamics are far better. I'd say if your looking at a Ford you won't be disappointed but do your homework. Most cars are crap in stop start traffic and I doubt your get more than 30 from a 1.4 on a auto box. If you want good MPG around town I'm afraid a Oil burner is the way to go

Altogether now, 'oh no there not'

A modern one will die quickly due to the DPF clogging.

Well, yes, granted it will need a regular hoofing up the A43/A45.

My point being, urban 40mpg from a "small family" auto is not achievable.


Petrol can be efficient - the stuff that bro is doing looks to be all petrol (or all electric), and his company is all about efficiency.


Electric may open another option in Webby's case, as I'm guessing the distances are realistic for an electric car. But the initial purchase price, coupled with the concerns about change of circumstance, probably makes it (currently) unviable.

[omega3000]

I've had VAG cars for years as daily drivers. It's only recently I've moved over to Ford for the family hack. We've got an S-Max and I have to say the quality is as good as the Alhambra's we've had in the past and the actual dynamics are far better. I'd say if your looking at a Ford you won't be disappointed but do your homework. Most cars are crap in stop start traffic and I doubt your get more than 30 from a 1.4 on a auto box. If you want good MPG around town I'm afraid a Oil burner is the way to go

Altogether now, 'oh no there not'

A modern one will die quickly due to the DPF clogging.

Well, yes, granted it will need a regular hoofing up the A43/A45.

My point being, urban 40mpg from a "small family" auto is not achievable.


Petrol can be efficient - the stuff that bro is doing looks to be all petrol (or all electric), and his company is all about efficiency.


Electric may open another option in Webby's case, as I'm guessing the distances are realistic for an electric car. But the initial purchase price, coupled with the concerns about change of circumstance, probably makes it (currently) unviable.

His car wont make the distance to the mini meet and back if electric   

Maybe LPG his current car or buy a car with LPG installed already 

[Del Boy]

Why not get an older shape Corsa C 1.3 CDTi auto/easytronic? They're still good on fuel, relatively nippy, and reliable, with no DPF to worry about if you go for an 04-56 plate model.

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks for the advice chaps 

I looked at those cars (Del's post - cheers mate) and for spending that sort of cash really want to get as tidy a motor as possible and as small cars go I've not seen anything as tidy as the Fusion (Fiestas oddly way more expensive) or the Panda.

Being honest again I don't want a diesel. All the diesels I've been in (including modern ones) apart from a new Passat my mate had (which was gorgeous) have a horrible cabin shudder that I just can't stand.

I've looked at Polos (nasty inside), Fabias (horrible), Fiestas (overpriced), Corsas (just don't like them and fancy a change from Vx) and I refuse to touch anything French (sorry Steve  )

[omega3000]

Thanks for the advice chaps 

I looked at those cars (Del's post - cheers mate) and for spending that sort of cash really want to get as tidy a motor as possible and as small cars go I've not seen anything as tidy as the Fusion (Fiestas oddly way more expensive) or the Panda.

Being honest again I don't want a diesel. All the diesels I've been in (including modern ones) apart from a new Passat my mate had (which was gorgeous) have a horrible cabin shudder that I just can't stand.

I've looked at Polos (nasty inside), Fabias (horrible), Fiestas (overpriced), Corsas (just don't like them and fancy a change from Vx) and I refuse to touch anything French (sorry Steve  )

 No worries webman  Ive not found any bolts made of cheese yet but i think the car is made of un rustable tissue paper which is good for fuel consumption 

[Webby the Bear]

found this site... it suggests the cambelt on a fusion is every 100000 miles 

http://www.mytimingbelt.com/Results.aspx?ModelId=232