Diesel Car Around 1.7-1.8 Million

chan5 · June 28, 2012

Dear experts.

I'm Planning to buy a diesel car.

My Average running is 2500 km per month.

Maximum budget is 1.7 or little more.

My priorities Are,

1 - Reliability , as i''ve no time to spend in garages with my job nature .but i usually do maintenances regularly.

2 - decent look

3 - i don't care, english numbers, or auto gears.

(65- manual is fine )

4-and i don't care the brand, resale value .4 year minimum hassle run is enough.

I've following models in my mind.

1-Nissan Bluebird SU-14

2-Toyota Caldina

3-Peugeot 406-HDI-D9

4-Toyata corolla wagon CE108

5-Mitsubishi galant 65series (think it's above my budget)

share your opinions about above and recommendations.

And what should i specially inspect when buying the car.

Thanks

maheshw · June 28, 2012

well with closer to your budget it reminds me CE110 LX verstion one.i have seen some cars with 65- #. CE108 & SB14 also with in your budget. these will cover your first priorities but your need be very carefull when purchasing one. serach for a well maintained one.

Good Luck.

chan5 · June 28, 2012

On 6/28/2012 at 6:21 AM, maheshw said:

well with closer to your budget it reminds me CE110 LX verstion one.i have seen some cars with 65- #. CE108 & SB14 also with in your budget. these will cover your first priorities but your need be very carefull when purchasing one. serach for a well maintained one.

Good Luck.

i omitted CE110 As those are overpriced and SB-14 because i don't like the looks...

kush · June 28, 2012

Go for the Toyota which would be the most reliable, having said that you must keep in mind that these cars are over 15-16 years old so you might have to attend the occasional repair.

We have a Caldiana which was imported 13 years back with 220,000 km on the clock, so far no major repairs only the shocks, water pump, a/c condenser and the break servo pump was replaced

Watch out for rust, accident damage, radiator

Check whether all electrics are working e.g power shutters, mirrors wipers they tend to give issues with time.

Good luck

chan5 · June 28, 2012

On 6/28/2012 at 6:45 AM, kush said:

Go for the Toyota which would be the most reliable, having said that you must keep in mind that these cars are over 15-16 years old so you might have to attend the occasional repair.

We have a Caldiana which was imported 13 years back

thanks mate, can you explain what are the differences between caldina and CE108(Elephant back.). I've heard that caldina has 2C-turbo engine and leaf springs for back.?

Is that true?

WCW · June 28, 2012

On 6/28/2012 at 7:12 AM, chan5 said:

thanks mate, can you explain what are the differences between caldina and CE108(Elephant back.). I've heard that caldina has 2C-turbo engine and leaf springs for back.?

Is that true?

Find details about Caldina

http://www.cars-dire...caldina/1996_1/

Find details about Corolla vagon CE 108 here;

http://www.cars-dire...a_wagon/1996_5/

As per above lists only CE 108 equipped with leaf springs.

Edited June 28, 2012 by WCW

Clark's son · June 28, 2012

On 6/28/2012 at 5:49 AM, chan5 said:

Dear experts.

I'm Planning to buy a diesel car.

My Average running is 2500 km per month.

Maximum budget is 1.7 or little more.

My priorities Are,

1 - Reliability , as i''ve no time to spend in garages with my job nature .but i usually do maintenances regularly.

2 - decent look

3 - i don't care, english numbers, or auto gears.

(65- manual is fine )

4-and i don't care the brand, resale value .4 year minimum hassle run is enough.

I've following models in my mind.

1-Nissan Bluebird SU-14

2-Toyota Caldina

3-Peugeot 406-HDI-D9

4-Toyata corolla wagon CE108

5-Mitsubishi galant 65series (think it's above my budget)

share your opinions about above and recommendations.

And what should i specially inspect when buying the car.

Thanks

Whichever car you choose you should remember that they are almost 15years old so you should spare some cash for repairs just as you buy it.

If you could try to snatch a VW or Audi A4 Tdi at that price you are lucky, and sometimes with a dedicated search and bargaining it may be possible.

From what's in you'r list the 406 ticks all the boxes except one which is the decent looks, to me it has exceptional looks for that price range

chan5 · June 28, 2012

On 6/28/2012 at 1:44 PM, Clark said:

From what's in you'r list the 406 ticks all the boxes except one which is the decent looks, to me it has exceptional looks for that price range

To be honest, i have atleast called the sellers of all 406hdi's advertised for last 3-4 months.and inspected several of them.didn't get one with decent condition in my price bracket.if i did i would just buy on spot...

I drove one ,and when turbo kiks in,it's totally different animal.

Love the looks too.

But finding a properly maintained sample is difficult because most of the cars are now on 2nd or 3rd owners , and they've pumped regular diesel , have used normal mineral oils instead of synthetic recommendations.

Simply they've maintained it as a japanese and ruined it..

last week i inspect a black one in ahaliyagoda, same story..

Clark's son · June 28, 2012

On 6/28/2012 at 3:08 PM, chan5 said:

To be honest, i have atleast called the sellers of all 406hdi's advertised for last 3-4 months.and inspected several of them.didn't get one with decent condition in my price bracket.if i did i would just buy on spot...

I drove one ,and when turbo kiks in,it's totally different animal.

Love the looks too.

But finding a properly maintained sample is difficult because most of the cars are now on 2nd or 3rd owners , and they've pumped regular diesel , have used normal mineral oils instead of synthetic recommendations.

Simply they've maintained it as a japanese and ruined it..

last week i inspect a black one in ahaliyagoda, same story..

IMO if there are no electronic issues or transmission issues you are ok.

Other mechanical, cosmetic and trim related issues wouldn't affect much and you would be able to fix it when you'r bank is ok

As most D9 HDi s came with a manual box so transmission issues will be minimum.

Find out if there is an independent specialist for these because well .... the agent is C*rm*rt .

If you find one take it to him and ask the cost taken to bring it to good condition and consider that when giving an offer.

And also don't stretch you'r budget too much going for the thing you want after all it's a euro

Crosswind · June 29, 2012

The biggest issue you would face in a 406HDI would be with the diesel pump. Especially if regaular diesel waas used. Also I highly doubt if a well maintained specimen could be found for less than 2 million.

chan5 · June 29, 2012

On 6/29/2012 at 12:11 AM, Crosswind said:

The biggest issue you would face in a 406HDI would be with the diesel pump. Especially if regaular diesel waas used. Also I highly doubt if a well maintained specimen could be found for less than 2 million.

with all these facts i think the 406HDI Is beyond me by the simple fact that i've to pump super diesel to keep her happy.and it's more or less same as petrol cost.(i drive minimum of 2500km/month in colombo city ,including traffic times too)

So i'll narrow down my list

1- Nissan Bluebird SU14

2-Toyota Caldina

please help me with above two(specially bluebird SU-14)

reliability , easy maintenance , running costs .

(Resell value,english numbers,colour,autogears, i don't care).

harshansenadhir · June 29, 2012

On 6/29/2012 at 2:44 AM, chan5 said:

with all these facts i think the 406HDI Is beyond me by the simple fact that i've to pump super diesel to keep her happy.and it's more or less same as petrol cost.(i drive minimum of 2500km/month in colombo city ,including traffic times too)

So i'll narrow down my list

1- Nissan Bluebird SU14

2-Toyota Caldina

please help me with above two(specially bluebird SU-14)

reliability , easy maintenance , running costs .

(Resell value,english numbers,colour,autogears, i don't care).

I don't recon 406 mandates pumping super diesel unlike the recently influxed UK used japanese double and single cabs. These engines have proven (haven't heard of any failures nor complete rebuilt yet) even in local context with pumping normal diesel and wear and tear of the engine is far less. If you can settle with a D8 diesel, that thing is better than HDI when it comes to fuel efficiency and can return unbelievable figures.

The point you're missing here is the mileage these cars does for a litre. Some owners have claimed over 16 KMPL in city limits. That way you would be better off even if you pump super diesel for argument sake.

Edited June 29, 2012 by harshansenadhir

chan5 · June 29, 2012

On 6/29/2012 at 5:56 AM, harshansenadhir said:

The point you're missing here is the mileage these cars does for a litre. Some owners have claimed over 16 KMPL in city limits. That way you would be better off even if you pump super diesel for argument sake.

Thanks harshan,

i agree most of the things you've mentioned.

But i know an HDI And it's absolutely well maintained,with exclusive super diesel, but it delivers only around 10-11 KMPL In colombo city levels with gentle driving .

At E01 We experienced 14kmpl at steady speed 100kmph with that fantastic turbo sound

too.

On top of that, fuel consumption is not an issue for me if i find a specimen with a decent nick in my price bracket.

chan5 · June 30, 2012

Can anybody share some experiences,opinions with Blubird SU14.is it a good daily runner ?

Clark's son · June 30, 2012

Used a friends one for few weeks while he was abroad.

Very comfortable seats.

Pickup not bad.

Not able to tell about maintainanace issues as it was almost brand new those days and i only used it for less than 1000km

chan5 · June 30, 2012

On 6/30/2012 at 6:23 AM, Clark said:

Used a friends one for few weeks while he was abroad.

Very comfortable seats.

Pickup not bad.

Not able to tell about maintainanace issues as it was almost brand new those days and i only used it for less than 1000km

test drove few bluebirds and yes it's comfortable . but hearing bad comments from everybody(will say average sri lankan folks).and recommend me to go for toyota instead.

So i'm waiting for some positive comments regarding long term run before finalize the decision mate...

chan5 · June 30, 2012

re posting- deleted

Edited June 30, 2012 by chan5

chan5 · July 2, 2012

On 6/28/2012 at 1:16 PM, WCW said:

Find details about Caldina

http://www.cars-dire...caldina/1996_1/

Find details about Corolla vagon CE 108 here;

http://www.cars-dire...a_wagon/1996_5/

As per above lists only CE 108 equipped with leaf springs.

yes i checked these specs.

Bit confusing , but i inspected 2 caldinas with leaf springs if i remember correctly.

Probably imported from another country,

anyway, thanks mate.

Now i'm on a hunt for decent nick.

Caldina or Blubird SU-14 or 406HDI .

Whichever comes first i'll go for it.

Sold the old car and now using a risky way to travel.(A Bike).so no time to long searchings.--

Clark's son · July 2, 2012

The corolla L-Touring wagon comes with rear coil springs,

so if the leafs are the thing keeping you away from the caldiana you could also consider it

nexus · July 2, 2012

On 7/2/2012 at 11:55 AM, Clark said:

The corolla L-Touring wagon comes with rear coil springs,

so if the leafs are the thing keeping you away from the caldiana you could also consider it

also op cloud try corolla wagon G-touring too but it's hard to find a one of them for op's budget any ways we use to own one they are comfortable like the ae100 sedan but the ground clearance is low than the ce108 wagon with the leaf spring and you can't use it to carry heavy stuff in the back like in a ce108 because of the rear coil springs.

btw there are just few of the original diesel G-tourings and L-touring are in the SL so owners usually ask high price for them.

Magnum · July 2, 2012

On 6/30/2012 at 7:44 AM, chan5 said:

test drove few bluebirds and yes it's comfortable . but hearing bad comments from everybody(will say average sri lankan folks).and recommend me to go for toyota instead.

So i'm waiting for some positive comments regarding long term run before finalize the decision mate...

I use a U13 bluebird, its big,spacious, comfy,you get more than enough of leg room in the rear, comes with a big trunk, the car is quite heavy so you will have to check the shocks, spares arent very easy to find but you can find most of the things you need at places like charlton. oh and its very economical, mine does around 17 km/l combined with A/C

Edited July 2, 2012 by Magnum

chan5 · July 2, 2012

On 7/2/2012 at 11:55 AM, Clark said:

so if the leafs are the thing keeping you away from the caldiana you could also consider it

today also i had inspected a caldina without leaf springs.

Think it's coming with both varieties.

anyway car seems ok but engine needed about 3 cranks to start.i've read, somewhere in autolanka that it's not normal for toyota 2C engine.

Some serious rattle somewhere from engine bay.

chan5 · July 2, 2012

deleting repost- (sorry i'm using a mobile, and it's tricky to post with this)

Edited July 2, 2012 by chan5

chan5 · July 2, 2012

On 7/2/2012 at 2:31 PM, nexus said:

also op cloud try corolla wagon G-touring too but it's hard to find a one of them for op's budget any ways.they are comfortable like the ae100 sedan but the ground clearance is low than the ce108 wagon with the leaf spring and you can't use it to carry heavy stuff in the back like in a ce108 because of the rear coil springs.

yes mate, i omitted that gtouring option because it's over my budget.

And i've seen people asking beyond 2million for some specimens.feel it's little overpriced. Otherwise it's a good car overall.

chan5 · July 2, 2012

On 7/2/2012 at 4:58 PM, Magnum said:

I use a U13 bluebird,

its big,spacious, comfy,

you get more than enough of leg room in the rear,

comes with a big trunk,

the car is quite heavy so you will have to check the shocks,

spares arent very easy to find but you can find most of the things you need at places like charlton.

oh and its very economical,

mine does around 17 km/l combined with A/C

thanks mate,the only question with me is , Is it really reliable car or a one with frequent breakdowns.average folks say that "don't go for it"

is it rational or just our thinking.?

Magnum · July 2, 2012

On 7/2/2012 at 6:42 PM, chan5 said:

thanks mate,the only question with me is , Is it really reliable car or a one with frequent breakdowns.average folks say that "don't go for it"

is it rational or just our thinking.?

Well i would say it all depends on the way you maintain it, i usually only get minor repairs and nothing major. However i have seen really messed up U13s for sale as well