Which used car for long distances?

Chuck ( snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

ITYM "Maximum MPG"...

Barely run in for ANYTHING even roughly modern. Like the last few decades.

Try this novel concept called "car maintenance".

Citroen XM 2.1td

luxury you can afford,

Steve

yes, and they're great on the motorway. I paid £400 for mine with 12 months MOT and 4 months tax. I do about 1200 miles a week in it average 45 mpg

Just one thing. The headlights are S**TE.

Mike P

The message from "Chuck" contains these words:

Mine's done a quarter of a million and that's not consdiered a lot for a diesel.

What on /earth/ did you do to it? Regular (and frequent!) oil changes are important, as is mechanical sympathy - not using it for short trips, not revving it when cold, not thrashing it everywhere, that sort of thing.

Mike P ( snipped-for-privacy@here.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

No, they're not.

But I think we're having this chat somewhere else, aren't we, Mike?

MK2 Mondeo 1.8 Petrol - Will give reasonable performance and do about 45 Miles to the gallon on a motorway, reliable and comfy!!

Just make sure its had regular oil changes and had the Cambelt Kit changed.

MattF

Yes, I had one too of those too. Not sure about the 45mpg unless you stick to 60-65 though :-)

Mike P

I was gonna say the same thing! I bareley got over 35mpg with any combination of driving style or road conditions.

Chris

Not that I've seen your chat elsewhere but is this the rip out the plastic diffuser solution? At least that's what I did with mine when it discoloured. Before that the lights were s**te.

Malc ( snipped-for-privacy@lightindigooverthere.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

On the XM-L YahooGroup.

It's sorta the same one. I seem to be more-or-less unique in having a near-

So it's not a design problem, as many maintain. It's a condition problem, which I maintain is being addressed in the wrong way.

It's probably largely down to crappy connections and voltage drops, although there will be problems with manky diffusers. Hell, look at the lights in most Mk1 Mundaneos...

Get the TD version - does silly milages with no problem and better on the fuel. Bit gutless round town but a superb motorway cruiser.

Ahh - you just need a light right foot thats all :), oh and we have a non AC model as well which would make a big difference.

The figure was an estimate but a full tank lasted almost 500 miles on our last holiday to Cornwall - That was cruising at about 70 - 80 Mph

MattF

Thanks a lot for the replies. You will be pleased to know you've shamed me into buying a Haynes manual for the poor old Punto, see if I can eke a few more miles out of it. Trouble is, I just don't know where to start with motors. I really am totally ignorant of them. I've always been a take-her-to-the-garage person (please forgive me), and the bills are just getting too much. FWIW, the Punto was serviced pretty regularly and had oil changes on schedule, I think. The first half of its life was in London, if that explains anything. And I do tend to push the pedal.

Meanwhile, the flexible pipe coming out of the banjo thing at the top of the engine has disintegrated. Yes, that is my level of knowledge. (At least I can see what's wrong.)

Whether I get a reprieve for the Punto or not, I'm still going to need a replacement some time, and I like the look of the Citroen.

Thanks again.

How do you mean dreadful drivers car? I find mine lacks poke, but otherwise it's OK, handles well enough etc. It's approaching the quarter-million miles mark, and that's a petrol engine. Ecomnomy is reasonable, especially as I can get my lpg at 36p/litre, but not stunning. If economy is the aim and you don't need the capacity of a barge I'd look elsewhere.

As regards diesel longevity, the Rover I've just sold had done 186k and still had plenty of life left in it.

That's a long run. I can return 35mpg from my Omega on a run like that. Around town it's down towards 20, and the average on my typical daily commute is 27. Figures returned by computer. Big difference.

I completely conceed that around town its nowhere near that MPG but the OP did say he was looking for a car to drive long distances.

MattF

Fix It Again Tony. Punto`s have notoriously weak engines, try phoning a breaker and asking them about availabilty of working Punto engines.

Diesel engined saloon will comand premiumn price over similar petrol engined model, depends wether savings on fuel over longer term are worth up front cost at purchase time.

Perfect diesel buying weather though, if looking for one ask that it be left cold till you view. Check before starting by popping bonnet and feeling that is stone cold, then see how easily it starts. If engine has been warmed before hand without really good reason, walk away. Good cold starting is a good thing for a diesel.

Adam

Rubbish. There's an issue with head gaskets, but other than that they're fine.