I was talking about a Master SWB DCi re the budget, but they're not as nice
> to drive as the Traffic. The DCi only arrived in late 2002, the previous DTi
> is abit rattley.
Not bothered about getting the absolute best/most refined engine out there, as long as it's reasonably sturdy and will last to a reasonable mileage. If I service one of the older DTIs regularly (oil+filter ever 5k, air/fuel filters every other oil change, cambelt every 50k or so) should it still be running well with 200k on the clock?
Having said that, my mileage isn't going to be desperately high, so if I can get this one local to me with around 40k on the clock at a decent price, it might be worth my while selling it in a year's time with around 70k on the clock (still fairly low miles) and lose very little on it, and keep my eyes out for low-ish mileage bargains.
Dunno about a Master DCi being in budget though - just did a quick search on AutoTrader, and there's only one, at £3500 + VAT, 2001 model with 109k on the clock, which seems like a good deal, but it's over in Northern Ireland.
Talking of Northern Ireland - Chet, do you fancy an all-expenses (that's basic expenses) paid trip in a Renault Master across the Oirish Sea? :-)
Peter