Hi all.
I've currently got a 2l X reg Escort (was 1.6 but changed the engine) which goes really fast, but I want something Diesel.
Unfortunately I reckon I would only get about 1750 for my Escort on a good day, so I reckon a P reg (or about there) Punto would be in my price range.
I want a diesel also (another reason for the change) because the company gives me a fuel card and it's only for diesel (the vans are for diesel, so it can be put through the books legit, but my petrol can't, so I don't get any petrol!)
The 1.7TD seems like a good car, and it's advertised at 75BHP. However, the specs don't seem so good (well, what I'm used to), which seem to suggest 0-60 in about 11 seconds and top speed of about 100mph.
Now for the questions!
What sort of things should I look out for buying one of these? I'm after one at about 70000 miles, so what can go wrong, and how much are repairs/upcoming problems (like cam belt, etc). What sort of service intervals are things like cam belts, and any ideas of price?
Next, can they be chipped? I've found a lot relating to the 1.9JTD, but that's a later model than I'm looking at. I've found a lot for the petrols and later diesels, but nothing for the 1.7TD. Any ideas of who does the chips (if it's a chip or whatever, I can fit it myself if it's not a stupidly complex job, saving cost), and cost. Also, what sort of preformance increase would I expect (MPG, 0-60 and top speed?) On my escort it was a laptop plugged into the ECU job and I could change everything I want to, but it looks like the 1.7TD's are all a real chip, so it's not a DIY job to tune it up, it's a pre-tuned chip, is this right?
How is the car overall? Everyone knows an escort really, is there anything I would be disappointed in (I'm happy with the reduced size).
Finally, any features that inspire me to get a Punto over anything else that anyone can recommend (cheap spares, high MPG, anything like that?)
Thanks all!
Sam
I've currently got a 2l X reg Escort (was 1.6 but changed the engine) which goes really fast, but I want something Diesel.
Unfortunately I reckon I would only get about 1750 for my Escort on a good day, so I reckon a P reg (or about there) Punto would be in my price range.
I want a diesel also (another reason for the change) because the company gives me a fuel card and it's only for diesel (the vans are for diesel, so it can be put through the books legit, but my petrol can't, so I don't get any petrol!)
The 1.7TD seems like a good car, and it's advertised at 75BHP. However, the specs don't seem so good (well, what I'm used to), which seem to suggest 0-60 in about 11 seconds and top speed of about 100mph.
Now for the questions!
What sort of things should I look out for buying one of these? I'm after one at about 70000 miles, so what can go wrong, and how much are repairs/upcoming problems (like cam belt, etc). What sort of service intervals are things like cam belts, and any ideas of price?
Next, can they be chipped? I've found a lot relating to the 1.9JTD, but that's a later model than I'm looking at. I've found a lot for the petrols and later diesels, but nothing for the 1.7TD. Any ideas of who does the chips (if it's a chip or whatever, I can fit it myself if it's not a stupidly complex job, saving cost), and cost. Also, what sort of preformance increase would I expect (MPG, 0-60 and top speed?) On my escort it was a laptop plugged into the ECU job and I could change everything I want to, but it looks like the 1.7TD's are all a real chip, so it's not a DIY job to tune it up, it's a pre-tuned chip, is this right?
How is the car overall? Everyone knows an escort really, is there anything I would be disappointed in (I'm happy with the reduced size).
Finally, any features that inspire me to get a Punto over anything else that anyone can recommend (cheap spares, high MPG, anything like that?)
Thanks all!
Sam
