General hi what to look for??

[MazCinq]

hi i am looking at buying a marea jtd to use as a tow vechical to replace my much loved mk1 punto sporting.

basically i just want to know what are the main things to look out for when buying a marea estate jtd

also i have read there are 2 deisels, a 1.9 and a 2.4, which is the best one to go for as i will be playing with the engine a little and tuning it up abit, i just cant help myself lol,

its mainly going to be used as a fast road car but on the odd weekend used to tow my race car too events so its going to have to have alot of guts

 

[Venters]

More than 2 diesels but only two you should consider. JTDs instead of just TDs.
Also Mareas are getting to the point where rust is something to look out for, underneath though since the body panels are galvanised.

 

[MazCinq]

this may sound thick but whats the difference between the jtd's and the td's??

i come from a back ground of small petrol engines ie the F.I.R.E and superF.I.R.E so diesel is abit new to me but its what i need unless the 20v is good on fuel and have plenty of pulling power lol

 

[Venters]

TDs are old style diesel like the kind you get in old tractors, The JTD is of the newer common rail type much more refined, smoother just better.
For me it's all about the 20v, goes the best, sounds the best. My VIS 20V does 30 mpg mainly round town. Never towed with it but would imagine it's pretty capable. But the diesels will be just as good for towing if not better.

 

[MazCinq]

ok jtd it is as if i get a 20v i'd end up turboing it lol

right is there a purticular year or model to look for cos i want a good alround one, meaning looks good and handles well and is also comfy and reliable, ideally i'd like one with cruise control as i do alot of motor way miles

 

[Venters]

If you can find a good one HLX is the spec to get. No cruise control on Mareas though.

 

[MazCinq]

dam shame on the CC so looking for a JTD HLX then ok cool cheers for the advise mate

 

[fatnav50]

This might be of use if you are thinking of a mild tune up:

0845 838 1405 :: www.tunit.com​

 

[johnson550]

Dont think you will find a HLX its ELX or SX in the JTD range. 2000- 2002 would be the better years. Mine is a 1.9 and I tow a caravan 1300kgs easily its been remapped mind to 171bhp but it was alright before that. All of my driving apart from the odd trip away in the caravan is local miles 6mile there 6mile back and I get 650 mile to the tank full.

 

[Venters]

Will get the 2.4.

 

[Notorious131]

We've got 20v VIS and 2.4 jtd hlx weekenders.
Vis sounds amazing and pulls like a train all day long any gear but i get about 20mpg ish. Also hard not to put your foot down all the time.

The jtd is very fast and very capable just not as fun, its more relaxed and requires a different driving technique. Ours does not like doing 30mph in 5th gear but i get 40+mpg.
20v's need have cambelts done and is about £350-£450 ish but if you need to do a clutch on jtd, then your looking at a £1k ish as they have a bloody expensive dual mass flywheel.

And as said watch out for rust on the floorpans inside of the sills. Get underneath and have a good prod. I got caught out on our jtd with rusty floorpan cost £300 in welding.

 

[MazCinq]

ok so let me check have got this right lol
20v=lots of fun but 20mpg
1.9td=good work horse with 40+mpg
2.4jtd=relaxed work horse with 40+mpg

ok i think it has to be a diesel and if a re-mapped 1.9 is good for 170+bhp and god only knows torque i think that might be the best option as the 1.9's are alot cheaper than the 2.4 jtd

johnson whats it like re-mapped?? does it kick loads of smoke when you boot it??

 

[rat20v]

i would go maximum 150 buddy, at 170 bhp you will be eating clutches every 5k and they are expensive to replace

 

[johnson550]

i would go maximum 150 buddy, at 170 bhp you will be eating clutches every 5k and they are expensive to replace

How many people do you know with JTDs who have cars that eat clutches every 5k? Mine hasnt eaten one yet. I havent checked lately to see if they were making one for the Marea but Valeo were making solid flywheels for various cars with a DMF . The only time you see the smoke is in the dark from the lights of the car youve just passed. If you see loads of smoke in the daytime take it back and tell them to map it properly.

 

[rat20v]

How many people do you know with JTDs who have cars that eat clutches every 5k? Mine hasnt eaten one yet. I havent checked lately to see if they were making one for the Marea but Valeo were making solid flywheels for various cars with a DMF . The only time you see the smoke is in the dark from the lights of the car youve just passed. If you see loads of smoke in the daytime take it back and tell them to map it properly.

Just from alot of the TD and JTD bravo's on Boo, they were having alot of problems with them (going back about 2 years though) i personally know of 3 people, and 1 of them the clutch went twice in 11k, but i suppose it depends how you drive it too.

I run a 20v and have never had a diesel, but like i say its from from a couple of guys i know with TD and JTD bravo's

 

[johnson550]

Just from alot of the TD and JTD bravo's on Boo, they were having alot of problems with them (going back about 2 years though) i personally know of 3 people, and 1 of them the clutch went twice in 11k, but i suppose it depends how you drive it too.

I run a 20v and have never had a diesel, but like i say its from from a couple of guys i know with TD and JTD bravo's

So no JTD Mareas then.

 

[rat20v]

Nope lol