Every day practical car help

[DickP]

Good evening everyone!

I changed jobs earlier in the year, about six months ago, and have been using a 10 year old Mondeo hatch since the new job does not come with a company car. As good as they are, the niggly things these cars can develop are starting to get irritating and I fancy something a fair bit newer, quicker and spec wise nicer!

I get the full 45ppm and seem to be averaging somewhere between 600-800 business miles a month. Last month I did over 1k but the month before about half that so it balances out.

The car will be used anywhere from city centres to cruising across one side of the country to the other for work purposes. Outside of work, or when it's not needed for business purposes, the car will rarely turn a wheel - when it does it will be for travelling to places like Scotland, Wales, the Peaks etc. as I am into my outdoor sports. So I would throw estimated annual mileage up to 20k, probably more like 15k right now.

In brief the criteria I am looking at is:

Reasonable performance (say approx 8s to 60)
Features such as aircon, cruise, heated seats, leather/half leather would be nice etc.
Reasonable economy, 45+ mpg
Preferably estate - needs to be big enough to sling a road bike in the back without taking wheels off or anything,
Routine maintenance with minimum "repairs" required - I don't want to go having to get subframes dropped off or wishbones replaced because of shot bushes etc. if possible.
Working on approx. 3 year "plan" so say 8k budget with reasonable residual.

For any comparisons, my company car at my last job was an Astra Sports Tourer SE which did the job quite well but struggled on kit and performance.

Proposals welcome. Or am I just unrealistic?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say get a newer Mondeo they really have got better & are well equipped as well as still being a decent steer or if you want maximum value but zero driving pleasure then an Insignia both will be loaded with kit if you get the Titanium X/Elite models.

2010 Mondeo Titanium X Auto 65k DAB Bluetooth 1/2 leather etc Full Service History

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2009 Mondeo Titanium X Manual 49k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2010 Insignia Elite Auto 54k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[DickP]

Hey, thank you for the suggestions. I'm not a fan of the Insignia because at my last employer the fleet was either Astra or Insignia and I was never too impressed with even the Elite model for me to consider it worth as much as those being asked for.

Was the Mondeo model after mine then a real big jump up? It's based on a completely different platform isn't it?

Thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

It was a jump in terms of quality engine wise I'd say try & find the 2.2 it's the better engine but they're hard to find, in terms of reliability there's nothing to look for.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 29th August 20:13

[DickP]

Just thinking about this again, what are people's verdict of the second gen Mazda 6 (2007-2012)?

I would be looking for a model like the 2.2 Sport estate. Reliability any good? They seem to have good value for money?!

[ZX10R NIN]

Apparently the diesel engine isn't as good as you'd expect from a Japanese car maker, I will agree they do look like good value especially in Sport trim.

One that I drove the other day that wasn't on my radar before was the Peugeot 508 it was well appointed drove well enough (I think the Mondeo is a better steer) was comfortable & well appointed, with your budget you could find a nice one with low miles.

2011 508 Allure 33k 140bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

As above 37k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[DickP]

Thanks for the additional suggestion although I am swaying towards the Mazda. I have now just read about timing chain problems on the one I like (2.2d Sport). Is this as bad as people make out on the internet or is it just a limited number and only hearing of the few that have failed?

It's not like VAG petrol engines have been much better around a similar period for timing chain failure from what I have read either!

[ZX10R NIN]

They sold 1000's of them but it's something you should be aware of & just be prepared to get it done should it start to show the symptoms apart from that if you've found the right car get it.

[DoubleD]

They do look like fantastic value for money