Another What Car - Large family long distance cruiser

[mikal83]

Dont buy ANY citroen. The dealer back up is all but non existant, the warranty useless. And the car value will bomb UNLESS you get a cheap one in the first place.

[Bonefish Blues]

So prompted by the above, time to recommend a C6, methinks!

[jdw1234]

I just bought a ML320CDI which would appear to tick all those boxes.

Not sure on exact MPG, but the tank is massive so it is ages between refills.

[Mr E]

Bonefish Blues said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

This has got 9-5 Aero Estate written all over it!

It has, and OP will get the very best for less than the bottom end of his budget.

OP, no issues at all with spares for Saabs - a separate company was set up to maintain OE supply, and as with other vehicles, significant pattern parts also exist.

Range at cruise speed isn't terrible either (400-500 miles)

[mikal83]

Bonefish Blues said:

So prompted by the above, time to recommend a C6, methinks!

Guess youve got money to burn matey huh!

[flatso]

The S-Line and Sportline packs on Audi cars have probably one of the worst suspension setups for a streetgoing car. How in the world these totally unrefined and ridiculously hard setups ever made it into production is beyond me. This guy can probably do a MUCH better job than the engineers responsible for those suspensions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkU6rv9fl74

The Superb is certainly worth a look. I heard that Skoda management actually had to take some heat from their VAG superiors in Wolfsburg about building such a good car and therefore threatening their Passat sales. They were asked to never repeat this! I can actually get a great deal on a new one, as I am befriended with a Skoda Importer in eastern Europe.

I actually had a Citroen and it was a very reliable car, exept consumables the thing just kept going. The C6 is in my eyes one of the most beautiful cars built in Europe in the past 15 years. The trunk space is small, but other than that it is destined to be a future classic.

This has to be one of the best automotive boards around. Thanks to everyone.

[billzeebub]

Subaru Legacy or Forester

[Bonefish Blues]

mikal83 said:

Bonefish Blues said:

So prompted by the above, time to recommend a C6, methinks!

Guess youve got money to burn matey huh!

I quick search shows close to 8K with some haggling will get you a 2009 bells-and-whistles model with c30K miles. Yes they will depreciate further, but they start low to begin with.

Do OK here too, I note: http://www.reliabilityindex.com/reviews/view/30640...

OP may be a little more open-minded than you, and not write off an entire marque

ETA
I see from a recent post he is

[Bonefish Blues]

flatso said:

The 3-series is really too small. The problem is the baby pram that eats up a lot of space. This here looks interesting:

http://www.autoscout24.ch/de/d/saab-9-5-kombi-2003...

The price is attractive in deed.

Check that car carefully - it's a 2003, it has the correct Aero wheels for the year but has the 2004/5 model year bumper which might just be a previous owner changing it, but might also indicate it has come into contact with something.

The other potential issue with that MY is engine sludge. A 2004/5 MY car is usually considered the sweet spot for 9-5 Aeros as engine revisions eliminated this issue (but the car was de-contented, so spec is often lower than to 2002/3 cars.

UKSaabs Forum is worth some of your time.

HTH.

[thismonkeyhere]

Landcruiser, natch.

Spacious, comfortable, and will not go wrong. Ever.

[Timbola]

billzeebub said:

Subaru Legacy or Forester

[IroningMan]

I have a Discovery and a 9-5 wagon.

Perhaps I should move to Switzerland.

Try a Skoda Superb 4x4, a V6 if you can find one in budget?

[flatso]

Bonefish Blues....thanks for the heads'up on that Saab!
Landcruiser...legendary but perhaps a bit rustical on the highway? A Range Rover or Discovery is a bit more appealing in this category.
Subarus are highly respected and hugely popular around these parts. Some Police cares are Outback H6 cars.
Superb...will take a closer look at these. They look good and roomy.

Saw an R-Class this morning in AMG Trim. Its a big hunk of metal, but the pre-facelift model seems to hide its proportions fairly well (from back and front view). Its based on an M-klass chasis.

[flatso]

Looking into this one:

http://www.autoscout24.ch/de/d/subaru-outback-komb...

One owner, supposedly fully serviced at Subaru. Facelift model with paddle shift. Are these high mileage machines, or better to stay away from them?

Regards

[corvus]

billzeebub said:

Subaru Legacy or Forester

Forester will be way too small inside for OP's needs.

[flatso]

Test drove a V70 (2005) D5 yesterday and honestly I was not that impressed. The suspension was a lot harsher than I expected...the seller mentioned that its set up for heavier loads and therefore when the car is empty it tends to be a bit stiffer. The Outback that I tested 10 days ago was a bit more refined. Maybe my Citroen spoiled rear end is too pretentious.
The search goes on.