Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

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VolvoT5

4,155 posts

173 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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has anyone got any suggestions as to what would be a good comfortable car to buy and wont cost the earth to run? Budget 3k but cheaper is better.

I have an x-type but getting in it is a squeeze and anything but a short journey is not comfy at all (6'5", bad back, bad knee) . I really fancied an XJ but I reckon they will be too low to the ground for easy access really. I greatly prefer automatics and do very low miles so not too concerned about MPG, but a huge tax band and massive potential for borkage would put me off.

Seems like SAABs offer particularly good value for money in this price bracket? I'm also wondering if something like a Freelander would be any good.... though I would prefer a bit more poke.


RobinBanks

17,540 posts

178 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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I think a Saab 95 would be an excellent choice. Which engine is down to you wink

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

252 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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I think modern Saabs are out-sweded by Volvos on all counts.

V70 XC is very comfortable and reasonably high-up.

S-Class has a high seating position, relative to the Jaguars, anyway.

CharlesdeGaulle

26,099 posts

179 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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VolvoT5 said:
has anyone got any suggestions as to what would be a good comfortable car to buy and wont cost the earth to run? Budget 3k but cheaper is better.
You've been around here long enough to know that a MB 124 is often the default recommendation. In this case, it might even be a really good recommendation.

Tonberry

2,078 posts

191 months

cat220

2,762 posts

214 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
quotequote all
VolvoT5 said:
has anyone got any suggestions as to what would be a good comfortable car to buy and wont cost the earth to run? Budget 3k but cheaper is better.

I have an x-type but getting in it is a squeeze and anything but a short journey is not comfy at all (6'5", bad back, bad knee) . I really fancied an XJ but I reckon they will be too low to the ground for easy access really. I greatly prefer automatics and do very low miles so not too concerned about MPG, but a huge tax band and massive potential for borkage would put me off.

Seems like SAABs offer particularly good value for money in this price bracket? I'm also wondering if something like a Freelander would be any good.... though I would prefer a bit more poke.
Your answer is in your user name smile,v70 t5, very comfortable, plenty of room and pretty quick.

Baryonyx

17,990 posts

158 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
quotequote all
VolvoT5 said:
has anyone got any suggestions as to what would be a good comfortable car to buy and wont cost the earth to run? Budget 3k but cheaper is better.

I have an x-type but getting in it is a squeeze and anything but a short journey is not comfy at all (6'5", bad back, bad knee) . I really fancied an XJ but I reckon they will be too low to the ground for easy access really. I greatly prefer automatics and do very low miles so not too concerned about MPG, but a huge tax band and massive potential for borkage would put me off.

Seems like SAABs offer particularly good value for money in this price bracket? I'm also wondering if something like a Freelander would be any good.... though I would prefer a bit more poke.
X308 and X300 XJ's are fantastic but very low to the ground. You're probably a bit tall for them too, in terms of seating position and avoiding your hands hitting your knees as you steer. Try sitting in one and see.

deadslow

7,962 posts

222 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
quotequote all
Baryonyx said:
VolvoT5 said:
has anyone got any suggestions as to what would be a good comfortable car to buy and wont cost the earth to run? Budget 3k but cheaper is better.

I have an x-type but getting in it is a squeeze and anything but a short journey is not comfy at all (6'5", bad back, bad knee) . I really fancied an XJ but I reckon they will be too low to the ground for easy access really. I greatly prefer automatics and do very low miles so not too concerned about MPG, but a huge tax band and massive potential for borkage would put me off.

Seems like SAABs offer particularly good value for money in this price bracket? I'm also wondering if something like a Freelander would be any good.... though I would prefer a bit more poke.
X308 and X300 XJ's are fantastic but very low to the ground. You're probably a bit tall for them too, in terms of seating position and avoiding your hands hitting your knees as you steer. Try sitting in one and see.
I'm 6' 4" and fit very comfortably into an X308, but I do need to use the function which lifts the steering wheel and pulls the seat back to get in and out easily.

VolvoT5

4,155 posts

173 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
quotequote all
cat220 said:
Your answer is in your user name smile,v70 t5, very comfortable, plenty of room and pretty quick.
Yes strangely I hadn't thought about getting another volvo, that might be a good option.. having said that the 850 and S70 I had were snug, I wonder if the newer shaped V70 or S60 would be better.

Quite fancy a SAAB 9-5 though as per previous suggestion. They seem like a lot of car for the money.

Baryonyx said:
X308 and X300 XJ's are fantastic but very low to the ground. You're probably a bit tall for them too, in terms of seating position and avoiding your hands hitting your knees as you steer. Try sitting in one and see.
Yep I have wanted an X308 for ages but I really think they will be too low down. Though I've looked but not sat in one yet. Very big without being that practical too.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Tuesday 27th January 21:56

Baryonyx

17,990 posts

158 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
quotequote all
They're very practical. The boot is very big. If you need to carry anything bigger it's time to admit defeat and get an estate. Though at 6ft I feel about as tall as I'd want to be driving a Jag. They do a neat trick of wrapping themselves around you when you shut the door and do a good job of proving that masses of space do not equal comfort. If you're a big fatty though you may be too broad to fit!

cat220

2,762 posts

214 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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How about trying a Honda accord? The 2.4 found in the type s is a reliable unit.

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

227 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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Under thread budget, but is it priced correctly? Would be perfect for my commute as it's diesel and local to me:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...

dscam

1,861 posts

186 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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SpeckledJim said:
r129sl said:
The 124 passed a milestone tonight as I journey to Walsall. I phoned my wife to tell her. She told me to go in the back of the glovebox wherein I found a small present: a pair of 300,000mile cufflinks. We are a very sad family.

Must get on: another 60 miles to go before bedtime.





ETA: I know how dangerous the hard shoulder is.
That's all very sweet, but which of you was swotty enough to zero the trip at 299,876?

Higher levels of attainment going on there.
Damn you Jim! I thought I was going to be the first to comment on that.

That 300,000 marker has been long in the planning it would seem. In the words of many (most) ebay sellers: "basically just run in..."

VolvoT5

4,155 posts

173 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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funkyrobot said:
Under thread budget, but is it priced correctly? Would be perfect for my commute as it's diesel and local to me:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
Has some serious retro/classic appeal. I can only imagine the (lack of) performance though.... 300d engine twinned with a slush box. Probably get overtaken by London buses.

Huntsman

8,028 posts

249 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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I've reduced the XJ6 from £3300 to £2995, I was chancing my arm a bit as not in a rush. A few email enquiries are trickling in so I'll leave it there for now.

Just fitted a pair of new boots on the back, will update the ads.

Interestingly, all enquiries via PH, nothing from Carandclassic.

BeirutTaxi

6,627 posts

213 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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Huntsman said:
I've reduced the XJ6 from £3300 to £2995, I was chancing my arm a bit as not in a rush. A few email enquiries are trickling in so I'll leave it there for now.

Just fitted a pair of new boots on the back, will update the ads.

Interestingly, all enquiries via PH, nothing from Carandclassic.
This one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...

Huntsman

8,028 posts

249 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
BeirutTaxi said:
Huntsman said:
I've reduced the XJ6 from £3300 to £2995, I was chancing my arm a bit as not in a rush. A few email enquiries are trickling in so I'll leave it there for now.

Just fitted a pair of new boots on the back, will update the ads.

Interestingly, all enquiries via PH, nothing from Carandclassic.
This one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
I think if I said YES I'd be breaking PH rules...

tobinen

9,184 posts

144 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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CharlesdeGaulle said:
I so want one of these. Not a fan of the incorrect headlights, but otherwise this looks a decent buy.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C376226
That's rather lovely. I like the headlamp conversion.

The Don of Croy

5,976 posts

158 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
cat220 said:
Your answer is in your user name smile,v70 t5, very comfortable, plenty of room and pretty quick.
Why not try the S80 - bigger, less popular, choice of derv or petrol.

idiotgap

2,112 posts

132 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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idiotgap said:
I'm holding back because I love the 124 and I had visions of it lasting until I'd shifted all 3 chaps through university. I think it is a genuine classic and possibly the more interesting choice. On the other hand, life is too short - there are other cars to try and we'll keep the R107 as the sentimental classic.

The 124 is up for a service and MOT on Tuesday, I'll re-assess what the state of it is and what needs doing with a view to a sale/hold and start writing an advert if the mood doesn't shift.

- just bought a smoker barge Miele condensing tumble-dryer on ebay for £62, hoping to be able to zoom off an pick it up in the 124 this weekend.
Update on the situation...

So far the bargain Miele dryer is fantastic, fitted in the 124 perfectly and works well. It feels like a purchase very much in keeping with this thread's ethos!

S124 sailed through the MOT yesterday no problem, but chatting with my MB specialist I've been scared off any pre-facelift or V8 S211 for fear of ruinous up-keep. Seems like I'd need to spend rather more on one than I'd thought in order to get something that makes sense long term (220cdi apparently). Then I end up with a comparatively mundane depreciating car.

Having decluttered and cleaned the 124 inside and out then taken photos of it to prepare an advert, I've got that seller's remorse thing going on anyway and driving it yesterday put a smile on my face. So it's staying.

The R107 didn't sail through it's MOT unfortunately needing some attention underneath and it looks like I'll be spending a bit of the new car hankering fund on having bits welded, stripped brushed down, protected etc.
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