What to get next

[Isoproturon1]

After 2 Audi A4 Avant dog-carriers (1st one I had for a year, second for 3 months), and a BMW E46 3-series Touring (had it 2 months) I am wondering what to get next. I obviously have a low boredom threshold, though I do miss the Audi build quality.

Budget £9K max
Must do 30mpg avg as minimum
Must be able to carry a labrador in comfort
Not bothered whether petrol or diesel but the more power the better
Must be no more than 5 years old

BMW handles well and has lots of kit but the Audis were nicely made and I prefer the image. For some reason I hanker for a V70 with heated leather seats, but I'm only 30...

[Isoproturon1]

Forgot to mention, I do almost 40K per year so don't want something that will depreciate like a stone, or fall apart every 5 minutes.

Any suggestions ?

[flattotheboards]

go for the volvo forget the image, imo the image of bmw drivers is worse the volvo driver.

[Strawman]

flattotheboards said:

go for the volvo forget the image, imo the image of bmw drivers is worse the volvo driver.

I'm not much older than you and drive a Saab 9k, for 4 reasons, 30mpg, great mid-range turbo power, q car for annoying boy-racers, it's not Jap. Most people don't even notice it, think of it as a pipe and slippers car, so great fun when I disappear into the distance

[gizmo.mp3]

Couple of things spring to mind... Don't know if the badge would meet your image, but loads of people rave about Skoda Octavias - plenty of go from some of the diesels.

Or how about this for a "different" option? Lexus IS Sport Cross with the 3.0 engine... shifts a bit, should be built properly, enough space for the dog, and right on budget...
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.js...

Not a bad looker either IMO

[tobster]

Does it have to be an estate , we have a Honda CRV for the dog transporter.

[LayZ]

Anything you buy that is relatively new will depreciate like a stone if you do 40k miles per year. Get something that's lost a lot of money already and it'll be less painful.

Old-shape Audi A6 Avant Quattro Sport TDI - this one got 180hp V6 diesel, and the depreciation is bad.

[havoc]

LayZ said:

Anything you buy that is relatively new will depreciate like a stone if you do 40k miles per year. Get something that's lost a lot of money already and it'll be less painful.

Two options:-
Buy around 2y.o. - That sort of car will be private at around 60% of new price and forecourt probably 5% more or so. Still have 1yr mfrs warranty, and can get aftermarket warranty if you want for far less than the depreciation from near-new.

Buy older (5yrs+) - will have to budget more for repairs and maint'ce, but some very nice cars now in that category at probably 30% of new list.

[JuniorD]

MX-5, harness, sorted...

[Plymouth Prowler]

Honda Accord estate?? 2.4 is a nice cruiser, and should manage 30mpg.
Alternatively, top of the range Mondeo, with plenty of gadgets to keep you amused on those long journeys.

[pmanson]

Saab 9-5 Aero. Get one from before they did the Dame Edna makeover though

[havoc]

Plymouth Prowler said:

Alternatively, top of the range Mondeo, with plenty of gadgets to keep you amused on those long journeys.

ST TDCi residuals are shockingly bad...even the estates. ST220 possibly worse, although 30mpg will be a struggle.

Not sure if build will be good enough for the OP though...ditto 406 V6 estate, which otherwise is a steal now...

[K321]

volvo s60 d5 185bhp with 18 inch wheels
cant go wrong

plus i am 28 and immature, so you can still get one if you are 30

Edited by K321 on Thursday 19th July 18:48

[ehyouwhat]

pmanson said:

Saab 9-5 Aero. Get one from before they did the Dame Edna makeover though

Just been looking at the classifieds on eBay actually, and it seems the 2.3 HOT Aero estates can be had for around £6k (2002 with circa 100k miles). I imagine a few grand more will get a 2003 model, or one with far less miles.

Supposedly 30mpg is about right, and the car doesn't hang about either. I'm not sure whether these cars were 230bhp or 250bhp at the time (they certainly were the higher of the two from 2003 onwards), but the 250bhp model can manage the 40-70mph sprint faster than a 996 turbo!

Edited by ehyouwhat on Thursday 19th July 19:20

[Isoproturon1]

Some good ideas chaps, will have a look into a few of them.

The Octavias are spot on - have driven both new and old shape VRSs and I was very impressed; just not sure I can stop being a badge snob. Sad. Plus they have a bit of kudos (as do the V70s) having been used by plod successfully for ages. Same could be said of the old Omega.

[Isoproturon1]

tobster said:

Does it have to be an estate , we have a Honda CRV for the dog transporter.

Not been that keen on the CRV though it fits the bill. I think the fact one of my colleagues has one puts me off as they remind me of him (golf-obsessed steady-away type of bloke who cracks anecdotes about birdies and bogies to anyone willing to listen).

[Road_Terrorist]

ehyouwhat said:

but the 250bhp model can manage the 40-70mph sprint faster than a 996 turbo!

I'll bet the 996 turbo was in gear probably in fourth or fifth, and the Aero was probably an auto, so it will kickdown to second, so it's hardly a proper comparison.

[K321]

volvo s60 t-5 would beat the saab aero and has a better sound system

[touching cloth]

Subaru Legacy (with a turbo)... is fairly imageless which in itself is quite classy... if that makes sense

[thekirbyfake]

Road_Terrorist said:

ehyouwhat said:

but the 250bhp model can manage the 40-70mph sprint faster than a 996 turbo!

I'll bet the 996 turbo was in gear probably in fourth or fifth, and the Aero was probably an auto, so it will kickdown to second, so it's hardly a proper comparison.

that oft bandied stat is for 4th gear in both cars. Why the 911 would be racing in 4th at 40mph is beyond me