New Job = New Car (Recommendations)

[Mag1calTrev0r]

I've managed to secure a really good new job, I'm really chuffed however the company car will be going back.

So, I'd like some help and advice picking a replacement if you'd help?

Criteria:
- will be doing 30k miles a year, half of which will be a motorway commute to work
- probably diesel but wouldnt mind some oomph so large engines or remap-able
- motorway comfort has priority over sportyness but would be happy with sport suspension, etc.
- 50mpg would be nice but if the car is a bargain then lower mpg would be offset by such savings
- budget is £10k but happy to go over a bit
- preference for german cars and the Mrs likes VW.

[russy01]

Well surely your criteria just boils it down to a passat, a4 or e46 330d.

However you'll struggle to get 50mpg in any of them if you have a slightly heavy right foot, 330d best performance wise, get the 204hp version and map it If you fancy, will be good for 230bhp 350-400tq and 40-45mpg driven sensibly.

[Mag1calTrev0r]

An E46 325/330d is pretty much what I'm thinking as well. Considered a Passat 1.9 Highline which is way below budget and will get good mpg but it's a bit dull.

I'll have to have a look at a few E46 330d might find a good estate for practicality.
Cheers

[Brewsters]

russy01 said:

Well surely your criteria just boils it down to a passat, a4 or e46 330d.

However you'll struggle to get 50mpg in any of them if you have a slightly heavy right foot, 330d best performance wise, get the 204hp version and map it If you fancy, will be good for 230bhp 350-400tq and 40-45mpg driven sensibly.

Edited by Brewsters on Saturday 24th April 09:16

[2fster]

Skoda Octavia VRS?

[Mag1calTrev0r]

2fster said:

Skoda Octavia VRS?

also a good suggestion. I like the new one and that would actually suit but I'm not entirely convinced by having another new car.

[jazzybee]

Maybe a bit left-field - but what about a face-lifted old shape MB S320 CDI? For £10k you should easily get a 2002 with about 60-70k miles on the clock. For £15k easily a 2005 with 30k miles.

for example:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-BENZ-S320-L-CDi-3-2...


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-MERCEDES-BENZ-S-CLASS-S...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-55-Mercedes-Benz-S-Clas...

[rich85uk]

another vote for the e46 330d(204bhp version)

i have an e46 330ci facelift but am selling it to get on the property ladder with my friend, if we find out feet quick enough and things go well i would mind one of the last e46 330d manuals. great car and 45mpg

[jamiebae]

A Golf GT TDi 140 ticks all those boxes, including the MPG one. Your budget should get you into a 50-60k mile 3 year old one.

If you can get one for £10k then an Octavia vRS TDi would be great too.

[Mag1calTrev0r]

jamiebae said:

A Golf GT TDi 140 ticks all those boxes, including the MPG one. Your budget should get you into a 50-60k mile 3 year old one.

If you can get one for £10k then an Octavia vRS TDi would be great too.

Funnily enough I have a Golf GT Sport 140bhp and it's great but I'd like a change of scenary

[Herbs]

Phaeton

[Mag1calTrev0r]

Herbs said:

Phaeton

LOL are you lot listening in on conversations at home? Part of me would love a Phaeton, it would be superb. Mrs thinks they're "old man cars" which I tend to agree even if it would be nearly ideal, pity the fuel economy is near-petrol

[cheadle hulme]

Put your £10k in a FTSE tracker fund and lease a new Octy vRS from Lings for £350 per month.

[Mag1calTrev0r]

Went looking for cars on Monday and the budget has gone out of the window. We discussed what the car needs and came up with.
Wife:
Economical and therefore diesel

• Low tax band (!!! FFS it isn't exactly a massive difference between the bands!)
• 5 door

Me:

• Performance (rules out slow eco-diesels)
• Decent car to drive
• Comfortable for motorway cruises

So I came up with ... BMW 123D M Sport 5 door. Ok it's double the budget I originally gave you at £17-18k+ but it ticks all the boxes.

• 55mpg
• 0-60 = 7secs
• Comfortable sports seats (Leather a preferred option)

Ok the rear leg room isn't fantastic but that's not important as we don't often have people in the back. Boot space is about the same as our Golf and isn't an issue.

Now just got to find one (Dealer not Private as we're now financing more of the car on a PCP/Balloon payment.

[HellDiver]

How about an A5?

[ZesPak]

HellDiver said:

How about an A5?

Did I miss the budget on this one? Can you slip this in under 10k (or even 15) now?

[Munter]

Mag1calTrev0r said:

Now just got to find one (Dealer not Private as we're now financing more of the car on a PCP/Balloon payment.

You don't have to use a dealer for the finance if you find a good car private.

Something like:
http://money.marksandspencer.com/loans/car-buying-...

Might be an option. Just depends on the car/finance deal packages you can find.

[HellDiver]

ZesPak said:

HellDiver said:

How about an A5?

Did I miss the budget on this one? Can you slip this in under 10k (or even 15) now?

If you read the whole thread, you'd have noticed he's not restricted by the 10k budget now. Fail.

[300bhp/ton]

Mag1calTrev0r said:

I've managed to secure a really good new job, I'm really chuffed however the company car will be going back.

So, I'd like some help and advice picking a replacement if you'd help?

Criteria:
- will be doing 30k miles a year, half of which will be a motorway commute to work
- probably diesel but wouldnt mind some oomph so large engines or remap-able
- motorway comfort has priority over sportyness but would be happy with sport suspension, etc.
- 50mpg would be nice but if the car is a bargain then lower mpg would be offset by such savings
- budget is £10k but happy to go over a bit
- preference for german cars and the Mrs likes VW.

So a dull diesel cruiser then? Certainly sounds like a VW or VAG machine fits the bill

personally I'd be looking at a ln x358 XJ6 with the 3.0 V6 although mpg might be a bit down on what you want. But it'd be high on comfort.

[hornetrider]

If you are going 123D (not a bad car by all accounts) then I would be tempted by the saloon/coupe whatever it is. I reckon the 5 door is a bit challenging in the looks dept.

/2p