Something to share the load. Leftfield suggestions welcome!

[PaulZR]

This request is prompted by both Sunday afternoon boredom and an unrelated thread on the Porsche forum where I'm complaining at length about the likely cost of reinsuring my 997 C2S in September.

As I have an 80 mile round trip commute most days, plan A was to supplement the Porsche with an E39 528i or 530i to share the mileage and give me something a bit less showy to drive to meetings.

However, both those two are roughly group 15 which would mean another 4 figure insurance bill on top of the ludicrous amounts being asked to insure the Porsche.

So, suggestions please for something that fits the following (almost impossible to reconcile) criteria:
- cost up to £4k
- won't cost the earth to insure
- economy the right side of 25mpg
- comfortable and powerful enough for motorway driving
- non-dull
- age not relevant and happy to pay for reasonable running costs (i,e, doesn't have to be Japanese)
- extra points awarded for cars with a nice interior

No suggestion too wacky; whady'a reckon?

[NiceCupOfTea]

Alfa 166?

[5lab]

s60 or s80 would both do the trick.

s type r

have you got a quote for a bimmer? unless you're 18 I doubt it'd be 4 figures..

Edited by 5lab on Sunday 18th July 14:38

[PaulZR]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Alfa 166?

Well played, that's a brilliant start. Never had a Alfa and the interiors on those look very plush. Will investigate the insurance.

5lab said:

s60 or s80 would both do the trick.

s type r

have you got a quote for a bimmer? unless you're 18 I doubt it'd be 4 figures..

Edited by 5lab on Sunday 18th July 14:38

Never had a Volvo either. Didn't they do an LPG s60?

Oh yes, got a quote on a £2k, 1997 528i the other day from A-Plan while also getting quotes for the Porsche. This is on the basis that a couple of years ago they managed to 'mirror' my NCB across both policies when I had a 964 and a 528i (c2007).

Porsche was not less than £2k (32 y/o, 8 years NCB, no points, no crashes). BMW? With 3 years NCB accrued on a separate policy over and based on business use? £1500. Seemed a bit steep, given that 2 years ago I was paying £500 on the same basis, albeit WITHOUT the additional NCB I've accrued on a second car since then

[MoonMonkey]

I was in a similar position recently and happened across a 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero (250 bhp) for £3k with 112k miles and fsh. 5k miles later I'm very impressed. A great motorway cruiser, with good levels of kit and supremely comfortable....

[Dan_1981]

Saab 95 aero hot?

Mg ztt?

Having similar thoughts myself at the moment!

[Daston]

Nice interior, performance and good on the motorway???

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1810606.htm

[PaulZR]

MoonMonkey said:

I was in a similar position recently and happened across a 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero (250 bhp) for £3k with 112k miles and fsh. 5k miles later I'm very impressed. A great motorway cruiser, with good levels of kit and supremely comfortable....

Never thought of one of those either. What are the insurance and fuel consumption like?

Daston said:

Nice interior, performance and good on the motorway???

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1810606.htm

If only I had a garage...

MG ZTT also a good shout.

[Variel]

PaulZR said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

Alfa 166?

Well played, that's a brilliant start. Never had a Alfa and the interiors on those look very plush. Will investigate the insurance.

5lab said:

s60 or s80 would both do the trick.

s type r

have you got a quote for a bimmer? unless you're 18 I doubt it'd be 4 figures..

Edited by 5lab on Sunday 18th July 14:38

Never had a Volvo either. Didn't they do an LPG s60?

Oh yes, got a quote on a £2k, 1997 528i the other day from A-Plan while also getting quotes for the Porsche. This is on the basis that a couple of years ago they managed to 'mirror' my NCB across both policies when I had a 964 and a 528i (c2007).

Porsche was not less than £2k (32 y/o, 8 years NCB, no points, no crashes). BMW? With 3 years NCB accrued on a separate policy over and based on business use? £1500. Seemed a bit steep, given that 2 years ago I was paying £500 on the same basis, albeit WITHOUT the additional NCB I've accrued on a second car since then

I'm 23 with 2 years NCB and get quotes cheaper than you on a 1997 528i.

Hell I've been quoted £860 for my Imported Twin Turbo Supra.

I think you're being taken for a ride with the insurance to be honest, shopped around much?

Anyways, actual suggestions:


Lexus IS:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1788751.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1678453.htm


Honda Legend:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1820726.htm


Mitsubishi 3000GT:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1818747.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1856810.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1792697.htm


Ford Mondeo ST220:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1851456.htm


Vauxhall Signum:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1854360.htm

[MoonMonkey]

PaulZR said:

MoonMonkey said:

I was in a similar position recently and happened across a 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero (250 bhp) for £3k with 112k miles and fsh. 5k miles later I'm very impressed. A great motorway cruiser, with good levels of kit and supremely comfortable....

Never thought of one of those either. What are the insurance and fuel consumption like?

Not exactly sure of the ins premium as I changed mid policy but approx £350 pa for me (38 yo, business use, 20k miles pa, decent postcode area). MPG according to the fuel computer at a steady 80 mph with cruise on is around the 32 mpg mark. The fuel tank is massive though. Easy 450 - 500 mile range.

I've never really been into Saabs and only got this because it was cheap and local but so far I've been really impressed. Definately worthy of further consideration

[PaulZR]

Variel said:

I'm 23 with 2 years NCB and get quotes cheaper than you on a 1997 528i.

Hell I've been quoted £860 for my Imported Twin Turbo Supra.

I think you're being taken for a ride with the insurance to be honest, shopped around much?

Shopping around underway in earnest but I'm inclined to agree. Postcode doesn't help (Leeds) nor does the high annual mileage and business use.

3000 GT probably out. Lexus a very good idea, thanks. But I love that Legend - nearly bought one of the previous versions before I got my first 528. I bet it'd run forever too, albeit Group 17 insurance might be an issue for reasons discussed above. Will add those to the shortlist.

[PaulZR]

MoonMonkey said:

PaulZR said:

MoonMonkey said:

I was in a similar position recently and happened across a 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero (250 bhp) for £3k with 112k miles and fsh. 5k miles later I'm very impressed. A great motorway cruiser, with good levels of kit and supremely comfortable....

Never thought of one of those either. What are the insurance and fuel consumption like?

Not exactly sure of the ins premium as I changed mid policy but approx £350 pa for me (38 yo, business use, 20k miles pa, decent postcode area). MPG according to the fuel computer at a steady 80 mph with cruise on is around the 32 mpg mark. The fuel tank is massive though. Easy 450 - 500 mile range.

I've never really been into Saabs and only got this because it was cheap and local but so far I've been really impressed. Definately worthy of further consideration

It's mostly be motorway miles so large tank would be a plus. A mate used to have a 9-3 'vert and the seats were amazingly comfortable iirc. Like you I'd never considered a Saab but this seems to fit the bill quite nicely.

Edited by PaulZR on Sunday 18th July 15:32

[DavidCane]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Alfa 166?

In the same boat as the OP, I bought a 166 last year for £900 Had the cam belt and variator (plus idler belt etc) all change to be on the safe side, also had to replace the rusting exhaust. Other than those, it's cost me £30 to repair a broken electric window and £100 to replace a crank position sensor. Good value cars if you're willing to do a few things yourself to keep costs low.

[Variel]

PaulZR said:

Variel said:

I'm 23 with 2 years NCB and get quotes cheaper than you on a 1997 528i.

Hell I've been quoted £860 for my Imported Twin Turbo Supra.

I think you're being taken for a ride with the insurance to be honest, shopped around much?

Shopping around underway in earnest but I'm inclined to agree. Postcode doesn't help (Leeds) nor does the high annual mileage and business use.

3000 GT probably out. Lexus a very good idea, thanks. But I love that Legend - nearly bought one of the previous versions before I got my first 528. I bet it'd run forever too, albeit Group 17 insurance might be an issue for reasons discussed above. Will add those to the shortlist.

3000 GT was added as an afterthought really, since it's a very capable motorway cruiser.

My quotes are for a Sheffield Postcode kept on the road at night and with annual mileage of 7k, so you're right, those will be large factors.

The IS200 looks like a very capable car, and with a nice interior to boot, I'm considering getting an AWD IS for winter useage.

The Legend is it's namesake for sure, but maybe a bit large and uneconomical for what you're after.

I like the earlier suggestions of the MG ZTT, and the Saabs.

What about a Toyota Aristo?

[Nero601]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Alfa 166?

Good call sir

[5lab]

ohh ooh - avantime

[Oilchange]

If you like comfort,
barges
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1757939.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1517959.htm
Practicality/live on a farm
4x4
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1830289.htm

however for the left of field suggestion, I can't top that TVR...