Which car ~5k motorways mainly

[Buzz word]

My faithful 2.0 ghia Ford Focus has been pretty much faultless for the last 80k. It is now at 110k and the last few months it has been getting through some parts so I think it's time to upgrade. I can't really afford to own a car that will let me down.

I comute 60 miles round trip a day on motorways so I want something that will cruise well and not be too hard. Equally though I don't want a super soft barge that is uninvolved and boring. The focus has a combined cycle of 31 mpg but I get 34-35 on my comute so I really want something in this area. I would like the car to be about 65k miles or under really so I have a few years again.

I also dont want to spend a fortune on insurance. The focus costs ~450ppa so something in that ballpark would be great. Preferably under 700 as I have a kit car that needs paying for. I am trying to sell that but thats something seperate I guess.

I don't really fancy another focus or any of the other normal shopping trolleys. I have been thinking about a celica or a saab 9.3 2.0t. My brother has a Bmw 318ci which is a nice car but I don't really want to copy him. So any ideas or opinions on my choices so far?

[Papa Hotel]

Alfa 156.

[Buzz word]

Interesting, I hadn't really concidered an Alfa. A workmate had a 147 and the servicing on is cost a fortune. I wasnt overly keen on the oil consumtion either. he semed to think it burnt 1l a month and was supposed to do that as it was in the manual.

[Buzz word]

I was just reaserching the Saab a bit more and found out about a bulkhead issue which concerns me. Is it common? Milage related? Is is better to have one without the crack or one that has had the crack and been fixed?

[fathomfive]

Not sure how you would be on insurance, but it might be worth looking at a 9-5 Aero alongside the 9-3 2.0t.


ETA: £5k should buy a decent one.

Edited by fathomfive on Monday 26th July 09:02