Spec me the most gadgets

[tomfreay]

Hi,
Looking for my next car so I though I would ask the advice of PistonHeads!

Budget is £7k (£8 maximum) for a car that will be doing mainly motorway miles, but only about 9k a year.

What I really want is to have the most toys with the best looking interior possible for the money. First thought was a Lexus LS430 with LPG, but I just think I'm going to be left with a massive repair bill I can't afford, so now I'm thinking Honda Civic, the new shape. Seem like nice cars but compared to the lexus, just not as exciting!

So, what would you recommend?
Thanks

[flakeypaul]

Why would a Lexus LS leave you with a massive repair bill? Massive fuel bills perhaps but they're pretty reliable! Have a look at them on Autotrader - put 'over 100k miles' into your search options - you'll be surprised!

[aww999]

My old LS400 was eighteen years old, with about 12 uncaring owners before me, and 260,000 miles on it. Paintwork was a bit tatty, but all the electric toys still worked, it sailed through a couple of MOTs, and then I sold it on for roughly what I paid for it. Not the most stylish vehicles, but one of the most reliable luxury cars ever made I think!

If my saggy old wreck had lasted so well, a late model, low-mileage one with FSH should give you no problems at all.

[Gummy Sagoo]

Buy a Transit and drive it to Poundland.

[miniman]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1866456.htm

[Dr G]

Take your pic of 7 series, A8 or S-class if you want toys! All come with potentially terrifying bills but they're oh so cheap to buy.

Neither the Lexus or Civic you mention have what I'd call 'good' interiors. The Lexus is mind numbingly bland with cheap/dated looking switchgear and the Civic looks like something out of Buck Rogers.

Edited by Dr G on Wednesday 4th August 09:15

[205jsy]

http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/1514270.htm

[miniman]

205jsy said:

http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/1514270.htm

Just wondering whether "light armour" and "kevlar bulletproofing" can make a 750iL drink any more than usual

[anonymous-user]

tomfreay said:

Hi,
Looking for my next car so I though I would ask the advice of PistonHeads!

Budget is £7k (£8 maximum) for a car that will be doing mainly motorway miles, but only about 9k a year.

What I really want is to have the most toys with the best looking interior possible for the money. First thought was a Lexus LS430 with LPG, but I just think I'm going to be left with a massive repair bill I can't afford, so now I'm thinking Honda Civic, the new shape. Seem like nice cars but compared to the lexus, just not as exciting!

So, what would you recommend?
Thanks

Leggy S Class?

[ad551]

Volvo S80: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[tomfreay]

Lots of great suggestions, however I'm worried about the potential repair costs on a Lexus ls430, isn't a 7, s class etc going to be far worse?

[Dracoro]

tomfreay said:

Lots of great suggestions, however I'm worried about the potential repair costs on a Lexus ls430, isn't a 7, s class etc going to be far worse?

Potential repair costs will be high whatever barge you get (I suspect the Germans will cost more to fix though) so why not go for something that is less likely to break in the first place, i.e. the Lexus.

If costs really are a big issue, I suspect you are looking at the wrong type of cars. Even if reliable, the have more associated costs than "normal" cars. more plugs, more costly tyres, more oil (big engines) and so on.

As with ANY car, the best thing to do is research the cars in question to find out what common problems are and find a good example.

I think the Lexus is the best chance of getting something reliable, the germans will probably be older and higher mileage for the same money.

[rottie102]

205jsy said:

http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/1514270.htm

I NEED that car...

[Silverbullet767]

rottie102 said:

205jsy said:

http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/1514270.htm

I NEED that car...

Bulletproof

Perfect for a run to the shops..

[8400rpm]

tomfreay said:

Lots of great suggestions, however I'm worried about the potential repair costs on a Lexus ls430, isn't a 7, s class etc going to be far worse?

Yes, you won't get much better than a Lexus for reliability and what have you.

Friend has had an IS200 for about 5 years, and the only thing that's broken is the CD player. All he's needed to do besides that is service it.

[tomfreay]

Dracoro said:

tomfreay said:

Lots of great suggestions, however I'm worried about the potential repair costs on a Lexus ls430, isn't a 7, s class etc going to be far worse?

Potential repair costs will be high whatever barge you get (I suspect the Germans will cost more to fix though) so why not go for something that is less likely to break in the first place, i.e. the Lexus.

If costs really are a big issue, I suspect you are looking at the wrong type of cars. Even if reliable, the have more associated costs than "normal" cars. more plugs, more costly tyres, more oil (big engines) and so on.

As with ANY car, the best thing to do is research the cars in question to find out what common problems are and find a good example.

I think the Lexus is the best chance of getting something reliable, the germans will probably be older and higher mileage for the same money.

I completely agree, any big barge is going to cost lots more, I was really asking "of the cars which don't have these big running costs, so civic-accord type cars, which is going to give me the most toys/best interior?"

Though a bullet proof car is tempting lol!

[edo]

2002 BMW 7 SERIES 745i 4dr Auto Saloon
Trade Seller: CB Central Ltd

2002 (51 reg)
66,000 miles, Satellite navigation, Television, 4 Door Saloon, Petrol, Automatic,Metallic grey, Full grey leather,19 "alloys,Park assist front and rear, Electric Glass sunroof, Telephone, Alarm, Headlight washers, PAS, Drivers airbag, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, Radio/CD.and more besides, Fantastic specification vehicle.Bar 1 service stamp. Full BMW service history. Serviced JULY 2010, MOT till May 2011. Absolutely beautiful car, superb condition throughout. Any inspection welcome. £6,995.

[edo]

2002 BMW 7 SERIES 735i 4dr Auto Saloon
Private Seller

2002 (52 reg)
39,100 miles, 4 Doors, Automatic, Saloon, Petrol, Metallic Grey, 2 Owner. Full BMW service history, Widescreen SAT NAV, Full grey leather memory seats, Air conditioned, Heated front and rear seats, Multi function steering wheel, Sun protection glass, Xenon headlights, Isofix child seat anchor points, Voice activation, Front and rear parking sensors, BMW intergrated phone kit, Glass sunroof, ABS, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Front armrest, Immobiliser, Navigation system, Passenger airbag, Rear armrest, Side airbags, Radio/CD Multichanger, Telephone, Traction control, Alarm, Drivers airbag, Electric door mirrors and fridge fitted by BMW at the back seat. contact. £8,500.

[rottie102]

Now that's value for money

[Arese]

I can't believe how cheap those 7's are. Stick a tasteful, dateless plate on it and it'll look like a £50k car.