yet ANOTHER what car question....

[Z28fan]

just curious here financial constraints mean I've got to look at getting a 'sensible' car for no more than 3.5k... don't see why sensible should mean totally boring though so I'm just curious to see what people would plump for - criteria, no convertables, good cruising ability (comfy/quietish) and 40mpg+, reliable.

So far looking at things as different as

406 coupe diesel
MGZT diesel
Puma 1.7
SAAB TD
Golf GTD

any other thoughts and reasons why/why not?

[Gargamel]

Golf is a decent choice, regularly saw 60 mpg on mine and that was the 130bhp version, however it will need the injectors sorting at around 80,000m, and new dampers at that kind of mileage too.

MG is a good car too, but less clear on what the bills might be and how easy parts are to find.

For that money a 2.0l petrol focus is worth a look, and I would have a look at what kind of vectra you can get, they are cheap to buy and run, loads of parts and were underrated in my opinion, especially the v6.

More interesting might be looking for a high mileage Jag XK, Audi A8, or a 7 series BMW. All solid cars and good examples are out there, but obviously running costs will be higher.

[Ricky_M]

Scrub the Puma from that list. Its a fun car, but its no cruiser. Lots of road noise, not very comfy and it revs at over 4K at 70, so you'd be lucky to get 40MPG.

[sc4589]

In my opinion, the 406 Coupé would be the most comfortable out of that lot. They are incredibly comfortable, they waft nicely, and that diesel lump is perfectly suited to the nature of the car.

They are also extremely economical, powerful enough to get out of trouble, and lots of lazy torque available.

Plus, they are achingly beautiful... truly timeless shape that I would like to see become a classic in a few years!

[Z28fan]

sc4589 said:

In my opinion, the 406 Coupé would be the most comfortable out of that lot. They are incredibly comfortable, they waft nicely, and that diesel lump is perfectly suited to the nature of the car.

They are also extremely economical, powerful enough to get out of trouble, and lots of lazy torque available.

Plus, they are achingly beautiful... truly timeless shape that I would like to see become a classic in a few years!

I must admit that I keep coming back to the Pug with the MG a surprising 2nd... I realise that at this point I'm looking at 80k upwards on the mileage but with modern cars this seems to be less of a problem

[russy01]

I'd look at a vectra aswell, ideal cruiser. Plus if you can get a 1.9cdti 150, you can chuck a tuning box on it for £200 and get 200bhp and 320lbft, that will make it more interesting than the others.

Also don't see how you think you'll get 40mpg out of the puma on a run, trust me you won't, plus they are hardly comfortable long distance.

[sc4589]

Z28fan said:

sc4589 said:

In my opinion, the 406 Coupé would be the most comfortable out of that lot. They are incredibly comfortable, they waft nicely, and that diesel lump is perfectly suited to the nature of the car.

They are also extremely economical, powerful enough to get out of trouble, and lots of lazy torque available.

Plus, they are achingly beautiful... truly timeless shape that I would like to see become a classic in a few years!

I must admit that I keep coming back to the Pug with the MG a surprising 2nd... I realise that at this point I'm looking at 80k upwards on the mileage but with modern cars this seems to be less of a problem

Those Peugeots go on forever- the interiors wear surprisingly well. I was looking at buying a 406 HDi with 150k on the clock, only problem was a shiny steering wheel.

You can pretty much look after the 406 yourself with little to no complications, a Hayne's manual and a decent toolkit will ensure you can refresh the interior trim that wears out with no problems and those engines are unburstable. They're in such a low state of tuning that they're never stressed- 136bhp from 2.2 litres isn't loads, especially for a turbo diesel- so you have a very low risk of the engine going bang.

The MG is a great car, but not suited to a diesel engine. I think if you get a ZT, it has to be the 190bhp V6 or the 260bhp V8... the diesel just seems wrong in it. Plus the seats are a bit rubbish. Comfortable though.

Maybe test-drive the two back to back?

[essexplumber]

E39 5 series, 525d? 530d? Got to be few about for that kinda cash.

[T84]

Saab 9-5

[Z28fan]

problem for me is I really don't like BMs, I know that that's sacrilige on here lol but there you are... the E39 while having all the right proportions just seems to me to be a little bland (says me who'd also consider a 2002 mondy, I know no taste!!)

[anonymous-user]

Volvo C70 or Alfa 156

[Z28fan]

Like the idea of the Alfa - however I'd be worried about reliability. The Volvo looks good but (in common I suspect with the Alfa) no diesel which would count it out I think

Edited by Z28fan on Monday 16th August 15:21

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Z28fan said:

just curious here financial constraints mean I've got to look at getting a 'sensible' car for no more than 3.5k... don't see why sensible should mean totally boring though so I'm just curious to see what people would plump for - criteria, no convertables, good cruising ability (comfy/quietish) and 40mpg+, reliable.

So far looking at things as different as

406 coupe diesel
MGZT diesel
Puma 1.7
SAAB TD
Golf GTD

any other thoughts and reasons why/why not?

406 coupe diesel - bit boring, french
MGZT diesel - Rover, WTF, if you have a good relationship with the AA/RAC, crack on!
Puma 1.7 - Ford, bit boring
SAAB TD - vauxhall, very boring and rubbish
Golf GTD - good, "like a golf, but not a golf" springs to mind!

My Advice All within 3.5k, all very sensible:

Audi A4 B5 1.9TD
Audi A4 B6 1.9TD
Passat - as above
Volvo S40/V50 - higher mileage
Volvo S40/V40 - Older
BMW Diesel
Mercedes Diesel
Ford Focus

[T84]

Rofl, you call most of the cars boring and then suggest a Passat?

Also, your ill informed comments about the ZT make for interesting reading.

[Gun]

Don't know how close they are to the budget yet but a Skoda Fabia vRS would be a good choice.

[sc4589]

Petrolhead_Rich said:

Z28fan said:

just curious here financial constraints mean I've got to look at getting a 'sensible' car for no more than 3.5k... don't see why sensible should mean totally boring though so I'm just curious to see what people would plump for - criteria, no convertables, good cruising ability (comfy/quietish) and 40mpg+, reliable.

So far looking at things as different as

406 coupe diesel
MGZT diesel
Puma 1.7
SAAB TD
Golf GTD

any other thoughts and reasons why/why not?

406 coupe diesel - bit boring, french
MGZT diesel - Rover, WTF, if you have a good relationship with the AA/RAC, crack on!
Puma 1.7 - Ford, bit boring
SAAB TD - vauxhall, very boring and rubbish
Golf GTD - good, "like a golf, but not a golf" springs to mind!

My Advice All within 3.5k, all very sensible:

Audi A4 B5 1.9TD
Audi A4 B6 1.9TD
Passat - as above
Volvo S40/V50 - higher mileage
Volvo S40/V40 - Older
BMW Diesel
Mercedes Diesel
Ford Focus

Now this is a great misinformed post!

Have you even driven the cars the OP has listed? The Ford Puma is a brilliant drive, far from boring- drive one down a windy road and then tell me it's not boring... impossible not to smile. The 406 is also far from boring, has a very good FWD chassis and is extremely fluid. Plus it has a sense of occasion way above the price tag. Styled by Pininfarina... oh, so boring.

MG ZT is a very fine-handling sports saloon. The diesel is much better for reliability; it was mostly the K-Series petrol engine that had problems.

You think those are boring and then suggest a Passat (way, way more boring than a Golf) and a Volvo S40, which is an old Mitsubishi Carisma in a newer suit..? Also, the A4 B5 isn't really worth writing home about, and the B6 isn't a scintillating drive unless it's the 130 with the Sport kit on it.

[anonymous-user]

Z28fan said:

Like the idea of the Alfa - however I'd be worried about reliability. The Volvo looks good but (in common I suspect with the Alfa) no diesel which would count it out I think

Edited by Z28fan on Monday 16th August 15:21

The Alfa 156 has two of the very best diesels available! the 1.9 and 2.4 jtd! fantastic engines!