Fast barge, 6k budget...

[theundecided]

Hi

I've around the 6k mark to spend on barge. I'm after something pretty quick with a decent spec.

I only do around 12k miles a year.

I want something reliable that won't land me with enormous bills.

I'm considering a Saab HOT aero 250 from 2006 or Volvo S80 D5 from 2005. What do you reckon?

Also, how much do you reckon a decent aftermarket warranty that's worth having would cost?

Thanks

[WhoreSaab]

saab all the way, you'll get a lovely car for 6k

[Zad]

weSaab said:

saab all the way, you'll get a lovely car for 6k

Totally unbiased opinion there then?

[Boneman]

Saab or I'd have thought a Volvo S60....(I've had a couple) would be good bets. Maybe a Honda Accord 2.4 exec?

[WhoreSaab]

Zad said:

weSaab said:

saab all the way, you'll get a lovely car for 6k

Totally unbiased opinion there then?

totally

[theundecided]

Cheers.

Leaning towards the Saab. I could afford something with around 80k miles so not too bad.

They look extremely comfortable. Would I be wrong in thinking I'd get high 30s on the motorway so long as I keep at 80 mph?

What's the reliability like?

[davidjpowell]

High 30's at 80 no. Mid 30's.

Get higher at 70...

I have a 2.3 LPT 2001, 130k. no big bills as yet.

Aero safer bet than LPT as Turbo stronger and no sump issues.

At 12K I would be tempted to disregard Diesel anything. Premium not worth it.

Edited by davidjpowell on Monday 16th August 22:18

[theundecided]

davidjpowell said:

High 30's at 80 no. Mid 30's.

Get higher at 70...

I have a 2.3 LPT 2001, 130k. no big bills as yet.

Aero safer bet than LPT as Turbo stronger and no sump issues.

Thanks. So what's the difference between the LPT and the aero? I've never heard of the LPT.

[kprm77]

theundecided said:

davidjpowell said:

High 30's at 80 no. Mid 30's.

Get higher at 70...

I have a 2.3 LPT 2001, 130k. no big bills as yet.

Aero safer bet than LPT as Turbo stronger and no sump issues.

Thanks. So what's the difference between the LPT and the aero? I've never heard of the LPT.

LPT is the Low Pressure Turbo as opposed to the Full Pressure Turbo, or HOT (High Output Turbo) as the Aero's are.

2.3 LPT is 185BHP
2.3 Aero HOT (2001 - 2005) - 250BHP
2.3 Aero HOT (2006 onwards) - 260BHP

If you're considering an Auto, beware that the Dame Edna 9-5 Aero is over £400 for the VED. I've got a 04 reg auto Aero which is £245 per year VED.

[theundecided]

kprm77 said:

theundecided said:

davidjpowell said:

High 30's at 80 no. Mid 30's.

Get higher at 70...

I have a 2.3 LPT 2001, 130k. no big bills as yet.

Aero safer bet than LPT as Turbo stronger and no sump issues.

Thanks. So what's the difference between the LPT and the aero? I've never heard of the LPT.

LPT is the Low Pressure Turbo as opposed to the Full Pressure Turbo, or HOT (High Output Turbo) as the Aero's are.

2.3 LPT is 185BHP
2.3 Aero HOT (2001 - 2005) - 250BHP
2.3 Aero HOT (2006 onwards) - 260BHP

If you're considering an Auto, beware that the Dame Edna 9-5 Aero is over £400 for the VED. I've got a 04 reg auto Aero which is £245 per year VED.

Cheers.

I'd probably be looking at a late 05 plate. So is the pace as blistering as I've heard it is?

[kristy_666]

I ran a 95 2.3LPT auto for a couple of months a 99' model, very very comfortable, excellent cruiser, averaged 28mpg in mostly stop start town driving.
Don't know how the newer ones stack up reliability wise but the turbo seals perished on mine, still drivable just a bit smokey , also the cam chain sounded like a monkey with a bag of spanners.
It was only a temporary car as I needed transport at the time and didn't pay much, also managed to part ex it for £100 less than I paid.
Quick enough for a big car but if I was looking for one long term think I'd have to go for an Aero, that or an S60 D5 with a remap.

[DavidY]

I ran a 9-5 2.3LPT from 7k to 221k miles, only got rid of it as part of the climate control broke, which would have cost more than the car was worth to fix. Very reliable, but given the choice I would go for an Aero, more toys, better reliability, just as good MPG, just watch out for the VED on autos.

davidy

[Hedders]

davidjpowell said:

High 30's at 80 no. Mid 30's.

Get higher at 70...

I have a 2.3 LPT 2001, 130k. no big bills as yet.

I have a 3.0 LPT 2000, 130k. No big bills yet apart from when i have actually damaged it.

The other day i did an MPG test when stuck at 55mph for ten miles, she returned 42mpg!

[richolmes]

I own a 2006 '55' Saab 9-5 Aero Auto. Not all the facelift 'Dame Edna' cars carry the £400 tax, only automatics registered after 16th March, glad mine doesn't. In my opinion you have to buy the facelift, neither interior is going to excite or impress but the facelift is leagues ahead in layout, quality and appearance. The exterior looks are more subjective but I far prefer the facelift.

The overall pace is impressive but it's the mid-range pull that really impresses, it's ability to gather speed on the motorway with no fuss whatsoever is superb. The overtaking power is great and even though it's slower to 60, i'd say that at 40-70 it's faster than the 740i it replaced.

Mine has done epic mileage and has been reliable, though the interior hasn't worn as well as a german car.

One more thing to look out for is spec, you'd think that all aeros were fully loaded, but when the facelift happened, they lost a lot of that as standard and there are aeros out there that aren't 'fully loaded'.

[CDP]

What about a Jag XJR? Pretty much the definitive fast barge.

There are several in the classifieds for this price.

[theironduke]

E38 750!? can't get more bargetastic than that, and it's a V12.

[theundecided]

Cheers for the suggestions and advice people.

I love the xjr, but it's just a bit too big. As for the 540, I want something a bit newer.

[Fleckers]

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1973144.htm

job done

[coley20]

Can't believe nobody has suggested a BMW 530i Sport, pretty much can't be beaten for your requirements and budget

Edited by coley20 on Tuesday 17th August 19:55