What's the most 'soothing' car you've had..?
Discussion
Mine was quite an old, high mileage 180k Audi A4 Avant.
It was a 2.5tdi V6 Quattro with electric recaros which was a very very rare spec as the seats were silly money as an option.
That engine was so refined for an old diesel, quick enough but you just couldn’t hear it or feel a single vibration from it. I had a newer A4 avant after and it was a terrible car in comparison, build quality was much worse and it broke a lot more despite having have the mileage.
Probably not what you’re looking for but newer doesn’t necessarily mean better!
It was a 2.5tdi V6 Quattro with electric recaros which was a very very rare spec as the seats were silly money as an option.
That engine was so refined for an old diesel, quick enough but you just couldn’t hear it or feel a single vibration from it. I had a newer A4 avant after and it was a terrible car in comparison, build quality was much worse and it broke a lot more despite having have the mileage.
Probably not what you’re looking for but newer doesn’t necessarily mean better!
The spinner of plates said:
Lexus RX300 on the smallest wheels and balloon tyres.
Was like commuting on a well worn in beanbag.
Yup, we bought an RX350, 15 years old, cream leather and wood. Best headlights I’ve ever had, makes night driving easy, comfy seats, quiet and insulated from the outside, and smooth soft suspension. Was like commuting on a well worn in beanbag.
I feel once people get the Lexus bug, it’s hard to ignore. In a chase for sporty rides, and big wheels, Lexus are great at keeping it simple.
archie456 said:
Equus said:
Mercedes S500 - by some margin over the FFRR which would be next on my list.
I agree, I had an S500 for 3 years and it was like driving a sitting room.Sporky said:
Work switched to Passats for the company cars (I opted out years ago). Everyone seems entirely happy with them - there's a sense of great contentment among the company car drivers. When it was Avensises there was a fair bit of grumbling; when it was Mondeos there was constant wailing and gnashing of teeth (I exaggerate slightly, but only slightly). Our sales & marketing director somehow persuaded the MD to let him have an A4 when renewal time came around and hasn't stopped moaning about it since - he keeps trying to swap with a project manager who has a Passat.
I've only been a passenger in them, but on a certain level the Passats are absolute perfection. They're nice to be in, the ride is good (lovely plump sidewalls probably help), they go perfectly well, they're understated so you can park anywhere and just not worry, but they're quite smart looking nevertheless.
Thats a great story, and being a reformed member of the Passat Cult i will be repeating it for years to comeI've only been a passenger in them, but on a certain level the Passats are absolute perfection. They're nice to be in, the ride is good (lovely plump sidewalls probably help), they go perfectly well, they're understated so you can park anywhere and just not worry, but they're quite smart looking nevertheless.
A 14 year old (at the time) W202 C-Class diesel estate. Bought for 700 pounds on 220k, very rusty and a few niggles (like the driver's door mirror trying to fall off) but with that indestructible 5-pot diesel and smooth 5-speed auto, it ran for weeks at a time on a tank of diesel and never felt like it would ever let me down. Very comfortable, solid-feeling and quiet at a cruise and one of the most enjoyable cars that I have owned, even though it was comfortably the cheapest. I only owned it for a short time, as it was a "stopgap" car after selling my WRX prior to a move abroad. For this reason, I would love another Mercedes estate one day. For your budget, I would probably go with a 6 cylinder diesel E-Class Estate (or saloon) but if it has to be a petrol maybe a G20 5-Series (540i), as BMW probably have the edge on petrols. E300e/530e PHEV are both intriguing options though if you do a fair bit or urban mileage. Alternatively, although I have never driven one but hear great things, Volvo S60/V60/S90/V90?
ETA, I think you'd be hard to beat this for the money. E-Class luxury and space for Mondeo money. Pound for pound, probably the best car that VAG makes.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010295...
ETA, I think you'd be hard to beat this for the money. E-Class luxury and space for Mondeo money. Pound for pound, probably the best car that VAG makes.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010295...
Edited by white_goodman on Saturday 1st May 04:36
All as Daily Drivers :
In the 1990s, a Ford 24V Scorpio (before Ford spoilt it with that awful 'face' lift.)
In the 2010s, a Jaguar XF3.0D complete with 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.
And now, as a wish for the 2020s, please (and before I am too old to enjoy it) a 'full-fat' recent modern Range Rover, loaded with extras, none of them for driving in awful conditions.
In the 1990s, a Ford 24V Scorpio (before Ford spoilt it with that awful 'face' lift.)
In the 2010s, a Jaguar XF3.0D complete with 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.
And now, as a wish for the 2020s, please (and before I am too old to enjoy it) a 'full-fat' recent modern Range Rover, loaded with extras, none of them for driving in awful conditions.
Every day a journey said:
Believe it or not, a Rover 75 Connoisseur SE diesel automatic.
Not over or underpowered. Waft along suspension. Extremely comfortable. sipped fuel.
effortless to drive. No fun whatsoever but just so easy.
Brighton to Edinburgh and back in a day. felt fine.
This, slow but not dangerously slow.Not over or underpowered. Waft along suspension. Extremely comfortable. sipped fuel.
effortless to drive. No fun whatsoever but just so easy.
Brighton to Edinburgh and back in a day. felt fine.
Or the old full fat range rover. Wonderful thing. I'd never have another.
Olivera said:
XJS V12. Incredibly refined and quiet engine, and a lovely place to sit and waft long distances.
THe XJS is great for refinement and ride quality but the cramped cabin spoils it for me; your left leg is pushed up against the transmission tunnely slowly being cooked from the heat from the engine and gearbox, your head is brushing the roof, your arm is up against the door etc. FFRR - SDV8.
Uber relaxing. Comfortable, extremely quiet and refined with a smooth relaxing gait. It’s not just that though - it’s the driving position with fabulous comfy chairs and armrests, superb air conditioning, lots of glass and light, great audio and lovely materials in a distinctive, almost architectural interior.
You step out of a long journey fresher than when you stepped in.
Uber relaxing. Comfortable, extremely quiet and refined with a smooth relaxing gait. It’s not just that though - it’s the driving position with fabulous comfy chairs and armrests, superb air conditioning, lots of glass and light, great audio and lovely materials in a distinctive, almost architectural interior.
You step out of a long journey fresher than when you stepped in.
In common with a lot of people here, the L322 RR I had a few years ago was easily the most relaxing.
Now I’ve just got a Disco 5 and it’s a very similar experience. Big, quiet, comfortable. I’m impressed with the sound system, when it sees fit to get reception! The Disco is lots more powerful so that makes joining motorways easier.
It makes me slow down and chill out.
Now I’ve just got a Disco 5 and it’s a very similar experience. Big, quiet, comfortable. I’m impressed with the sound system, when it sees fit to get reception! The Disco is lots more powerful so that makes joining motorways easier.
It makes me slow down and chill out.
Ideally you want a >3l petrol saloon car with an auto box and large profile tyres.
Saloon because the rear wheel road noise is mostly contained in the boot area. Taller vehicles tend to have firmer suspension and roll bars in an attempt to control the cars tendency to lean. This also plays havoc of you have tall tyres as they're essentially air suspension.
My current car is pretty good (volvo S80) apart from the fact its an oil burner. My old lexus GS was eerie as when stopped the engine was literally silent.
If it was me I'd be looking at a Lexus GS.
Saloon because the rear wheel road noise is mostly contained in the boot area. Taller vehicles tend to have firmer suspension and roll bars in an attempt to control the cars tendency to lean. This also plays havoc of you have tall tyres as they're essentially air suspension.
My current car is pretty good (volvo S80) apart from the fact its an oil burner. My old lexus GS was eerie as when stopped the engine was literally silent.
If it was me I'd be looking at a Lexus GS.
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