5 seats, a bit of grunt, fairly insurance friendly - £7k?

[jimxms]

Not sure if its a lot to ask, but I'm trying to narrow down some options for a car that has the following...

- 3 semi-proper rear seats (middle one not designed for flat eric)
- isn't a "10 second car" in terms of 0-60
- not on the insurance hot-list (so probably not a beemer or audi?)
- Isn't a souped up transit van / MPV
- £7k max

Don't mind if its a 4x4 or if its Auto/Stick.

All I've found so far is Jeep Grand Cherokee's (unreliable?), Lexus RX300 (9sec - but not too bad), Some form of Volvo (but I couldn't live with telling people I had a Volvo).

Any suggestions?

Cheers

[Funk]

Focus ST-2.

[Pat H]

What about a Mondeo estate?

Don't they do a V6 petrol which would tick most of the boxes?

[Baryonyx]

jimxms said:

Some form of Volvo (but I couldn't live with telling people I had a Volvo).

Who not try growing a pair? I've never met anyone who hasn't liked my S60. How can they complain when it cost me £2700 for a near minter with one owner and FSH? Not only that, but you'll benefit from being off the 'insurance hot list' too. If you really must have a lot of power, look for a Volvo T5? Massive Q car points, cheaper to insure than the competition and capable of tremendous speeds in superb comfort.

I'm selling my S60 next year but I will certainly look back on it as a fantastic car that I have enjoyed immensely.

[jimxms]

Baryonyx said:

Who not try growing a pair? I've never met anyone who hasn't liked my S60. How can they complain when it cost me £2700 for a near minter with one owner and FSH? Not only that, but you'll benefit from being off the 'insurance hot list' too. If you really must have a lot of power, look for a Volvo T5? Massive Q car points, cheaper to insure than the competition and capable of tremendous speeds in superb comfort.

I'm selling my S60 next year but I will certainly look back on it as a fantastic car that I have enjoyed immensely.

Didn't mean to offend. I really should have said I'm not keen on their appearance rather than using the brand snobbery option.

[GAjon]

Mazda 6 or 3 MPS

[Baryonyx]

jimxms said:

Didn't mean to offend. I really should have said I'm not keen on their appearance rather than using the brand snobbery option.

Thats fair enough, I don't really like the look of the newer ones either. I love the first generation S60, but then aggressive looking cars have always had an odd appeal for me. That low slung roof, the creased bonnet, the wide, flat headlights, the raked windscreen, what a car. The fact it's extremely comfortable and purrs along on a creamy 5 cylinder note is almost a surprise.

But if they're not for you, fair enough. You may find it worthwhile looking at some Honda Accords, they are decent cars.

[LocoBlade]

BMW E60 5 Series of some sort, perhaps even a 545 is fuel consumption isnt high on the list of priorities?! I cant imagine it would be too bad to insure, not any higher than an equivalent Volvo or Lexus I wouldnt think.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3203598.htm ?

[valiant1]

Mondeo ST220 estate or hatch.

You'll get an excellent one for that money.

[jimxms]

LocoBlade said:

BMW E60 5 Series of some sort, perhaps even a 545 is fuel consumption isnt high on the list of priorities?! I cant imagine it would be too bad to insure, not any higher than an equivalent Volvo or Lexus I wouldnt think.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3203598.htm ?

Nice car, but I think my insurance company would PMSL @ me trying to insure a 4 litre BM

[jimxms]

valiant1 said:

Mondeo ST220 estate or hatch.

You'll get an excellent one for that money.

Was looking at the ST220 as it goes, but the middle seat is only for super-skinny runts.

[Pat H]

Alfa 166 V6.

[/close thread]

[LocoBlade]

jimxms said:

Nice car, but I think my insurance company would PMSL @ me trying to insure a 4 litre BM

You might be surprised, its not a performance car as such and often you'll find big luxury barges like that are less to insure than say a hot hatch with barely half the power, simply because of how they stereotypically get driven and their respective desirability to theiving scum.

[bga]

jimxms said:

Nice car, but I think my insurance company would PMSL @ me trying to insure a 4 litre BM

Try it, you might be surprised. My Octavia 1.9 diesel costs more to insure than my 540 did (by some margin & on identical usage and mileage terms)

[jimxms]

bga said:

Try it, you might be surprised. My Octavia 1.9 diesel costs more to insure than my 540 did (by some margin & on identical usage and mileage terms)

OK I'll add it to the short list and see how it comes out.

What are people's thoughts on the Jag X-Type 3Litre 4x4 Estate? Seems to shift pretty well, nice interior, I like the looks, reasonably spacious?

[davel*]

jimxms said:

LocoBlade said:

BMW E60 5 Series of some sort, perhaps even a 545 is fuel consumption isnt high on the list of priorities?! I cant imagine it would be too bad to insure, not any higher than an equivalent Volvo or Lexus I wouldnt think.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3203598.htm ?

Nice car, but I think my insurance company would PMSL @ me trying to insure a 4 litre BM

If you think they'll like a 4 litre one why not go the whole hog and get a E39 M5. 5 litres of goodness

[jimxms]

davel* said:

If you think they'll like a 4 litre one why not go the whole hog and get a E39 M5. 5 litres of goodness

Hi, I'm 30 years old, have only been driving for 2 years, had a non-fault accident and I'd like to ferry 3 kids around in my 5 litre M5.


-click-

[LocoBlade]

How did you insure your 400bhp tuned Lexus if much more mundane stuff like this makes you think you'll be fleeced for insurance?

[jimxms]

LocoBlade said:

How did you insure your 400bhp tuned Lexus if much more mundane stuff like this makes you think you'll be fleeced for insurance?

I'm named driver on that - the wife has much better history than me

[Baryonyx]

valiant1 said:

Mondeo ST220 estate or hatch.

You'll get an excellent one for that money.

Good choice, but they are thirsty for the power they deliver. I still like them though, and the lovely leather Recaros are a big bonus and a hint towards Ford's more sporty past.