Cheap barging
Author
Discussion

6potdave

Original Poster:

2,647 posts

234 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
I feel I need to scratch the 'barge' itch. This has nothing to do with me turning 30 contrary to popular belief, but I've never owned something big and comfy before. It has to have a big engine, at least a 6 cylinder, (preferably an 8) and must cost no more than £2000.

This may never materialise it's just a thought at the moment but I've had a look at a few options and would like some opinion / other suggestions:

BMW E39 535i / 540i
Honda Accord Coupe V6
Lexus GS300
Jaguar X type

Hugo a Gogo

23,421 posts

254 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
you seem to have forgotten the no.1 barge company of all time

stumpage

2,183 posts

247 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
What about a V6 Omega? Cheap to buy, reasonable to run.

I bought a 2.6 auto with the same idea in mind as you. I've had it just over a year now and quite like it.

Trustmeimadoctor

14,255 posts

176 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
Hugo a Gogo said:
you seem to have forgotten the no.1 barge company of all time
ls400

RoseyG21

1,596 posts

210 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
Jag XJ!!!!!!!!

Also see Alfa 166 or BMW 7 series

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

267 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
6potdave said:
BMW E39 535i / 540i
Honda Accord Coupe V6
Lexus GS300
Jaguar X type
Just remember any of those "cheap" barges can land you a £1,000 bill as soons as look at you!

obscene

5,179 posts

206 months

Monday 14th November 2011
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E38 740. Job done.

alfa pint

3,856 posts

232 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
Plenty of V8 and straight 6 BMW 5 and 7 series around at that sort of price, along with a few Alfa 166s with a V6 in it.

If you were after something pretty bombproof and really nice to drive / be in and you're not mega tall or obese, I'd be looking at an XJ Jag. Can you stretch to a nice V6 S Type Jag? Also very very reliable.

Dunelm Alumnus

60 posts

172 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
I have a Honda Accord 3.0 V6 coupe with 217k miles on the clock which is still going strong.

Don't often see them mentioned on these barge threads but they can be had for well under £1k with half the miles mine has.

Whilst they won't set the world on fire they have a decent turn of speed and perhaps more importantly everything on mine still works, except 2 lights on the dash illumination - aircon still ice cold heated seats still fine etc. etc.

They are also one of the only 'coupes' with 3 intertia belts in the rear.

Something a bit different as well - no one seems to know what they are.

Not had to buy any parts for mine really but if you do need them it can be best to look to the States (Rock Auto for example) as they were actually built over there rather than Japan as you might expect.

As for £1k bills - just throw the one you have away if it breaks and buy another one!!


djt100

1,739 posts

206 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
X type is not a barge... But S-type is.

I brought one about 4 months ago now V6 version, V8 not much dearer to buy but less about, Very happy with it, Look around and you'll find some great bargains, Mine is 2 owner FJaguarSH, 70k on the clock when i brought it, £2k.. on my commute it's averaging 19mpg and on a recent run to north Devon, onto Plymouth and then A330 home, averaged 35mpg.


Traveller

4,271 posts

238 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
A8 2.8 or even 4.2 Quattro under the £2K is definitely possible, and they do make great barges.

An option of many.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3388237.htm

Edited by Traveller on Monday 14th November 16:47

Simond S

4,519 posts

298 months

Monday 14th November 2011
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Traveller

4,271 posts

238 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
Simond S said:
Excellent suggestion.

falkster

4,258 posts

224 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
Traveller said:
A8 2.8 or even 4.2 Quattro under the £2K is definitely possible, and they do make great barges.
I had the itch of barge too!! I bought an A8 3.7 Quattro and it was fantastic. Had it for roughly 6 months and sold for a few quid more.....they are stocked up with goodies and unlike most other marques (by 10 years old) they all worked (I looked at 5 and all equipment in every car worked).

TinyCappo

2,106 posts

174 months

Monday 14th November 2011
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Soarer?
Volvo 850 T5?

6potdave

Original Poster:

2,647 posts

234 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
Good suggestions there guys! I think driving some would be a good idea. I'm swayed towards the BMW side but could be persuaded otherwise after a drive!

falkster

4,258 posts

224 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
6potdave said:
Good suggestions there guys! I think driving some would be a good idea. I'm swayed towards the BMW side but could be persuaded otherwise after a drive!
Unless you get a facelifted 740 then they're looking very old.
The Audi was facelifted in 2001 and, although is just as old as the BMW, looks so much better.

pwd95

8,436 posts

259 months

Monday 14th November 2011
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I'm biased but A8 all day long. biggrin
Be good in the snow too. yes

Six Fiend

6,067 posts

236 months

Monday 14th November 2011
quotequote all
E34 540i - get a total spanking lovely one for the money.

X300 XJ6 - now that is a barge, bomb proof engines. Plenty about.

My X-type is not big enough to be a barge, especially after the 540i smile

e8_pack

1,384 posts

202 months

Tuesday 15th November 2011
quotequote all
E300 TD - if you can find one that isn't rotten. Engine will go round the world at least eighteen times and it has some poke to it. Get the Avantgarde with 5 speed box and traction control and heated electric leather seats.

All barges need to be auto.