At a total loss - a what car thread...
Discussion
I currently have an 08 Panda 100HP that I use for general duties. I love it, but it's a bit too 'over excited puppy' for what I actually need. My annual mileage is c.13k almost exclusively on A roads, but is about to rise to 20k, and in about a year to 30k - again all on pretty poor quality A roads in Cumbria.
I'm after something smooth (good ride), with a bit of luxury and space. I always prefer the estate shape over saloon for larger cars (just personal taste). The Panda is worth about 4k as a trade in, maybe 3.5 as a private sale. It does about 43 mpg according to its (no doubt inaccurate) computer. I'd like something more than 35 mpg, and to have at least the same performance, preferably more (acceleration more important than top speed - 0-60 no more than 9 secs). I could spend up to 13k, but the lower the better, ideally no more than 6k.
Should I be looking in the bargain barges thread? The high annual mileage concerns me. I don't want to spend a small amount on a car only to have to throw it away next year, but equally putting that many miles on something higher value hurts.. A 5 series touring at around about 12k is tempting to be honest...
I'm after something smooth (good ride), with a bit of luxury and space. I always prefer the estate shape over saloon for larger cars (just personal taste). The Panda is worth about 4k as a trade in, maybe 3.5 as a private sale. It does about 43 mpg according to its (no doubt inaccurate) computer. I'd like something more than 35 mpg, and to have at least the same performance, preferably more (acceleration more important than top speed - 0-60 no more than 9 secs). I could spend up to 13k, but the lower the better, ideally no more than 6k.
Should I be looking in the bargain barges thread? The high annual mileage concerns me. I don't want to spend a small amount on a car only to have to throw it away next year, but equally putting that many miles on something higher value hurts.. A 5 series touring at around about 12k is tempting to be honest...
Gargamel said:
Alfa 156 sport wagon ?
Hi Gargamel, yes, one of those is on the list, however unfortunately the dashboard is very important to me (tragic I know, but it's the bit you look at most) and I'm not keen on the slab of silvery plastic on the centre console (I do apologise for this, I sound like a saddo)iva cosworth said:
Doing 30K pa on Cumbrias poor quality A roads is going to kill you before any car succumbs
You have a serious point there, the A595 (the main road I use) is a literal killer.Ok, some more detail - I currently commute from Cockermouth to Whitehaven (28 miles round trip). I will shortly change this from Cockermouth to Whitehaven 3 times a week and Carlisle to Whitehaven 2 times a week. In about a year, Carlisle to Whitehaven 5 times a week.
My short list, such as it is, is as follows (personal, and probably poorly informed) opinions in parentheses..
5 series touring (expensive tyres?)
3 series touring (not all that big inside?)
Octavia (had one before, never like to have the same car again)
Passat estate (apparently a bit bland and unreliable?)
Alfa 159 sportwagon (not keen on dashboard, picky I know)
The again, just to show how contrary I am, I'd really fancy a Yeti or a Freelander 2. As is said, I'm at a total loss. I have a small legacy coming my way (c. 9k) in the next couple of months, and no savings, so I'd rather keep as much of that as I can as emergency funds (and I'd also rather spend that on something like a piece of art, so I can remember the person who left it me and also have a potentially appreciating asset). So there is the option of running the Panda into the ground, but 2 hours a day driving a pogo stick may well drive me insane...
Not keen on Audi's (unless it's an RS2, which for obvious reasons is out of the running). Don't like Mondeo's or any Vauxhall (sorry, personal prejudice again, certainly unjustified, just stated here so it's clear they are out of the running).
Keep the ideas coming!
ChevronB19 said:
Ooh, good point, although they do seem huge! Always thought they would look better at 90% scale...
Mine seemed huge tonight! I just spent 4 hours cleaning and polishing the thing!! 
TBH, I think it's a bit of an illusion. They look huge as they are quite wedge shaped, although they are in fact exactly the same length as the saloon.
If your after an estate, I'd consider one though...you'll find the spec on them is superb and they are good value tbh.
V8Wagon said:
Mine seemed huge tonight! I just spent 4 hours cleaning and polishing the thing!!
TBH, I think it's a bit of an illusion. They look huge as they are quite wedge shaped, although they are in fact exactly the same length as the saloon.
If your after an estate, I'd consider one though...you'll find the spec on them is superb and they are good value tbh.
How's the ride? As I mention I want to go from driving a pogo stick to something more akin to a sofa!TBH, I think it's a bit of an illusion. They look huge as they are quite wedge shaped, although they are in fact exactly the same length as the saloon.
If your after an estate, I'd consider one though...you'll find the spec on them is superb and they are good value tbh.
ChevronB19 said:
How's the ride? As I mention I want to go from driving a pogo stick to something more akin to a sofa!
Very comfy, quiet and smooth. It compares very well with my previous Audi A6. I went for the 'executive' model rather than the 'sport' which has better spec and does without the slightly lowered suspension.Honestly, I don't know why people seem to overlook these cars. They are comfy, really well built, well specced, reliable and relatively cheap.
V8Wagon said:
Very comfy, quiet and smooth. It compares very well with my previous Audi A6. I went for the 'executive' model rather than the 'sport' which has better spec and does without the slightly lowered suspension.
Honestly, I don't know why people seem to overlook these cars. They are comfy, really well built, well specced, reliable and relatively cheap.
Sold (sort of). I'll add one to my list to try! Thanks.Honestly, I don't know why people seem to overlook these cars. They are comfy, really well built, well specced, reliable and relatively cheap.
how about a subaru of some description impreza, legacy or forester would suit all requirements except perhaps the fuel aspect. The forester I just sold was not particularly quick but nicely balanced and able to hustle along nicely. I had it for less than 18 months and did nearly 20k miles and nothing fell off
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