Semi galactic cruiser

[richardhancock]

Hi!

Hope everyone is well Looking for PH thoughts on my situation.

I'm currently in the process of selling my beloved C320 CDI to raise some cash. However, I will be replacing it.

This is where it gets interesting.

I do around 45K a year, 100% privately funded (my choice to live 60+ miles from work blah blah blah) and have narrowed down the choices of a replacement to the following:

Passat / A4 in 1.9 TDI 130 guise
Volvo S60 D5 163.

My question is have I forgotten / neglected any good choices? Obviously, the more toys for the cash, the better

Budget is £3K ish. 99% of journeys are NSL (A12, M25, M20) outside of rush hour periods. 55+ mpg and/or long range tank would be nice.

[jbi]

A4 and S60 are too small to be true cruisers

My personal preference would be for the volvo however both will break your wallet when they go wrong.

You are going to struggle to beat a lexus for value for money/toys/reliability/waftability but fuel economy will not be a strong point.

[S10GTA]

C5?

166? Ok, the 166 won't do 50mpg, but hell with it, take some brave pills and travel in style.

Edited by S10GTA on Wednesday 15th August 08:07

[Dog Star]

What about a Pug 406 Coupe - you can get a diseasel one of those and no matter what the haters say PSA know a thing or two about building diesels. Additional advantage - it looks the business.

[FoundOnRoadside]

Dog Star said:

no matter what the haters say PSA know a thing or two about building diesels.

That's the same engine that was put in the Mondeo ST-TDCI. Do a search on the web about that's reliability...

PSA's reliable diesels stopped with the XUD and XDIII.

[richardhancock]

Cheers guys for the replies.

A lex - very valuable information there so much appreciated. The car you linked to was already on my watch list so good to know I'm on the right lines. Mileage doesnt bother me as much as history/condition - couple of years ago, I bought a B5 passat on 145K and sold on with 243K, serviced religiously every 10K.

Have pretty much decided to go with the S60 now so keeping an eye out there to see what's about, as the merc could go at any time. I did notice they seem fairly high specc'd as standard - finding passat / A4 with leather, cruise, climate etc at my price point is, let's say challenging whereas all SE's upwards have them and in my price bracket

Most of the ads Ive seen have had the cambelt done and the rear hand brake shoes.

Hopefully an SE or Sport will be sitting on my drive in the not too distant future