Looking for comfortable auto commuter
Discussion
Firstly, an apology. What car threads are ten-a-penny on here, I've done plenty myself but im bored out of my brain as I'm sitting here with my ankle in a cast, my shoulder, back, neck and even hips have me in agony. I did use a scooter for my 14 mile each way commute which is 50/50 stop start town traffic and 60mph B road. The scooter allowed me to save time and money on the commute and run what I want for the weekend.
Unfortunately, a couple of days ago, whilst waiting behind a Ford Focus to allow someone to cross a zebra crossing in front, I was hit from behind by a Clio. The two cars crushed my bike which ended up underneath the two cars but I was (luckily) thrown over the top of the car infront into railings at the side of the road. A bit strange but I feel very lucky to not be more mangled.
So to pass the boredom while I sit climbing the walls, please excuse a long winded what car thread! My commute, as I said above is a mix of long B road and town centre driving and is just under 30 miles per day with other weekly 50 mile motorway trips making my annual mileage about 15000 per year. I had the scoot to save time but as I'm now giving up bikes I'm resorting to sitting in the traffic in safety and comfort. The car needs to be comfortable and a nice place to be. I'd prefer comfort, auto and economy over fun as I have that in another car.
I'm tempted by Saab 9-3 1.9tdi autos, they're increadibly cheap but are they any good? I'm not in any way a badge snob and on another thread I've had a suggestion of C6 which I'm also looking into. The budget depends on insurance settlements at the moment but will be around £7000 but would prefer less. An estate would be useful to add tip runs to the cars ability but not essential. I've also looked into Volvos but the gear tronic issues have put me off a little.
Any more suggestion?
Unfortunately, a couple of days ago, whilst waiting behind a Ford Focus to allow someone to cross a zebra crossing in front, I was hit from behind by a Clio. The two cars crushed my bike which ended up underneath the two cars but I was (luckily) thrown over the top of the car infront into railings at the side of the road. A bit strange but I feel very lucky to not be more mangled.
So to pass the boredom while I sit climbing the walls, please excuse a long winded what car thread! My commute, as I said above is a mix of long B road and town centre driving and is just under 30 miles per day with other weekly 50 mile motorway trips making my annual mileage about 15000 per year. I had the scoot to save time but as I'm now giving up bikes I'm resorting to sitting in the traffic in safety and comfort. The car needs to be comfortable and a nice place to be. I'd prefer comfort, auto and economy over fun as I have that in another car.
I'm tempted by Saab 9-3 1.9tdi autos, they're increadibly cheap but are they any good? I'm not in any way a badge snob and on another thread I've had a suggestion of C6 which I'm also looking into. The budget depends on insurance settlements at the moment but will be around £7000 but would prefer less. An estate would be useful to add tip runs to the cars ability but not essential. I've also looked into Volvos but the gear tronic issues have put me off a little.
Any more suggestion?
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 4th October 14:35
RenesisEvo said:
Mk4 Mondeo? Powershift box with 2.0TDCi, preferably in Titanium spec. Very comfy cruiser, astonishing value for money, and far less common than you might think. Estate is cavernous. And they're not bad to drive either.
Thank you. That's the dual clutch box isn't it? Are they reliable? richardxjr said:
You cannot get more comfortable, quiet or reliable than a Lexus LS400. Find a 97-00 Mk4 with LPG for sub 2.5 bags and you can waft along with equiv. 50mpg on a run, 35-40 on your commute.
Spend the rest on a holiday
Ha ha, I was looking at ways to justify an LS, I'd not thought of LPG, thanks! Spend the rest on a holiday
trickywoo said:
Your budget opens up a lot of 5 series choice.
A 530i touring might be nice and would leave a good whack of change from your budget for running.
I'm surprised by the prices for these although I'm a bit concerned about fuel consumption as fuelly.com says I should expect around 26mpg. Coming from 110mpg on the scoot I'm starting to worry! If I could get 30ish it shouldn't be so bad but I'd prefer much more. A 530i touring might be nice and would leave a good whack of change from your budget for running.
Any opinions on the Saab 9-3?
sebdangerfield said:
Thank you. That's the dual clutch box isn't it? Are they reliable?
Yes it is dual-clutch, smooth changes, not the swiftest but that's not important. I can't speak with authority on reliability - my OH's father has one, bought 2010, and so far no problems at all, but he doesn't do big mileage. I'd suggest Googling a bit but I've not found any horror stories. I would normally recommend an S60 but as you've said the autos in those are fragile.Have a look at the Best Smoker Barges thread for more ideas and expert advice on auto commuter barges: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by RenesisEvo on Thursday 4th October 15:14
RenesisEvo said:
sebdangerfield said:
Thank you. That's the dual clutch box isn't it? Are they reliable?
Yes it is dual-clutch, smooth changes, not the swiftest but that's not important. I can't speak with authority on reliability - my OH's father has one, bought 2007, and so far no problems at all, but he doesn't do big mileage. I'd suggest Googling a bit but I've not found any horror stories. I would normally recommend an S60 but as you've said the autos in those are fragile.Have a look at the Best Smoker Barges thread for more ideas and expert advice on auto commuter barges: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've been looking at the 5 series and although I'd love a straight six, I've noticed they did the 2.0d in the 5er. Obviously, it won't waft like the six pots but is this engine good?
Output Flange said:
I'd be looking for a Jag XJ with the 3.2. Blows the 5 Series away for comfort, and a bit more interesting to drive than the LS.
Agree totally but looking for a barge at the moment and after owning 7 or 8 Jags, maybe more, I am looking at the 5 as I am getting sick of the fuel bills for a Jag. Having said that, they look great, drive brilliantly and maintaince on Jags is cheap as chips as in my experience, they pretty much never go wrong. It's just a question of 20mpg compared to approx 30mpg...And yeah, knowing me I'll end up with another XJ83.2 as they are a bit nice!
Pappa Lurve said:
Agree totally but looking for a barge at the moment and after owning 7 or 8 Jags, maybe more, I am looking at the 5 as I am getting sick of the fuel bills for a Jag. Having said that, they look great, drive brilliantly and maintaince on Jags is cheap as chips as in my experience, they pretty much never go wrong. It's just a question of 20mpg compared to approx 30mpg...
And yeah, knowing me I'll end up with another XJ83.2 as they are a bit nice!
You'll get the same MPG in a 3.2 XJ as you will in a 530i Touring.And yeah, knowing me I'll end up with another XJ83.2 as they are a bit nice!
Plus they're a lot cheaper to buy, so you get more petrol tokens left out of your initial budget...
sebdangerfield said:
I'm surprised by the prices for these although I'm a bit concerned about fuel consumption as fuelly.com says I should expect around 26mpg. Coming from 110mpg on the scoot I'm starting to worry! If I could get 30ish it shouldn't be so bad but I'd prefer much more.
My 540 would be getting that on the sort of journey you described so a 530i should be into early 30's. bga said:
sebdangerfield said:
I'm surprised by the prices for these although I'm a bit concerned about fuel consumption as fuelly.com says I should expect around 26mpg. Coming from 110mpg on the scoot I'm starting to worry! If I could get 30ish it shouldn't be so bad but I'd prefer much more.
My 540 would be getting that on the sort of journey you described so a 530i should be into early 30's. Are there any experiences of the A6? I know the tip tronic box is supposed to be reliable and it would also bring Quattro which would be very useful for where I live. I'd not touch a multitronic though.
Its really a choice between luxury auto car doing about 30mpg at most, possibly older with potentially higher costs and auto repmobiles such as the Saab, Mondeo, Passat etc.. that will be around 40mpg in diesel format, newer with lower running costs in general.
Its just a question of what your priority is?
(Cue people saying their <insert name of auto luxo barge> does 35mpg average)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Its just a question of what your priority is?
(Cue people saying their <insert name of auto luxo barge> does 35mpg average)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Edited by GreatGranny on Thursday 4th October 16:14
Output Flange said:
You'll get the same MPG in a 3.2 XJ as you will in a 530i Touring.
Plus they're a lot cheaper to buy, so you get more petrol tokens left out of your initial budget...
I was thinking a 528 probably. AT shows MPG as just below 30 compared to the jags 21. As I got about 21 from the Jag, I assumed it was a fair reflection so the BMW would give me noticeably better, or is that not the case? Not buying for a few weeks yet so in the depths of research right now.Plus they're a lot cheaper to buy, so you get more petrol tokens left out of your initial budget...
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