Tough Car Match Challenge...

[Colvette]

So, I've just started a new job in Cheshire. But I live in Surrey.

I need to buy a diesel for the schlep up the motorway, as my Alfa GTV (anyone wanna buy it? ) will eventually drain my bank balance.

So, I have 6k to spend. I want something which is good looking, does crazy mpg, is interesting to drive, and preferably has Cruise Control. Oh, and it needs to be at least an 05 plate with less than 80k on the clock.

I'm a bit stumped. The obvious choices are BMW 3 series and Merc C-Class, but they're all a bit passé for me - my previous cars (as my name suggests) were things like Corvettes and Mustangs, so getting into a salesman box really isn't doing it for me.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Bitzer]

Volvo S60 D5.

[Vocal Minority]

Alfa 159

[Colvette]

I was thinking about an Alfa GT JTD (love Alfas), but was worried about doing loads of miles in 'em. Also, as far as I can tell, the mpg ain't that great?

The Volvo is even worse - pretty thirsty for a diesel!

[Chris944_S2]

Citroen C6. There's 2 for sale on PH, both with the 2.7 HDi. Might be too uneconomical for you, but it will be one of the most comfortable way to chew up the miles.

Then get another C6 for the weekend. In Corvette flavour.

[eltax91]

Daily commute? Surely not? Either way, you need to focus on comfy seats and best diesel economy, driving dynamics are irrelevant on the motorway. take it from someone doing 35k a year for last 6 years, it gets pretty tiresome pretty quickly.

Octavia for most frugal

S60 for best seats

[vit4]

Chris944_S2 said:

Citroen C6. There's 2 for sale on PH, both with the 2.7 HDi. Might be too uneconomical for you, but it will be one of the most comfortable way to chew up the miles.

Then get another C6 for the weekend. In Corvette flavour.

Perhaps a better bet will be a C5; still bloody good ride but comes with frugal 4-pot diesels.

[Colvette]

Nah, not daily - there and back once a week, 12 miles each way from my digs 'up north to work.

Basically, about 600 miles a week.

Octavia - good shout. I'll have a look at those.

As for Citroen C6 - are modern Citroens any good? My wife has an older picasso (54 plate) and it's fookin' 'orrible...

[1878]

Colvette said:

I was thinking about an Alfa GT JTD (love Alfas), but was worried about doing loads of miles in 'em. Also, as far as I can tell, the mpg ain't that great?

The Volvo is even worse - pretty thirsty for a diesel!

I regularly do a reasonably-paced cross country 120 mile run in my GT JTDM and average around 45 mpg. On a long steady motorway run, low 50s. Keep on top of the preventative maintenance (you'll be used to this as an Alfa owner already...) and the miles shouldn't be an issue.

[mattman]

Something a little left field, but at least its different and meets the OP's requirements - few to chose from as well at that price range

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-407-2-7HDI-V6-au...

[Kolbenkopp]

If the non-dullness of the box is the big issue, the Alfa GT diesel (no pun intended ) sounds pretty good really. The 45 MPG as stated sound very plausible, e.g the guys on spritmonitor.de get 41 on average -- but that's at higher speeds. 159s need a good few percent more, look great as well though but probably penalised by the weight.

But for regular +- 300 mile trips I think I'd just get something as comfy as possible. Good ideas in thread already, but just to add one: Saab 9-5 with a 1.9 or 2.2 Tid. Not exactly quick, but very good seats (YMMV), a relaxingly sober interior and good ride.

The more adventurous and potentially more rewarding choice would be a barge class petrol vehicle on LPG. But that's difficult with the age and mileage restriction.

[PaperCut]

What about a Saab 9-3 1.9TTiD (Twin turbo)?

Lexus IS220d?

Very early (2007-) SEAT Exeo 2.0TDI 140?

Ford Mondeo ST TDCi?

[Caulkhead]

Howabout a Cadillac diesel?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

This one is a tad over your budget but there are others and I suspect the dealer would discount a fair bit off it.