Sensible Petrol Motorway Hack Sub £3k ?

[V8RX7]

Looking for a motorway hack that's quiet and comfortable and a nice place to be.

However must be FWD (or 4WD) Petrol and Manual which knocks most of the usual suggestions out, also at least 35mpg on a run.

A6 1.8T seems the obvious choice but it there anything better ?

[Kitchski]

I'd have gone for a C5 HDi (if diesel wasn't outlawed despite it being better suited for the job) or an E46 (if RWD wasn't outlawed....not quite sure why drivetrain matters on a motorway hack?)

[DrDeAtH]

Volvo S60. Good seats and not a horrible place to sit.

[Jw Vw]

DrDeAtH said:

Volvo S60. Good seats and not a horrible place to sit.

Very comfy cars.

[clarkey540i]

DrDeAtH said:

Volvo S60. Good seats and not a horrible place to sit.

Or a C70. Dad has a non turbo one and it's a very nice place to be. I suspect the turbo model would be a bit more usable on the motorway, but he only paid 350 quid for his! He gets mid 30s to the gallon.
I think you'll find that 4wd models will get significantly worse fuel economy than fwd models, so that's something to consider.

[V8RX7]

Kitchski said:

I'd have gone for a C5 HDi (if diesel wasn't outlawed despite it being better suited for the job) or an E46 (if RWD wasn't outlawed....not quite sure why drivetrain matters on a motorway hack?)

Cheap diesels can throw up huge bills

Already have RWD cars want something for frosty mornings too

[slippery]

You need a Saab 9-5 Aero. Go and try one and tell me I'm wrong! Amazing comfort, well equipped, massive mid range shove, no image issues and a total bargain.

[V8RX7]

slippery said:

You need a Saab 9-5 Aero. Go and try one and tell me I'm wrong! Amazing comfort, well equipped, massive mid range shove, no image issues and a total bargain.

Good suggestion (never been keen on Volvos)

Are parts a problem yet ?

Is the Aero the only one to have (what's the difference ?)

My Dad used to love Saabs and I've had loads of the old ones 96, 99, 900 NA and turbos but haven't tried the later ones.

[Stuart70]

If you take away badge snobbery, then Mondeo is the answer

Better to drive off motorway, brilliantly smooth on.

But, as a Ford, guess it will have not chance....

[andy-xr]

A Jaguar X Type.

There, I've said it. You want petrol, clearly you're not doing massive miles otherwise you'd buy two cheap diesels for when one goes wonky. It wont do 35mpg all day every day, but it wont cost £3k either if you're smart.

Mine was like taking an armchair out for the day. At 60mph and after around 200 miles it did read something starting with a 3 on the MPG readout though. Barely.

[slippery]

The Aero is the 9-5 to have. Best looking, great spec, no oil sludge issues and to answer your question, no there are no problems getting parts. SOTW thread had an estate version featured a few weeks back which turned into a great source of info for anyone considering one. With your budget, there are still some really nice, well cared for examples out there.

[Al Murphy]

Skoda Superb. Slightly biased as I've been running one for the last year that will soon be getting moved on but it has all the spec and then some compared to the Audi equivalent, 2.8 v6 makes for a comfy cruiser and VAG build quality. Very underrated cars in my opinion.

Al

[V8RX7]

Had a Mondeo - great car - AWFUL, AWFUL, AWFUL inside whoever chose silver paint and cheap mismatched plastics needs shooting.

Had an X type too - should be great as it's a Mondeo with a better interior but somehow they screwed it up.

Superb... I'll take a look but surely it can't compete with equally cheap Saab / Audi

Edited by V8RX7 on Sunday 24th February 15:16

[Dog Star]

Volvo V70 - super duper über comfy barge with great stereo, heated seats, climate etc.

I love ours to bits.