Discussion
Hello, I've been reading through some of the different posts by searching but I've not found anything to really help me decide yet.
I'm about to start a 130 mile commute every day (65 miles each way) and over the year this is about 30k that'll roll over on the clock.
Ideally would like to spend about 5-6k on a comfy good car.
First I was looking at the Mk4 Mondeo but they all seem to be high mileage on the 2.0 tdci engine and most are at about 100-120k that I've seen.
My second choice was a Jag x-type which seem to be quite cheap and half decent on the mpg and again I was looking at the 2.0 diesel.
I'm wondering would it be better to go for an 57-08 plate Mondeo with over 120k on clock or an x-type which might be 2004-2006 but only done 80k.
Any suggestions?
I'm about to start a 130 mile commute every day (65 miles each way) and over the year this is about 30k that'll roll over on the clock.
Ideally would like to spend about 5-6k on a comfy good car.
First I was looking at the Mk4 Mondeo but they all seem to be high mileage on the 2.0 tdci engine and most are at about 100-120k that I've seen.
My second choice was a Jag x-type which seem to be quite cheap and half decent on the mpg and again I was looking at the 2.0 diesel.
I'm wondering would it be better to go for an 57-08 plate Mondeo with over 120k on clock or an x-type which might be 2004-2006 but only done 80k.
Any suggestions?
Mk3 Mondeos - they work wonderfully until they don't. And when they don't... 
Injectors, ECU, turbos, all get quite expensive quite fast. And if the X-type uses the same clutch and DMF as the Mk3 Mondeo that also tends to make interesting sounds and then get expensive quite fast.
Mk4 is the way forward. And they'll all have high mileage as they've largely been used as motorway munchers/company cars, to the point that if I found a low mileage one I would be taking great care to find out why (and suspect it had perhaps visited a mileage correction clinic)
Injectors, ECU, turbos, all get quite expensive quite fast. And if the X-type uses the same clutch and DMF as the Mk3 Mondeo that also tends to make interesting sounds and then get expensive quite fast.
Mk4 is the way forward. And they'll all have high mileage as they've largely been used as motorway munchers/company cars, to the point that if I found a low mileage one I would be taking great care to find out why (and suspect it had perhaps visited a mileage correction clinic)
Personally I would go for something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-HIGHLI...
For that kind of money I'd look at a Saab 93 - honestly, I suspect you'll get newer with less miles and more kit, plus the Alfajet unit is more refined than the Ford TDCi unit
Normally I'd go with the Passat suggestion, but as you mention comfort and a long journey, I'd look at a Saab. I had a slightly shorter commute and ran one from 4k to 54k with nothing aside from standard maintenance - unexpectedly brilliant car, leather, toys, space and economy. With the demise of Saab they can be had for peanuts...
Here's a 2008 car, 65k on the clock - it's even the latest shape. Only downside is it's the 120bhp TiD, not the 150bhp version.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
Normally I'd go with the Passat suggestion, but as you mention comfort and a long journey, I'd look at a Saab. I had a slightly shorter commute and ran one from 4k to 54k with nothing aside from standard maintenance - unexpectedly brilliant car, leather, toys, space and economy. With the demise of Saab they can be had for peanuts...
Here's a 2008 car, 65k on the clock - it's even the latest shape. Only downside is it's the 120bhp TiD, not the 150bhp version.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
Kuroblack350 said:
For that kind of money I'd look at a Saab 93 - honestly, I suspect you'll get newer with less miles and more kit, plus the Alfajet unit is more refined than the Ford TDCi unit
Normally I'd go with the Passat suggestion, but as you mention comfort and a long journey, I'd look at a Saab. I had a slightly shorter commute and ran one from 4k to 54k with nothing aside from standard maintenance - unexpectedly brilliant car, leather, toys, space and economy. With the demise of Saab they can be had for peanuts...
Here's a 2008 car, 65k on the clock - it's even the latest shape. Only downside is it's the 120bhp TiD, not the 150bhp version.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
I agree with this. A lot more car for your money, younger and less miles too. The 150bhp if possible but I do know the less powerful ones are sometimes better on economy.Normally I'd go with the Passat suggestion, but as you mention comfort and a long journey, I'd look at a Saab. I had a slightly shorter commute and ran one from 4k to 54k with nothing aside from standard maintenance - unexpectedly brilliant car, leather, toys, space and economy. With the demise of Saab they can be had for peanuts...
Here's a 2008 car, 65k on the clock - it's even the latest shape. Only downside is it's the 120bhp TiD, not the 150bhp version.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
I had the 1.9 150bhp engine in my Astra and wasn't as good as a friends 1.7 CDTI or 1.9 120bhp on fuel (maybe my driving).
Standard challenges with these, EGR valve was the culprit for a couple of my engine niggles but you get similar with the ford TDCI and Jag from what I hear.
Personally if your stuck on either of these two, go for the Ford, Jag is a bit of a cruiser but ultimately paying for the badge and a dated interior (IMHO)(if that holds any value on the x type), same components underneath essentially.
Avensis?
Surprisingly good drive IMO and I've driven most cars in that class as hire cars.
very solid, good engines and well equipped.
Should do 50mpg + on your commute if its mostly mway/DC.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Surprisingly good drive IMO and I've driven most cars in that class as hire cars.
very solid, good engines and well equipped.
Should do 50mpg + on your commute if its mostly mway/DC.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
I had exactly the same conundrum but both myself and my wife were each doing that mileage every day. TVR and Z4 kept in the garage for fun days and I bought an E39 523i and E36 328i for less than £3000 for the pair and ran those.
Apart from fuel, insurance, tax and MOT (the same as any car) they cost us nothing to run over the period and are fantastic motoway cars with all the toys you actually need (climate, remote locking, good stereo etc). They are gernerally far more robust than a diesel (this is not a dig merely my experience) and they would return mid 30 mpg on a run so very impressive on fuel. You would have to run the diesel for approx 4 years to make financial sense and then we are only talking hundreds of pounds a year rather than any more than that.
Spend £2000 on a nice spanish 530i SE and enjoy the drive!
Apart from fuel, insurance, tax and MOT (the same as any car) they cost us nothing to run over the period and are fantastic motoway cars with all the toys you actually need (climate, remote locking, good stereo etc). They are gernerally far more robust than a diesel (this is not a dig merely my experience) and they would return mid 30 mpg on a run so very impressive on fuel. You would have to run the diesel for approx 4 years to make financial sense and then we are only talking hundreds of pounds a year rather than any more than that.
Spend £2000 on a nice spanish 530i SE and enjoy the drive!
tple said:
Those Saab's look nice! I guess they're good engines?
As good as any modern diesel really, usual issues around the EGR valve for example but I can only speak from experience, mine was bulletproof.Take one for a spin and see what you think - if in any doubt, stand next to a running Saab, then a running Mondeo - one will sound like a canal barge about to go critical, avoid that one
Skoda Superb?
Something like this: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
No experience of them except the newer version which was very comfy. Also see a lot as taxis so must be frugal and reliable?
Something like this: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
No experience of them except the newer version which was very comfy. Also see a lot as taxis so must be frugal and reliable?
GreatGranny said:
Avensis?
Surprisingly good drive IMO and I've driven most cars in that class as hire cars.
very solid, good engines and well equipped.
Should do 50mpg + on your commute if its mostly mway/DC.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
+1Surprisingly good drive IMO and I've driven most cars in that class as hire cars.
very solid, good engines and well equipped.
Should do 50mpg + on your commute if its mostly mway/DC.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
I commute in an Avensis 2.2 D4D. Very reliable, comfortable, smooth, economical.
Averaging 47mpg on a commute that is 30% country lanes, 40% motorway and 30% urban traffic.
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