What comfortable, reliable & economical daily driver?

[M1KEY]

Ok folks, I'm struggling to decide on a new daily driver... It will mainly be used for commuting (75 miles a day, A roads/motorway) and long motorway journeys etc.

As un-PH as it sounds priorities are comfort, reliability and economy (at least 40+ mpg), have got another car for fun. Needs to be fairly practical - seat 4, thinking Focus/Golf size or small estate. Intend to keep it long term, 6-7 years/100k miles. Budget approx 10-12K.

Been thinking about a Mk 6 Golf but they don't seem very highly thought of amongst the PH collective (boring, unreliable etc)?

Other thoughts...
Octavia VRS
Saab 9-3
Volvo V50
Honda Accord
BMW 320d
Merc C220d

What would you go for? Suggestions/comments appreciated!

Cheers,
Mike.

[budfox]

Seat Exeo

[V8Wagon]

I've owned a Honda Accord for the last two years. It's not very PH but it is a very very nice place to be and has been utterly reliable.

[M1KEY]

Honda do always seem to pretty much top the reliability surveys so a good option.

[Dr Interceptor]

Some kind of Diesel Volvo... the seats will be miles more comfortable than anything else.

[tomsugden]

Skoda Superb, in Elegance or L&K spec.

[Blue Oval84]

Volvo, as has been said they have the best seats of almost anything beneath a 5 Series that has been fitted with Comfort Seats.

Also, as I'm starting to look in advance of next year's car purchase, one thing I've noticed about the Volvos (I'm looking at the S60) is that the interiors wear very well, even examples with 100K miles plus do not seem worn. Compare that to many other cars and the result won't be the same...

[jason61c]

lexus is220d. air con seats and a 15.1 stereo.

[GreatGranny]

Can't see why a Golf won@t be any less reliable or boring than any of the cars on your list.
I could think of worse places to sit for 2 hours a day.
The 320d has issues according to some.
SAAB don't exist any more, would that concern you re. spares in 8-10 years time?
The Skoda has practically the same engine as the Golf

I have a 59 reg S40 for my commute (80 miles per day) and its been 100% reliable over the last year I've owned it.
Its the drivE model so 20 tax and I average approx. 58-60 mpg.
Not the quickest but there's always the 2.0D.
Seats very good, well equipped but won't be as nice to drive as some of the others.
Ride a little crashy and not as precise as the Beemer.

[grim_d]

From your list it would likely be an Accord or Octavia my money would be going towards.

You could get an accord that would last 6 years/100k for a quarter of your budget.

[Krikkit]

Imo take half your budget and buy a nice S60 D5. Buy post office shares with the other half, then in 5 years buy another car.

ETA: e.g. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

44k miles, change the box oil every 50k and the auto should be reliable. Seats are supremely comfy, the rest of the troublesome bits you can find on every car out there.

Edited by Krikkit on Tuesday 8th October 09:09

[kiethton]

Dr Interceptor said:

Some kind of Diesel Volvo... the seats will be miles more comfortable than anything else.

This, also look at the SE/Lux spec over any others, Its a mile muncher more than a racing car so comfort and toys are paramount (cheaper to boot!)

[flatso]

Citoren C5 with Hydropneumatic suspension and massage seats. Someproperly speced cars also come with double glazed windows making the ride absolutely serene. You have to make a massive compromise on steering and brake feel.

[cptsideways]

Rover 75 CDT will do the job, mega comfy things, 45-50mpg, all the toys on the Connisuer SE models

[M1KEY]

Thanks for the suggestions...
Hopefully will look at Octavia, Accord and Volvo's at the weekend.

Superb is a bit big really for what I need. I like C5's but not sure about their reliability. From what I've read the Lexus isn't that good on fuel and the Rover 75 isn't really for me plus a bit old and leggy now.

Cheers.

[GreatGranny]

What about the Civic 2.2 diesel. Colleague has just bought one and he's really impressed.
Low tax, punchy engine and really good mpg.
IMO they still look good.