Another what car - 30-40k a year, £4.5k
Discussion
Erm, pretty much as per the title really! I need a car for doing some big distances on a weekly basis, with a rough annual total of 30-40k a year for either 1 or 2 years (I may swap the car out after a year for something else). Bulk of the driving will be done on dual carriageways or single carriageways, with some town driving thrown in for good measure. Enough oomph to facilitate overtaking on single carriageways would be a bonus.
To clarify, this will be a purchase likely made in the next 7 days, so if you find something stick a link in, I’m frying the contents of my brain looking at cars at the moment! Also, I’m in the north of Scotland and whilst I don’t mind travelling I’d rather be making the trip once to collect than 5 times looking at different cars.
The list of must have is significantly shorter than the list of would like to have you will I’m quite sure all be pleased to know.
Must have:
Cruise Control
Comfortable seat with lumbar support
Half decent ride quality
Would like to have
Auto gearbox (slush ‘box or DSG)
Decent stereo with iPod integration (or at least I can add it later)
Bluetooth phone connection
Heated seats
The ability to ‘make progress’ in traffic if required
Not terrifying running costs
This is what I’ve come up with on my own so far
Volvo S60’s, V70’s and S80’s (all D5 models). I appear to be able to get a much better S60 or S80 for the same cash as a ropey V70.
Audi A3 2.0 TDI / 3.2 V6 / 2.0 TFSI. Diesels worry me, DPF’s, DMF’s, injectors, turbos all seem like consumables. 3.2, will the thirst scare the life out of me? TFSI, is it like driving my washing machine?
Saab 9-3 / 9-5. It’s basically a Vauxhall underneath isn’t it?
Mercedes E class – Some right horror stories out there, but worth a punt?
BMW 330D/530D – These frighten me a little, seem like good cars but the potential for it all going horribly wrong and costing me a fortune is a little worrying, but that may just be me having nightmares about running an M5!
So, I open the floor to my fellow enthusiasts, who I’m quite sure are sick fed up of threads like these but any and all suggestions would be appreciated
To clarify, this will be a purchase likely made in the next 7 days, so if you find something stick a link in, I’m frying the contents of my brain looking at cars at the moment! Also, I’m in the north of Scotland and whilst I don’t mind travelling I’d rather be making the trip once to collect than 5 times looking at different cars.
The list of must have is significantly shorter than the list of would like to have you will I’m quite sure all be pleased to know.
Must have:
Cruise Control
Comfortable seat with lumbar support
Half decent ride quality
Would like to have
Auto gearbox (slush ‘box or DSG)
Decent stereo with iPod integration (or at least I can add it later)
Bluetooth phone connection
Heated seats
The ability to ‘make progress’ in traffic if required
Not terrifying running costs
This is what I’ve come up with on my own so far
Volvo S60’s, V70’s and S80’s (all D5 models). I appear to be able to get a much better S60 or S80 for the same cash as a ropey V70.
Audi A3 2.0 TDI / 3.2 V6 / 2.0 TFSI. Diesels worry me, DPF’s, DMF’s, injectors, turbos all seem like consumables. 3.2, will the thirst scare the life out of me? TFSI, is it like driving my washing machine?
Saab 9-3 / 9-5. It’s basically a Vauxhall underneath isn’t it?
Mercedes E class – Some right horror stories out there, but worth a punt?
BMW 330D/530D – These frighten me a little, seem like good cars but the potential for it all going horribly wrong and costing me a fortune is a little worrying, but that may just be me having nightmares about running an M5!
So, I open the floor to my fellow enthusiasts, who I’m quite sure are sick fed up of threads like these but any and all suggestions would be appreciated
For that mileage a D5 Volvo all day long, the only mainstream diesel that doesn't have too many horror stories....the autobix (if you want one) is often a weaker spot but is hit and miss so check thoroughly.
Supremely comfortable seats and a good stereo sets them apart from most others, IIRC 2005 was the sweet spot for performance/reliability/simplicity.
One thing I would also consider is the ford mondeo, but at about half the budget for a 1.8 petrol to adjust for the lack of prestige/comforts. I wouldnstick manual for this, had problems in the family with an autobox on a mondeo. For decades they were the fleet car of choice, should give 40mpg fairly easily whilst being very reliable and cheap on parts, the seats are comfy enough an its a good A to B car, especially considering the lower initial cost and residual value of a realistically 200k mile 10 year old car.
Supremely comfortable seats and a good stereo sets them apart from most others, IIRC 2005 was the sweet spot for performance/reliability/simplicity.
One thing I would also consider is the ford mondeo, but at about half the budget for a 1.8 petrol to adjust for the lack of prestige/comforts. I wouldnstick manual for this, had problems in the family with an autobox on a mondeo. For decades they were the fleet car of choice, should give 40mpg fairly easily whilst being very reliable and cheap on parts, the seats are comfy enough an its a good A to B car, especially considering the lower initial cost and residual value of a realistically 200k mile 10 year old car.
kiethton said:
For that mileage a D5 Volvo all day long, the only mainstream diesel that doesn't have too many horror stories....the autobix (if you want one) is often a weaker spot but is hit and miss so check thoroughly.
Supremely comfortable seats and a good stereo sets them apart from most others, IIRC 2005 was the sweet spot for performance/reliability/simplicity.
One thing I would also consider is the ford mondeo, but at about half the budget for a 1.8 petrol to adjust for the lack of prestige/comforts. I wouldnstick manual for this, had problems in the family with an autobox on a mondeo. For decades they were the fleet car of choice, should give 40mpg fairly easily whilst being very reliable and cheap on parts, the seats are comfy enough an its a good A to B car, especially considering the lower initial cost and residual value of a realistically 200k mile 10 year old car.
I had heard good things about the Volvo's, hence it was my go to car when I was looking. On everything I'm looking at I'm trying to factor in a gearbox oil change as a bare minimum pretty much as soon as it's purchased. Supremely comfortable seats and a good stereo sets them apart from most others, IIRC 2005 was the sweet spot for performance/reliability/simplicity.
One thing I would also consider is the ford mondeo, but at about half the budget for a 1.8 petrol to adjust for the lack of prestige/comforts. I wouldnstick manual for this, had problems in the family with an autobox on a mondeo. For decades they were the fleet car of choice, should give 40mpg fairly easily whilst being very reliable and cheap on parts, the seats are comfy enough an its a good A to B car, especially considering the lower initial cost and residual value of a realistically 200k mile 10 year old car.
I like the Mondeo but I think the 1.8 might be a bit short on the overtaking performance I'm after, knowing the roads I drive there's not a lot of opportunities to 'wind it up' before committing to the overtake.
joshcowin said:
Skoda Fabia Vrs? Cheap to run, have cruise and heated seats + more options, will do the miles required. Good at overtaking.
Good mix of economy and performance.
Just realised you wanted an auto, sorry.
Not at all, I did look at them but I noticed Cruise wasn't a standard fit, it was only an option that seemed to be rarely specced when the car was new. I did slightly discount it as with the short wheelbase and stiff(ish) suspension it may not ride quite so well, and it's a bit small for a fat old git like meGood mix of economy and performance.
Just realised you wanted an auto, sorry.
shalmaneser said:
Turbos seem to constantly fail on the 2.0 audi diesels. Mine did... and my colleagues!
Yes, it was something I noticed about the diesel Audi's, there's quite a few around my budget that seem to be teetering on the brink of needing thousands thrown at them to keep them running well. Hence why I started looking at the 3.2, but thirst may make that a non-option I fearAt that sort of mileage the comfort of the seats and the ride quality are critical, more so than almost any other factor as it can affect your long term health. I think I'd be going for an S60, the seats in the big Volvos are as good as it gets. The later 185bhp cars are usefully more powerful and while there is slighty more to go wrong than the earlier 163bhp cars the clutch and flywheel are stronger, so it's swings and roundabouts. If you get an auto give it a nice long test drive and if there is no odd behaviour a fluid change should keep it that way for a long time. It's not an exciting car but it's a very competent one for the sort of usage you have in mind.
dme123 said:
At that sort of mileage the comfort of the seats and the ride quality are critical, more so than almost any other factor as it can affect your long term health. I think I'd be going for an S60, the seats in the big Volvos are as good as it gets. The later 185bhp cars are usefully more powerful and while there is slighty more to go wrong than the earlier 163bhp cars the clutch and flywheel are stronger, so it's swings and roundabouts. If you get an auto give it a nice long test drive and if there is no odd behaviour a fluid change should keep it that way for a long time. It's not an exciting car but it's a very competent one for the sort of usage you have in mind.
From my research that was exactly the impression I got, my issue is now to find a decent one. I missed out on a lovely S80 just before Christmas, I'm still gutted about that now!D_T_W said:
From my research that was exactly the impression I got, my issue is now to find a decent one. I missed out on a lovely S80 just before Christmas, I'm still gutted about that now!
I did suggest to someone else on here the other day that an S80 might be an even better bet, people avoid larger cars and it's largely forgotten and deeply unfashionable. I've not had the pleasure of driving one, and it is based on a somewhat older platform than the S60 but it has to be worth a look!ETA - A look on autotrader reveals many bargains. This one has the older engine without a DPF and swirl flaps (black engine cover is the giveaway) but with an auto the weaker DMF and clutch won't matter. If the gearbox works fine this could be great
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Also your budget could get you into the new shape model! You get a 6 speed auto with that too.
Edited by dme123 on Friday 9th January 13:34
dme123 said:
I did suggest to someone else on here the other day that an S80 might be an even better bet, people avoid larger cars and it's largely forgotten and deeply unfashionable. I've not had the pleasure of driving one, and it is based on a somewhat older platform than the S60 but it has to be worth a look!
ETA - A look on autotrader reveals many bargains. This one has the older engine without a DPF and swirl flaps (black engine cover is the giveaway) but with an auto the weaker DMF and clutch won't matter. If the gearbox works fine this could be great
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Yeah, that had been my thought process as well, I'm not looking for something to throw down a back road, I want something that's quiet and comfortable when it's sitting at 70-80 on the cruise and with a stereo loud enough to enjoy some decent music while doing so.ETA - A look on autotrader reveals many bargains. This one has the older engine without a DPF and swirl flaps (black engine cover is the giveaway) but with an auto the weaker DMF and clutch won't matter. If the gearbox works fine this could be great
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Edited by dme123 on Friday 9th January 13:31
I did spy this a while ago, but seems rather cheap?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
D_T_W said:
Yeah, that had been my thought process as well, I'm not looking for something to throw down a back road, I want something that's quiet and comfortable when it's sitting at 70-80 on the cruise and with a stereo loud enough to enjoy some decent music while doing so.
I did spy this a while ago, but seems rather cheap?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
That seems about right to me I think. About 3 years ago I bought a late 2003 (so 04 MY) V70 T5 SE with all the decent options you want, and a few you would never be arsed with, with 74K on the clock and that was £5k or so from a dealer. D5s command a premium over petrols but V70s command a quite large premium over an S60 so if anything that might be a bit steep. Have you considered petrol and LPG? I've never bothered with it but some people seem to have very good results. £1500 odd for the kit fitted by someone decent I believe. My T5 actually CLAIMS mid to high 30s on a cruise control but I've never actually bothered to confirm this.I did spy this a while ago, but seems rather cheap?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
FWIW that V70 was my first Volvo and has been superb. I've bought a C70 from that experience and today my wife ordered a new V70 D5 to replace it. We have a Mk1 MX5 for when we want to t
t about and Volvos for the other 40,000 miles a year we do between us.Edited by dme123 on Friday 9th January 13:47
dme123 said:
D_T_W said:
From my research that was exactly the impression I got, my issue is now to find a decent one. I missed out on a lovely S80 just before Christmas, I'm still gutted about that now!
I did suggest to someone else on here the other day that an S80 might be an even better bet, people avoid larger cars and it's largely forgotten and deeply unfashionable. I've not had the pleasure of driving one, and it is based on a somewhat older platform than the S60 but it has to be worth a look!ETA - A look on autotrader reveals many bargains. This one has the older engine without a DPF and swirl flaps (black engine cover is the giveaway) but with an auto the weaker DMF and clutch won't matter. If the gearbox works fine this could be great
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Also your budget could get you into the new shape model! You get a 6 speed auto with that too.
Edited by dme123 on Friday 9th January 13:34
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