Secret 5 star cars
Discussion
Fiddly-Dee said:
I'll chip in with our late W204 C350CDI in Elegance specification.
Fast enough, incredibly comfortable, no stupid tech, totally reliable after 13 years & 135k miles. Even quite entertaining to drive, after learning its foibles. Changing it is a depressing prospect.
I quite fancied a C350 back when I bought my 330d, but even six years ago most were getting leggy; depressing indeed, if you want a smaller premium car with a diesel engine that isn't a rough little 4' you either buy a 3-Series or something approaching 15 years old...Fast enough, incredibly comfortable, no stupid tech, totally reliable after 13 years & 135k miles. Even quite entertaining to drive, after learning its foibles. Changing it is a depressing prospect.
Fiddly-Dee said:
I'll chip in with our late W204 C350CDI in Elegance specification.
Fast enough, incredibly comfortable, no stupid tech, totally reliable after 13 years & 135k miles. Even quite entertaining to drive, after learning its foibles. Changing it is a depressing prospect.
Much the same with my mk7 Golf GT Estate. 1.4 TSI DSG. Only 8 years old, 125k, owned it 5 years and it's refined, comfortable, economical, quick enough, loaded with kit (pan roof, active cruise, premium sound with the sub, front and rear parking sensors, leather) but just the right level of tech. I've owned a lot of Golf-sized cars and this has been the best and I'm not convinced that anything comparable that is newer is actually better (certainly not the mk8 Golf)! GTI/Golf R is well regarded but the regular mk7 Golf is quite underrated IMHO.Fast enough, incredibly comfortable, no stupid tech, totally reliable after 13 years & 135k miles. Even quite entertaining to drive, after learning its foibles. Changing it is a depressing prospect.
AmyRichardson said:
I quite fancied a C350 back when I bought my 330d, but even six years ago most were getting leggy; depressing indeed, if you want a smaller premium car with a diesel engine that isn't a rough little 4' you either buy a 3-Series or something approaching 15 years old...
When did Audi stop doing the V6 diesel in the A4 or is it still going?2004 Lexus IS300 Sportcross. Impeccably behaved cheap reliability, extraordinarily trustworthy wet weather handling on the right tyres, a purchase, service, and forget paragon of easy ownership prospect. 14 years in with ours, replacement is proving to be the impossible ask. I've stopped thinking of trying.
sideways man said:
I’ve got a Volvo v40, last year of the 5 cylinder diesels. Cream leather heated seats which are so comfy, upgraded hifi, heated front screen and big sidewall tyres; love it as my daily. Just about to treat it to a new cam belt , it’ll be good for the next 10 years.
All those C1 platform Volvos with a five mot engine (S40, V50, C30, C70) are very likeable, robust cars that seem to hit the peak of enough tech and development not to be crap but none of the modern fragility or irritating stuff. In 2019 I bought a 2005 manual BMW 330i SE on 107K miles and there really is nothing I can think of to replace it without spending thousands more, so I still have it!
As it's an SE the ride isn't rock hard on 17" wheels and no lowered, stiffened M-Sport suspension. It's almost too refined, but can certainly get a move on when required. And with Sparkling Graphite paint it just goes under the radar.
It has all the gadgetry I want including dual-zone Climate, but possibly a few features I could live without - like the need to depress the clutch fully to start the engine.
As it's an SE the ride isn't rock hard on 17" wheels and no lowered, stiffened M-Sport suspension. It's almost too refined, but can certainly get a move on when required. And with Sparkling Graphite paint it just goes under the radar.
It has all the gadgetry I want including dual-zone Climate, but possibly a few features I could live without - like the need to depress the clutch fully to start the engine.
Lexus RX400h
Great daily, bought second hand at 3 yrs old, owned 13 years, now on 140k, totally reliable, no rattles, general servicing/tyres only, super comfy, smooth, quiet, epic stereo, not too big, no bings/bongs like new cars, plenty quick enough 270ish Bhp, over 30mpg too, in traffic or on run.
Great daily, bought second hand at 3 yrs old, owned 13 years, now on 140k, totally reliable, no rattles, general servicing/tyres only, super comfy, smooth, quiet, epic stereo, not too big, no bings/bongs like new cars, plenty quick enough 270ish Bhp, over 30mpg too, in traffic or on run.
Sounds like I'm just plugging my own cars but recent Mazdas are so underrated IMHO. I owned an NB MX5 about 20 years ago and it was OK but Mazdas in the 2000s just felt a little cheap and plasticky like a Ford inside to me. My parents drive Mazdas now, so they actually got me into the new ones and prompted me to check some out when we replaced our family car last year. The recently discontinued 6 and CX5 are both solid 4.5 starts in my opinion, they look good, drive really well (better than many Audis/BMWs/Mercedes) and feel quite premium inside. I only minus half a star because I don't find the UI the most intuitive but it's fine once you get used to it. I would have gone for a 6 Estate but my wife preferred an SUV style vehicle, so we went CX5 but it's still a fantastic car. The latest Mazda 3s are brilliant too, much better than the Golf benchmark. This recommendation with the proviso that you don't touch any of the Mazda diesels, as I hear they're a disaster but the petrol powered versions are brilliant (ours has the 2.5 4 cylinder).
Fiddly-Dee said:
I'll chip in with our late W204 C350CDI in Elegance specification.
Our old E500 was one of the most complete cars we’ve ever owned. Huge. Comfortable. Well equipped. As fast as anyone could reasonably want. Could be hustled if you absolutely needed to but it was a bit like asking your granny to ice skate. All the family bus anyone needs.
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