Everyday car (auto, cruise, reliable) for £5k. What to buy?

[sebhaque]

Having taken much longer than expected to sort out my current fleet, I'm now looking for an everyday car that I can use as necessary without worrying about if it'll start or if something will go wrong.

My driveway currently consists of a Mercedes C63 estate and an Mk1 Mazda MX-5. The Merc fulfils the silly quick car that I use on weekends and also a backup role for carting friends + luggage around. The MX-5 is my "fun on a weekday" car and a backup daily if needs must.

I would like to purchase a car that I can use for commuting, shopping, moving things around, while not sucking my soul out through the steering wheel.

The requirements I have are:

• £5k budget
• Must be automatic
• Must have cruise control
• Must be a reasonable size (e.g. larger than a Focus)
• Must be reliable/relatively cheap to run

Ideally I'd like something with a bit of performance, but this isn't hard and fast. I don't want something wheezy and asthmatic, but I'm not too bothered if I can't get a spaceship for my little budget. As an example, the Mondeo estate with the 1.6 diesel seems a little slow for me, but a Jaguar XJ, as lovely a car as it is, has a bit of a bork factor about it that puts me off.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[freenote]

Lexus IS 250
(Biased)

[truck71]

Would the Merc not fulfill this very role?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a C Class Estate fits the bill perfectly, the 270cdi is low on bork (no DPF) & with decent power or you can choose a petrol variant.

2004 C270 Avantgarde SE well under budget
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2007 C220 Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2007 C180 Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

or in Mondeo form you get these:

2009 Titanium X
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2010 Zetec
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Christmassss]

Lexus gs430

Not cheap to run, but ticks all the other boxes!

[sebhaque]

Thanks for the suggestions, especially Mr ZX10R.

It would probably have been worth saying that I currently own a 2003 Mercedes C180 estate as a daily, but it's starting to get a little long in the tooth (gearbox and suspension are on their way out) and I'd like to replace it with something that's not a C-class.

The Mondeo is a good shout but I've also previously owned a (2004) Mondeo so, again, alternative suggestions are well appreciated

ETA - the Merc is on loan to my parents, but it's coming back to me in the next week or two. It's going up for sale as soon as I've given it a clean and an oil change.

[ZX10R NIN]

Audi S4
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

A4 2.0 S Line
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2006 325i M Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2006 Saab 9-3 70k 250bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...