Second car advice

[Stevoox]

Evening All...

So, currently I have an M240i (pic below) but due to the mileage I do for work, I wish to get a second car and avoid too much depreciation on the BM. Yes, I know cars are to be driven and all that (have just returned from a EU trip to Reims, Stuttgart, track day at Spa and finally the 'ring), hence I'd like to keep the BMW for weekends and road trips.

I can recently lift share some of the time for work, but still it seems a waste to drive a couple of junctions up the M25 and leave it sat all day (plus where I leave it a caravan and some rubbish appeared the other week, so I'd quite like to return after work and find it still there...).

I am looking to spend circa 1.5K and something reasonably reliable to do the motorway trek on the M25 from jct 6 to 11 and back each day - thoughts so far were on a VW Golf mk5.

Anyone have any experiences with these or any other ideas for some cars to look at?

Cheers,
Steve

[CS Garth]

I've always admired the Honda Accord estate for these type of roles -2.2 auto should do the trick.

Cheap, Honda reliability and ph neutral image

[bearman68]

Fill yer boots, plenty of stuff reliable at 1.5k (though I would say a Golf 5 is not one of those).

For me a 2.4 D5 Volvo. Nice seats.

[Stevoox]

bearman68 said:

Fill yer boots, plenty of stuff reliable at 1.5k (though I would say a Golf 5 is not one of those).

For me a 2.4 D5 Volvo. Nice seats.

Well, after doing a bit of reading online, I am now thinking the same about the mk5 - seems (atleast with the earlier ones) there can be some faults!

[bearman68]

Or this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAAB-9-3-SE-Turbo-2001-/...

Prob get that for close on £600. Usual Saab stuff to go wrong, but well known and in the main, cheap.

[Stevoox]

Got me thinking, Saab 9-3 could be an option - the odd little bit here and there mentioned on the forums but could be worth a shot. Only downside...being 25, it's more on insurance

[Alex_225]

Don't you blame you OP for wanting to save your pride and joy. It's something I've done for year and prefer driving something cheaper/less special for the day to day.

I picked up a Saab 9-3 wagon last year for £1,200 and it was a great bit of kit. I'd still have it but put a few more quid down and bought an E-Class Merc so if you could pick one up within budget, the E320 I drive day to day is even better.

[Stevoox]

Alex_225 said:

Don't you blame you OP for wanting to save your pride and joy. It's something I've done for year and prefer driving something cheaper/less special for the day to day.

I picked up a Saab 9-3 wagon last year for £1,200 and it was a great bit of kit. I'd still have it but put a few more quid down and bought an E-Class Merc so if you could pick one up within budget, the E320 I drive day to day is even better.

Cheers, I'll have a browse now!

At the moment I am on autotrader looking between Saab 9-3's and Volvo S40's. The Volvo seems to edge it on reliability (from reading forums) and they're pretty similar in terms of insurance.

2004 S40 1.8 petrol, 97K miles - £593 to insure (£1500 cost of the car)

2004 9-3 2.0 petrol, 76K miles - £631 to insure (£1750 cost of the car)

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Mondeo Zetec S in 2.5 form is a good shout as it's a good steer & has a decent amount of go.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

If you can stretch the budget one of these will make your commute a breeze & they're pretty bulletproof in terms of reliability.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...