What car - £15k comfortable daily driver
Discussion
After some inspiration really and perhaps first hand experience of various models.
I currently drive a 2014 E63 and do about 15k miles a year mainly commuting to and from work. I used to own a Boxster S and therefore took the scenic B road route everyday but now stick to motorway and A roads as the current car is unsurprisingly nowhere near as good on the back roads.
I'm now looking to swap one car for two and have already set my heart on an Exige V6 S to hopefully be purchased between now and May next year when I'll be heading to the Nurburgring again with mates. However I need to decide on a daily driver in the meantime and have set myself a budget of between £15-20k.
As I'll have a weekend car for fun days, occasional track days and maybe the odd jaunt to work in the summer, I've decided I want something comfortable (E63 not as relaxed as I'd hoped when pootling around), reasonably brisk, economical and doesn't cost an arm and a leg when something breaks (yes I naively didn't anticipate some of the costs to replace things on what was an £85k car when new).
Ideally I'd like something 6 cylinder, mainly for the noise and the extra power over the 4 cylinder variants. However it doesn't really need to be practical, it's just me on my commute, then my son and I the rest of the time. I occasionally pick his football team mates up, but if I haven't got enough seats then their parents will have to get out of bed! So 2 doors are fine.
I've narrowed it down to the following which interest me and I plan to sort out test drives over the next few weeks:
- Jag XFS the 3.0 diesel with 275bhp, although I've read a few worrying threads about engine issues this appears to tick a lot of boxes.
- Audi A6/7 3.0 tdi the 245bhp version, think the A7 is a good looking car and like the interior, and hatchback might come in handy for the dog although I can count on one hand the number of times she's been in my car in the last year
- Mercedes E350 cdi coupe, quite like the look of these although have no idea what they're actually like.
Couple of curveballs...
- Golf Gti with the performance pack. I've always fancied owning a Gti and out of all the hatchbacks it's the one I don't think I'll feel too old driving. Think it's reasonably economical, insurance is cheap, and I imagine so is maintenance. Might even entice me back to the scenic route on occasion.
- Infiniti FX/QX, I know nothing about these but always liked the look of the FX.
I've rejected the idea of a 640d, which i thought would be top of my list, as the insurance costs are quite a bit higher compared to its rivals. And I just don't fancy a 3/5 series.
Anything else I should consider for a test drive, experiences of any of the above?
Tldr; comfortable, toys, enough pace to be interesting on occasion, economical (35mpg is fine), not expensive to maintain, ideally 4 seats, budget £15-20k.
Edited to add - up to 7 years old, but preferably no more than 5, and 60k miles on the clock.
I currently drive a 2014 E63 and do about 15k miles a year mainly commuting to and from work. I used to own a Boxster S and therefore took the scenic B road route everyday but now stick to motorway and A roads as the current car is unsurprisingly nowhere near as good on the back roads.
I'm now looking to swap one car for two and have already set my heart on an Exige V6 S to hopefully be purchased between now and May next year when I'll be heading to the Nurburgring again with mates. However I need to decide on a daily driver in the meantime and have set myself a budget of between £15-20k.
As I'll have a weekend car for fun days, occasional track days and maybe the odd jaunt to work in the summer, I've decided I want something comfortable (E63 not as relaxed as I'd hoped when pootling around), reasonably brisk, economical and doesn't cost an arm and a leg when something breaks (yes I naively didn't anticipate some of the costs to replace things on what was an £85k car when new).
Ideally I'd like something 6 cylinder, mainly for the noise and the extra power over the 4 cylinder variants. However it doesn't really need to be practical, it's just me on my commute, then my son and I the rest of the time. I occasionally pick his football team mates up, but if I haven't got enough seats then their parents will have to get out of bed! So 2 doors are fine.
I've narrowed it down to the following which interest me and I plan to sort out test drives over the next few weeks:
- Jag XFS the 3.0 diesel with 275bhp, although I've read a few worrying threads about engine issues this appears to tick a lot of boxes.
- Audi A6/7 3.0 tdi the 245bhp version, think the A7 is a good looking car and like the interior, and hatchback might come in handy for the dog although I can count on one hand the number of times she's been in my car in the last year
- Mercedes E350 cdi coupe, quite like the look of these although have no idea what they're actually like.
Couple of curveballs...
- Golf Gti with the performance pack. I've always fancied owning a Gti and out of all the hatchbacks it's the one I don't think I'll feel too old driving. Think it's reasonably economical, insurance is cheap, and I imagine so is maintenance. Might even entice me back to the scenic route on occasion.
- Infiniti FX/QX, I know nothing about these but always liked the look of the FX.
I've rejected the idea of a 640d, which i thought would be top of my list, as the insurance costs are quite a bit higher compared to its rivals. And I just don't fancy a 3/5 series.
Anything else I should consider for a test drive, experiences of any of the above?
Tldr; comfortable, toys, enough pace to be interesting on occasion, economical (35mpg is fine), not expensive to maintain, ideally 4 seats, budget £15-20k.
Edited to add - up to 7 years old, but preferably no more than 5, and 60k miles on the clock.
How about this?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Infiniti M 3.5 GT Premium
Don't see many of them on the road and it seems pretty loaded with tech. Smart looking interior also.
40.9mpg combined
38k miles
RWD
£185 tax
0-60mph 5.5s
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Infiniti M 3.5 GT Premium
Don't see many of them on the road and it seems pretty loaded with tech. Smart looking interior also.
40.9mpg combined
38k miles
RWD
£185 tax
0-60mph 5.5s
Infiniti QX50 GT Premium a reliable swift & loaded with kit
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
M GT saloon version of the above: these are a rare find but are well worth a look as they're a very good option.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The Jaguar is a good choice the engine has proved reliable for most there have been some issues but it's a very good car but I think I'd be tempted to go for the XJ in Portfolio trim:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The E Coupe is a great choice I have one & can't fault it (admittedly it's a petrol) I've supplied a fair few they don't really have any issues but I'd say it's a must to get one with the panoramic roof as a drive they're a relaxing drive.
Finding the rare 265bhp model is worth doing
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or go for the later AMG Sport Models:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Leftfield
Infiniti Hybrid 3.5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
M GT saloon version of the above: these are a rare find but are well worth a look as they're a very good option.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The Jaguar is a good choice the engine has proved reliable for most there have been some issues but it's a very good car but I think I'd be tempted to go for the XJ in Portfolio trim:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The E Coupe is a great choice I have one & can't fault it (admittedly it's a petrol) I've supplied a fair few they don't really have any issues but I'd say it's a must to get one with the panoramic roof as a drive they're a relaxing drive.
Finding the rare 265bhp model is worth doing
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or go for the later AMG Sport Models:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Leftfield
Infiniti Hybrid 3.5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Cheers for the suggestions, the Infiniti's do seem to offer great value for money!
Like the look of the QX50 so I'll add that to the list of possibles.
Not sure on the looks of the M GT, and the hybrid model sounds like it wouldn't be economical enough with my heavy right foot.
I do like the later versions of the E Class coupe, and good to know it's a relaxing comfortable drive. As I get older that seems more of a priority for my commute.
And lastly the XJ... fantastic interior imo, but sizewise seems a bit overkill when I'm on my own most of the time. I also worry, maybe unnecessarily, about the larger luxury cars throwing up big bills.
I think reliability of the XF is the only thing that would put me off not having that top of my list, so its good to hear they are not particularly prone to engine issues.
Like the look of the QX50 so I'll add that to the list of possibles.
Not sure on the looks of the M GT, and the hybrid model sounds like it wouldn't be economical enough with my heavy right foot.
I do like the later versions of the E Class coupe, and good to know it's a relaxing comfortable drive. As I get older that seems more of a priority for my commute.
And lastly the XJ... fantastic interior imo, but sizewise seems a bit overkill when I'm on my own most of the time. I also worry, maybe unnecessarily, about the larger luxury cars throwing up big bills.
I think reliability of the XF is the only thing that would put me off not having that top of my list, so its good to hear they are not particularly prone to engine issues.
The only possible extra bill the XJ could throw up over the XF is the air suspension & even that isn't overly expensive or proving to be an issue (£250 for a complete front leg) money wise they're close enough for me to look in their direction.
Try to take a look at the M in the flesh it's actually a good looking car photos don't help it, plus once you've sat in it you may just find yourself doing a deal, the first one I listed has everything you could ask for plus some things you didn't like the speaker in the seat once you've heard the sound quality you can't fail to be impressed.
The QX is in a similar vain & another gem that most people don't know about servicing is very sensible & nothing goes wrong with either model.
The Jaguar XF/XJ will be the best steer but I'm not sure if I'd go past the either Infiniti or grab the XJ it would be a tough call, but I think the Infiniti would just edge it, but that decision might change in an hours time lol.
Try to take a look at the M in the flesh it's actually a good looking car photos don't help it, plus once you've sat in it you may just find yourself doing a deal, the first one I listed has everything you could ask for plus some things you didn't like the speaker in the seat once you've heard the sound quality you can't fail to be impressed.
The QX is in a similar vain & another gem that most people don't know about servicing is very sensible & nothing goes wrong with either model.
The Jaguar XF/XJ will be the best steer but I'm not sure if I'd go past the either Infiniti or grab the XJ it would be a tough call, but I think the Infiniti would just edge it, but that decision might change in an hours time lol.
I've got a C350 cdi (same engine and box as the E350 on your list.)
The engine and gearbox combo are an absolute peach. Lovely smooth power and heaps of torque - I think they sound decent too for an oil burner.
Coming from a BMW, the Mercedes rides so much better and with auto everything, my commute is smooth and easy. Would reccomend!
The engine and gearbox combo are an absolute peach. Lovely smooth power and heaps of torque - I think they sound decent too for an oil burner.
Coming from a BMW, the Mercedes rides so much better and with auto everything, my commute is smooth and easy. Would reccomend!
Another curveball in the equation, a GS250?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
A bit slow, but it's a Lexus so it comes with masses of kit and should be comfortable.Reliability shouldn't be a problem either and it comes under budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
A bit slow, but it's a Lexus so it comes with masses of kit and should be comfortable.Reliability shouldn't be a problem either and it comes under budget.
I do like those infiniti interiors but the exterior looks (in pics at least) leave me cold, lights arent to inovative either from what i can see (like my lights)
XJ id say, portfolio has huge kit inc cooled massage seats and 2 way monitor so passengr can watch tv while you nav.
I tested one recently and it actualy felt smaller than my xf asmcabin space up front is tighter, was just as agile as my xf, incredible for a big car and interior has so much character compared to germans, 3.0 diesel is a peach to with the 8 speed zf
XJ id say, portfolio has huge kit inc cooled massage seats and 2 way monitor so passengr can watch tv while you nav.
I tested one recently and it actualy felt smaller than my xf asmcabin space up front is tighter, was just as agile as my xf, incredible for a big car and interior has so much character compared to germans, 3.0 diesel is a peach to with the 8 speed zf
Closest Infiniti dealer is Birmingham and I live in Leicester so not exactly convenient which is putting me off a bit.
So it's a narrowed down list to the XF/XJ, maybe the E350, and looked again at 640d insurance costs and they're not as bad as I first thought, so that's back on the list.
Need to go and sort some test drives now. Thanks for the suggestions
So it's a narrowed down list to the XF/XJ, maybe the E350, and looked again at 640d insurance costs and they're not as bad as I first thought, so that's back on the list.
Need to go and sort some test drives now. Thanks for the suggestions
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