Comfy, Reliable, 50+ MPG

[Otispunkmeyer]

Hi All

Coming up to a year with my Prius and want to get rid. Its not a bad car. Its good on fuel (averaging 50mpg at the minute), its very easy to drive and its oily bits are basically bomb proof. But, the seats are not that comfortable, the suspension is atrocious and the NVH level means it gets quite wearing.

I could do with something that just more comfortable, quieter, more cosseting. Though I think I will have to drop back to a MT which isn't ideal, but I need to keep that 50+ mpg dream alive. I'm probably looking at diesel and 1.6 liters at that.

So far...I've browsed....

Volvo V40/C30 D2
Skoda/Seat/VW 1.6tdi (Octy/Leon/Golf)
Civic 9th Gen (1.6 iDTEC).

I have had a Civic before and I know they aren't that well sprung, though they did improve it vastly for the 9th. Also you have to get one with leather to get decent lumbar support. The Honda will be the most reliable I suspect though, by all accounts their little iDTEC is a gem and they do drive well. The Volvo is probably going to be the most comfortable, but I haven't heard great things about their smaller diesels. The VAG bunch probably provide a good middle ground? They're very much a known quantity, they all ride quite well and have good seats.

Mileage is not so much a worry. Higher miles probably mean its been used properly. My only concern with DPFs though is ashing. You can't get rid of ash as its already the products of oxidation. I don't know how long OEMs expect a DPF to last before ashing becomes an issue (is it even an issue?)

My Prius is worth £6.5k according to WBAC. I reckon I could get a bit more from some budding Taxi/Uber driver if I wanted.

For those who have never heard of DPF ashing - > https://dieselnet.com/tech/dpf_ash.php#transport

Any other cars I should consider for the price?

[Pistonheader101]

Saloons?

[stevemcs]

I wouldn't touch a VAG 1.6, gutless under powered things that you work hard and use more fuel.

Out of those i'd be looking towards the Honda with a Focus as an alternative, stick with at least 2.0 litres if possible

[DavidY]

Otispunkmeyer said:

The Volvo is probably going to be the most comfortable, but I haven't heard great things about their smaller diesels.

I have a 2012 V50 R-Design D2 (1.6 diesel), I've owned it from new, its very comfortable (as are all Volvo's) and has just passed 188K miles!!! It regularly does 55+mpg and other than regular servicing, only two suspension bushes and two steering gaiters have been replaced. Based on my experience I'd happily have a small Volvo diesel in a V40/C30/V50.

Volvo's don't overly impress on test drives, they have great seats, good aircon and decent stereo's in short they are a nice place to sit, they are much more comfortable than their German opposition which often sits on bigger wheels/lower profile tyres (not good on our current roads), but most important of all, after 20k miles, nothing pi**es you off!!

[ZX10R NIN]

How many miles do you do a year? Where do you do the majority of those miles? Answer those two & then you'll be able to workout what drivetrain is the best way to go.

[Foxall]

I have owned both a V40 D2 and a 1.6tdi VAG engined car.

The VAG engine felt more powerful (it wasn't) but felt a lot more responsive. The D2 just seemed gutless and broke a lot!

[Otispunkmeyer]

ZX10R NIN said:

How many miles do you do a year? Where do you do the majority of those miles? Answer those two & then you'll be able to workout what drivetrain is the best way to go.

15k a year minimum

mostly motorway and fast A-road

[Otispunkmeyer]

DavidY said:

Otispunkmeyer said:

The Volvo is probably going to be the most comfortable, but I haven't heard great things about their smaller diesels.

I have a 2012 V50 R-Design D2 (1.6 diesel), I've owned it from new, its very comfortable (as are all Volvo's) and has just passed 188K miles!!! It regularly does 55+mpg and other than regular servicing, only two suspension bushes and two steering gaiters have been replaced. Based on my experience I'd happily have a small Volvo diesel in a V40/C30/V50.

Volvo's don't overly impress on test drives, they have great seats, good aircon and decent stereo's in short they are a nice place to sit, they are much more comfortable than their German opposition which often sits on bigger wheels/lower profile tyres (not good on our current roads), but most important of all, after 20k miles, nothing pi**es you off!!

V50 is a great shout actually. I forgot about those.

[kieranblenk]

A Peugeot 308 HDI or Renault Megane dCi may be worth a look - they're a lot better than they used to be.

[RizzoTheRat]

It's worth taking a look at the bigger VAG diesel engines too. I average about 46-47 mpg on mixed driving from a 2.0 Common Rail in an Octavia vRS, when I was mainly motorway commuting I was getting about 50mpg average if I drove around about the speed limit, and long motorway journeys generally get up to about 52-53.

[Jamescrs]

I'd definitely say go for a Volvo personally, I'd be inclined to go for one of the bigger ones for more comfort than the C30, if you don't need an estate I'd think you can probably get a reasonable S60 for your budget as they don't seem to hold value as well as V60's which would probably be above your budget for a good one.
If you need an estate I'd go for a V50 or even an older V70

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say take a look at the 2.0d Focus's they're great cars with sensible running costs & they're also a very good steer.

Zetec S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Titanium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or go for the more fuel efficient Mondeo in Titanium X trim it'll be a much nicer place to spend 20k in & they're actually better on fuel due to the longer gearing which will make them more suited to your commute.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Auto Titanium X you'll be looking at a real world 45mpg.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The 170 2.0d Giulietta in Veloce trim is another car that's a good car & will see 50's with ease:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The 508 in GT 200 form gives you a car with pretty much every feature you need & the Auto box but you're looking at 45mpg:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

An often overlooked car is the DS5 which is good if you're looking to buy one now these cars waft with ease & are a nice place to while away the miles.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Haggle hard over the dent (which will cost you around £300) & I reckon the car above will be yours for 6k.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda6 Sport 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Benbay001]

Whats wrong with all the hybrid offerings from lexus? Like your prius, but comfier.

[flatso]

Last gen Citroen c5 with the 2.0 HDI in exclusive trim. Some of the best diesels in he industry, the hydropneumatic suspension and the exclusive trim are legendary comfort. The looks are not bad either.
Thank me later!

[ZX10R NIN]

Now if you want 60mpg then you may want to look at this diesel hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Kawasicki]

My wife drives a 1.6d bluemotion golf estate. Easily gets over 50mpg..very quiet too...I drive it on the Autobahn once a week flat out to keep the dpf clear...cruises at fairly low revs at 180 km/h.

Pros: Big, quiet, refined, ergonomics, finish, good handling and steering.
Cons: Ride from rear axle abrupt at times.

She bloody loves it.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Lots of food for thought there.

Will have a browse through the links this afternoon. French stuff does appeal to me, but reliability does concern me (we have a 67 plate Megane at work and its a bag of crap. Everyone hates it and it sounds like its on its last legs. Its done < 10k!).

[ZX10R NIN]

The Citroen drivetrain is the same as found in a lot of Fords & obviously Peugeot, you can always get a lemon from any car maker but as a whole the Citroens are good the diesel hybrid is also a win win because it's already ULEZ compliant so an future legislation will not affect it.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Not concerned about ULEZ as my work is out in the sticks. Got a Mazda 3 sky active if we really need to.

How are Passat CC’s ? Really like the look of them and seem ok on price with DSG boxes. Done a bit more thinking and I don’t think I can give up automatics. So have relaxed the mpg count somewhat.

Colleague at work just picked up a tidy e90 320d auto from a BMW dealer. Approved used. Will ask him if I can have a sniff around as they’re quite tempting also if I can find a touring.

[ZX10R NIN]

The 320d's have well documented issues with their timing chains, so unless the one you're looking at has had the fix carried out I really wouldn't bother.

At your price point the Mondeo is still the best FWD in it's class & comes in either 200 or 160bhp spec:

2.2d Titanium X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.0d Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Looks wise the CC's are a winner but I'd still take the Ford:

Tech GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Volvo S60 D5 for me this is a better option than the CC above if you want something different styling wise.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The Giulietta is another good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

& the 508 in Allure spec is a very reliable & comfortable option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...