Finally my turn for a what car

[vantara]

Morning all, I will (in the new year) be hopefully in the position to replace my 2008 Volvo S40. This car was always meant to be a stop-gap car which has somehow lasted 3 years!
First of all budget - either buying outright for £8-9k or PCP, Lease, HP up to £250 - £300 a month.
Now I like my Volvo but it is really too small, I like bigger cars and ideally would like an estate. I’ll just list my other requirements:
Automatic, diesel, Volvo level of comfort, Lexus level of build quality, 40+ mpg, non-black interior, all the toys (such as cruise, auto headlights, auto wipers, DAB etc).
Definitely not black, silver or white in colour - they are just boring in my eyes and I prefer something with colour.
I have been looking at Volvo V60’s but could well be not aware of something suitable.
Oh yes, something else I have thought of - I have started paddle boarding and if I could fit my board in (9ft 6) or the car has roof rails - this would be a bonus.

Many thanks for looking
Andy

[A500leroy]

Jaaaaag XF estate?

[kiethton]

You could PCP a new Mazda CX-5 for that - look smart in red with stone leather

[vantara]

Thanks guys. I hadn’t thought about the Jag or Mazda. Do like the look of the XF estate, found one in red which definitely looks the part. Not sure about the size of the Mazda and not really into having another mock SUV.
Keep the suggestions coming - giving me food for thought.

Andy

[stevemcs]

If you like the look of the CX5 but don't want an SUV thwn how about a Mazda 6 estate ? Most of the german stuff comes with black interiors and roof lining so you may struggle with one of those, although skoda superbs come with the occasional light interior but i wouldn't say the leather is comfortable.

[ZX10R NIN]

The hardest thing to find will be the light interior,

Insignia Elite

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

C220 Elegance

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

Leftfield option:

DS5h

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

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

508 RXH

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

[vantara]

ZX10R NIN said:

The hardest thing to find will be the light interior,

Insignia Elite

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

C220 Elegance

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

Leftfield option:

DS5h

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

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

508 RXH

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

Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately I would never have another Vauxhall after previous bad experience and the old french reliability question still gets to me.
Like the merc though which is food for thought.
Andy

[ZX10R NIN]

With you're criteria it'll be hard to find exactly what you want.

[ninjag]

vantara said:

Automatic, diesel, Volvo level of comfort, Lexus level of build quality, 40+ mpg, non-black interior, all the toys (such as cruise, auto headlights, auto wipers, DAB etc).
Definitely not black, silver or white in colour - they are just boring in my eyes and I prefer something with colour.

The XF Sportbrake would tick all the boxes and as they are all facelifts there were many improvements and reliability increased. However, at your budget it will be four pot and high miles but the car suits the six cylinder much better.

You'll have to increase your budget to around £11k to get the six cylinder, low miles and the spec to get the toys (Premium Luxury or Portfolio). Ideally go for the 'S' version of these as well as it's more powerful.

[ilikejam]

I've just bought a 2017 Mazda 6 Tourer for £11k.

Red, Sport Nav, 2.2d, 50k miles. Ideally I wanted the light leather interior but there wasn't one in my desired engine/gearbox/spec/colour combination so that was the compromise.

£8700 gets you a 1 owner 95k 2016 manual at the minute. Should be more of the 2017 models in budget come Q1 next year.

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

Edited by ilikejam on Monday 21st October 10:29

[ninjag]

ilikejam said:

I've just bought a 2017 Mazda 6 Tourer for £11k.

Red, Sport Nav, 2.2d, 50k miles. Ideally I wanted the light leather interior but there wasn't one in my desired engine/gearbox/spec/colour combination so that was the compromise.

£8700 gets you a 1 owner 95k 2016 manual at the minute. Should be more of the 2017 models in budget come Q1 next year.

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

Edited by ilikejam on Monday 21st October 10:29

My brother is looking at the petrol version of this at the moment. Any advice on what to look out for?

[vantara]

Gents, the suggestions have been very helpful - thank you.
With regard to the Mazda 6 unfortunately both my brother and BIL have one so am loathe to go down that route - we can’t all have the same!
I have done some investigating and both myself and my wife love the look of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake. I will be searching for a 2.2 or 3.0 (not much difference insurance wise fortunately). If I have my sensible head on then the 2.2 should win but a little more power is always nice!
We both like the Italian racing red with a light interior and would aim for one below 75k miles.

Is there any owners on here who could say what I should look out for? What work should I expect to have been done etc?

Many many thanks to all posters for your advice and assistance

Andy

[ilikejam]

ninjag said:

ilikejam said:

I've just bought a 2017 Mazda 6 Tourer for £11k.

Red, Sport Nav, 2.2d, 50k miles. Ideally I wanted the light leather interior but there wasn't one in my desired engine/gearbox/spec/colour combination so that was the compromise.

£8700 gets you a 1 owner 95k 2016 manual at the minute. Should be more of the 2017 models in budget come Q1 next year.

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

Edited by ilikejam on Monday 21st October 10:29

My brother is looking at the petrol version of this at the moment. Any advice on what to look out for?

Sorry not overly sure about the petrols as I was solely looking at the 2.2 diesel. The earlier versions of the deisel (2012-2014) seemingly had issues with the timing chain stretching and causing some major expenses - not sure if that was an issue on the petrols. This was apparently all sorted by 2016.

The current shape was launched in 2013. It had a facelift in 2016 where they added the tablet like sticky-up screen amongst various other bits. It was then facelifted again for 2017 with predominantly NVH and handling refinements. I really struggled to tell the 16 and 17 models apart as they both appear as 66 plates - the telltale signs I found were the 17 version added heated steering wheel and the HUD graphics are white where the older ones are blue.

Top left of this pic is the heated wheel button (2017 MY):


2016 MY it's a button that seems to control parking sensors:

Edited by ilikejam on Tuesday 22 October 11:44

[ninjag]

ilikejam said:

Sorry not overly sure about the petrols as I was solely looking at the 2.2 diesel. The earlier versions of the deisel (2012-2014) seemingly had issues with the timing chain stretching and causing some major expenses - not sure if that was an issue on the petrols. This was apparently all sorted by 2016.

The current shape was launched in 2013. It had a facelift in 2016 where they added the tablet like sticky-up screen amongst various other bits. It was then facelifted again for 2017 with predominantly NVH and handling refinements. I really struggled to tell the 16 and 17 models apart as they both appear as 66 plates - the telltale signs I found were the 17 version added heated steering wheel and the HUD graphics are white where the older ones are blue.

Top left of this pic is the heated wheel button (2017 MY):


2016 MY it's a button that seems to control parking sensors:

Edited by ilikejam on Tuesday 22 October 11:44

Thanks for the reply, I'll pass your comments onto him.

[ninjag]

vantara said:

Gents, the suggestions have been very helpful - thank you.
With regard to the Mazda 6 unfortunately both my brother and BIL have one so am loathe to go down that route - we can’t all have the same!
I have done some investigating and both myself and my wife love the look of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake. I will be searching for a 2.2 or 3.0 (not much difference insurance wise fortunately). If I have my sensible head on then the 2.2 should win but a little more power is always nice!
We both like the Italian racing red with a light interior and would aim for one below 75k miles.

Is there any owners on here who could say what I should look out for? What work should I expect to have been done etc?

Many many thanks to all posters for your advice and assistance

Andy

For the 3.0d V6 the biggest thing I can think of is the timing belt which is due to be changed at either 84 months or 112,000 miles. It's recommended to get the water pump done as well whilst in there as it's cheap anyway, Total bill is usually around £500.

Seeing as all the Sportbrakes are facelifts any earlier problems (or saloon related issues) have been addressed they seem to be very reliable. I would definitely recommend the 3.0d V6.

Bear in mind it's an ECU out job if you want to remap, but there are two and even three channel tuning boxes available for it.

[vantara]

ninjag said:

For the 3.0d V6 the biggest thing I can think of is the timing belt which is due to be changed at either 84 months or 112,000 miles. It's recommended to get the water pump done as well whilst in there as it's cheap anyway, Total bill is usually around £500.

Seeing as all the Sportbrakes are facelifts any earlier problems (or saloon related issues) have been addressed they seem to be very reliable. I would definitely recommend the 3.0d V6.

Bear in mind it's an ECU out job if you want to remap, but there are two and even three channel tuning boxes available for it.

Ninjag, that is brilliant info and definitely has helped in the decision making process.
Quite happy to pay for the timing belt and water pump if not already been done. I’m not one for remaps and think the 3.0d V6 will be the one I’ll be looking for.
Come the new year hopefully I’ll find a good one.

Andy

[ninjag]

vantara said:

Ninjag, that is brilliant info and definitely has helped in the decision making process.
Quite happy to pay for the timing belt and water pump if not already been done. I’m not one for remaps and think the 3.0d V6 will be the one I’ll be looking for.
Come the new year hopefully I’ll find a good one.

Andy

They have a snow mode as well! It's just some trickery such as starting in second gear, reduced acceleration, extra smooth gear changes, traction etc. But it also doubles up as a chauffeur mode because everything is made so smooth.

I would also advise spending £120 for an icarsoft LR2 diagnostics tool as it reads all the Jaguar Land
Rover codes and also resets service light, dpf regen etc. Very handy.

[vantara]

Ninjag - this is the kind of info which makes this place great!
Thanks once again
Andy

[ninjag]

vantara said:

Ninjag - this is the kind of info which makes this place great!
Thanks once again
Andy

No problem at all, people have helped me in the past so happy to contribute wherever I can. If you are serious about buying one then this is a great forum to visit and ask: https://www.jaginfo.org/forum.php

[vantara]

Have seen a nice car, which hopefully will fail to sell for a little while, which I could be tempted to go for.
It has the following advisories on its latest MOT -

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
Minor stone chips to windscreen
Offside Rear Slight wear noted in suspension linkage joints
Nearside Front Brake pad warning wiring damaged

Would any of these put you off at all? And how much would I be looking at to get them all sorted?

Thanks

Andy