£1000 and 80 miles a day

[sausage76]

So need some help

After my Merc had a catastrophic failure I need a new daily commuter.

I do an 80 mile round trip, A roads and motorway.

So I'm thinking diesel is a must. Also be nice to have cruise control. Thats all my requirements.

So what do you think???? Best cars for my choice, hit me up

[exelero]

Volvo S60, Saab 9-3 or 9-5

[ZX10R NIN]

Anything you can find locally that's been looked after:

Vectra SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Alfa 147

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

MG ZT

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

[exelero]

ZX10R NIN said:

Anything you can find locally that's been looked after:

Vectra SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Alfa 147

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

MG ZT

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

Is it only me who thinks that those ZT s look amazing??

[Jamescrs]

exelero said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Anything you can find locally that's been looked after:

Vectra SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Alfa 147

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

MG ZT

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

Is it only me who thinks that those ZT s look amazing??

I owned a ZT that shape in that colour with same interior.

My criticisms are not.as big inside as they look, boot is an awkward shape which made it hard loading bulky objects.

Changing front bulbs was a.nightmare, they intend you.to.go.through a hatch in the wheel arch but I got taking the front bumper off down to.a fine art over the 3 years I owned it and changed all the bulbs as a matter of course annually.

[Agila b 6yr 6k]

exelero said:

Volvo S60, Saab 9-3 or 9-5

This. Because of the comfort.

Always had a soft spot for rover/mg but "amazing" is a bit strong.

I think they look decent for what they are.

[exelero]

Agila b 6yr 6k said:

This. Because of the comfort.

Always had a soft spot for rover/mg but "amazing" is a bit strong.

I think they look decent for what they are.

Ok, not amazing, but decent enough. For something that is 17 years old now looks quite modern too

[DailyHack]

+1 for a SAAB 9-3 - ultimate motorway cruiser

[Feirny]

Another vote for the 9-3, got one myself not so long back.

[borcy]

If you get a ZT diesel make sure it's an auto don't bother with the manual.

How about a mazda 6?

[Gad-Westy]

The Volvo option is a good one. Very comfortable and so many rack up big mileages which should be reassuring. Another option is a Lexus IS. A colleague just paid £800 for an IS250 and although it’s not perfect it seems like a bloody good car.

[ZX10R NIN]

exelero said:

Is it only me who thinks that those ZT s look amazing??

They do look good as others have said get the auto but make sure you change the fluids, the engine is pretty much bulletproof & they have nice seats.

The Saab's are good but they have the same drivetrain as the Vectra/Signum so don't discount them but the Saab has the better seats not that the Vectra SRI seats are poor mind.

[Welshbeef]

How about a Merc E320CDi? Estate job done

[ZX10R NIN]

Not for 1k it'll be a dog or rusting away,

[DoubleD]

Jamescrs said:

Changing front bulbs was a.nightmare, they intend you.to.go.through a hatch in the wheel arch but I got taking the front bumper off down to.a fine art over the 3 years I owned it and changed all the bulbs as a matter of course annually.

Why did you need to change the bulbs so often?

[sausage76]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Have got a few Saab's on my list. I do like the ZT just need to find the right one if its local.

[sausage76]

Anything to look put for on the 9-3?

Apart from The usual like smoking on start up underload.

Any issue like rust etc

[anonymous-user]

i wouldn't be focusing on diesel, yes over a year a 1k difference potential in fuel 35mpg vs 55mpg, but the thing is you need to think about the pressures put on car, so brakes, tyres, service history, pther issues, would be more important to me.

You are looking at cars at end of life. I would look for 1.8 litres plus petrol even lpg big engines, something that is not stressed.

[anonymous-user]

^^^^ that.

Last time I had a similar situation to the OP I got a 2.0 petrol mk3 mondeo. Driven sensibly it returned nearly 40 mpg, easy to self service, parts cost buttons and it was extremely reliable.

[exelero]

sausage76 said:

Anything to look put for on the 9-3?

Apart from The usual like smoking on start up underload.

Any issue like rust etc

Arches could rust although it’s not common. Mine has a bit of bubbles at the rear but I haven’t seen many that do. Mine is petrol so I have no clue about diesels. What I know is that vacuum hoses tend to split around the turbo hence smoke. Another common issue seem to be with DPF for those who take short town journeys all the time