Car suggestions
Author
Discussion

Betts88

Original Poster:

163 posts

110 months

Tuesday 17th March 2020
quotequote all
TLDR:
After a new car, open to convertible, SUV, estate etc. Prefer 3 litre + diesel or a V8.


Hi all,

Long time lurker, I'm looking for some advice on what car to buy as I simply can't decide!

I've been lurking in the barge thread, currently changing job as I have been driving rental cars for almost a year. Have got used to Apple CarPlay etc. and all "mod cons" so may need to invest in a head unit that is compatible for older vehicles

My requirements / considerations are as follows:

- Preferably RWD or AWD/4WD (Haldex etc perfectly fine, I do not want anything FWD.
- Ideally would spend around £10-£15k, can go more for the right car and also happy to spend less. Looking around a 2013/14 car but happy to go older for a compelling reason (hence including LS460 below)
- Mileage very flexible, doing less than 10k a year but will do 50 miles a day when I do go out (I won't be driving every day), so can consider petrol as well as diesel. Am happy to go for a 3 litre diesel
- Open for car type - I prefer larger vehicles but this is my only chance to do a convertible if I am going to do one, so considering E350 CDI / SL500 (I see no need to go for an SL350). Also open to a cheap saloon, but would prefer an estate or hatchback

Currently considering the following:
- Mercedes Benz E Class (E350) / CLS (350 CDI & 500, both Saloon and Shooting Brake) / S Class / perhaps an ML, GL or R Class
- BMW F10 e.g. 550 or 535d (drove one and liked it)
- Lexus LS460 / 600h (haven't driven one, have driven an NX which was OK for what it was but I am not that keen on the Toyota infotainment / cluster but could live with it)
- Audi A8 (any)
- BMW 7 series (probably a diesel)
- Older VW Touareg
- VW Phaeton (drove one and liked it)
- Jaguar XJ (X351) (drove one as a pool car and loved it)

Likes:

- Non-black interior - white, cognac (any shade of brown is fine), even red - I am fed up of cars with dark interiors!
- Premium audio is a must
- Have enjoyed S222 S-Class and new GLS which I've been given as an occasional upgrade in the last year. Very much liking dual clutch transmissions (both VAG and Kia) and I like the new modern Mercedes
- Different colours to the usual sea of black / silver / white / grey - this can be compromised though whereas I do not really want to compromise on the dark interior (dark headlining is fine)
- AMG Line / M Sport Editions as I do like the looks
- 3 litre + diesels, although would consider a V8
- Heated seats and massage seats
- Recent cars I have driven in various places and have liked a lot are Chevrolet Tahoe / Cadillac Escalade / Camaro SS Convertible / Jaguar XJ / Tesla Model 3 / Volvo XC40 / Mercedes C200d estate (the C200 petrol convertible leaves a bit of want for overtaking and I am too tall and head touches the roof) in case that gives any insights!
- 3 series / C class are a pinch too small for me, always feel cramped in them. Used to have a BMW E60 535d and after than (most recently) an Audi A8 3.0 TDI Black Edition (D4) but am not looking to tie quite so much money up, unlike last time I looked.
- Would consider Infiniti etc. but don't know a lot about their product range. Have driven a Nissan Armada and really like the Infiniti QX80

Don't like:

- Black interior
- Vauxhalls
- 4 cylinder engines (I have driven many, many of the latest offerings and am surprised by modern Kias etc)
- Steering wheels that aren't 3 spokes e.g. latest 2013/14 onwards M Sport / Audi A8 D4 runout steering wheel

I have considered an L322 but can't quite bring myself to go for one. I have driven one (3.6 TDV8) and it was fine.
Also, worth me saying I am not put off my high mileage, I will change all fluids on a new car purchase anyway

I am hoping ZX10R NIN posts as I have had some sensible suggestions in the past when I was leasing the D4 and considering a used XJ etc.

I think I have driven a small saloon (Q50?) from Infiniti and it was OK but it was a very small hybrid 4 pot that I do not remember what it was.

Thanks in advance all!

okenemem

1,483 posts

223 months

Tuesday 17th March 2020
quotequote all
does the car need to be fun or your happy just getting from a to b