Motorway mile eater for 3K? 2020 edition

[Cybitive]

Hey everyone, first time poster, long time lurker looking for some advice.

There are variants on this thread I've seen before but thought let me get a 2020 update to see if things have changed.

I'm trying to get a vehicle suitable for motorway commute for 3k.
I'd be doing at least 20K miles a year but probably no more than 30K at a maximum.
Prob need it for about 2 years

I want something that will cruise well at speed and comfortable, I am not TOO concerned about the exterior looks but you know.. its always nice to look nice.
I will occasionally be lugging around a baby seat in it too.

No other requirements really.

Help me oh wise ones

[5harp3y]

some sort of skoda diesel

[ElectricSoup]

Best SAAB 9-5 1.9 diesel you can find.

[Phil Dicky]

Mondeo?

[ElectricSoup]

Volvo S80.

[bungz]

Anything VAG and diesel will be old and high miles or slightly newer and even higher miles.

With some decent history might be fine.

3K would get you a nice Mondeo but lots of neglected ones about at that price range.

[TheOctaneAddict]

Skoda Superb would be my choice.

[mmm-five]

I bought a leggy 2004 e46 330D Sport Touring auto (the M57TU D30 201hp one) for just over £2k.

Common rust on the arches, but I've done 20k miles in it in a year and am getting 40mpg on my regular commute between Liverpool & London (600 miles between fill-ups)...pre-Covd.

It's got full black leather, cruise, xenons, cold air-con and has only needed scheduled maintenance & consumables.

[Aids0G]

Forget all the Boring reliable cars, take a risk!

Bid the dealer £3,000 for this old td6 L322 Range Rover
https://rscarsalesandhire.com/vehicle/name/land-ro...

Revel in the luxury and opulence, enjoy that feeling of acute Peril that any journey may end up on a flatbed and the thrill of completing a journey!

Sensible advice all the way on here!

[Deranged Rover]

Phil Dicky said:

Mondeo?

What an excellent suggestion. I think there's *cough* a lovely Mk3 Mondeo 3.0V6 Ghia X for sale in the PH classifieds which looks to be a wonderful bargain at only £2750.

• cough*

[Dr Interceptor]

Saab 9-3 Convertible.

- 4 cyl petrol should be pretty economical
- safe
- will take a kid seat
- chuck the roof down on a nice day
- much more interesting than a VAG diesel eurobox

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10648662

[adam85]

ElectricSoup said:

Best SAAB 9-5 1.9 diesel you can find.

This... fantastic Seats and £3k will get you a nice one.

[DailyHack]

2011 SAAB TTid 180, I did just that for £3k and £30 tax, ridiculous value for money!

Check out my thread

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Basically exactly same requirements you needed

Edited by DailyHack on Wednesday 16th September 15:34

[wiliferus]

Volvo S60 D5. If you’re happy, get a manual. 50mpg all day long, great motorway cruiser, D5 engine goes on forever, comfiest seats you’ll find for the money.
Autos are ok, they do suffer with drivetrain losses and you’ll be lucky to break 40mpg, and the autos can be a tad fragile.

[Phil Dicky]

Dr Interceptor said:

Saab 9-3 Convertible.

- 4 cyl petrol should be pretty economical
- safe
- will take a kid seat
- chuck the roof down on a nice day
- much more interesting than a VAG diesel eurobox

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10648662

Best of both worlds...



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2020...

[Pupbelly]

An ageing Japanese 'something' would keep rolling along for peanuts. I'd avoid anything VAG or BMW and diesel tbh.

[riskyj]

bungz said:

Anything VAG and diesel will be old and high miles or slightly newer and even higher miles.

With some decent history might be fine.

3K would get you a nice Mondeo but lots of neglected ones about at that price range.

I’d avoid VAG as your liable to get an emissions ‘fixed’ vehicle with EGR cooler issues.

[Bumblebee7]

Citroen C5 HDI with hydro suspension

[ZX10R NIN]

Laguna2 these are forgotten about but good reliable cars & you can gat a nice loaded one for sensible money.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008283...

[flatso]

TheOctaneAddict said:

Skoda Superb would be my choice.

Unless its the latest generation I found these to be rather firm suspension wise. Sure, they are very spacious but the ride in the 1st and 2nd gen was not comfortable.
I second the Citroen C5 with the legendary hydropneumatic suspension. The diesels are reliable, the exclusive trim ads double glazed windows and sometimes massaging seats. They are supremly comfortable cruisers, being a product of over 50years of comfort oriented development.