What car.....wafty, budget around 5-7K

[ajguk]

Hi all

So my V90 is going back in November and I'm thinking about buying outright again. Because of work concerns, house extensions etc I'm keeping the budget low and am looking at up to 7K initially but can go higher if the right cars come up.

Before the V90 I had a Saab 9-3 that I really clicked with and enjoyed doing plenty of my own work on it, and would like to be able to do this again should it be required. I've an E89 Z4 with the N52 engine in for weekends etc, so the main car doesn't have to be too performance oriented although I'd like a bit of waft and some power if possible!

It'll probably do well under 8k miles a year, so I think petrol fits the bill. Preferably not very high tax, although GS300s are tempting me. The GS460 is even more tempting but the boots are tiny by all accounts which might be a shock after the Volvo. We have a 13 year old son who is turning into Kareem Abdul Jabar so we could do with semi-decent legroom, although I won't say no to coupes. So far then, the following eclectic mix has crossed my mind!

Saab 9-3 (estates only, but don't want the high tax)
Lexus GS300/GS460/IS250/even an LS460 was on my radar before the Volvo
BMW 6-series (possibly N52 again)
5-series or 3-series estate (any engines to avoid?)
Jag XF
Infiniti M35 (had a Q50 so not averse to the brand)

So slightly all over the place at the moment, just wondered if the PH hivemind could come up with any better suggestions (I'm sure you can!).

Thanks

[biggbn]

Think Lexus boot is only tiny in hybrid models?

[ajguk]

biggbn said:

Think Lexus boot is only tiny in hybrid models?

No idea, I don't own one. Smaller so I'm told. I don't need an enormous boot, it just comes in handy sometimes...the Saab was hardly cavernous and I did plenty of tip runs in it.

[ElectricSoup]

Honda Legend.

[SAS Tom]

Lexus LS430?

[junglie]

The GS 300 boot is actually quite big. Goes forward a long way and fine for suitcases, family clutter etc.

I have a GS 300 SE-L that may be up for sale too.......

[ajguk]

junglie said:

The GS 300 boot is actually quite big. Goes forward a long way and fine for suitcases, family clutter etc.

I have a GS 300 SE-L that may be up for sale too.......

They are very tempting I'll be honest. Don't sound to have too huge bork potential.

[LeroyLoser]

Jaguar XF portfolio 3.0d facelift with the ZF gearbox, nothing better at that price.

[Sebastian Tombs]

Citroen C5 Exclusive Tourer.
The waftiest vehicle there is, lots of room, good range of engines, well made. Good looking.

[ajguk]

LeroyLoser said:

Jaguar XF portfolio 3.0d facelift with the ZF gearbox, nothing better at that price.

Mostly short journeys for me so I think a diesel is out. How's the 3.0 petrol in these?

[LeroyLoser]

ajguk said:

LeroyLoser said:

Jaguar XF portfolio 3.0d facelift with the ZF gearbox, nothing better at that price.

Mostly short journeys for me so I think a diesel is out. How's the 3.0 petrol in these?

Above budget as thats the s/c car in the facelift i believe, my father had the 2.0 petrol and i was quite impressed tbh, even vs my mapped 3.0, left me thinking you didnt need more in a wafty car, his had the ss suspension though on 20” and the ride was awful vs my 18”? Std 3.0, not bad in isolation, just bad vs the 3.0 which had an incredible ride and still felt firm for pressing on, jaguar at their best imo.

[junglie]

ajguk said:

junglie said:

The GS 300 boot is actually quite big. Goes forward a long way and fine for suitcases, family clutter etc.

I have a GS 300 SE-L that may be up for sale too.......

They are very tempting I'll be honest. Don't sound to have too huge bork potential.

Gearbox and air con condenser seem to be the rather bizarre ones!

[ZX10R NIN]

From your list the Infiniti M35h GT Premium would be the pick, you can pick a nice one with sensible miles up for a smidge over your budget before haggling:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107054...

Or the GS450h is a good alternative:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...

[ajguk]

ZX10R NIN said:

From your list the Infiniti M35h GT Premium would be the pick, you can pick a nice one with sensible miles up for a smidge over your budget before haggling:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107054...

Or the GS450h is a good alternative:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...

Great, thanks for those I'll have a browse. Just realised in my original post I referred to the GS460 when in fact I meant the 450h, hence the small boot comment.

[ajguk]

ZX10R NIN said:

From your list the Infiniti M35h GT Premium would be the pick, you can pick a nice one with sensible miles up for a smidge over your budget before haggling:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107054...

Or the GS450h is a good alternative:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...

Funnily enough I've been eyeing up that blue GS for a while - just a bit concerned about how many filters they've managed to use in the ad, what are they hiding!?

edit: an MOT advisory list as long as my arm....

Edited by ajguk on Tuesday 27th July 17:24

[ajguk]

biggbn said:

Think Lexus boot is only tiny in hybrid models?

Apologies, original post was supposed to list GS450h, not the GS460.

[ajguk]

The Infinit's are interesting. How are those hybrid engines at higher mileages (+100k)?

[ZX10R NIN]

They're very robust & as just as good as the Lexus unit in terms of taking big miles, I think PH did a High Miles article on on that had 180k on the clock & plenty have seen 100k+ it's actually hard to find low mileage ones.

[georgeyboy12345]

Can't get much more wafty than a VW Pheaton! Not sure how you'll get on working on it yourself though!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107074...


If that's a bit much but you still fancy a VW, how about this Passatt CC 3.6 FSI V6?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265...


or this ultra low mileage Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI DSG with only 26,000 miles?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107225...


Staying with the VAG theme - Audi A6 2.8 V6 Quattro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107014...


Feeling brave? Mercedes CLS500
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106173...


Perhaps more familiar - Volvo S80 T5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105253...


Finally - Ford Mondeo Powershift
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106193...

[ajguk]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Can't get much more wafty than a VW Pheaton! Not sure how you'll get on working on it yourself though!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107074...


If that's a bit much but you still fancy a VW, how about this Passatt CC 3.6 FSI V6?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265...


or this ultra low mileage Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI DSG with only 26,000 miles?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107225...


Staying with the VAG theme - Audi A6 2.8 V6 Quattro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107014...


Feeling brave? Mercedes CLS500
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106173...


Perhaps more familiar - Volvo S80 T5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105253...


Finally - Ford Mondeo Powershift
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106193...

Some good suggestions there! Not sure how brave I'd need to be for the Merc, aren't those V8s relatively bombproof? I do like them though, that should have been on my original list.

The A6 is nice, you don't see many of those about with that style rear light, I've always assumed they were a facelift that had a short window before a new model came out.

And the Passat, is that a variation of the R32 engine from around the same time?