What car? Any suggestions?

[IntriguedUser]

£3000 Budget. Automatic, 5+ cylinders, sunroof.

I've looked a S40 2.4i, S60 2.0T, V50, Lexus Is200, camry 3m

Will be used for school runs, and commuting in London, first automatic and id like it to be more on the barge side of things, than sporty.

The problem I'm having is the cars I'm looking at, are relatively rare, maybe only 1 or 2 for sale if that so pickings are slim, I often wonder if I need to lower my expectations a bit?

[forzaminardi]

Vote for the Lexus from me - absolutely terrific cars.

[Brassblaster]

That budget would buy a good S60 2.0T easily...

That'd be my pick - a lot of car for the money.

[Second Best]

Would a Merc C240 (the mid-late 2000s one with the "fried egg" headlights) fit the bill? They're a little long in the tooth now but you still see loads of them on the roads, which must be testament to their longevity. Obviously not exactly a hot rod but would fit your requirements and are also available well within budget.

I had a C180 from that gen, as did my dad, between us we put 80k on the both of them and they were faultless.

[Smint]

I'd have thought cars like this were nearly being given away in the south east where anyone driving such a car in london is penalised as well as generally being gas guzzlers in town.
The problem is finding the rare gem that has been in good solvent ownership during its life, so many with multiple owners many of whom won't have looked after it.

I'd be looking at Toyota Camry, i don't know this car or the dealer but something like this, ebay 174901742743
note, don't like seeing cheap rubbish tyres on such a car and the brake calipers look rusty as a horsehoe.

[ZX10R NIN]

Lexus GS300:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206287...

CLK some have roofs but all the windows drop away:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301163...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301233...

Lexus IS250 but you'll have to give up on the roof:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212052...

Saab 9-5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301193...

[LightningBlue]

IntriguedUser said:

£3000 Budget. Automatic, 5+ cylinders, sunroof.

I've looked a S40 2.4i, S60 2.0T, V50, Lexus Is200, camry 3m

Will be used for school runs, and commuting in London, first automatic and id like it to be more on the barge side of things, than sporty.

The problem I'm having is the cars I'm looking at, are relatively rare, maybe only 1 or 2 for sale if that so pickings are slim, I often wonder if I need to lower my expectations a bit?

I’d get the S60, still quite a lot around considering how old they are and likely to be a lot less rusty than the Lexus. I had an S60 2.0T and it was a great car, but it liked to drink so be aware of that. The 5 cylinder sounds decent though

[IntriguedUser]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the input and suggestions, I will be sure to update this thread with the outcome!

As for ULEZ, there's still quite a wide range of petrol cars which are ULEZ fee, it's more what's going to change in the next 18_24 months which worries me