One car/Two car conundrum
Discussion
This is one of those scenarios where I'm sure I'd be happy to give sound, logical advice to someone else but for some reason when it's my own choice I cannot see the wood for the trees.
This isn't actually a 1 or 2 car question. We do have other cars, it's just that I currently have one car to do this job and I'm wondering whether I'd be better off with a two car solution for these tasks. Probably about £10k to spend if I did do something.
The jobs this car/s needs to do:
Comfortable family transport for 4 people and luggage for long distances (france etc)
Occasional commute to client sites
Suitable for Tip runs loaded up with manky crap
Suitable for taking a large dog short distances, sometimes with 4 people in the car as well
Compatible with snow/ice in winter
Over the last few years I've gravitated to estate cars. 525i, Audi S4 and currently a BMW 335i all either equipped with cross climate tyres or a second set of winter wheels. Looking back, the 525i was the best of the bunch. It was slow but very comfortable, high quality throughout etc but ultimately I got rid (maybe wrongly) because it was starting to become unreliable. The Audi was an attempt to combine family car duties with ballistic performance but I just didn't get on with it. The 335i that I now have is back into my comfort zone of BMW's and an attempt to combine some practicality with driver engagement. But, I must admit I'm having some doubts about that car too only a few months in. Lots of niggles to fix and with a family holiday in France looming, I'm kind of wondering how comfortable I feel about relying on it.
The thought is that when I think about these three car's qualities, the one that I was actually fondest of is the slow one but the most comfortable. So it seems that I should lean on that more than other attributes. But I'm maybe getting a bit tired of german cars too in terms of their slight fragility at the type of age I buy at. And I think what I would really like to try is something like a 2006-2010 Lexus LS460. On paper, supreme comfort with very solid dependability (I realise they are not bullet proof though). But if I went with a car like that, it would not hit certain criteria, most notably tip runs and dog duty but it would also be less that ideal winter transport. I don't neccessarily feel comfortable about turning up at clients in a car like that too. Of the luxury car options, they're quite subtle but they don't hide their size in person and maybe do look a little flash. So then I thought maybe get something like a leggy duster 4x4 as well. But two lots of tax etc, two lots of maintenance. Just not sure I fancy that.
I did wonder about something like a Lexus RX as a one car solution but not keen on the CVT hybrid set ups, not sold on the looks either and they are big step down from the LS in terms of passenger comfort. I also like the idea of land cruiser but anything in budget is getting very leggy and crusty these days and I'm worried they may be a bit agricultural on longer journeys. Maybe a Volvo XC90? Or what are the other Japanese or Korean options that give great levels of comfort?
I'll reserve the right to do nothing about this at all as maybe I should just persevere with the 335i a lot longer, it's just that it feels a bit like I have bought a project car for our family transport.
This isn't actually a 1 or 2 car question. We do have other cars, it's just that I currently have one car to do this job and I'm wondering whether I'd be better off with a two car solution for these tasks. Probably about £10k to spend if I did do something.
The jobs this car/s needs to do:
Comfortable family transport for 4 people and luggage for long distances (france etc)
Occasional commute to client sites
Suitable for Tip runs loaded up with manky crap
Suitable for taking a large dog short distances, sometimes with 4 people in the car as well
Compatible with snow/ice in winter
Over the last few years I've gravitated to estate cars. 525i, Audi S4 and currently a BMW 335i all either equipped with cross climate tyres or a second set of winter wheels. Looking back, the 525i was the best of the bunch. It was slow but very comfortable, high quality throughout etc but ultimately I got rid (maybe wrongly) because it was starting to become unreliable. The Audi was an attempt to combine family car duties with ballistic performance but I just didn't get on with it. The 335i that I now have is back into my comfort zone of BMW's and an attempt to combine some practicality with driver engagement. But, I must admit I'm having some doubts about that car too only a few months in. Lots of niggles to fix and with a family holiday in France looming, I'm kind of wondering how comfortable I feel about relying on it.
The thought is that when I think about these three car's qualities, the one that I was actually fondest of is the slow one but the most comfortable. So it seems that I should lean on that more than other attributes. But I'm maybe getting a bit tired of german cars too in terms of their slight fragility at the type of age I buy at. And I think what I would really like to try is something like a 2006-2010 Lexus LS460. On paper, supreme comfort with very solid dependability (I realise they are not bullet proof though). But if I went with a car like that, it would not hit certain criteria, most notably tip runs and dog duty but it would also be less that ideal winter transport. I don't neccessarily feel comfortable about turning up at clients in a car like that too. Of the luxury car options, they're quite subtle but they don't hide their size in person and maybe do look a little flash. So then I thought maybe get something like a leggy duster 4x4 as well. But two lots of tax etc, two lots of maintenance. Just not sure I fancy that.
I did wonder about something like a Lexus RX as a one car solution but not keen on the CVT hybrid set ups, not sold on the looks either and they are big step down from the LS in terms of passenger comfort. I also like the idea of land cruiser but anything in budget is getting very leggy and crusty these days and I'm worried they may be a bit agricultural on longer journeys. Maybe a Volvo XC90? Or what are the other Japanese or Korean options that give great levels of comfort?
I'll reserve the right to do nothing about this at all as maybe I should just persevere with the 335i a lot longer, it's just that it feels a bit like I have bought a project car for our family transport.
I always had a "work" car and a weekend car (or two) until I retired.
My work cars, in no particular order, 2 x A6 avants, Passat Estate, E Class estate.
All older models, with small ish engines. Rarely lost money - if anything made a smidge on the sale cost on a couple.
It was just tax and insurance. There wasn't a lot of maintenance as I didnt do much mileage and as they were leggy older cars I just changed the oil myself and did filters etc once a year and kept receipts - no one really cares at that level.
It worked well, did a tip run today in my "nice" car and I did think when I got home well f*ck I need to hoover the car out now!
My work cars, in no particular order, 2 x A6 avants, Passat Estate, E Class estate.
All older models, with small ish engines. Rarely lost money - if anything made a smidge on the sale cost on a couple.
It was just tax and insurance. There wasn't a lot of maintenance as I didnt do much mileage and as they were leggy older cars I just changed the oil myself and did filters etc once a year and kept receipts - no one really cares at that level.
It worked well, did a tip run today in my "nice" car and I did think when I got home well f*ck I need to hoover the car out now!
Cheers gotoPzero. I have definitely thought about having a more 'vanilla' everyday car. Something boringly practical, dependable, comfortable etc. My biggest psychological blocker to this is that when I do a commute, it tends to be on really nice roads. That doesn't mean that I drive like a lunatic or need a McLaren to do it justice, it's just that I do appreciate having something that I enjoy being in, not just a tool. I also drive to the Lakes or West Coast of Scotland a lot and generally on great roads for those too. I worry that if I have a Passat say, I'll be wishing I was in something else.
Yeah a Legacy with an ej turbo would do the job. Quick, handle well, subtle, definitely not flash. Foresters are great but a bit smaller.
Really reliable and proper 4wd, not haldex. With a decent set of winters you’d be amazed at what they can cope with.
Really reliable and proper 4wd, not haldex. With a decent set of winters you’d be amazed at what they can cope with.
Edited by Lefty on Friday 30th June 15:33
Lefty said:
You’re looking at a big 4x4 estate, assuming g you don’t want an SUV?
Subaru Legacy or Outback
Volvo XC70?
My head went to SUV pretty quickly too based on the requirements.Subaru Legacy or Outback
Volvo XC70?
My £10k would be going here http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023051674...
In fact, it nearly did last year until I stumbled across my V8 Discovery.
The Cayenne is basically a Touareg underneath, including the 3.6 VR6 engine, so parts and maintenance are no more expensive than something like a 335. It's on steel springs, so no worries about air suspension reliability, and is a very comfortable place to spend time nonetheless.
While it's not a Range Rover, there's significantly more space inside for family/dogs/tip than an estate. It's not going to be a sporty drive, but it's likely not much worse than the average estate.
Edited by C70R on Friday 30th June 15:10
SUV wise I'd be picking one of these at around the 10k mark:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212172...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212172...
KTMsm said:
A Cayenne or an Infinity... I'm not sure which is likely to be a bigger disaster
May as well add a Range Rover into the mix
I suspect the infinity will be most reliable but good luck when something does go wrong
That Cayenne is infinitely more reliable than a Range Rover. It's a Touareg with an NA Passat engine after all.May as well add a Range Rover into the mix
I suspect the infinity will be most reliable but good luck when something does go wrong
By modern car standards, it's very straightforward.
I have no idea what will go wrong with the infinity but things break eventually - good luck when something does. Even a minor car park incident could become a major problem
Touregs have always been a problem, I had a friend who used to be a test driver for them, they were constantly breaking down
It isn't the engine basics it's everything else
I bought an old X5 many years ago 3.0 petrol it's basic old-fashioned reliable BMW I thought.
I didn't want or realize it had a rear air suspension, that broke, as did the cooling system and the head gasket
And the seat controllers which it turns out is a known problem shared with Range Rover
After all that I just got rid of it, in comparison the Mazda my wife had for the previous five years and 80,000 miles needed two wheel bearings and a handbrake cable
Her current Toyota has needed an ARB link in the last year
Touregs have always been a problem, I had a friend who used to be a test driver for them, they were constantly breaking down
It isn't the engine basics it's everything else
I bought an old X5 many years ago 3.0 petrol it's basic old-fashioned reliable BMW I thought.
I didn't want or realize it had a rear air suspension, that broke, as did the cooling system and the head gasket
And the seat controllers which it turns out is a known problem shared with Range Rover
After all that I just got rid of it, in comparison the Mazda my wife had for the previous five years and 80,000 miles needed two wheel bearings and a handbrake cable
Her current Toyota has needed an ARB link in the last year
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