10k NA petrol daily
Discussion
As previously mentioned on another thread, I'm looking for a new daily to replace my written off Mazda 3 sport.
I want an (ideally) naturally aspirated petrol engined car that is OK to drive, about the same size as the Mazda or one step larger (think 3 series dimensions) and fairly practical. Mid 30s mpg min, decent sized boot, civilised experience for longer trips.
I had been after a Lexus is250 which fits the bill nicely, but having seen a couple of nice ones the discovery that you can't fold the rear seats down has put me off. I will sometimes need more boot space than it has with the seats in place.
They are also all getting on a bit, this is a daily and although I only do ca 9k miles a year I do want it to be reliable and for everything fitted to work.
So before I do the boring thing and buy another Mazda, what else is there that I should be looking at? All contributions gratefully received.
I want an (ideally) naturally aspirated petrol engined car that is OK to drive, about the same size as the Mazda or one step larger (think 3 series dimensions) and fairly practical. Mid 30s mpg min, decent sized boot, civilised experience for longer trips.
I had been after a Lexus is250 which fits the bill nicely, but having seen a couple of nice ones the discovery that you can't fold the rear seats down has put me off. I will sometimes need more boot space than it has with the seats in place.
They are also all getting on a bit, this is a daily and although I only do ca 9k miles a year I do want it to be reliable and for everything fitted to work.
So before I do the boring thing and buy another Mazda, what else is there that I should be looking at? All contributions gratefully received.
Edited by dontlookdown on Thursday 14th March 08:51
Had a 6 before the 3! Downsized as kids no longer at home. Good car.
I feared that was prob the only other na option. I have no beef with the way turbos drive, but every car with a turbo I have owned, the turbo has been trouble once they get to 5 or 6 yrs old. On my daily I just want a quiet life;)
I feared that was prob the only other na option. I have no beef with the way turbos drive, but every car with a turbo I have owned, the turbo has been trouble once they get to 5 or 6 yrs old. On my daily I just want a quiet life;)
dontlookdown said:
As previously mentioned on another thread, I'm looking for a new daily to replace my written off Mazda 3 sport.
I want an (ideally) naturally aspirated petrol engined car that is OK to drive, about the same size as the Mazda or one step larger (think 3 series dimensions) and fairly practical. Mid 30s mpg min, decent sized boot, civilised experience for longer trips.
I had been after a Lexus is250 which fits the bill nicely, but having seen a couple of nice ones the discovery that you can't fold the rear seats down has put me off. I will sometimes need more boot space than it has with the seats in place.
They are also all getting on a bit, this is a daily and although I only do ca 9k miles a year I do want it to be reliable and for everything fitted to work.
So before I do the boring thing and buy another Mazda, what else is there that I should be looking at? All contributions gratefully received.
GS250, no folding seats but a bigger boot:I want an (ideally) naturally aspirated petrol engined car that is OK to drive, about the same size as the Mazda or one step larger (think 3 series dimensions) and fairly practical. Mid 30s mpg min, decent sized boot, civilised experience for longer trips.
I had been after a Lexus is250 which fits the bill nicely, but having seen a couple of nice ones the discovery that you can't fold the rear seats down has put me off. I will sometimes need more boot space than it has with the seats in place.
They are also all getting on a bit, this is a daily and although I only do ca 9k miles a year I do want it to be reliable and for everything fitted to work.
So before I do the boring thing and buy another Mazda, what else is there that I should be looking at? All contributions gratefully received.
Edited by dontlookdown on Thursday 14th March 08:51
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403137...
F Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224...
E350 coupe very practical & the rear seats fold to make a big boot a huge one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
Mazda3 165 Sport Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402166...
ZX10R NIN said:
GS250, no folding seats but a bigger boot:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403137...
F Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224...
E350 coupe very practical & the rear seats fold to make a big boot a huge one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
Mazda3 165 Sport Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402166...
Thank you ZX10, a couple of excellent thoughts there. I didn't know there was such a thing as a GS250 so thanks for that in particular. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403137...
F Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224...
E350 coupe very practical & the rear seats fold to make a big boot a huge one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
Mazda3 165 Sport Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402166...
Been thinking about a Merc too, I guess all the smaller engined Merc C & E Class cara are turbos?
dhutch said:
My E46 330ci fits the bill well, but as I've found out first hand, they are now 20yo and rust for fun!
Tks, I have had 20 yr old 3 series BMW's before and while I do love them, by the time they get that old they need too much tlc for a daily IMO. If I could get one that was 10 yrs old, I would;)If the main reason to avoid a turbo is to minimise maintenance costs then I'd question buying an older prestige car with a big NA engine.
Sounds like a Mazda6 is the right choice.
Civic 1.8 is okay and you could get the estate version if space is needed.
Maybe a Toyota with the 1.8 hybrid engine? Not sure what's available for 10k but perhaps an Auris.
Sounds like a Mazda6 is the right choice.
Civic 1.8 is okay and you could get the estate version if space is needed.
Maybe a Toyota with the 1.8 hybrid engine? Not sure what's available for 10k but perhaps an Auris.
It's a shame Lexus never did many estates really. You could get a decent E90 for way under budget, preferably an N52 325i or 330i, and keep the change for any fixes required. Good strong engines and will be a nice place to sit and interesting enough to drive. Not packed with tech and specs can be all over the place but good enough and they're not plagued with rust like an E46. They're obviously older cars but they seem pretty tough. Fuel economy might be an issue, although long runs will improve this.
Do seats fold in the E90? Mine's an E92.
Do seats fold in the E90? Mine's an E92.
Very few NA cars now due to mpg testing (small capacity turbos perform well in the test, as the turbo isn't really working on the artificial test cycle).
I think Mazda was the only manufacturer to pursue this direction with the Skynet, or whatever it's called, engine.
My wife's 1.6 2015 Vitara is NA, I too wanted to avoid turbo troubles as we tend to buy new then keep cars for at least 10 years. Problem is it's absolutely gutless.
I think Mazda was the only manufacturer to pursue this direction with the Skynet, or whatever it's called, engine.
My wife's 1.6 2015 Vitara is NA, I too wanted to avoid turbo troubles as we tend to buy new then keep cars for at least 10 years. Problem is it's absolutely gutless.
ChrisH72 said:
Do turbos often fail on modern cars these days?
20 years ago I had a diesel Golf which needed a new turbo. But my current petrol car has a turbo and seems to be fine at 7 years old and 80k miles.
To be fair I don't think they do fail that often, especially if the car is well looked after and oil changed regularly.20 years ago I had a diesel Golf which needed a new turbo. But my current petrol car has a turbo and seems to be fine at 7 years old and 80k miles.
However, without one there is simply less to go wrong.
Andy86GT said:
Very few NA cars now due to mpg testing (small capacity turbos perform well in the test, as the turbo isn't really working on the artificial test cycle).
I think Mazda was the only manufacturer to pursue this direction with the Skynet, or whatever it's called, engine.
My wife's 1.6 2015 Vitara is NA, I too wanted to avoid turbo troubles as we tend to buy new then keep cars for at least 10 years. Problem is it's absolutely gutless.
Won’t feel gutless, if you rev it out in the lower gears. I think Mazda was the only manufacturer to pursue this direction with the Skynet, or whatever it's called, engine.
My wife's 1.6 2015 Vitara is NA, I too wanted to avoid turbo troubles as we tend to buy new then keep cars for at least 10 years. Problem is it's absolutely gutless.

dontlookdown said:
Thank you ZX10, a couple of excellent thoughts there. I didn't know there was such a thing as a GS250 so thanks for that in particular.
Been thinking about a Merc too, I guess all the smaller engined Merc C & E Class cara are turbos?
Yes the smaller engines are supercharged but they can have timing chain issues.Been thinking about a Merc too, I guess all the smaller engined Merc C & E Class cara are turbos?
The GS is a bit of a rare car but worth seeking out.
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