Motorway car with radar/active cruise control - £6k budget

[leepox]

Due to a new job, I'm now back to having to commute 2-3 times a week for a 100 mile round trip. So looking at the following requirements:

• Automatic
• ULEZ/Euro 6
• Adaptive cruise

Not really fussed whether it's diesel or petrol, but as long as it does 50+ mpg on the motorway I'm happy.

Really toyed with the idea of a diesel 1 series, but none of BMWs 2014-2016 cars seem to have adaptive cruise. The only car I can think of at the moment is a Skoda Superb. Any more thoughts?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602039...

[Pickle_Rick]

If you have somewhere to charge at home, then maybe an EV.
Post 2018 Nissan leaf for example, probably cost a fiver a week in fuel too, much cheaper servicing and maintenance over Ice, so could up budget and still be much better off.

[davek_964]

For cars you are interested in, it's worth finding out whether adaptive cruise can be retrofitted (assuming it was an option on the car, obviously). I had it done to a car recently.

[alock]

I think all mk7 golfs have adaptive cruise.

Personally I hate how most systems will happily maintain your position alongside another car while travelling at speed. That massively reduces escape options in an emergency.

[leepox]

alock said:

I think all mk7 golfs have adaptive cruise.

Personally I hate how most systems will happily maintain your position alongside another car while travelling at speed. That massively reduces escape options in an emergency.

Good shout - there's a couple of options around the price range and MK7 is the first golf that I thought looked good. Usually when I'm side by side with someone I adjust and decrease/increase the distance to the car in front. Either that or I overtake and get out of the way. I find it pretty useful to sit in the slow lane and relax behind a bus/lorry. Gone were the days that I had a "I need to get to my destination as fast as I can" mentality. I just leave earlier/arrive later and it's no big deal.

[leepox]

Pickle_Rick said:

If you have somewhere to charge at home, then maybe an EV.
Post 2018 Nissan leaf for example, probably cost a fiver a week in fuel too, much cheaper servicing and maintenance over Ice, so could up budget and still be much better off.

sadly I live in a flat and the charging point near me charges 76p/kwH which is extortionate

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

leepox said:

alock said:

I think all mk7 golfs have adaptive cruise.

Personally I hate how most systems will happily maintain your position alongside another car while travelling at speed. That massively reduces escape options in an emergency.

Good shout - there's a couple of options around the price range and MK7 is the first golf that I thought looked good. Usually when I'm side by side with someone I adjust and decrease/increase the distance to the car in front. Either that or I overtake and get out of the way. I find it pretty useful to sit in the slow lane and relax behind a bus/lorry. Gone were the days that I had a "I need to get to my destination as fast as I can" mentality. I just leave earlier/arrive later and it's no big deal.

Having just watched a TDC video where they tried to buy a second hand golf, every single one of them was dodgy in some way.

I would imagine a mk7 golf for £6K would be the ropiest thing going

[POIDH]

My sons wee Swift 1.0 boosterjet has all that.

[TimmyMallett]

A lot of Golfs have ACC of that era, a diesel would fit.

[leepox]

POIDH said:

My sons wee Swift 1.0 boosterjet has all that.

Lots of manual options, not so many autos but will keep looking!

TimmyMallett said:

A lot of Golfs have ACC of that era, a diesel would fit.

I'm narrowing my search to VWs and SEATs now as they seem to have the most with ACC as an option. I can't believe all these 'Premium' brands like Merc, BMW, Audi, etc. actually have terrible stock features and people still buy them in droves for the brand image.

[Quattr04.]

Any VW from about 2014 onwards will have it as standard,
It was a option on seat Leon s and Audi A3s and Octavia s where it was standard on a golf mk7

Some Octavia s and Superbs have it, usually either top spec or the SE Business trim line

I would personally pick a Passat if it where my money, they seem less abused than golfs

It s not the best Acc though, I had a Leon with it and it gave up all the time, the new generation of it is very very good. Won t let you undertake unless you press the peddle, steers around roundabouts etc

Volvo v40 of that age had it, several Kia’s such as the Nero and the hyandi versions should have it too


Can t think of many other brands in that budget that fitted it as standard, back then it was a luxury option to have

Edited by Quattr04. on Wednesday 18th February 16:30

[fuzzymonkey]

Honda Civics of a age all have it fitted but not sure if they are down to your budget yet?

[LayZ]

A lot of Hyundais and Kias do also if they have decent other spec.

[malaccamax]

The facelift Gen3 Skoda Octavias came with ACC but they're still a bit pricey - eg here 6750 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602179...

We had a 1.5 petrol and 50mpg on a motorway was easy - this is the 1.0. edit to add the ACC was very good

Edited by malaccamax on Wednesday 18th February 16:37

Edited by malaccamax on Wednesday 18th February 16:38

[leepox]

malaccamax said:

The facelift Gen3 Skoda Octavias came with ACC but they're still a bit pricey - eg here 6750 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602179...

We had a 1.5 petrol and 50mpg on a motorway was easy - this is the 1.0. edit to add the ACC was very good

Edited by malaccamax on Wednesday 18th February 16:37

Edited by malaccamax on Wednesday 18th February 16:38

I can just about extend my budget to £6500, this is a really good one - it has Android auto as well and it looks mint inside

[ZX10R NIN]

Infiniti Q50 Sport Tech:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510217...

Non ACC Q30 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601319...

I have to say ACC wouldn't be a deal breaker I'd rather a relaxed quiet effortless drive.

The Insignia also comes with adaptive:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602129...

The 2.0d will be a better all round option than the 1.0t the NVH on the Octavia/Superb is not something I'd personally live with for long journeys.

[leepox]

ZX10R NIN said:

Infiniti Q50 Sport Tech:


The Insignia also comes with adaptive:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602129...

The 2.0d will be a better all round option than the 1.0t the NVH on the Octavia/Superb is not something I'd personally live with for long journeys.

Not going to lie, never really looked at Vauxhalls in my entire car owning life. But this one does look very nice inside and out. Anybody have experience with the 2.0d engines on these? My friend had one of the old 2014 Astras which effectively bankrupted him with the amount of fixing he had to do with it so it's put me off Vauxhalls but I heard they're now owned by the PSA group...

[ZX10R NIN]

leepox said:

Not going to lie, never really looked at Vauxhalls in my entire car owning life. But this one does look very nice inside and out. Anybody have experience with the 2.0d engines on these? My friend had one of the old 2014 Astras which effectively bankrupted him with the amount of fixing he had to do with it so it's put me off Vauxhalls but I heard they're now owned by the PSA group...

The 2.0d is a well proven drivetrain & they're built for exactly that type of usage.