Any other options?

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Discussion

Timoo

Original Poster:

43 posts

55 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
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After deciding to replace my shed, I have been pretty much dead set on replacing it with a second gen insignia (1.5t SRi VX-Line Nav specifically) for around £11,000 which would get me an 18/68 plate with ~30-40k miles.

So my reason for choosing the insignia is because I’d be getting a fairly newish car with adaptive cruise, CarPlay, heated wheel + seats etc, in a car that I personally thought was quite nice to drive. It also has semi low running costs being a Vauxhall.

The only reason I haven’t got one yet is due to being fussy on spec so I have just been waiting for the right car. The increase in used car prices isn’t helping either!

While I wait, I can’t help but wonder if there is any other cars that I might not have considered?

I have a 75 motorway mile commute each way 3/4 days a week so reliability and comfortability are top priorities for me as well as having a nice amount of extras. I’d also like an OK amount of power, nothing too sluggish. It doesn’t have to be petrol but would need to be ULEZ compliant.

The only other car that’s really caught my eye is a Kia Optima which has the added bonus of a 7 year warranty, however on paper they look to lack in the power department slightly which puts me off a bit. I should arrange a test drive but if anyone has any experiences driving one it’d be great to hear!

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
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The 1.5T is a decent engine but it'll be juicy compared to a diesel also you have to work the 1.5T harder, the diesel is the better overall package out of the two but you won't get as new a car.

You'll also probably find the spec you're looking for.

There are other options but you'll struggle to beat the Insignia for Age/Mileage/Spec.

Elite Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106023...

SRI VX Line Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105112...

DS5 Prestige 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106033...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105212...


Infiniti Q50 Sport 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104231...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101137...

Timoo

Original Poster:

43 posts

55 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
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Thanks for those suggestions, I’ll take a look. The 2.0L diesel Insignia is actually something I’d definitely go for if I can find the right one, apparently the fuel economy isn’t actually too different between that and the petrol which was why I was leaning towards it.

Hadn’t considered Infiniti’s, probably as they’re a bit older for my price but will take a look. Is there anything else you’d recommend if I bought a bit older, say 2015/16 onwards?

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
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Real world the difference is bigger than (7-12mpg in favour of the diesel) you've been lead to believe especially on a run as I said because of the lower toque number you have to work the 1.5T more to get all the weight moving.

ChocolateFrog

24,847 posts

172 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
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I struggle to get my head around the idea of paying more than £10k for a vauxhall unless it's a VX220 or a rebadged Holden back in the day.

I think it's the only brand I'm a brand snob about.

My problem would be that in 3 years time with that mileage you're adding it'll be worth a couple of grand and that's a lot of money to chuck at a Vauxhall.

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Wednesday 23rd June 2021
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ChocolateFrog said:
I struggle to get my head around the idea of paying more than £10k for a vauxhall unless it's a VX220 or a rebadged Holden back in the day.

I think it's the only brand I'm a brand snob about.

My problem would be that in 3 years time with that mileage you're adding it'll be worth a couple of grand and that's a lot of money to chuck at a Vauxhall.
The depreciation will work out about the same no matter what he buys, if he buys a Mondeo/3 series etc they'll be older with more miles on & older tech/spec.

The Insignia will depreciate at the same rate as the cars listed above but the OP get's to be in something more modern.

GreatGranny

9,097 posts

225 months

Wednesday 23rd June 2021
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ChocolateFrog said:
I struggle to get my head around the idea of paying more than £10k for a vauxhall unless it's a VX220 or a rebadged Holden back in the day.

I think it's the only brand I'm a brand snob about.

My problem would be that in 3 years time with that mileage you're adding it'll be worth a couple of grand and that's a lot of money to chuck at a Vauxhall.
Personally I think they make pretty decent cars at the moment.

The new Corsa, Astra and Insignia are all decent looking cars which are cheap to buy and run.
Would I buy one? Probably not but I admit I'm a badge snob smile

Timoo

Original Poster:

43 posts

55 months

Wednesday 23rd June 2021
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ChocolateFrog said:
I struggle to get my head around the idea of paying more than £10k for a vauxhall unless it's a VX220 or a rebadged Holden back in the day.

I think it's the only brand I'm a brand snob about.

My problem would be that in 3 years time with that mileage you're adding it'll be worth a couple of grand and that's a lot of money to chuck at a Vauxhall.
I’ll lose about the same in depreciation on any car adding the same mileage. Personally I’d rather lose the money on a newer cheaper to run car that I’d be more comfortable to be in over the next few years then pay a premium for an older but better badge with less features. While it is tempting to go for something with more ‘class’, or more fun, I have to remind myself that the main use of this is just to sit in on the motorway for a couple of hours a day.

I also have to agree with the poster above that with the later gen of models, Vauxhall seem to have changed their game as they look far more appealing then they used to. The interiors especially seem to resemble that of a much more expensive car. One of the most surprising cars I see on the road is the latest Corsa, still can’t quite believe it’s a Corsa every time I see one!

Still interested to hear if anyone has any feedback on a Kia Optima, can’t find the time to go and test drive one annoyingly!

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Wednesday 23rd June 2021
quotequote all
Timoo said:
I’ll lose about the same in depreciation on any car adding the same mileage. Personally I’d rather lose the money on a newer cheaper to run car that I’d be more comfortable to be in over the next few years then pay a premium for an older but better badge with less features. While it is tempting to go for something with more ‘class’, or more fun, I have to remind myself that the main use of this is just to sit in on the motorway for a couple of hours a day.

I also have to agree with the poster above that with the later gen of models, Vauxhall seem to have changed their game as they look far more appealing then they used to. The interiors especially seem to resemble that of a much more expensive car. One of the most surprising cars I see on the road is the latest Corsa, still can’t quite believe it’s a Corsa every time I see one!

Still interested to hear if anyone has any feedback on a Kia Optima, can’t find the time to go and test drive one annoyingly!
My brother has an Optima as his daily & while it's okay the 1.7d doesn't have enough go & is juicy for what it is, it's been faultless he's changing it for a Q70.

Timoo

Original Poster:

43 posts

55 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
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ZX10R NIN said:
My brother has an Optima as his daily & while it's okay the 1.7d doesn't have enough go & is juicy for what it is, it's been faultless he's changing it for a Q70.
Yeah that was exactly what I thought, sounds like it’s still worth a look.

Another car on my mind is a Mazda 6 in Sport Nav trim, I could get the 175bhp version which is also extremely economical, shame it doesn’t have adaptive cruise though.

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
Timoo said:
Yeah that was exactly what I thought, sounds like it’s still worth a look.

Another car on my mind is a Mazda 6 in Sport Nav trim, I could get the 175bhp version which is also extremely economical, shame it doesn’t have adaptive cruise though.
The Mazda is decent but still has some issues regarding reliability not as many as the previous gen but they have had some failures.

Timoo

Original Poster:

43 posts

55 months

Friday 9th July 2021
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I still haven’t found anything yet but have been leaning more towards the idea of getting an automatic instead of a manual..I forgot how bad traffic can get now we’re post lockdown and I’m sick of constantly changing gear!

Rather than creating a new thread does anyone have any auto suggestions? I’d be willing to go a year or two older so anything 2016 onwards would be ideal.

Timoo

Original Poster:

43 posts

55 months

Saturday 10th July 2021
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Thanks for that list, can always rely on you to post a nice selection!

I really like the look of Infiniti’s however a concern is that their dealers are discontinued and there’s not too much information on them in the UK market. Are they known for their reliability and build quality, how easy are parts to source etc?

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Saturday 10th July 2021
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Timoo said:
Thanks for that list, can always rely on you to post a nice selection!

I really like the look of Infiniti’s however a concern is that their dealers are discontinued and there’s not too much information on them in the UK market. Are they known for their reliability and build quality, how easy are parts to source etc?
The Infiniti's are actually easier to service now they've left the UK because unlike the 6 dealers that you had looking after them when they were in the UK you now have the whole of the Nissan network to choose from when it comes to servicing.

The diesels use the same drivetrain as found in the C/E220cdi so parts aren't an issue & nor is reliability, build quality is Lexus levels.

DodgyGeezer

40,152 posts

189 months

Sunday 11th July 2021
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We've recently bought a 67 2.0 (217bhp) Superb.... heated screen, adaptive cruise, heated leather memory seats, decent enough ICE and satnav, flappy paddle box, nice alloys, cavernous powered boot open/release.
Excellent car so far