What's the most 'soothing' car you've had..?
Discussion
Arnie Cunningham said:
I like that fact that many of the responses are for older, high milleage stuff.
I think for me, my first 2002 Saab 9-5 Aero Hot Auto.
Brilliant for lazy wafting around in, although still capable of lifting up it's skirt and making a run for it when needed.
The later one we had, a 2006 model, never felt as nice - the interiors on the later model weren't as nice.
Saabs are a good call, but not all are created equal, 2001 9-3 LPT, utterly lovely, velour interior, pliant suspension and a fantastically flexible, and surprisingly powerful 2.0 engine.I think for me, my first 2002 Saab 9-5 Aero Hot Auto.
Brilliant for lazy wafting around in, although still capable of lifting up it's skirt and making a run for it when needed.
The later one we had, a 2006 model, never felt as nice - the interiors on the later model weren't as nice.
Bought a 2003 Aero, crashy ride, creaky trim, ropey gearchange. It was like a Saab trying to be a BMW and failing miserably. It went round corners a lot better than the old model but didnt seem any faster really, until I remapped it, and the clutch started slipping
I ran a 2012 E220 from 2013 until late last year. Bought with 97 miles on the clock, sold at 108k. I don't usually keep cars that long, but this was just so chilled, relaxing, and incredibly comfortable. I'm sounding like a boring old git here, but 4 hour drives aren't unusual for me with work, so comfort is important. Due to covid I've not bothered to replace it yet... I'm struggling to work out what to replace it with, but that's another story.
J4CKO said:
Saabs are a good call, but not all are created equal, 2001 9-3 LPT, utterly lovely, velour interior, pliant suspension and a fantastically flexible, and surprisingly powerful 2.0 engine.
Bought a 2003 Aero, crashy ride, creaky trim, ropey gearchange. It was like a Saab trying to be a BMW and failing miserably. It went round corners a lot better than the old model but didnt seem any faster really, until I remapped it, and the clutch started slipping
I think the auto was part of what made it. Bought a 2003 Aero, crashy ride, creaky trim, ropey gearchange. It was like a Saab trying to be a BMW and failing miserably. It went round corners a lot better than the old model but didnt seem any faster really, until I remapped it, and the clutch started slipping
Plus Shed motoring is a soothing experience
Plus the earlier, nicer, interior
That's not so say it wasn't without it's flaws, but most of my stuff isn't soothing in the slightest. The landrover has the "extra volume" gearbox option fitted to drown out the tyre noise, the RS threatens to murder me every time I drive it, the Mazda is so slow it's annoying and the MG, while fun, isn't soothing
My old 1994 Range Rover Classic.
It wasn’t a sports car so there was no point treating it like one, and above 75mph on the motorway, the wind noise got a bit much. Consequently, I used to sit at 70 mph in leather-clad, air-suspended, air conditioned comfort listening to the excellent stereo, and enjoy watching the other drovers thundering past me and looking stressed!
Close second was a Ford Scorpio 2.3 Ghia X for similar reasons, plus the most comfortable seats of any car I’ve ever owned.
It wasn’t a sports car so there was no point treating it like one, and above 75mph on the motorway, the wind noise got a bit much. Consequently, I used to sit at 70 mph in leather-clad, air-suspended, air conditioned comfort listening to the excellent stereo, and enjoy watching the other drovers thundering past me and looking stressed!
Close second was a Ford Scorpio 2.3 Ghia X for similar reasons, plus the most comfortable seats of any car I’ve ever owned.
I've got an E350 CDI now, which is very relaxing from a drivetrain and suspension point of view. I think it's probably more refined than the E320 CDI it replaced, but the seats are definitely less comfortable on a long journey, and neither car has seats as good as those on the Saab 9-5 Aero I used to have.
2001 Volvo S60 T5.
I remember the exact journey that made me fall completely in love with it. I'd had to fly to Amsterdam for work at short notice. I caught the red-eye out of Heathrow in the morning (6:35 departure which meant a 4 AM alarm), spent most of the day in a bad tempered meeting, and then flew home that evening, landing back at Heathrow around 9 pm. I was tired, in a foul mood, and really not feeling much in the way of merriment or goodwill to anyone.
I threw my bag in the boot of the Volvo, hung my jacket up and got behind the wheel. Started the engine, and felt myself instantly starting to calm down. Comfy seats, the feeling of absolute solidity, the soft green glow of the instruments, and that lovely mellow, smooth 5 cylinder engine note. Out onto the now quiet M25, and it struck me what a great sense of wellbeing the car imparted. The effortless grunt from the super smooth, but tuneful engine, the seats that are still to this day my benchmark for comfort, the stereo system that to this day is still my benchmark for a factory fit setup. It was a quick car, but it was tremendously relaxing to drive, supremely comfortable and refined, and beautifully built. And absolutely everything just worked, even at 150,000 miles
I don't think I've ever had another car that I looked forward to driving as much, but for reasons that had nothing whatsoever to do with actually driving. Lovely old thing. Was forced to sell it in the end when my mileage increased and the weekly fuel bill passed £100. Also Mrs. Limpet hated it with a passion.
I remember the exact journey that made me fall completely in love with it. I'd had to fly to Amsterdam for work at short notice. I caught the red-eye out of Heathrow in the morning (6:35 departure which meant a 4 AM alarm), spent most of the day in a bad tempered meeting, and then flew home that evening, landing back at Heathrow around 9 pm. I was tired, in a foul mood, and really not feeling much in the way of merriment or goodwill to anyone.
I threw my bag in the boot of the Volvo, hung my jacket up and got behind the wheel. Started the engine, and felt myself instantly starting to calm down. Comfy seats, the feeling of absolute solidity, the soft green glow of the instruments, and that lovely mellow, smooth 5 cylinder engine note. Out onto the now quiet M25, and it struck me what a great sense of wellbeing the car imparted. The effortless grunt from the super smooth, but tuneful engine, the seats that are still to this day my benchmark for comfort, the stereo system that to this day is still my benchmark for a factory fit setup. It was a quick car, but it was tremendously relaxing to drive, supremely comfortable and refined, and beautifully built. And absolutely everything just worked, even at 150,000 miles
I don't think I've ever had another car that I looked forward to driving as much, but for reasons that had nothing whatsoever to do with actually driving. Lovely old thing. Was forced to sell it in the end when my mileage increased and the weekly fuel bill passed £100. Also Mrs. Limpet hated it with a passion.
JakeT said:
A 230,000 mile E39 530d. It was a manual but that only made it better to me. It was not fast, but on 16 inch wheels and Dunlop tyres it went down the road brilliantly. It had that slightly old baggy but comfortable feel. Like an old sofa. Also it would do 800 miles to a tank, so no need to worry about stopping for fuel on the way home from somewhere.
Agree with you on the E39. I had a long drive in a 640d once and getting back into my 530i just felt like home. Won't quite do 800 miles to a tank 
and I was pushing the range the other weekend when I did door to door Plymouth to Warminster in 2 hours (I hit a little traffic) but aside from the traffic we were doing "some" mph.I was determined not to stop for fuel, and made it home with 30 miles range showing. Filled up the next day and got nearly 69 litres into it, and it has a 68 litre tank...
I bought this Rover 75 Tourer diesel auto for my motorway commute; I was sick to death of start-stop smart motorways in rush hour with a manual gearbox, especially after a 12 hour shift.
Last year we did 500 miles in a day with it, got out feeling fresh as a daisy. It doesn’t assault you with any bongs or chimes from a million gadgets or warning systems, it just leaves you in peace and quiet while you waft along.
It’s got all the toys you need; air con, cruise control and a radio. Performance is fine, as RR would have said, it’s “adequate”; you’ve got enough to overtake or get a move on, but equally you're not constantly finding yourself at risk from getting a ticket. The only thing that makes it less soothing is the “premium” plastic SUV behind up your chuff, because how dare they have an old Rover in front.
Last year we did 500 miles in a day with it, got out feeling fresh as a daisy. It doesn’t assault you with any bongs or chimes from a million gadgets or warning systems, it just leaves you in peace and quiet while you waft along.
It’s got all the toys you need; air con, cruise control and a radio. Performance is fine, as RR would have said, it’s “adequate”; you’ve got enough to overtake or get a move on, but equally you're not constantly finding yourself at risk from getting a ticket. The only thing that makes it less soothing is the “premium” plastic SUV behind up your chuff, because how dare they have an old Rover in front.
My recently acquired L322.
Got myself out of the PCP trap and sent my X540d back, and I have to say the L322 is the first car that I'm happy just wafting along in.
I've BMW's for the last god knows how many years, and they always seem to encourage me to drive like a complete dick, but not the Range Rover, even my better half has stopped moaning about my driving!!
Got myself out of the PCP trap and sent my X540d back, and I have to say the L322 is the first car that I'm happy just wafting along in.
I've BMW's for the last god knows how many years, and they always seem to encourage me to drive like a complete dick, but not the Range Rover, even my better half has stopped moaning about my driving!!
Muddle238 said:
I bought this Rover 75 Tourer diesel auto for my motorway commute; I was sick to death of start-stop smart motorways in rush hour with a manual gearbox, especially after a 12 hour shift.
Last year we did 500 miles in a day with it, got out feeling fresh as a daisy. It doesn’t assault you with any bongs or chimes from a million gadgets or warning systems, it just leaves you in peace and quiet while you waft along.
It’s got all the toys you need; air con, cruise control and a radio. Performance is fine, as RR would have said, it’s “adequate”; you’ve got enough to overtake or get a move on, but equally you're not constantly finding yourself at risk from getting a ticket. The only thing that makes it less soothing is the “premium” plastic SUV behind up your chuff, because how dare they have an old Rover in front.
100% agreed.Last year we did 500 miles in a day with it, got out feeling fresh as a daisy. It doesn’t assault you with any bongs or chimes from a million gadgets or warning systems, it just leaves you in peace and quiet while you waft along.
It’s got all the toys you need; air con, cruise control and a radio. Performance is fine, as RR would have said, it’s “adequate”; you’ve got enough to overtake or get a move on, but equally you're not constantly finding yourself at risk from getting a ticket. The only thing that makes it less soothing is the “premium” plastic SUV behind up your chuff, because how dare they have an old Rover in front.
Adam205 said:
Current shape Volvo V60 with the D4 engine and 8spd Auto. Pilot assist is great and the ride & seats are pretty amazing if you go Inscription spec.
If you want even more of a bargain and don't need an estate then there are some pretty mega spec S90s around for not much money.
Don't be tempted to go D5 / T5 (much less smooth), the D4 is the real gem. Sequential Twin turbo arrangement means you have the low down torque to tickle around at no revs for 99% of the time and the 8spd box in eco mode keeps it there. You never need know what fuel it's running on, except the mpg readout showing 50+mpg.
I am no longer doing those journeys that often, so mine's up for sale at the lower end of your price range if you're tempted....
I have a V60 D4 and it ticks almost all the boxes but the engine is a bit gruff and noisy. My vote would go to my old ‘04 645Ci; amazingly smooth and compliant suspension and noise only really came into the cabin if you put your foot down. Remarkably serene driving it around town. If you want even more of a bargain and don't need an estate then there are some pretty mega spec S90s around for not much money.
Don't be tempted to go D5 / T5 (much less smooth), the D4 is the real gem. Sequential Twin turbo arrangement means you have the low down torque to tickle around at no revs for 99% of the time and the 8spd box in eco mode keeps it there. You never need know what fuel it's running on, except the mpg readout showing 50+mpg.
I am no longer doing those journeys that often, so mine's up for sale at the lower end of your price range if you're tempted....
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