Anything out there I haven't considered?

[underphil]

My annual mileage is about to go from 8 to 20K an year, so my 3.0 petrol is going to have to go, partly due to the fuel costs and partly due to the depreciation it'll suffer and partly it's less suitable for the type of roads I'll be driving

So I want to get something cheaper to free up some cash and to suffer less depreciation. Budget is variable, max £8K for something that is economical and generally cheap to run, less for something that is not so cheap to run

Most of the mileage is motorway so needs to not be completely unrefined. I usually prefer a manual, but for the inevitable traffic jams that I will encounter I want an auto. Also don't like diesels as they are smelly

Although my last couple of cars have been quite entertaining to drive, I'm accepting that this one isn't going to be so doesn't really need sporting aspirations. Practicality not really an issue, big or small could be done.

I have had a few ideas, but am keen to hear what others might come up with??

[HustleRussell]

You could do a lot worse than a Mondeo.

[underphil]

HustleRussell said:

You could do a lot worse than a Mondeo.

I'm not against Mondeos, just petrol auto choice seems limited and from what I can gather possibly worse on fuel than my current car, open to further arguments for them though

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say that the Mondeo fits the bill, it's a good steer good power (although a trip Mountune would do it no harm) & it's well equipped too.

2.0T Titanium X Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Don't discount the 2.5T Mondeo as it's only slightly worse on fuel but does IMO have the better/more characterful engine.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[kiethton]

I'll hand in my PH card but for a pure tool a Prius would fit the bill perfectly (Auris hybrid if you're wanting a little less council) or civic type S of your wanting something a bit (but not a lot) more interesting

[HustleRussell]

kiethton said:

I'll hand in my PH card but for a pure tool a Prius would fit the bill perfectly (Auris hybrid if you're wanting a little less council) or civic type S of your wanting something a bit (but not a lot) more interesting

20k motorway miles per year in a hybrid? Rather you than me. Civic Type S? Not particularly refined or comfortable even by hatchback standards, IMO 20k motorway miles = saloon, diesel or failing that large or turbocharged petrol engine

[FWIW]

underphil said:

HustleRussell said:

You could do a lot worse than a Mondeo.

I'm not against Mondeos, just petrol auto choice seems limited and from what I can gather possibly worse on fuel than my current car, open to further arguments for them though

You could do a lot better!

[Colonial]

Volvo C30 D5? Realise it's a diesel, but at least it's a bit different and has decent enough performance.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Saab 9-3 Aero 2.0 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Skoda Octavia VRS DSG
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[kiethton]

HustleRussell said:

kiethton said:

I'll hand in my PH card but for a pure tool a Prius would fit the bill perfectly (Auris hybrid if you're wanting a little less council) or civic type S of your wanting something a bit (but not a lot) more interesting

20k motorway miles per year in a hybrid? Rather you than me. Civic Type S? Not particularly refined or comfortable even by hatchback standards, IMO 20k motorway miles = saloon, diesel or failing that large or turbocharged petrol engine

If you're limited to petrol and don't look at something significantly more economical you might as well stay with the exisiting 3.0 no?

Prius etal are perfectly adequate for covering mileage in, hell I did 35k pa. in a 2007 Astra diesel! haha

[mattfuey]

HustleRussell said:

20k motorway miles per year in a hybrid? Rather you than me. Civic Type S? Not particularly refined or comfortable even by hatchback standards, IMO 20k motorway miles = saloon, diesel or failing that large or turbocharged petrol engine

Wouldn't agree with the saloon bit necessarily.

I did 30k per year in an A3, and currently doing ~40k(ish) per year in a GTD.

All depends on the seats I've found rather than anything else, motorways aren't the roughest of roads in the UK.

[underphil]

ZX10R NIN said:

I have to say that the Mondeo fits the bill, it's a good steer good power (although a trip Mountune would do it no harm) & it's well equipped too.

2.0T Titanium X Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Don't discount the 2.5T Mondeo as it's only slightly worse on fuel but does IMO have the better/more characterful engine.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I like the 2.0T Sport - ticks a lot of boxes, but what realistically is the best MPG that can be squeezed out of it on a good run??

[underphil]

kiethton said:

I'll hand in my PH card but for a pure tool a Prius would fit the bill perfectly (Auris hybrid if you're wanting a little less council) or civic type S of your wanting something a bit (but not a lot) more interesting

It makes a lot of sense, but can't get over what they look like unfortunately

Have the CT200h on the list, will have to try one though to see if I can forgive the CVT gearbox

[underphil]

Colonial said:

Volvo C30 D5? Realise it's a diesel, but at least it's a bit different and has decent enough performance.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Saab 9-3 Aero 2.0 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Skoda Octavia VRS DSG
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Volvo out as is a smoke belcher

I like the Saab, but is a manual - do they do them with that engine and auto?

The Skoda is just too ugly to my eyes

[Gareth1974]

How about something like this? http://www.themotorbank.co.uk/used-cars/mazda-mazd...

[BertB]

underphil said:

I like the 2.0T Sport - ticks a lot of boxes, but what realistically is the best MPG that can be squeezed out of it on a good run??

Have a look here:

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/ford/mondeo-i...

Don't see how many ratings that's based on though.

[underphil]

Gareth1974 said:

How about something like this? http://www.themotorbank.co.uk/used-cars/mazda-mazd...

yes, it's on the shortlist at the moment

Had a 2.5 SL for a short while a few years back, was a really good car

[exelero]

BTW they do Saab's in auto with the same engine

[underphil]

BertB said:

Have a look here:

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/ford/mondeo-i...

Don't see how many ratings that's based on though.

http://equaindex.com/equa-fuel-economy-index/

Is a pretty good resource for MPG as cars are tested in the same real world conditions. Is a mixed cycle though so not always good for comparing what different cars would achieve on long steady journeys

27.6 for the 2.0T powershift, 2 lower than what they rate my current car