Advice for a noob soon to be commuting 120ish miles a day...
Discussion
loskie said:
personally I find the Octavia seats uncomfy, I am 6ft 16 stone.
For comfort you cannot beat Volvo or SAAB.
s60 or s80 would be my pick for value.
Have to agree with this.For comfort you cannot beat Volvo or SAAB.
s60 or s80 would be my pick for value.
Even the 'comfort seats' in my X5 aren't a patch on the ones in my old Saab's or the Volvo S60 that one of my cousins owned.
I wouldn't even be considering anything from the VAG stable, never been in one yet that has not left my back hurting (Porsche aside) after more than 30 mins.
aeropilot said:
Have to agree with this.
Even the 'comfort seats' in my X5 aren't a patch on the ones in my old Saab's or the Volvo S60 that one of my cousins owned.
I wouldn't even be considering anything from the VAG stable, never been in one yet that has not left my back hurting (Porsche aside) after more than 30 mins.
I'm 6ft4" with a history of sciatica and my current A6 is the most comfortable car for long distance driving I've ever owned. Even with sport seats it's a better place to spend time than my previous comfort spec'd E-Class or 5-Series, despite running 20" wheels. I've done regular 2-3 hour commutes in it with no issues whatsoever.Even the 'comfort seats' in my X5 aren't a patch on the ones in my old Saab's or the Volvo S60 that one of my cousins owned.
I wouldn't even be considering anything from the VAG stable, never been in one yet that has not left my back hurting (Porsche aside) after more than 30 mins.
Five pages and no ones mentioned a Transit? I've covered nearly half a million miles in the last 12 years in a Transit of some description and have no back problems to report, a 60 mile drive in a Transit is a short hop to me, I wouldn't even bother putting my seat belt on! Fuel economy isn't great to be fair but they're not bad all things considered. The top spec models have plenty of toys too!
SWoll said:
Bonefish Blues said:
S60/80 D5, smaller wheels preferred, really is the answer.
With an autobox.
As someone who's recently done 4 months of a 180 mile round trip 5 days a week due to a project I can confirm that the refinement and comfort levels of the larger executive range of cars is a significant improvement over the class below.
One of these would do a great job
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
And should be able to get a warranty from somewhere like warrantydirect for a reasonable sum for peace of mind?
How is the fuel on such a big car? I'm currently averaging 65mpg and, granted, I wont get that by going to a bigger car but high 50s would be handy
njw1 said:
Five pages and no ones mentioned a Transit? I've covered nearly half a million miles in the last 12 years in a Transit of some description and have no back problems to report, a 60 mile drive in a Transit is a short hop to me, I wouldn't even bother putting my seat belt on! Fuel economy isn't great to be fair but they're not bad all things considered. The top spec models have plenty of toys too!
I think you work for ford..Mikey2312 said:
That black S80 is pretty nice, they are quite a big old barge which I why I opted for the S40.
How is the fuel on such a big car? I'm currently averaging 65mpg and, granted, I wont get that by going to a bigger car but high 50s would be handy
If you want the very best compromise, then I would go for the S60, which would give you high 40s at least. It's one of those odd scenarios where older is better, so if you can find a Euro 3 facelift manual that has been looked after it will serve you very well indeed, and you would have a bork reserve of c1.5K from your 4KHow is the fuel on such a big car? I'm currently averaging 65mpg and, granted, I wont get that by going to a bigger car but high 50s would be handy
ETA
Mahoosive thread here with all the info you could need, and then some
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by Bonefish Blues on Sunday 29th October 08:50
I think you're on the right track with the Volvos, but picking the right one is the challenge. We've got a 2003 V70 D5 manual and a 2011 XC90 D5 auto at the moment. The V70 was replaced by a C30 2 litre earlier this year, which was written off before I got round to selling the old car, hence the V70 still being around.
My experience is that the 5 cylinder engines are lovely; the 4 cylinder 2 litre in the C30 really didn't suit it, although for longer journeys it was fine - just hard work around town. The C30 boot wasn't too bad but access to the rear seats means I wouldn't buy another; we'll probably look for a V40 with an auto box instead.
We've had the V70 since 6 months old and it's now on 195K; in that time it's had a few bills of note, the worst being clutch & DMF but overall it's reliable and the bills haven't been excessive for the mileage. Engine is lovely and suits the car well. Manual gearbox isn't slick but the car isn't especially hard work in traffic.
XC90 is lovely but way out of budget. Interestingly I'm just as happy to take the much older V70 when I don't need the space as it's just as comfortable - as was the C30. Note also when you're getting wide-eyed about the R-Design spec that I swapped my V70 from 17 inch wheels to 16's a few years back when I was using winter tyres and found better economy along with improved comfort. The 17's have been in the garage for the last 5 years, and have just gone on Gumtree.
For economy the C30 achieved similar consumption to the V70 which surprised me; overall the V70 is nicer to drive and much more practical. So for you I'd suggest finding the Volvo 5 cylinder engine in one of their slightly larger cars (S60/V70). Get the essentials right (leather is good, memory electric seats are brilliant if the car is shared) and add the bluetooth kit or whatever if it's not included. Avoid large wheels & low profile tyres - higher running costs, less comfortable, more prone to punctures in my experience.
I don't have personal experience of the mid-sized range - S40/V40/V60 - but at your budget you won't be looking at the newer cars.
My experience is that the 5 cylinder engines are lovely; the 4 cylinder 2 litre in the C30 really didn't suit it, although for longer journeys it was fine - just hard work around town. The C30 boot wasn't too bad but access to the rear seats means I wouldn't buy another; we'll probably look for a V40 with an auto box instead.
We've had the V70 since 6 months old and it's now on 195K; in that time it's had a few bills of note, the worst being clutch & DMF but overall it's reliable and the bills haven't been excessive for the mileage. Engine is lovely and suits the car well. Manual gearbox isn't slick but the car isn't especially hard work in traffic.
XC90 is lovely but way out of budget. Interestingly I'm just as happy to take the much older V70 when I don't need the space as it's just as comfortable - as was the C30. Note also when you're getting wide-eyed about the R-Design spec that I swapped my V70 from 17 inch wheels to 16's a few years back when I was using winter tyres and found better economy along with improved comfort. The 17's have been in the garage for the last 5 years, and have just gone on Gumtree.
For economy the C30 achieved similar consumption to the V70 which surprised me; overall the V70 is nicer to drive and much more practical. So for you I'd suggest finding the Volvo 5 cylinder engine in one of their slightly larger cars (S60/V70). Get the essentials right (leather is good, memory electric seats are brilliant if the car is shared) and add the bluetooth kit or whatever if it's not included. Avoid large wheels & low profile tyres - higher running costs, less comfortable, more prone to punctures in my experience.
I don't have personal experience of the mid-sized range - S40/V40/V60 - but at your budget you won't be looking at the newer cars.
Mikey2312 said:
Yea I bought the fiesta from a little garage just before all the s
t came out about diesels and depreciation kicked in!
Pretty set on an S40 but think I'll take your advice and go private just need to flog the fiesta first.. really liking the R Design model or something fully loaded to make the purchase feel more worth it
A 320 is a good shout but with a better badge comes a better price tag and more premium part prices
Ford Focus is do-able and after having a serious near miss crash tonight, when I say near miss Im not being OTT... someone decided to pull out at a junction as we were no more than 2 feet from them approaching at 60, thankfully I was able to swerve out the way.... that st us both up to say the very least!!! So I standby the brakes on the little fiesta... they did us proud tonight thankfully!!!
Take a look at the Focus the S40 is based on it but the Focus (as is the Mazda3) is the better steer & you can get ones loaded with kit too, they're similar so it may be a case of finding the most well spec'd one of the 3.t came out about diesels and depreciation kicked in!Pretty set on an S40 but think I'll take your advice and go private just need to flog the fiesta first.. really liking the R Design model or something fully loaded to make the purchase feel more worth it
A 320 is a good shout but with a better badge comes a better price tag and more premium part prices
Ford Focus is do-able and after having a serious near miss crash tonight, when I say near miss Im not being OTT... someone decided to pull out at a junction as we were no more than 2 feet from them approaching at 60, thankfully I was able to swerve out the way.... that s
t us both up to say the very least!!! So I standby the brakes on the little fiesta... they did us proud tonight thankfully!!!Focus Zetec S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Volvo S40 R Design
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
SE Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mazda 3 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mazda3 Saloon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C30 R Design
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
All the above use the same chassis & drivetrain (apart from the 2.2d engine in the Mazda) but different suspension settings.
Funnily enough the first R design in your list is the one I test drove yesterday with a few various faults
Im now making my way through your list although everyone seems to be recommending an S60 I cant help but want an S40... I found this, seems to have the seats and engine just a st colour...
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-VOLVO-S40-D5-2-4-...
Im now making my way through your list although everyone seems to be recommending an S60 I cant help but want an S40... I found this, seems to have the seats and engine just a s
t colour...https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-VOLVO-S40-D5-2-4-...
Mikey2312 said:
Funnily enough the first R design in your list is the one I test drove yesterday with a few various faults
Im now making my way through your list although everyone seems to be recommending an S60 I cant help but want an S40... I found this, seems to have the seats and engine just a st colour...
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-VOLVO-S40-D5-2-4-...
The S60's a better car than the 40, and particularly well suited to your stated requirements, that's why people, me included, are recommending it Im now making my way through your list although everyone seems to be recommending an S60 I cant help but want an S40... I found this, seems to have the seats and engine just a s
t colour...https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-VOLVO-S40-D5-2-4-...
So browsing the net and stumbled across this... 7 miles from my home so going to have a look tomorrow..
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Can anyone list in ascending order the spec trims of volvo as I am confused to hell as to what are the more or lesser spec'd cars
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Can anyone list in ascending order the spec trims of volvo as I am confused to hell as to what are the more or lesser spec'd cars
HannsG said:
Not worth it mate. Unless you are on a day rate or a fat wage.
All IMHO.
I have no intention of buying that exact car but will give me an opportunity to get the feel of an S60 with a 2.4 D5 engine... I'm still thinking S40 preferably with a D5 but I want to see if I would like the S60 by seeing it in person before writing it off All IMHO.
ZX10R NIN said:
That's the best way to do it OP check out any possibles before writing them off.
It is the mistake I've made countless times in the past where I've bought a car then seen another that I wrote off and regretted my decision... I've had many many cars but I'm set on a volvo... after seeing the C30 in the flesh, it is a great car but I think I would get fed up with the boot rather quick so therefore moved onto the S40 which ticks alot more boxes however I have a guilty pleasure for a V50 so I'm holding them in reserve until I've seen the S60 and decided if it will suit everything I need like everyone has recommended... dont get me wrong the S60 would be very good but I prefer the shape of the S40... i'll report back tomorrow once I've had a look :-)Mikey2312 said:
So browsing the net and stumbled across this... 7 miles from my home so going to have a look tomorrow..
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Can anyone list in ascending order the spec trims of volvo as I am confused to hell as to what are the more or lesser spec'd cars
No, definitely not that one. 4C is a no-no - sounds like a good idea but is a very expensive fix. That car has the big sports pack I think (can't remember its proper name), with 18" wheels and half leather interior, plus the 4C. Was an expensive option, but I've only seen a couple around.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Can anyone list in ascending order the spec trims of volvo as I am confused to hell as to what are the more or lesser spec'd cars
SE is the desirable spec, with the HU850 sound system, 17" wheels, full leather, usually comes with Winter pack too, with headlamp wash and heated seats.
Regular Sport spec is nothing of the kind
ETA
Here are the cars you should look at IMHO: Euro 3 facelifts with 163bhp and no DPF, identifiable by their black engine covers. Best mpg, best durability. Autos sometimes give trouble, not because of a problem with the box, but because Volvo didn't spec ATF changes.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=price...
Edited by Bonefish Blues on Sunday 29th October 16:51
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