What car: £8k-ish; luxurious, reliable, practical

[bobsavage789]

Morning all,

I’ve become a bit bored of my C43 saloon, and using it for family trip duties is becoming increasingly challenging (luggage/rear space isn’t great), so I’ve been thinking of taking advantage of recent higher car values, and getting me dream car (a TVR of some sort).

Unfortunately, I do still need a practical, family car for the daily duties, which is where I could do with some help.

Criteria (in descending order of importance) are:

1) reliable
2) premium-feeling (I’m not much of a badge snob)
3) boot/rear seat space
4) quick-ish
5) within 100 or so miles of Manchester

It has to be petrol (I do circa 6000 miles per year), and automatic is preferred. I’ve set a (fairly arbitrary) mileage limit of 90k, although any feedback on where my upper limit should be for each contender would be welcome.

On my current shortlist is:

1) Imported Volvo V70

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107185...

I’m not sure of the dealer though (only a mobile number listed under the ‘Contact us’ section. UK-supplied XC/V70s don’t seem to be within budget.

2) Subaru Legacy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102108...

I hear good things about the Legacy, and would love a JDM Twinscroll. Unfortunately, the frequency of the oil changes put me off somewhat. I’m unimpressed by the 0-60 time of the above 3.0 auto though…

3) Lexus LS430

I can’t seem to find any of these within budget within my search area. I’m put off the LS460 because of the more complex (?) suspension and the apparent incompatibility with E10 petrol. Would a higher-mileage one present more risk, or is it a case of ‘buy on condition’?

Other contenders:

X350 XJ
Mercedes S Class (running costs too high?)

Help please!

TL; DR: £8k budget; petrol family car required.

[ZX10R NIN]

bobsavage789 said:

Morning all,

I’ve become a bit bored of my C43 saloon, and using it for family trip duties is becoming increasingly challenging (luggage/rear space isn’t great), so I’ve been thinking of taking advantage of recent higher car values, and getting me dream car (a TVR of some sort).

Unfortunately, I do still need a practical, family car for the daily duties, which is where I could do with some help.

Criteria (in descending order of importance) are:

1) reliable
2) premium-feeling (I’m not much of a badge snob)
3) boot/rear seat space
4) quick-ish
5) within 100 or so miles of Manchester

It has to be petrol (I do circa 6000 miles per year), and automatic is preferred. I’ve set a (fairly arbitrary) mileage limit of 90k, although any feedback on where my upper limit should be for each contender would be welcome.

On my current shortlist is:

1) Imported Volvo V70

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107185...

I’m not sure of the dealer though (only a mobile number listed under the ‘Contact us’ section. UK-supplied XC/V70s don’t seem to be within budget.

2) Subaru Legacy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102108...

I hear good things about the Legacy, and would love a JDM Twinscroll. Unfortunately, the frequency of the oil changes put me off somewhat. I’m unimpressed by the 0-60 time of the above 3.0 auto though…

3) Lexus LS430

I can’t seem to find any of these within budget within my search area. I’m put off the LS460 because of the more complex (?) suspension and the apparent incompatibility with E10 petrol. Would a higher-mileage one present more risk, or is it a case of ‘buy on condition’?

Other contenders:

X350 XJ
Mercedes S Class (running costs too high?)

Help please!

TL; DR: £8k budget; petrol family car required.

Firstly if you're looking a an S Class sized car they'll all have air suspension which in most cases is around £500 a leg if it needs replacing.

Secondly as you already know you always buy on condition.

Considering what you've listed I'd say these cars fit your bill well.

G37 Saloon loads of kit a reliable drivetrain that can run on E10:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...

GS450h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109036...

[defblade]

bobsavage789 said:

1) reliable
2) premium-feeling (I’m not much of a badge snob)
3) boot/rear seat space
4) quick-ish
5) within 100 or so miles of Manchester

It has to be petrol (I do circa 6000 miles per year), and automatic is preferred.

2) Subaru Legacy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102108...

I hear good things about the Legacy, and would love a JDM Twinscroll. Unfortunately, the frequency of the oil changes put me off somewhat. I’m unimpressed by the 0-60 time of the above 3.0 auto though…

Twinscroll is only going to want annual oil changes at that mileage (or a bit longer, but you'd probably change annually anyway)... there's lots of talk about 3750 mile changes, when used in "harsh environments", with people suggesting that a turbo engine is always a "harsh environment". I tend to think that Subaru knew full well that they'd fitted a turbo, and if they wanted to say that you should change the oil every 3750 on turbo engines, they would have said exactly that, not mentioned "harsh environments".
0-60 for the TS, even of the auto which is only 260 brake, is decent; helped by the AWD which means you always shoot off sure-footed.

I'm not sure it hits "premium feeling" - it's a well made interior, but somewhat basic; and I can't promise you regarding No 5, but it hits the others well if you can suck up 99ron at 25mpg.




I'd add whatever reasonably well-engined A6 Avant falls into your price range as well. Ignoring the badge, no other car I've had swaps between building site van and luxury family car with such ease.

[bobsavage789]

Many thanks for the replies, both.

ZX: the Infiniti is an intriguing proposition, especially as it’s a bit newer than other options.

Defblade: thanks for the Twinscroll info: the more reasonable oil change interval makes it a potential favourite, despite the more limited luggage space. Maybe ‘luxurious’ was the wrong word; maybe ‘special’ is more apt.

[georgeyboy12345]

I wouldn't go buying an import, they are too much hassle with insurance and the like. The tax on that Legacy is outrageous. The Lexus not being able to take E10 will be a pain too.

Unfortunately, 8 grand is a bit of a no mans land for the kind of car you're after. If you wanted a hot hatch or older sports car you'd be alright, but an automatic spacious saloon/estate with decent power and luxury requires a bit more investment for a good one.

Here's what I could find, none are very near Manchester either


Vauxhall Vectra 2.8 V6 Turbo Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108236...


Volvo S60 R - looks like you may have missed it though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254...


E60 BMW 530i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109197...


Mercedes E350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110108...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Sunday 17th October 15:52

[defblade]

georgeyboy12345 said:

I wouldn't go buying an import, they are too much hassle with insurance and the like. The tax on that Legacy is outrageous.

I had no insurance trouble with my imported TS. Biggest problem is the OE radio only getting radio 2! Also, tax was £265 as they don't have official CO2 figures

[bobsavage789]

A quick quote with the meerkat (import status declared) suggests the Volvo at least wouldn’t be ludicrous amounts to insure.

Checking the Legacy seems to be trickier: I can’t find a UK reg to enter, and manually entering the details doesn’t help, as the twin scroll wasn’t sold in the UK…

Defblade: have you found a way of avoiding Radio 2? I’ve read that aftermarket solutions are stupidly complicated and expensive…

[defblade]

bobsavage789 said:

Defblade: have you found a way of avoiding Radio 2? I’ve read that aftermarket solutions are stupidly complicated and expensive…

I mounted a separate HU into the top cubby. The catch is, the HVAC controls are integrated with the OE stereo, so I had to make a lead that gave them power, while taking all the stereo stuff (power, speakers etc) off to the new HU.

http://www.uklegacy.com/forums/index.php?/topic/14...

Other methods are available... ...get onto uklegacy.com if you're interested.

[RoVoFob]

defblade said:

I'd add whatever reasonably well-engined A6 Avant falls into your price range as well. Ignoring the badge, no other car I've had swaps between building site van and luxury family car with such ease.

Despite bonkers used car prices currently, bargains are still available - even with upmarket models like the A6.

I bought a 2006 A6 Avant 4.2 V8 two weeks back for thousands less than your budget. It has 87,600 miles and £8,000 worth of factory options, a full service history, including a recent service and MOT and six oil services within the last five years/12,000 miles.

Yes, it’s not the most reliable car on paper and it’s not particularly cheap to run, but it was way under your budget and is a huge amount of car for the money with loads of passenger and boot space, and a plush feel. Might be worth considering.

If you do find any with the 4.2 V8 non-FSI engine, you’ll just want to check the state of the cam chain, as tensioners can fail on these, which costs thousands to repair. Regular oil changes should help reduce the likelihood of this.

[georgeyboy12345]

Just stumbled across this and thought of this thread - if you can stomach the £600 a year tax, this is rather lovely. For sale just down the road in Knutsford, being sold by someone from a lovely big house with a *gravel driveway*, the car in it's younger years also featured in a couple of magazine articles!

Alfa Romeo 3.2 JTS V6 Lusso Q-tronic Q4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108306...

I wouldn't worry too much about reliability - it'll certainly be more reliable than the 4.2 V8 Audi mentioned in the previous post!

[Kinky]

What about a Lexus RX-450h?

Meets all the criteria

[bobsavage789]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Just stumbled across this and thought of this thread - if you can stomach the £600 a year tax, this is rather lovely. For sale just down the road in Knutsford, being sold by someone from a lovely big house with a *gravel driveway*, the car in it's younger years also featured in a couple of magazine articles!

Alfa Romeo 3.2 JTS V6 Lusso Q-tronic Q4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108306...

I wouldn't worry too much about reliability - it'll certainly be more reliable than the 4.2 V8 Audi mentioned in the previous post!

This does look rather lovely, and I have considered the estate variant. I’m actually not out off by reliability issues, more the tiny boot and cabin space (it’s smaller than my current C43).

[bobsavage789]

Kinky said:

What about a Lexus RX-450h?

Meets all the criteria

It certainly does. Only issue is it’s unlikely I’ll be able to charge. An RX350 on the other hand…

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110108...

Slightly off-putting location, and not much info in the ad, unfortunately…

[georgeyboy12345]

bobsavage789 said:

georgeyboy12345 said:

Just stumbled across this and thought of this thread - if you can stomach the £600 a year tax, this is rather lovely. For sale just down the road in Knutsford, being sold by someone from a lovely big house with a *gravel driveway*, the car in it's younger years also featured in a couple of magazine articles!

Alfa Romeo 3.2 JTS V6 Lusso Q-tronic Q4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108306...

I wouldn't worry too much about reliability - it'll certainly be more reliable than the 4.2 V8 Audi mentioned in the previous post!

This does look rather lovely, and I have considered the estate variant. I’m actually not out off by reliability issues, more the tiny boot and cabin space (it’s smaller than my current C43).

oh yeah - forgot you needed the space!

[ZX10R NIN]

bobsavage789 said:

It certainly does. Only issue is it’s unlikely I’ll be able to charge. An RX350 on the other hand…

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110108...

Slightly off-putting location, and not much info in the ad, unfortunately…

You don't have to plug in charge the RX450h or GS450h they're just pure hybrids.

[bobsavage789]

ZX10R NIN said:

You don't have to plug in charge the RX450h or GS450h they're just pure hybrids.

OK: I’m happy to admit ignorance here…

What does that mean? Where do the batteries get power from? Or are you suggesting I rely on petrol power alone..?

[ZX10R NIN]

bobsavage789 said:

Many thanks for the replies, both.

ZX: the Infiniti is an intriguing proposition, especially as it’s a bit newer than other options.

Defblade: thanks for the Twinscroll info: the more reasonable oil change interval makes it a potential favourite, despite the more limited luggage space. Maybe ‘luxurious’ was the wrong word; maybe ‘special’ is more apt.

The Infiniti is a simple car in terms of reliability (It's the same drivetrain as the 370Z) with a very good spec & due to the lack of brand recognition you get a nice newer car.

[bobsavage789]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Infiniti is a simple car in terms of reliability (It's the same drivetrain as the 370Z) with a very good spec & due to the lack of brand recognition you get a nice newer car.

It sounds ideal. Only problem is that the nearest one is 180 miles away…

I’ll keep an eye out though.

[ZX10R NIN]

bobsavage789 said:

It sounds ideal. Only problem is that the nearest one is 180 miles away…

I’ll keep an eye out though.

I wouldn't let the distance be to much of an issue as you'll only do it the once & you're nicely under budget too, the RX/GS charge the batteries as you drive/brake/coast so you're always using a mix of the pair as you just drive along.

[bobsavage789]

ZX10R NIN said:

I wouldn't let the distance be to much of an issue as you'll only do it the once & you're nicely under budget too, the RX/GS charge the batteries as you drive/brake/coast so you're always using a mix of the pair as you just drive along.

Every day’s a school day! Thanks for enlightening me. Some reservations about the RX due to smallish boot and potential cat theft, but I’ll add it to the shortlist.

I aim to have a closer look at the Volvo and a Legacy twin scroll in the next week or so, and I’ll go from there.