Sorry - A What Car! My Mondeo is killing me...

[paulmoonraker]

I currently have a standard Mondeo TDCI Ghia. I do about 20K a year and get petrol money (36ppm).

Frankly, the wooden dash bits and fabric seats are starting to wear thin. I love driving and am looking for something that will make my work hack a bit more fun. I am not adverse to having another diesel, but to be honest a petrol car with reasonable MPG when cruising would be fine.

So, options? I could chop in the current car for 4K'ish and could top that up with another 4K. The interior matters as sometimes (3 days a week) I spend 6 hours in it!

I have looked at the ST Mondeo Diesel, but I am also thinking about something crazy like a Monaro. However, the later concerns me on the maintenance front.

I run an STi as a toy, so whatever I choose needs to balance against that if that makes sense - I.e. Ownership costs

Thanks...

-P

[sparks_E39]

E39 530 Sport, end of the line 2003 model. 35 MPG on a run.

[VX Foxy]

Aren't you going to run it into the ground?

[paulmoonraker]

VX Foxy said:

Aren't you going to run it into the ground?

Ha - yes, that was the plan! However, I want to enjoy my work miles more than I am right now. I know I have the sensible option, but you only live once

[Defcon5]

You say it does 60mpg and 35ppm, so you get £21 for every £7 of fuel you use?

Thats an awful lot! It must be worth putting up with for that. Its not exactly a shed.

[VX Foxy]

paulmoonraker said:

Ha - yes, that was the plan! However, I want to enjoy my work miles more than I am right now. I know I have the sensible option, but you only live once

Humm...I tried the sensible option once (in the form of a mundano), worst decision I ever made. E39 530 sport is a good call

[eltax91]

paulmoonraker said:

Ha - yes, that was the plan! However, I want to enjoy my work miles more than I am right now. I know I have the sensible option, but you only live once

Have no comment to make on the what car, but any more detail on the Mondy?

[Dalto123]

Would a new look Passat be of interest. Found this one on Autotrader, 1.9tdi 29,000 miles, finished in black with black leather interior. I confess its down on power compared to the other cars, but its quite new and under budet and lots of MPG's (50.4 on a combined cycle).

[paulmoonraker]

eltax91 said:

paulmoonraker said:

Ha - yes, that was the plan! However, I want to enjoy my work miles more than I am right now. I know I have the sensible option, but you only live once

Have no comment to make on the what car, but any more detail on the Mondy?

Black with silver trim and door handles
76K
No dents, dings etc (only had it 5 months)
1 owner (ex HBOS car)
DMF is okay (not vibrating)
Sony stereo which is awesome
Wooden trim in various places
115bhp
5 speed manual
60mpg motorway

[paulmoonraker]

Defcon5 said:

You say it does 60mpg and 35ppm, so you get £21 for every £7 of fuel you use?

Thats an awful lot! It must be worth putting up with for that. Its not exactly a shed.

Yes, that's why I would consider another diesel.

it's 36ppm

[TameRacingDriver]

What about a Fabia vRS ? - I know its a smaller car, but they really are extremely comfortable, and the interior is top notch, and it certainly can offer some fun, and is still a really competent commuting car. One of these, a £500 remap, and you've got 170 bhp and 300 lb ft of torque in a car that still handles reasonably OK (if not class leading) and it'll still get 50 MPG or more on a run.

[jbi]

paulmoonraker said:

I have looked at the ST Mondeo Diesel, but I am also thinking about something crazy like a Monaro. However, the later concerns me on the maintenance front.


-P

Monaro isn't too bad on the maintenance front as a huge 3rd party after market exists.

The engine/drive-train is extremely ubiquitous and very reliable

[ex vtskid]

I would have thought the Monaro wouldn't be too bad maintenence wise. The drivetrain is very well proven. If fuel on one isn't a problem I certainly wouldn't let that put you off.

EDIT: Or basically what the chap above said!

[stuwalsh]

! ran a Saab 9-3 1.9TDi 150 Vector Sport with a Hirsch upgrade to 175bhp. 48mpg every day on a 75 mile round trip commute to the centre of Manchester from m56 J12. Car had the sports chassis which wasn't necessary and did spoil the ride.

[paulmoonraker]

TameRacingDriver said:

What about a Fabia vRS ? - I know its a smaller car, but they really are extremely comfortable, and the interior is top notch, and it certainly can offer some fun, and is still a really competent commuting car. One of these, a £500 remap, and you've got 170 bhp and 300 lb ft of torque in a car that still handles reasonably OK (if not class leading) and it'll still get 50 MPG or more on a run.

Bit small really (I have twins).

I am looking for something fast in a straight line. It should be reasonable on the twisties but its not too important. The Fabia strikes me as a bit of a hot hatch really (which if I was going to do would be an ST Focus).

As far as mapping/mods go - I would not bother as my STi is my toy for that stuff...

Thanks though...

[paulmoonraker]

sparks_E39 said:

E39 530 Sport, end of the line 2003 model. 35 MPG on a run.

A lot of car for the money. What miles can the petrol ones run to (without having to remortgage to pay for fixes). Also, how do these compare to the 3 series - its not they seem massive!

[andy-xr]

Inside of the E60 is more interesting than the E39 IMO

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2997029.htm

[SuperHangOn]

I find ANY car boring sitting on endless motorways and jams. If its reliable, comfy and economical I would keep it.

The Mondeo isn't a bad steer anyway.

[Deva Link]

SuperHangOn said:

I find ANY car boring sitting on endless motorways and jams. If its reliable, comfy and economical I would keep it.

I bought a Merc for this job - got a C270CDI Avantgarde Estate auto but on balance an E220CDi might have been better. Does 50MPG on a run (2-400 miles).

I get the full 45p/mile (25p once over 10K miles) so the car makes money for me.

[sparks_E39]

paulmoonraker said:

sparks_E39 said:

E39 530 Sport, end of the line 2003 model. 35 MPG on a run.

A lot of car for the money. What miles can the petrol ones run to (without having to remortgage to pay for fixes). Also, how do these compare to the 3 series - its not they seem massive!

They go on and on to way past 200k with care. Not really terribly expensive to repair unless an Auto gearbox goes. You must replace the cooling system at approx £400 if it hasn't been done or it WILL break and knacker your engine. I can't think of any car better for the money and for what it does. A noticeable step up in quality over an E36/E46 3 Series.