What prestige reliable car for under 10k?

[G Singh]

Hi I'm looking for a car for my mum. It needs to be something prestigious ( Bmw,Audi,etc.) We have had a bad experience with a failed turbo on a jaguar diesel so preferably a petrol engine. Leather seats would be appreciated.
As I don't know that much about fixing cars I would prefer something with lowish mileage or something that is well maintained and also has a reputation for reliability and low repair costs. We would like something that is not too old so maybe 4 years maximum. It would need 4 doors but doesn't need to be too big.
As my mum has a lot of other expenditure we only have around 8-9k, maybe 10k to spend and we would like something economical that doesn't cost to much to run.
Also we have a 6 year old Nissan Primera 1.8 petrol which we would like to get rid of so a car from a trader who is wiling to px is ideal.
I appreciate that for this small budget and with these restrictions there are not many options but any advice would be welcomed.
Thanks a lot

[frosted]

Audi a4 cabrio + private plate . I would keep the Nissan if it doesn't need much to pass next mot

[G Singh]

G Singh said:

Hi I'm looking for a car for my mum. It needs to be something prestigious ( Bmw,Audi,etc.) We have had a bad experience with a failed turbo on a jaguar diesel so preferably a petrol engine. Leather seats would be appreciated.
As I don't know that much about fixing cars I would prefer something with lowish mileage or something that is well maintained and also has a reputation for reliability and low repair costs. We would like something that is not too old so maybe 4 years maximum. It would need 4 doors but doesn't need to be too big.
As my mum has a lot of other expenditure we only have around 8-9k, maybe 10k to spend and we would like something economical that doesn't cost to much to run.
Also we have a 6 year old Nissan Primera 1.8 petrol which we would like to get rid of so a car from a trader who is wiling to px is ideal.
I appreciate that for this small budget and with these restrictions there are not many options but any advice would be welcomed.
Thanks a lot

Sorry I forgot to mention that the budget includes the px value of the Nissan.

[E30M3SE]

frosted said:

Audi a4 cabrio + private plate . I would keep the Nissan if it doesn't need much to pass next mot

Spot on, as they have 4 doors don't they.............. .

[G Singh]

frosted said:

Audi a4 cabrio + private plate . I would keep the Nissan if it doesn't need much to pass next mot

Thanks for your reply. I like the sound of the Audi cabriolet, I had't considered that.

[chrisispringles]

Audi A4 2.0 TDi

BMW 325d

Lexus IS220d

Mercedes C220 CDi

Mercedes E220 CDi

Saab 9-3 1.9TTiD

Volvo S60 D5

HTH.

[V88Dicky]

chrisispringles said:

Audi A4 2.0 TDi

BMW 325d

Lexus IS220d

Mercedes C220 CDi

Mercedes E220 CDi

Saab 9-3 1.9TTiD

Volvo S60 D5

HTH.

Sweet Child of Mine! Do you have a hard on for rattle-boxes?

The OP would prefer a petrol!




How about a late 4WD X-type? Either the 2.5 or 3.0. Good, solid and often over-looked, and handy for our horrible winters too.

Or perhaps an Audi A3 3.2 quattro?

[G Singh]

chrisispringles said:

Audi A4 2.0 TDi

BMW 325d

Lexus IS220d

Mercedes C220 CDi

Mercedes E220 CDi

Saab 9-3 1.9TTiD

Volvo S60 D5

HTH.

Thanks, they all look good. My only concern is that we have previously had problems with diesels and fro my research on PH and other forums i thought that diesel engines are not recommended for those who do lowish miles (my mum does about 10k a year) She does mostly short journeys and I have heard that its a bad idea to choose a diesel for short journeys. This is all what I have read on forums I'm not completely sure on how accurate this is.

[G Singh]

V88Dicky said:

Sweet Child of Mine! Do you have a hard on for rattle-boxes?

The OP would prefer a petrol!




How about a late 4WD X-type? Either the 2.5 or 3.0. Good, solid and often over-looked, and handy for our horrible winters too.

Or perhaps an Audi A3 3.2 quattro?

Hi how economical would those engines be?

[Redlake27]

Alfa 159 1.9JTdM Lusso

I had one of these after a 5 series and an A4, and rated it far better than the Audi in all areas. OK, it didn't have the rear drive grunt of the BMW, but it was a far nicer place to sit.


100,000 miles, no problems apart from a rattly tensioner that was changed with the cambelt.

An underrated car - loads at 7k or less

And realising the IOP preferred petrol, the 2.2 i is a 35mpg car (the diesel 45-50mpg). OK, it's a tuned GM lump rather than a Sparky Twin thingy, but it is a pretty durable thing.

Edited by Redlake27 on Saturday 27th August 15:31

[V88Dicky]

G Singh said:

Hi how economical would those engines be?

It depends on what type of driving your mam uses the car for. Economy shouldn't be her primary concern if she's not doing high mileages. Both of those above are easily capable of 30-35mpg on a longer run or mid to high 20's around town.
If she does low miles AND mainly short trips, then a small capacity petrol will suit her best.

[confused_buyer]

"reputation for reliability and low cost" would suggest something more like a Lexus than an Alfa or anything VAG.

[Ullevi]

Lexus IS 250, petrol V6 2005-06, reliable, refined and should come with plenty of options including leather. Not the most economical in fuel consumption though.

If you don't mind a bit larger, then you should be able to pick up a bargain GS 3L V6 fully loaded 2004-2005 for your budget.

[carlingofblack]

I've had a BMW with the 3.0 straight 6 petrol, a V6 3.0 X type and a 4.2 Audi V8-- all of them, lovely. Drive them on the open road as well as round town and they do a reasonable MPG averaging 27-32. Sound lovely too. Because the UK has gone head over heels for diesel canal barge power, these bigger petrols are overlooked and tremendous value for money. Buy on service history and condition, not mileage. They are all capable of 100k + without too many horrendous issues.

[chrisispringles]

V88Dicky said:

Sweet Child of Mine! Do you have a hard on for rattle-boxes?

The OP would prefer a petrol!

Oops, missed that. I just saw the economical bit and assumed derv.

[edo]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

2005 BMW 3 SERIES 330i SE 4dr Auto Saloon
Private Seller

40,000 miles, FBMWSH, TV, SatNav BMW Professional, MOT 28/08/2012, Tax 28/02/2012. On-board computer, Parking aid (PDC) Front & Rear with Visual Display, Cruise control, Climate control, CD-changer, Sports Heated Dakota leather seats with Memory, Ellipsoid Spoke Style 18" BMW Alloys, Handsfree phone, Voice recognition, Tyres pressure monitor, 3 spoke Mutli-functional Leather Steering wheel, too many options to list, top spec car. Latest service was carried out recently by BMW, the next oil service is not due till March 2013, 6 stamps in the service book (main BMW dealers). Fabulous car in excelent condition. £9,595 ONO.

[stick100]

stay away from the german stuff the repair bills are shocking


i'd go lexus all day long

[Egg Chaser]

Redlake27 said:

Alfa 159 1.9JTdM Lusso

This, but the JTS petrol one, in either 1.9 or 2.2 form. My dad has just bought one, such a nice car all round. Reasonable economy, yet still enough power when you need it. Seems to be a very quiet and comfortable car too. In my opinion, it's one of the best looking saloons on sale.

[edo]

stick100 said:

stay away from the german stuff the repair bills are shocking


i'd go lexus all day long

Good general statement there, well done.

[frosted]

edo said:

stick100 said:

stay away from the german stuff the repair bills are shocking


i'd go lexus all day long

Good general statement there, well done.

Well based on averages probably true.

10k would buy a decent car for your mum , although not prestige, low miles and under 4 years old