Buying a lasting car.....

[safesadie]

I'm starting to look for a car that will serve loads of purposes.

1) I have to commute 60-70 miles a day so the MPG needs to be average-good
2) It needs to have some nice styling - alcantara, leather, big alloys but absolutely no aftermarket superglued on bodykits
3) It needs plenty of grunt - loved my focus st3, anything duller than that and I'll get bored and swap it within 6 months.
4) It needs to accomodate passengers and shopping
5) I'm not looking for run of the mill- bit vague I know.

So, I want something in good nick, under 50,000 miles, decent amount of service history. Don't wanna spend more than 15k really.

What would you buy?

[Eighteeteewhy]

330d, ticks most of the boxes.

[safesadie]

I've never driven one but they're a bit bland for my taste to be honest. Undoubtedly they're quick but not for me

[tercelgold]

Volvo C30 T5 R ?

Fuel consumption (urban) 22.4 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 44.1 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 32.5 mpg
0 - 62 mph 6.7 seconds
Engine power 230 bhp
Engine torque 236 lbs/ft

[safesadie]

tercelgold said:

Volvo C30 T5 R ?

Fuel consumption (urban) 22.4 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 44.1 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 32.5 mpg
0 - 62 mph 6.7 seconds
Engine power 230 bhp
Engine torque 236 lbs/ft

Ah yes - hadn't thought of those at all. I have already got more ideas than when I started. Cheers

[Willy Nilly]

safesadie said:

I'm starting to look for a car that will serve loads of purposes.

1) I have to commute 60-70 miles a day so the MPG needs to be average-good
2) It needs to have some nice styling - alcantara, leather, big alloys but absolutely no aftermarket superglued on bodykits
3) It needs plenty of grunt - loved my focus st3, anything duller than that and I'll get bored and swap it within 6 months.
4) It needs to accomodate passengers and shopping
5) I'm not looking for run of the mill- bit vague I know.

So, I want something in good nick, under 50,000 miles, decent amount of service history. Don't wanna spend more than 15k really.

What would you buy?

All of those things you require are readily available, not sure if you can get them all in the same car though. For example the terms "Good MPG" and "plenty of grunt" aren't usually associated with each other.

[versus]

The C30 T5 is going just be a posher and plusher version of the Focus ST. If you already had one of those I don't see the point in going for a C30. In fact its probably got a smaller boot.

[safesadie]

versus said:

The C30 T5 is going just be a posher and plusher version of the Focus ST. If you already had one of those I don't see the point in going for a C30. In fact its probably got a smaller boot.

Fair one.

Regarding the things I want- I could cope with average mpg, I'd sacrifice mpg for something a bit gruntier and nicer looking

[kiethton]

VXR8? should do 30mpg on a run and can always be LPG'ed if the fuel bills become a problem

[Baryonyx]

versus said:

The C30 T5 is going just be a posher and plusher version of the Focus ST. If you already had one of those I don't see the point in going for a C30. In fact its probably got a smaller boot.

I think the Volvo is a very cool car. Okay, so it might not be a classic T5 of old, but it should be a decent car, though much like the Focus ST it's geared towards GT style cruising over hot hatch thrills.

[Dr Interceptor]

Okay, not quite so grunty but how about http://pistonheads.com/sales/3637488.htm ?

Good MPG - mid 30's early 40s achievable
Longer wheelbase Clubman can take four adults, with extra boot space
Decent spec with leather, harmon kardon etc...
In budget
Great fun to drive
Easily upgradeable - remap, works exhaust, jcw brakes etc
Nice colour combo

It's relatively new too, so will last a good few years.

[safesadie]

Dr Interceptor said:

Okay, not quite so grunty but how about http://pistonheads.com/sales/3637488.htm ?

Good MPG - mid 30's early 40s achievable
Longer wheelbase Clubman can take four adults, with extra boot space
Decent spec with leather, harmon kardon etc...
In budget
Great fun to drive
Easily upgradeable - remap, works exhaust, jcw brakes etc
Nice colour combo

It's relatively new too, so will last a good few years.

I can't say any specific reason why not but just nope

[Jimbo.]

safesadie said:

I'm starting to look for a car that will serve loads of purposes.

1) I have to commute 60-70 miles a day so the MPG needs to be average-good
2) It needs to have some nice styling - alcantara, leather, big alloys but absolutely no aftermarket superglued on bodykits
3) It needs plenty of grunt - loved my focus st3, anything duller than that and I'll get bored and swap it within 6 months.
4) It needs to accomodate passengers and shopping
5) I'm not looking for run of the mill- bit vague I know.

So, I want something in good nick, under 50,000 miles, decent amount of service history. Don't wanna spend more than 15k really.

What would you buy?

Jaguar XJ 2.7TD or Citroen C6 2.7TD? Or Lexus LS400 and a pile of cash left over.

[andy-xr]

These aren't my thing, but a 1 series was going through my head when I read your list



http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3670077.htm

[philmots]

Dr Interceptor said:

Okay, not quite so grunty but how about http://pistonheads.com/sales/3637488.htm ?

Good MPG - mid 30's early 40s achievable
Longer wheelbase Clubman can take four adults, with extra boot space
Decent spec with leather, harmon kardon etc...
In budget
Great fun to drive
Easily upgradeable - remap, works exhaust, jcw brakes etc
Nice colour combo

It's relatively new too, so will last a good few years.

Do these still have issues with timing chains breaking?

I think it looks great

[S10 GTA]

Citroen C6. Ticks all the boxes, and you will look like the fking don.

[rallycross]

safesadie said:

1) the MPG needs to be average-good
2) It needs to have some nice styling - no aftermarket superglued on bodykits
3) It needs plenty of grunt -
4) It needs to accomodate passengers and shopping
5) I'm not looking for run of the mill- bit vague I know.

. Don't wanna spend more than 15k really.

What would you buy?

Go for a test drive in a BMW 335 petrol (PETROL not diesel).
I guarantee you will be very very impressed.
300+ bhp, 6 cylinder twin turbo glorious petrol engine.
35 mpg on the motorway and average 30.
Lovely to drive.
Terrific value (especially if compared against the oil burning 335d)

eg

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3572370.htm

[Dalto123]

Have you considered a VRS Octavia? There's a rather nice one on Autotrader at the moment and seems to tick the boxes. Is 200bhp enough?

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

[Krikkit]

B4 RS4? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3674238.htm

Brilliant power, quattro for all-weather sure-footedness, good fun and practical. Maybe not quite as economical as you'd like, but not ridiculous.

[deltashad]

Well specc'd TT, 20 FSI, room for four, small people in the back and it has a boot.
0-60 6.6, tops out at 149mph.

30-45 mpg

German build.