Luxury Snotter for £2K?

[SWoll]

I'm currently running an 03 plate Mondeo as a daily rag to get me backwards and forwards to the train station and for the odd short run here and there.

It was bought with the task of completing a 130 mile a day commute, which it did without issue for 18 months, and was a perfect mixture of decent drive, running costs and reliability.

As I am now only doing a 10 mile round trip I think it's time to get rid and buy something more comfortable and with more gadgets to play with when the inevitable late train/traffic accident (I use the A38) leaves me sat in it for extended periods. Also it would be a nicer pace to ferry the kids around when duty calls.

I'm a fan of german barges like the old 7 Series, S Class and A8 (not too keen on older Jags/Lexus) and I'm definately hankering after a V8, but don't know a lot about them TBH so what do you guys think?

Thanks in advance chaps.

[V8Triumph]

Jaguar X308

[Garlick]

I wasn't a fan of the big Lexus until I bought one. Best thing I ever did.

[SteveDGY]

Saab 9-3s are going for around that price aren't they? Worth a look in my opinion

Edit.. Just seen that you want a V8, I was skim reading at first!

Edited by SteveDGY on Thursday 22 March 14:35

[DSS1]

Generally browsing ...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3602317.htm

[VolvoT5]

DSS1 said:

Generally browsing ...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3602317.htm

4.0? You would need to own an oil refinery just to be able to afford to get off the driveway.

[SWoll]

Quick summation of the posts so far

Jag = Not for me, I know it's pathetic but can't get past the "pipe and slippers" image and never been a fan of the XJ's styling.

Lexus = As above, appreciate the engineering but want something I can enjoy looking at also.

Saab 9-3 - Not luxurious/big enough and no V8.

7 Series - Spot on, but can anyone advise from experience of possible issues/costs?

Thanks to all.

[SWoll]

VolvoT5 said:

4.0? You would need to own an oil refinery just to be able to afford to get off the driveway.

Not a problem TBH, not doing many miles and am happy to pay the extra for the noise/torque/cruising ability.

[bakerstreet]

SWoll said:

Quick summation of the posts so far

Jag = Not for me, I know it's pathetic but can't get past the "pipe and slippers" image and never been a fan of the XJ's styling.

Lexus = As above, appreciate the engineering but want something I can enjoy looking at also.

Saab 9-3 - Not luxurious/big enough and no V8.

7 Series - Spot on, but can anyone advise from experience of possible issues/costs?

Thanks to all.

Why dont you just go out and buy a 7 series then??

[Chrisw666]

VolvoT5 said:

4.0? You would need to own an oil refinery just to be able to afford to get off the driveway.

The post above is evidence of why there is so many potential bargains hidden among the muck of cheap cars, have a look at this thread and go from there.
www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&f=23...

[SWoll]

bakerstreet said:

Why dont you just go out and buy a 7 series then??

Was looking for suggestions/opinions on MB's, Audi's etc. as well and any experience from owners on potential issues/things to look out for with different models.

Assuming that's OK with you of course?

[Garlick]

VolvoT5 said:

4.0? You would need to own an oil refinery just to be able to afford to get off the driveway.

I run a 4.0 V8 as my daily, over 15,000 miles per year too.

The fun car is also a 4.0 V8 and covers approx 6,000 miles per year.

Easily done

[VolvoT5]

Chrisw666 said:

The post above is evidence of why there is so many potential bargains hidden among the muck of cheap cars, have a look at this thread and go from there.
www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&f=23...

I was joking, well half joking. Thing that is more scary than the fuel consumption is the thought of something going wrong on such a complex/expensive (when new) car.

How possible would DIY (or at least cheap local spanner man) maintenance be on something like that

edit: I say this as someone who is seriously considering offloading my VAG TDI and getting something highly sensible like a cheap MR2 or 200sx.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Thursday 22 March 14:46

[300bhp/ton]

SWoll said:

I know it's pathetic but can't get past the "pipe and slippers" image

The funny thing is, based on your posts that's the exact image I have of you

[Chrisw666]

Garlick said:

I run a 4.0 V8 as my daily, over 15,000 miles per year too.

The fun car is also a 4.0 V8 and covers approx 6,000 miles per year.

Easily done

Every time you go to the shops one of these dies.



I hope Greenpeace surround your parking space.

[300bhp/ton]

SWoll said:

7 Series - Spot on
possible issues/costs?

Erm well it's a car, so usual costs will be fuel, oil, service items, tyres and suspension components.

Issues - it's an expensive car you can now buy cheap. So likely won't have been maintained to the letter or at a main dealership.

[SWoll]

VolvoT5 said:

Chrisw666 said:

The post above is evidence of why there is so many potential bargains hidden among the muck of cheap cars, have a look at this thread and go from there.
www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&f=23...

I was joking, well half joking. Thing that is more scary than the fuel consumption is the thought of something going wrong on such a complex/expensive (when new) car.

How possible would DIY (or at least cheap local spanner man) maintenance be on something like that

Thats what I was wondering about TBH. Reasonably handy with a spanner and got decent back up from my FIL/BIL who are both mechanics so day to day maintenance/servicing should be fine. Agree also that if MPG isn't an issue there are some real bargains to be had.

Chris, I have trawled that thread but TBH as with many long runners it's got a bit random/off topic and the budget seems to jump around quite a bit. Thanks though.

[Chrisw666]

VolvoT5 said:

I was joking, well half joking. Thing that is more scary than the fuel consumption is the thought of something going wrong on such a complex/expensive (when new) car.

How possible would DIY (or at least cheap local spanner man) maintenance be on something like that

The thing is that a £8k modern TDI can (and do) throw £1k+ bills at owners, at least with a car like that 7 the depreciation is tiny, lots of specialists exist, and many owners are beardy types who will gladly impart their knowledge to folk via the internet.

While you can't compare the running costs of a diesel mondeo to a 7 series day to day, the potential for big bills coupled with depreciation probably bring them fairly close over 2/3 years of 10,000 miles a year or less.

[DanDC5]

Chrisw666 said:

Every time you go to the shops one of these dies.



I hope Greenpeace surround your parking space.

Sweeeetttttttttttt!!!!!!

Everyone buy hybrids and save him

[SWoll]

300bhp/ton said:

SWoll said:

7 Series - Spot on
possible issues/costs?

Erm well it's a car, so usual costs will be fuel, oil, service items, tyres and suspension components.

Issues - it's an expensive car you can now buy cheap. So likely won't have been maintained to the letter or at a main dealership.

Thanks as always 3.

Was more interested in any known issues to look out for or experiences people have had running similar cars.

300bhp/ton said:

SWoll said:

I know it's pathetic but can't get past the "pipe and slippers" image

The funny thing is, based on your posts that's the exact image I have of you

I thought so.

Not sure I'd be playing the "based on your posts" game if I was you though.

Edited by SWoll on Thursday 22 March 14:55