I need an automatic. 2L - 3L prefer sedan / coupe, no BMW
I need an automatic. 2L - 3L prefer sedan / coupe, no BMW
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TonyRPH

Original Poster:

13,539 posts

197 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
I have a busy commute in the mornings. I also have a "dodgy" foot.

This is giving me problems, on / off the clutch in traffic.

Hence I need an auto, budget is up to £3k (but would prefer less!).

BMWs are out!

So far I have 'looked'* at Volvo, Renault, Saab, Vauxhall.

There seems to be a few Vauxhalls around with low mileage (how accurate I don't know until I check).

I want (need?) something comfortable (I like the comfort of a bigger car), needs to be reasonably nippy, and above all reliable.

Fuel consumption needs to be in the mid 20's if possible (I drive sedately mostly, so probably can be achieved).

  • looked as in viewed classifieds etc.
NOTE: car needs to be within 20 - 30 miles of Leeds, but I could go further for the "right" one - also needs to be dealer only, as I need to p/x existing car.

TIA.

NOTE2 any issues with makes I have mentioned would be good to know - e.g. dodgy auto boxes etc. etc.

ETA: corrected spelling.

Edited by TonyRPH on Wednesday 12th September 10:40

ajb85

1,124 posts

171 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
Saab 9-5 Aero auto sounds like a nice choice. Ticks all the boxes.

Sump

5,511 posts

196 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
Shame you can't get an E39.

TonyRPH

Original Poster:

13,539 posts

197 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
Sump said:
Shame you can't get an E39.
I've had two E39's (523 & 535 sport) and both were a disappointment.

Now if I could find a rust free E34 530i I may reconsider.. biggrin


nagsheadwarrior

2,789 posts

208 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
406 coupe?
Great looking,very comfy and nice inside if u find a leathered one.
Guess reliability should be ok as tge saloon was mr taxis steed of choice.


CurvaParabolica

7,010 posts

213 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
ajb85 said:
Saab 9-5 Aero auto sounds like a nice choice. Ticks all the boxes.
Exactly what I was thinking. Otherwise an A6/GS/S60 or S80 might be worth a look.

TonyRPH

Original Poster:

13,539 posts

197 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
406 is a good suggestion, I used to have a manual a few years back!

I would even consider the 3L V6 Sedan if it was auto. smile


trickywoo

14,151 posts

259 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
TonyRPH said:
I've had two E39's (523 & 535 sport) and both were a disappointment.
Two of the worst examples of the e39 then.

If you got a 530 and were still disappointed you may as well just walk instead.

FourWheelDrift

92,288 posts

313 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
3x Jaguar X-Types, all autos, under £3k and all within 16 miles of Leeds, all trade dealers.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/jagua...

Leptons

5,493 posts

205 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
IS200?

Horse Pop

685 posts

173 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
Accord V6?

Deluded

4,968 posts

220 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
^ Accord V6?

Honda Legend? These are 3.2/3.5 though.

ColinM50

2,699 posts

204 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
I've averaged 23 from my 52 plate 3.0 litre Jag S type over the six years and 70k miles I've owned it. Excellent car, enough ooomph for anyone, uber comfortable and not expensive for servicing and maintenance. So far the only expense I've had apart from normal tyres and servicing was £40 'cos a hose went.

As I get older and less supple it's becoming a bit of a challenge to get in and out, so I might chop it in for a higher car say a LR or a Tourag, otherwise I can't think of any reason to change it. Superb car, very happy with it and IMHO it looks the part too.

Actually the perception of people is interesting. My car's worth what £3 or £4k? But park it next to a newer Merc or Mondeo or Insignia etc and most people would choose the Jag as the expensive car. "Oooh, you must be doing well, you've got a Jag", is a normal reaction

oh and a friend's got a diesel one and gets 44mpg out of his

TonyRPH

Original Poster:

13,539 posts

197 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
Are there any known issues with the Vauxhall Vectra? (I know, I know, a Vectra)

They do seem to be good value for money.

I have found 3:

'03 Vauxhall Vectra 2.2I ELEGANCE 5DR AUTO 45k miles £2295

'04 Vauxhall Vectra 3.2I V6 GSI 5DR AUTO 39k miles £2595

'07 Vauxhall Vectra 2.2i DIRECT SRI AUTOMATIC 60k miles £2989

I've also seen a few Saabs (is it the same platform as the Vectra?)

I would obvisouly need to verift those mileages if possible!

I rather fancy the 3.2 V6 smile

The Saabs each have around 70k miles - just not too keen on another turbo though... (waiting for it to spin down etc. etc.)



sparks_E39

12,738 posts

242 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
TonyRPH said:
I've had two E39's (523 & 535 sport) and both were a disappointment.
I'm not suprised. The 523 is slow and and the 535 has V8 running costs and 6 cylinder performance.

OlberJ

14,101 posts

262 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
Camry or Lexus.

randomman

2,215 posts

218 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
Deluded said:
^ Accord V6?

Honda Legend? These are 3.2/3.5 though.
+1, I think the Accord Coupes look pretty good.

vladcjelli

3,370 posts

187 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
TonyRPH said:
Are there any known issues with the Vauxhall Vectra? (I know, I know, a Vectra)

They do seem to be good value for money.

I rather fancy the 3.2 V6 smile
If you would be willing to go Vectra, might be worth looking for a Signum. Bit nicer and rarer.

This guy seems chuffed with his.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

ETA: Obviously not a sedan or coupe, but thought it worth a mention.

Edited by vladcjelli on Wednesday 12th September 18:20

matthias73

2,901 posts

179 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
TonyRPH said:
406 is a good suggestion, I used to have a manual a few years back!

I would even consider the 3L V6 Sedan if it was auto. smile
I concur!

lexusboy

1,101 posts

172 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
IS200

IS300

GS300