What economical large petrol engined estate car?
Discussion
My parents are looking for a new tow car to replace their ageing Volvo V70.
They love the Volvo, but they want better fuel economy. They used to own a lovely Mercedes C240 which would return 35+mpg at 80ish Mph and had a lovely 5 speed auto. Unfortunately it was a '99 car and developed terminal rust. Which put them off getting another one.
So they need:
A big engine (2.5 litres plus) for relaxed, uncomplicated, low stressed torque.
A decent auto box
Something with a reputation as being reliable and 'quality' (they wouldn't touch a KIA, hyundai or Chevrolet).
A car that'll top 35mpg on a run.
Not a BMW
A Merc is possible but might be a hard sell because of the rust issues - when did they improve?
An estate.
And all for the princely sum of £6k or less.
Apart from another Merc C class estate, I'm struggling for ideas.
They love the Volvo, but they want better fuel economy. They used to own a lovely Mercedes C240 which would return 35+mpg at 80ish Mph and had a lovely 5 speed auto. Unfortunately it was a '99 car and developed terminal rust. Which put them off getting another one.
So they need:
A big engine (2.5 litres plus) for relaxed, uncomplicated, low stressed torque.
A decent auto box
Something with a reputation as being reliable and 'quality' (they wouldn't touch a KIA, hyundai or Chevrolet).
A car that'll top 35mpg on a run.
Not a BMW
A Merc is possible but might be a hard sell because of the rust issues - when did they improve?
An estate.
And all for the princely sum of £6k or less.
Apart from another Merc C class estate, I'm struggling for ideas.
6fire said:
A Merc is possible but might be a hard sell because of the rust issues - when did they improve?
An estate.
The quality went back up with the facelift of the w203 C-class around late 2004/ early 2005.An estate.
Have your parents considered a 330i/530i? They appear to be relatively frugal for the power they produce.
Bitofbully said:
Surely an economical tow car should be a diesel? - this is the kind of thing diesels were invented for!
Conventional wisdom suggests no turbos, no common rail injection systems etc. Just a simple(ish) Big motor. And if you consider their 35mpg requirement and the difference in price of fuel then it makes sense to buy a petrol engined car.6fire said:
Bitofbully said:
Surely an economical tow car should be a diesel? - this is the kind of thing diesels were invented for!
Conventional wisdom suggests no turbos, no common rail injection systems etc. Just a simple(ish) Big motor. And if you consider their 35mpg requirement and the difference in price of fuel then it makes sense to buy a petrol engined car.Economical tow cars tend to be diesels for a reason - something like a Passat TDI DSG or Mondeo TDCI Powershift is likely to turn in high 40s MPG where a petrol is going to be doing low 30s, too.
Bitofbully said:
Thing is, many petrol cars these days are going to be using some kind of common rail system - and a big multi-cylinder petrol isn't going to be returning 35mpg unless speeds are kept down. If towing, it'll be a lot less.
Economical tow cars tend to be diesels for a reason - something like a Passat TDI DSG or Mondeo TDCI Powershift is likely to turn in high 40s MPG where a petrol is going to be doing low 30s, too.
I'd never tow with a petrol again. I have had both and the diesel torque provided low down makes easy work of our 5 berth swift caravan. With a petrol engine I found it had to be high revs to get things going and hold a sensible pace, that drank the fuel. Economical tow cars tend to be diesels for a reason - something like a Passat TDI DSG or Mondeo TDCI Powershift is likely to turn in high 40s MPG where a petrol is going to be doing low 30s, too.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Well, this is the only car that comes close by inputting your criteria into the PH classifieds search engine. It claims a combined mpg of 33, so should theoretically see 35mpg on a run (I wouldn't bet on it though).
Well, this is the only car that comes close by inputting your criteria into the PH classifieds search engine. It claims a combined mpg of 33, so should theoretically see 35mpg on a run (I wouldn't bet on it though).
Heathwood said:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Well, this is the only car that comes close by inputting your criteria into the PH classifieds search engine. It claims a combined mpg of 33, so should theoretically see 35mpg on a run (I wouldn't bet on it though).
My dad had an Impreza 1.8GL Auto back in the mid 90s.Well, this is the only car that comes close by inputting your criteria into the PH classifieds search engine. It claims a combined mpg of 33, so should theoretically see 35mpg on a run (I wouldn't bet on it though).
That used to do about 28mpg in average day to day use, and low 30s on a run. A 3.0 legacy won't even get close.
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