2k saloon car.
Discussion
I was talking to a guy I know yesterday whose business has landed an interesting little job.
He's been asked to work for an investigation company, the sort that "out" insurance fraudsters. He actually owns a PR firm with the emphasis on photography and the job came through a mate of a mate.
He now wants a decent £2,000 car but has specific requirements, some he needs, some are his prejudices others he'd like.
Something that will blend in, but not look like a total shed. His job may take him to upmarket places as well as crap parts of town.
It has to be a saloon. He will be carrying expensive cameras/lenses.
Really wants a diesel, but wants decent performance.
He sees this as a tool of the trade, hes not that bothered about spec but luxuries are fine if they come with the car.
He is not a fan of Beemers or Audis. An old Jag isn't something he wants, he has a newish XF and he doesn't fancy a Mondeo.
He would like reliability.
My thoughts.
Saab 93/95
VW Passat
Something by Skoda
Maybe an old Merc?
Any thoughts?
AmitG said:
daemon said:
Passat 1.9TDI 130BHP model. Made up to 2005, should get a good one for £2000 ish.
Quick car as they're relatively light, or stick an £80 tuning box on it for an extra 30BHP.
Will blend in anywhere.
This would be my choice too.Quick car as they're relatively light, or stick an £80 tuning box on it for an extra 30BHP.
Will blend in anywhere.
Krikkit said:
AmitG said:
daemon said:
Passat 1.9TDI 130BHP model. Made up to 2005, should get a good one for £2000 ish.
Quick car as they're relatively light, or stick an £80 tuning box on it for an extra 30BHP.
Will blend in anywhere.
This would be my choice too.Quick car as they're relatively light, or stick an £80 tuning box on it for an extra 30BHP.
Will blend in anywhere.
Tho you'll probably get a younger / lower miles passat for your money. Audi A4s seem to go for two fortunes.
Not sure I'm interpreting this right, he's looking for a stakeout car?
A 320d is the best thing to blend in anywhere, Mondeos are ok in this respect too but the 320d is so ubiquitous these days, it's one of very few saloons still popular in a land of hatches and crossovers. Though I don't quite get the has to be saloon.
Volvos are very good cars in almost every aspect, for a heavy saloon that is, but being less common they stand out a bit more and obviously being used by plod those who are expecting to be watched are more likely to see one and think they're being watched.
A 320d is the best thing to blend in anywhere, Mondeos are ok in this respect too but the 320d is so ubiquitous these days, it's one of very few saloons still popular in a land of hatches and crossovers. Though I don't quite get the has to be saloon.
Volvos are very good cars in almost every aspect, for a heavy saloon that is, but being less common they stand out a bit more and obviously being used by plod those who are expecting to be watched are more likely to see one and think they're being watched.
Edited by scarble on Thursday 20th March 16:15
I have some experience of this....
Stakeout cars look a bit stake-y in that if the person being staked out, or steaked out if they're hungry, has any experience then they'll probably notice a greyish saloon car appearing in the vicinity somewhat unannounced. They'll probably think the driver is in the neighbourhood for the whole purpose of staking out. Something just isn't right about that happening. I've seen it personally, the obvious private detectives and their ilk. They all go for the same nondescript car as they think it'll blend in. It does to the casual observer but sticks out to the relevant person as they'll be looking out for such cars.
Soooo...
The obvious answer is one of those small white van thingys. Like the modern incarnation of the Ford Escort van. They appear in areas for all sorts of innocuous reasons, from parcel delivery to garden maintenance. Quite often they have people sitting in them doing paperwork or whatever. No-one would think twice about one of those.
Stakeout cars look a bit stake-y in that if the person being staked out, or steaked out if they're hungry, has any experience then they'll probably notice a greyish saloon car appearing in the vicinity somewhat unannounced. They'll probably think the driver is in the neighbourhood for the whole purpose of staking out. Something just isn't right about that happening. I've seen it personally, the obvious private detectives and their ilk. They all go for the same nondescript car as they think it'll blend in. It does to the casual observer but sticks out to the relevant person as they'll be looking out for such cars.
Soooo...
The obvious answer is one of those small white van thingys. Like the modern incarnation of the Ford Escort van. They appear in areas for all sorts of innocuous reasons, from parcel delivery to garden maintenance. Quite often they have people sitting in them doing paperwork or whatever. No-one would think twice about one of those.
My Passat (51 plate) had key locking folding rear seats in the saloon and also the interior boot release by the driver could be disabled with the key - useful if you've got valuables in there 
Seats very comfy for long periods sitting going nowhere! Heated ones very nice indeed.
Discreet, plenty of go in a 130 (no need to remap but I did )
Seats very comfy for long periods sitting going nowhere! Heated ones very nice indeed.
Discreet, plenty of go in a 130 (no need to remap but I did
) Edited by Six Fiend on Thursday 20th March 16:27
MagneticMeerkat said:
I have some experience of this....
Stakeout cars look a bit stake-y in that if the person being staked out, or steaked out if they're hungry, has any experience then they'll probably notice a greyish saloon car appearing in the vicinity somewhat unannounced. They'll probably think the driver is in the neighbourhood for the whole purpose of staking out. Something just isn't right about that happening. I've seen it personally, the obvious private detectives and their ilk. They all go for the same nondescript car as they think it'll blend in. It does to the casual observer but sticks out to the relevant person as they'll be looking out for such cars.
Soooo...
The obvious answer is one of those small white van thingys. Like the modern incarnation of the Ford Escort van. They appear in areas for all sorts of innocuous reasons, from parcel delivery to garden maintenance. Quite often they have people sitting in them doing paperwork or whatever. No-one would think twice about one of those.
how about a Stakeout cars look a bit stake-y in that if the person being staked out, or steaked out if they're hungry, has any experience then they'll probably notice a greyish saloon car appearing in the vicinity somewhat unannounced. They'll probably think the driver is in the neighbourhood for the whole purpose of staking out. Something just isn't right about that happening. I've seen it personally, the obvious private detectives and their ilk. They all go for the same nondescript car as they think it'll blend in. It does to the casual observer but sticks out to the relevant person as they'll be looking out for such cars.
Soooo...
The obvious answer is one of those small white van thingys. Like the modern incarnation of the Ford Escort van. They appear in areas for all sorts of innocuous reasons, from parcel delivery to garden maintenance. Quite often they have people sitting in them doing paperwork or whatever. No-one would think twice about one of those.
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