2k - 3k, petrol and autobox - options?

[anonymous-user]

Well my experiment of buying a diesel repmobile to save some money (Vectra C) has failed catastrophically and I've now reached the point where I can't stand the fking thing any more. So, the turd must be flushed and I'm looking for inspiration for a replacement. I do 15,000 miles a year, probably a 70/30 mix of motorway and city driving. Current requirements are:

• Petrol
• Autobox
• 3k maximum
• Some semblance of reliability. I'm not expecting miracles, but sick of being left stranded without a car.
• Not fussy about high mileage if it's in decent condition.

Currently thinking about E46 BMW's and W203 Merc's, but would be interested if anyone has something a bit more left-field to look at.

[B17NNS]

S40

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

S60

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Accord

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Rover 45

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

IS200

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

SABB 9-5

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

S-Type

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Legacy

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[oilslick]

LS400 / LS430?

[scrwright]

merc in that price bracket will be a rot box. Had the same brief this week for a new motor & picked up an 03 9-5 aero estate for a touch under 2k

[anonymous-user]

Just been looking on Autotrader - some of those 9-5's are cracking value actually, even the Aero's. Anything to watch out for?

[folos]

From the article on the C43, please buy it!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[redtwin]

Symbolica said:

Just been looking on Autotrader - some of those 9-5's are cracking value actually, even the Aero's. Anything to watch out for?

Oil sludge in the sump collects on the oil pump pickup strainer which restricts flow and leads to engine damage due to oil starvation.

[egor110]

jeep grand cherokee ( as long as mpg isn't a issue)

[Bonefish Blues]

redtwin said:

Symbolica said:

Just been looking on Autotrader - some of those 9-5's are cracking value actually, even the Aero's. Anything to watch out for?

Oil sludge in the sump collects on the oil pump pickup strainer which restricts flow and leads to engine damage due to oil starvation.

Have a good read around UK Saabs Forum re this issue and take a view, but if you do buy one always budget for a sump drop as a matter of course (say 200 or so).

Mixed views about causation, but the old (pre version 6) pcv system piping certainly breaks down and throws debris which incrementally blocks the strainer, plus degradation of oil from the sump's location mms above the cat doesn't help either.

...but they're cheap, and lovely to drive in their own relaxed but urgent way.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Let me know how you get on.

I'm looking for a woman who looks like Claudia Schiffer - who is cheap to run and good in the kitchen.

I expect you'll have some useful tips for me if your search is successful.

[anonymous-user]

oilslick said:

LS400 / LS430?

There are a few around, but they seem a bit tatty for my liking.

Would a GS300 be a bad idea in this price range?

folos said:

From the article on the C43, please buy it!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

I can't look at that link after having a drink, too dangerous.

[Matt UK]

BMW e39 530i with evidence of some recent money spent on the cooling system.

Still ranks as one of my favourite daily drivers.

[MajorProblem]

Honda Legend?

[Jaguar steve]

Around 2 to 3k?
Got to be petrol?
Must be auto?
Fairly reliable?
Lots of yummy V8 goodness?



Deep down you know you want to ...

[ILoveMondeo]

XJ all the way!

[scrwright]

Symbolica said:

Just been looking on Autotrader - some of those 9-5's are cracking value actually, even the Aero's. Anything to watch out for?

Stick with an Aero, mpg on the petrols is pretty similar. Also aeros if correctly serviced always had synthetic oil so dont suffer from sludging as much as lower spec ones using semi synth

[BrownBottle]

Matt UK said:

BMW e39 530i with evidence of some recent money spent on the cooling system.

Still ranks as one of my favourite daily drivers.

Hard to beat one of these with the op's criteria, preferably a sport.

If reliability was my main concern I'd be tempted by the Lexus LS although personally I couldn't live with the styling.

[Sump]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-HONDA-ACCORD-EX-I-V...

Lane keep Assist!