Comfy Car Under £1000
Discussion
Nearly a decade of doing a job lifting heavy "things" all day, and driving cars with silly harsh suspension has destroyed the muscles in my lower back. Oops.
Currently driving my MINI Cooper S which is heavily modified and very harsh. Unbelievable fun to drive, but anything more than 30 minutes now is leaving me with back ache. Not getting rid, as I love it. But something else is needed for a daily. And something with a boot would be a big help. I'd like an estate or at least a large hatch.
As it's a second car it needs to be on the cheap, so what's out there for £1000 or less that'll be fairly reliable and do at least 35mpg?
At this price I expect occasional issues, I'm not expecting a trouble free car for this price.
Been looking at anything from Volvos V70s to Mitsubishi Lancers...
Currently driving my MINI Cooper S which is heavily modified and very harsh. Unbelievable fun to drive, but anything more than 30 minutes now is leaving me with back ache. Not getting rid, as I love it. But something else is needed for a daily. And something with a boot would be a big help. I'd like an estate or at least a large hatch.
As it's a second car it needs to be on the cheap, so what's out there for £1000 or less that'll be fairly reliable and do at least 35mpg?
At this price I expect occasional issues, I'm not expecting a trouble free car for this price.
Been looking at anything from Volvos V70s to Mitsubishi Lancers...
Edited by Alan16ac on Friday 9th June 12:49
I'd up your budget a bit & you'll find some good options I'd be less worried about fuel economy & focusing on reliability.
MG ZS 180
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
MG ZT-T 135
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Mondeo Zetec S
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2.2 Titanium X
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Vauxhall Signum Elegance
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Signum Elite
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Vectra Elite
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
407 SW 2.2il SE
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2.0hdi SE
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Honda Accord 2.4i Executive
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Nissan Primera 2.0i SVE
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2.2d T Spec
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Haggle & do your homework & you should get something decent.
MG ZS 180
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
MG ZT-T 135
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Mondeo Zetec S
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2.2 Titanium X
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Vauxhall Signum Elegance
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Signum Elite
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Vectra Elite
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
407 SW 2.2il SE
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2.0hdi SE
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Honda Accord 2.4i Executive
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Nissan Primera 2.0i SVE
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2.2d T Spec
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Haggle & do your homework & you should get something decent.
ZX10R NIN said:
I'd up your budget a bit & you'll find some good options I'd be less worried about fuel economy & focusing on reliability.
Haggle & do your homework & you should get something decent.
If I wait another couple of months I could add a bit to the budget.Haggle & do your homework & you should get something decent.
Reliability is definitely a bigger deciding factor but it does need to get at least fairly decent MPG. I currently only drive 4 miles to work but I've been asked to move to a new store in October so it will be a 22 mile trip.
adam85 said:
Saab 9-5 has to be in with a shout. Fantastic seats
Yes, I've always been under the impression that they are horrendous reliability wise though?hashtag said:
Volvo S60 D5
Yeah I've looked at those. Very comfy seats too, although a V70 would be more practical.Nickp82 said:
The lancer will be a good bet in terms of reliability, in my experience they are pretty bulletproof. Pretty comfortable too.
The only downside is they don't seem to have cruise control which I would definitely miss.I currently have my Audi A4 for sale.
1.9tdi 130bhp model.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/audi/audi-a4-1.9tdi-leat...
Nothing incredibly exciting, but its comfortable, eats up the miles and returns great mpg.
I put it on Gumtree a while ago but am sick to death of the "50p today cash" type messages so have just clean ignored them all.
I'd take £800 for a nice easy sale
1.9tdi 130bhp model.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/audi/audi-a4-1.9tdi-leat...
Nothing incredibly exciting, but its comfortable, eats up the miles and returns great mpg.
I put it on Gumtree a while ago but am sick to death of the "50p today cash" type messages so have just clean ignored them all.
I'd take £800 for a nice easy sale

Alan16ac said:
ZX10R NIN said:
I'd up your budget a bit & you'll find some good options I'd be less worried about fuel economy & focusing on reliability.
Haggle & do your homework & you should get something decent.
If I wait another couple of months I could add a bit to the budget.Haggle & do your homework & you should get something decent.
Reliability is definitely a bigger deciding factor but it does need to get at least fairly decent MPG. I currently only drive 4 miles to work but I've been asked to move to a new store in October so it will be a 22 mile trip.
MG
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
407
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Nissan Primera
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
The seats in the Saab 9-5 Aero are fantastic (best I've experienced) and mine has been 100% reliable. Not without a few minor issues, but the car is 15 years old so I would expect nothing else.
Parts are cheap and there is a very helpful forum if something goes wrong (UK Saabs). They're fantastic value for money!
Parts are cheap and there is a very helpful forum if something goes wrong (UK Saabs). They're fantastic value for money!
Wouldn't touch another Peugeot or Citroen. Had 3 in the past and although the engines tend to be fairly reliable, the electrics were awful.
Looks like the Swedes are the ones to look at here.
Some nice S60s and 9-5s in my budget.
All seem to be miles away though, really want to go and sit in them to see what they're like.
Looks like the Swedes are the ones to look at here.
Some nice S60s and 9-5s in my budget.
All seem to be miles away though, really want to go and sit in them to see what they're like.
List of my recent cars.
BMW E39 525d,
Volvo V50 2.4d with the big leather seats.
Saab 9-3 2.0t.
Renault Laguna,
Jeep KJ
Volvo and Saab seats are way way ahead of anything else.
Saab suspension is too harsh.
Volvo is lovely for motorway stuff, and everything on it you could want (well need), but it was £2k
BMW E39 525d,
Volvo V50 2.4d with the big leather seats.
Saab 9-3 2.0t.
Renault Laguna,
Jeep KJ
Volvo and Saab seats are way way ahead of anything else.
Saab suspension is too harsh.
Volvo is lovely for motorway stuff, and everything on it you could want (well need), but it was £2k
scott15 said:
I currently have my Audi A4 for sale.
1.9tdi 130bhp model.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/audi/audi-a4-1.9tdi-leat...
Nothing incredibly exciting, but its comfortable, eats up the miles and returns great mpg.
I put it on Gumtree a while ago but am sick to death of the "50p today cash" type messages so have just clean ignored them all.
I'd take £800 for a nice easy sale
This looks like a good fit.1.9tdi 130bhp model.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/audi/audi-a4-1.9tdi-leat...
Nothing incredibly exciting, but its comfortable, eats up the miles and returns great mpg.
I put it on Gumtree a while ago but am sick to death of the "50p today cash" type messages so have just clean ignored them all.
I'd take £800 for a nice easy sale

Also the mkIV golf had superb ride quality for a comparatively small car, especially in boggo spec with 15" wheels and cloth seats. Not a great car other than the ride quality though.
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