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lagori

Original Poster:

52 posts

121 months

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Friday 28th July 2017
quotequote all
I've been daily driving a Jeep Cherokee XJ for the last 18 months or so - it's been an experience (4.0, LPG). Great for some stuff (lugging some stuff about, surprisingly fun on winding country roads), but now I'm upping my monthly miles and after a 500-mile round trip - I need to consider an alternative! I hoped the Cherokee would be a do everything vehicle, but with my changing needs, the Cherokee is too uncomfortable, too time-consuming and too small.

Now thinking about a replacement and I need it to:
- Suck up the motorway miles - after being thrown around in the XJ and the noise on the road, along with the constant need to stop and fill up - I need something that is a bit more refined and pleasant.
- But be suitable for potholed, high hedged, bumpy, blind cornered country roads - more than half of my time is racing around some very rural spots.
- Be safer - I carry the family around every week and the XJ neither feels solid enough nor really is it - we moved my daughter's car seat across to my wife's A6 Avant Quattro - the rigidity difference was frightening.
- Have less maintenance - appreciate used cars, especially at my price point will need work, but less time on that would be good.
- Have load space - I need a decent load space that - on the odd occasion - I can sleep in (6ft - and some of the miles are massive)
- Privacy glass / sun shade for the kids - the A6 has built in shades, not sure anyone else does that. Could add later, but prefer to be stock.
- Bluetooth playback - I often need to play back audio with my work on those long journeys so need something bluetooth enabled. Or at least the scope to add it later - the A6 won't accept an aftermarket audio system.
- Last but not least - have a bit of poke!

I've got up to £4k to spend and have thought about:

BMW E61
BMW E39
Audi A6 Avant Quattro
Volvo XC70
Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ
Toyota Rav4
Honda CR-V
Saab 9-5 Aero

Anything I've missed? Anything I should avoid?

Jonmx

2,836 posts

230 months

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[news]
Friday 28th July 2017
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I had a 4.0 Jeep, and can assure you that anything you buy afterwards will be more fuel friendly. The only vehicle I've had on your list was the XC70. Mine was a 2007, first of the later shape models with the 2.4D engine. Absolutely brilliant for space, huge load carrier. Amazingly good seats and good on long journeys too. Pretty good when you booted it, surprisingly so. MPG I think averaged high 30s which wasn't too bad. The only issue I had on mine in 12 months of ownership was the DPF which I got the dealer I purchased it from to replace. When I bought mine it had 194k on the clock and it was probably the smoothest car to drive that I've owned. It had full dealer history and had been looked after, but was 'cheap' because of the high miles.
I'm sure others will have views on the cars in your list, but I give the XC70 a big thumbs up. You will miss the Jeep though.
Edit: Just spotted you have the Audi A6 on your list. I had a 51 plate 2.4 petrol. Worst car I ever owned though there may be better versions.

Edited by Jonmx on Friday 28th July 17:41

surveyor

18,455 posts

201 months

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[news]
Friday 28th July 2017
quotequote all
A bit left field....

Post 2005 2.0 dci engines are reliable - unlike those self detonating 1.9....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Grand-Espace-2-0...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-RENAULT-GRAND-ESPAC...


SkodaIan

881 posts

102 months

[report]
[news]
Friday 28th July 2017
quotequote all
How about a Subaru Legacy or Outback? You'd be able to get a 57 or 08 reg 2.5 petrol, for that budget if you want it to go reasonably well or a slightly older diesel if you want to use less fuel.
Pretty much indestructible compared to average cars, but parts can be a bit pricey.

lagori

Original Poster:

52 posts

121 months

[report]
[news]
Saturday 29th July 2017
quotequote all
Jonmx said:
I had a 4.0 Jeep, and can assure you that anything you buy afterwards will be more fuel friendly. The only vehicle I've had on your list was the XC70. Mine was a 2007, first of the later shape models with the 2.4D engine. Absolutely brilliant for space, huge load carrier. Amazingly good seats and good on long journeys too. Pretty good when you booted it, surprisingly so. MPG I think averaged high 30s which wasn't too bad. The only issue I had on mine in 12 months of ownership was the DPF which I got the dealer I purchased it from to replace. When I bought mine it had 194k on the clock and it was probably the smoothest car to drive that I've owned. It had full dealer history and had been looked after, but was 'cheap' because of the high miles.
I'm sure others will have views on the cars in your list, but I give the XC70 a big thumbs up. You will miss the Jeep though.
Edit: Just spotted you have the Audi A6 on your list. I had a 51 plate 2.4 petrol. Worst car I ever owned though there may be better versions.

Edited by Jonmx on Friday 28th July 17:41
Brilliant - that's great info. So yours was the 3rd gen? Few and far between in my budget, but looks great for what I need. Strange one the Cherokee - despite it not being fit for purpose, I have no doubt that it will be missed enormously when it goes. A design classic. XC70 looking strong.

lagori

Original Poster:

52 posts

121 months

[report]
[news]
Saturday 29th July 2017
quotequote all
surveyor said:
A bit left field....

Post 2005 2.0 dci engines are reliable - unlike those self detonating 1.9....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Grand-Espace-2-0...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-RENAULT-GRAND-ESPAC...
That is way left field - didn't expect that! Interesting idea, thanks - although I really need load space rather than seats.

lagori

Original Poster:

52 posts

121 months

[report]
[news]
Saturday 29th July 2017
quotequote all
SkodaIan said:
How about a Subaru Legacy or Outback? You'd be able to get a 57 or 08 reg 2.5 petrol, for that budget if you want it to go reasonably well or a slightly older diesel if you want to use less fuel.
Pretty much indestructible compared to average cars, but parts can be a bit pricey.
Something about the Subaru's - not so sure. It absolutely fits the bill on everything but refinement in the cabin. Wife's uncle has one and there is a lot of hard plastics in there.

surveyor

18,455 posts

201 months

[report]
[news]
Saturday 29th July 2017
quotequote all
lagori said:
surveyor said:
A bit left field....

Post 2005 2.0 dci engines are reliable - unlike those self detonating 1.9....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Grand-Espace-2-0...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-RENAULT-GRAND-ESPAC...
That is way left field - didn't expect that! Interesting idea, thanks - although I really need load space rather than seats.
Seats just lift out. Only downside is you need to store them somewhere.

lagori

Original Poster:

52 posts

121 months

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[news]
Saturday 29th July 2017
quotequote all
Now, this isn't too far from me - looks in good condition, but is more than I specified. Any thoughts on such a high miler?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

ZX10R NIN

29,497 posts

142 months

[report]
[news]
Sunday 30th July 2017
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Just the fact that at that mileage unless a lot of things have been replaced already you might end up with a lot of outlay I'd recommend having the gearbox thoroughly checked out.

tonyb1968

1,156 posts

163 months

[report]
[news]
Sunday 30th July 2017
quotequote all
SkodaIan said:
How about a Subaru Legacy or Outback? You'd be able to get a 57 or 08 reg 2.5 petrol, for that budget if you want it to go reasonably well or a slightly older diesel if you want to use less fuel.
Pretty much indestructible compared to average cars, but parts can be a bit pricey.
The petrol 2.5 isnt bad but its thirsty and Subaru's are not the cheapest cars to maintain correctly, and forget about the diesels at that age, very problematic with a known issue where the crank snaps for no apparent reason so avoid the derv.
Personally the 2.5 would be my choice as the n/a version has a good track record.



nobrakes

3,641 posts

215 months

[report]
[news]
Sunday 30th July 2017
quotequote all
You're asking a lot of a 4grand motor.

It's probably a case of prioritizing all your criteria, but it sounds like space and 4wd are the strongest for you.

An Rclass has been mentioned - here's a LWB version for probably 4g cash.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Should tick most boxes. You can raise and lower the ride height too.


lagori

Original Poster:

52 posts

121 months

[report]
[news]
Sunday 30th July 2017
quotequote all
nobrakes said:
You're asking a lot of a 4grand motor.

It's probably a case of prioritizing all your criteria, but it sounds like space and 4wd are the strongest for you.

An Rclass has been mentioned - here's a LWB version for probably 4g cash.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Should tick most boxes. You can raise and lower the ride height too.
Cheers nobrakes, yup sounds good. Appreciate I am asking for some specifics, but tbh I don't think its too much. Basically a big family wagon, that can tackle some light rural stuff, safer than an XJ and the scope to incorporate audio playback from my own devices. I think the biggest unknown is going to be maintenance and all about how the individual vehicle has been kept by the previous owner(s).
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