What car? Fresh, interesting, petrol, biggsh £10-15k?

[daemon]

Thinking of punting the Passat TDI as i've a family member who loves it and is looking to buy one anyway. I like it but it has its "limitations" - being a 1.6TDI in particular.

This would open doors for me to replace it with something else but i'm unsure as to what.

I work away from home 4 days a week usually, so the car predominately does the 40 mile return commute to the airport Monday / Thursday and a bit of weekend driving. In an ideal would it would be less "flash" than the A45 and more compliant - for example we took my wifes folks away for a long weekend down through Ireland in the Passat and it was ideal. We could have done it in the A45 but it certainly wouldnt have been as relaxing.

I want something that requires minimal ongoing maintenance - i'd a 2004 Volvo S40 2.5T T5 previously and it required a fair bit of maintenance and repairs.

I'm thinking ideally 2012 onwards, and probably not another hatchback sized car. Probably the younger the better.

Auto would be my preference, but not essential. I dont mind big engines so no issues there and i probably wouldnt want to go below a two litre.

I work on the mainland so although i like in NI picking a car up on the UK Mainland isnt an issue really.

I found a couple of potentials.

2012 Honda Accord 2.0i EX GT Auto, 36K miles, £9995

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

2011 Ford Mondeo 2.0i Ecoboost Powershift Titanium X Sport, 16K miles, £9995

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

2012 Lexus IS250 Advance Auto, 36K miles, £11,704

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

2013 BMW 320i M Sport X Drive, 48K miles, £13,300

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

2012 BMW 520i SE Manual, 42K miles, £12,450

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

Any other ideas welcome!

Edited by daemon on Saturday 9th September 09:16

[Pica-Pica]

One thing is to check the situation carefully with respect to cities and councils. What Euro emissions spec do you need now and in the foreseeable future? I would suggest Euro 5 is minimum for petrol (Jan 2011 on), but for diesel only Euro 6 (Sept 2015 on). From your usage a post Jan 2011 petrol seems best. As well as your list, I would suggest a Golf or an Audi A3 sportback, but you seem to be against hatchbacks.

[daemon]

Pica-Pica said:

One thing is to check the situation carefully with respect to cities and councils. What Euro emissions spec do you need now and in the foreseeable future? I would suggest Euro 5 is minimum for petrol (Jan 2011 on), but for diesel only Euro 6 (Sept 2015 on). From your usage a post Jan 2011 petrol seems best. As well as your list, I would suggest a Golf or an Audi A3 sportback, but you seem to be against hatchbacks.

Cheers, yes thats very worth bearing in mind as if nothing else it might affect future residuals.

Nothing against a Golf or an A3 Sportback per se, its just with having the 5 door hatchback A45 we've no particular need for a similar body shape and something a bit bigger gives advantages if we need to carry passengers.

[anonymous-user]

ED35

[daemon]

DSGbangs said:

ED35

[talksthetorque]

Seeing as you like the Passat, how about 2.0 TSI VW Passat CC?
None on PH, but some on Autotrader.

[ZX10R NIN]

From your list I'd take the Mondeo with it being about the best steer of the FWD brigade (not that there are any bad cars in this segment these days) they're also loaded with kit.

A leftfield option is the Infiniti M Class they come in two flavours diesel or the more interesting option of a 3.5 Hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2015 Kia Optima 5 Years Warranty left loaded to with kit (heated rear seats etc)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2012 Insignia VXR 45k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2016 Insignia VX Line 250bhp

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Not leftfield but good cars:

2014 Passat CC 210bhp 23k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2014 Mondeo 240 Titanium with X Pack 14k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[kieranblenk]

For something seriously different but still quite anonymous, try and dig out a Suzuki Kizashi.

[anonymous-user]

Have you looked at a skoda superb 280 tsi before?

[daemon]

DSGbangs said:

Have you looked at a skoda superb 280 tsi before?

I could be wrong here, but surely they're way over budget?

[Stickyfinger]

2014 Citroen C5 Exclusive Tourer ?

http://www.parkers.co.uk/citroen/c5/tourer/20hdi-1...

[daemon]

Stickyfinger said:

2014 Citroen C5 Exclusive Tourer ?
http://www.parkers.co.uk/citroen/c5/tourer/20hdi-1...

Only seems (?) available as a diesel. Looking for petrol options.

[Car Fan]

From your list I'd go for the Lexus IS250, very refined cars and decent handling as well. The 2nd gen IS is a bit cramped in the back, though, so perhaps worth bearing in mind. On the same note, it could be worth considering a Lexus GS250 (same drivetrain as the IS250) or possibly a hybrid version? They usually start around the £15k mark (for the latest 2012 onwards 4th gen model) but you do occasionally see them priced towards £12k. Usefully more roomy than the IS, with noticeably better interior quality (not that the IS is bad in that regard) and more standard equipment.

Mondeo looks like a good option as well if you need more space. I like the Accord as well, but check that the performance of the 2.0 petrol is OK for you, as I wouldn't describe the 2.0 auto's performance as anything other than 'adequate'. The 2.4 is better, but they are much rarer.

[anonymous-user]

How about something a little different, Infiniti Q50 maybe

[anonymous-user]

daemon said:

DSGbangs said:

Have you looked at a skoda superb 280 tsi before?

I could be wrong here, but surely they're way over budget?

Wasn't sure of actual numbers chap

[daemon]

DSGbangs said:

daemon said:

DSGbangs said:

Have you looked at a skoda superb 280 tsi before?

I could be wrong here, but surely they're way over budget?

Wasn't sure of actual numbers chap

No probs - its in the title, but i should have reiterated it in the first post.

[anonymous-user]

daemon said:

DSGbangs said:

daemon said:

DSGbangs said:

Have you looked at a skoda superb 280 tsi before?

I could be wrong here, but surely they're way over budget?

Wasn't sure of actual numbers chap

No probs - its in the title, but i should have reiterated it in the first post.

Ohh bks it is in the title, what a fool I am.

What about a 8P S3, if you don't fancy the edition 35 Gti?

[Gareth1974]

You've mentioned a 320i, keep a look out for a 328i, I don't think they demand much of a premium, but usefully more powerful, albeit quite rare.

[daemon]

Gareth1974 said:

You've mentioned a 320i, keep a look out for a 328i, I don't think they demand much of a premium, but usefully more powerful, albeit quite rare.

Yes, i had noticed that there are some of those about. It would be worth seeking one out. I've no particular issue travelling for the right car at the right price so will keep an eye out.

[daemon]

DSGbangs said:

daemon said:

DSGbangs said:

daemon said:

DSGbangs said:

Have you looked at a skoda superb 280 tsi before?

I could be wrong here, but surely they're way over budget?

Wasn't sure of actual numbers chap

No probs - its in the title, but i should have reiterated it in the first post.

Ohh bks it is in the title, what a fool I am.

What about a 8P S3, if you don't fancy the edition 35 Gti?

I thought maybe you were reading this on a phone or something where it could easily have been missed.

I am struggling a little with the notion of another warm / hot hatch just because we have the A45. I dont want what might otherwise be an exceptionally good car coming up against direct comparison to the Merc every time i jump in to it.

Thats kind of my thinking RE: another hot hatch, although i accept that both the ED35 and S3 have broader abilities than just being "hot hatches".