Auto - Comfortable - Reliable - 5k

[anonymous-user]

Hi all,

Recently purchased my friends ep2 type s on 165k miles. After not even a months ownership I want to change. A crashy ride and frustration with traffic/manual box have me looking at a comfy automatic.

I do roughly 12k miles of mixed driving a year.

Got a 5k budget, but can be stretched for the right car, and looking for the following:

- Medium size
- Automatic
- Comfy
- Reliable
- Average 30+ mpg
- Cruise control
- Air con

Bonus

- Heated seats
- Good sound system

My preference is petrol unless a diesel is the one to go for.

So far I've got a W204 C class or a Mk2 IS250. Anyone got any experience with these?

My wildcard is a Volvo V60 D5 but they're a bit out of budget.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 20th November 12:53

[irocfan]

I'd have thought a Ford of some flavour would be your answer...

[Ahbefive]

Volvo has the comfy, good stereo and reliable bits down to a Tee.

[culpz]

Lexus IS300? Rare in non-estate form but it covers all desired aspects and potential for change left over from 5k.

[MorganP104]

Prestige option: BMW 3-Series straight six, Merc C-Class V6, Audi A4 V6
Pros: Quality engineering, strong image, nice to drive.
Cons: Expensive to buy relative to other brands, may be higher mileage for your budget.

Semi-prestige: VW Passat, Saab 9-3, Volvo V40
Pros: Almost as good as prestige options.
Cons: Almost as expensive as prestige options.

Standard workhorse: Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Vauxhall Insignia
Pros: Cheap as chips, decent to drive, lots of room.
Cons: Poor image, depreciation nightmare.

Maximum bang for your buck: Hyundai i40
Pros: A much newer car for not a lot of money, will feel more modern than alternatives.
Cons: Devoid of any kind of image, will lose more money than Greece.

Bargain basement: Kia Magentis
Pros: A big car for small money. Er, and that's it.
Cons: Uglier than a fat girl crying, you'll never be able to sell it on.

[Tyre Smoke]

AB57 said:

Recently purchased my friends ep2 type s on 165k miles.

Sorry, pardon?

[MorganP104]

Tyre Smoke said:

AB57 said:

Recently purchased my friends ep2 type s on 165k miles.

Sorry, pardon?

It's one of these:



Translation: Cooking Honda Civic with sporty suspension. What people buy when the insurance premium on a Type-R is a bit on the naughty side. Bone-shaking ride not to everyone's taste.

[mnaylor]

I would go for the last generation of Honda Legend (2005 on) in your shoes. Very reliable, loads of toys, plenty of power, I think they came with a BOSE stereo and speakers as well.

[culpz]

The Type S and the EP3 Sport were two complete different models.

[anonymous-user]

MorganP104 said:

It's one of these:



Translation: Cooking Honda Civic with sporty suspension. What people buy when the insurance premium on a Type-R is a bit on the naughty side. Bone-shaking ride not to everyone's taste.

It's actually the 5 door model; the sport, the picture above, was the 2 door and had a lower output. Paid 500 quid for it with the intention of a year or more of shedding. Everything works and it drives alright but has rock hard suspension. My previous was a mk1 Ka which gave up just after a fresh MOT.

If I was going for a genuine performance/sport car id get a 2 seater.

[anonymous-user]

MorganP104 said:

Prestige option: BMW 3-Series straight six, Merc C-Class V6, Audi A4 V6
Pros: Quality engineering, strong image, nice to drive.
Cons: Expensive to buy relative to other brands, may be higher mileage for your budget.

Semi-prestige: VW Passat, Saab 9-3, Volvo V40
Pros: Almost as good as prestige options.
Cons: Almost as expensive as prestige options.

Standard workhorse: Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Vauxhall Insignia
Pros: Cheap as chips, decent to drive, lots of room.
Cons: Poor image, depreciation nightmare.

Maximum bang for your buck: Hyundai i40
Pros: A much newer car for not a lot of money, will feel more modern than alternatives.
Cons: Devoid of any kind of image, will lose more money than Greece.

Bargain basement: Kia Magentis
Pros: A big car for small money. Er, and that's it.
Cons: Uglier than a fat girl crying, you'll never be able to sell it on.

Nice list, puts it into a good perspective. Not looking for any big engines as I don't go above 80 and that's on a clear motorway rub which is rare! Should of mentioned that I need 30+ mpg average. This car is purely for commuting and boring trips.

[MorganP104]

culpz said:

The Type S and the EP3 Sport were two complete different models.

Apologies - I do know the difference, I just picked the wrong picture!

[GreatGranny]

Nice 3 series?

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

[MorganP104]

AB57 said:

Nice list, puts it into a good perspective. Not looking for any big engines as I don't go above 80 and that's on a clear motorway rub which is rare! Should of mentioned that I need 30+ mpg average. This car is purely for commuting and boring trips.

The only reason I suggested cars with larger engines is that (in my experience), fairly big cars with smaller engines tend to be a poor match for automatic gearboxes.

[culpz]

MorganP104 said:

culpz said:

The Type S and the EP3 Sport were two complete different models.

Apologies - I do know the difference, I just picked the wrong picture!

I assumed that you did anyway I wasn't sure if the OP meant one or the other tbh.

[Tyre Smoke]

For comfort, go Volvo every time.

Nothing wrong with an i40, but reckon a 1.7 diesel is going to work hard with a slush box to lug all that car about.

[TheVole]

Just to echo previous posters, go Volvo. A V70 might be a bit big for what you need it for, but an S60 or even a S40/V50 would be well within budget. You can pick up perfectly serviceable examples for less than £1k, so for your budget you should get an absolute minter.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a CLC220 Sport although diesel they go well & will easily hit the 30+ mpg they don't tend to suffer DPF issues.

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

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

Or in Petrol form as a CLC180

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

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

[anonymous-user]

TheVole said:

Just to echo previous posters, go Volvo. A V70 might be a bit big for what you need it for, but an S60 or even a S40/V50 would be well within budget. You can pick up perfectly serviceable examples for less than £1k, so for your budget you should get an absolute minter.

A V70 would be too big I think although I'm considering a Mondeo which is a similar size.

Not a fan of the old s60 and I rather pay a bit more and get a newer V60.

What are the auto Mondeo like to drive? If probably go for an facelift auto petrol. A good steer from what I've read but is the autobox any good? Is it slush or dct?

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say a CLC220 Sport although diesel they go well & will easily hit the 30+ mpg they don't tend to suffer DPF issues.

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

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

Or in Petrol form as a CLC180

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

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

Thanks for the suggestions but I think they look absolutely hideous!