Motorway Comfort - Circa £5k - What Car?

[genericguy]

I am moving house this week and will have a much longer motorway commute (about 70 miles each way).

I did have an 2000 Volvo V40 that has just been written off, and also have a mki Eunos (which I will keep but don't fancy commuting in).

Something that would be vaguely fun to drive would be nice.
The car I would like to get is a Volvo V50 2.5 T5 and there's an ideal one near me within budget.
However I'm a bit concerned this would bankrupt me and I may have to settle for a diesel.

I prefer estates and current thinking is a Volvo V50, or possibly a Skoda Octavia both probably diseel versions.

Very keen to hear about other things I should consider, I want something reliable and reasonably economical that will be comfy for the long drive. Would consider a saloon etc if there's a good one, just needs room for a 4 year old and a dog.

[ZX10R NIN]

In my biased opinion I'd say a C270 Estate is perfect for what you're looking for you'll see low to mid 40's on a run they don't tend to go wrong with no rust issues, the gearbox needs a service every 40k if it hasn't been done then budget around £150 for that:

270 Avantgarde SE

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

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

Or you could go for the 220 but truth be told they're no better on fuel with a little less go, but you do get a newer car.

Sport Edition

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

Avantgarde SE

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

Alternatively a Mondeo ticks a lot of boxes:

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

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

[tickedon]

What about a v60? Earlier models should be near your budget. A bit newer looking inside and out than the S40/V50 models.

Had been driving an S60 for the last four years and it laps up motorway miles with super comfortable seats.

[kiethton]

A manual D5 Volvo would be my choice here, unless you have need to enter an emaissions charging zone (or one that is soon to be implemented e.g. London)

[theseoldcars]

Honda Accord or a Mondeo (2.5?) would get my shout.

[genericguy]

ZX10R NIN said:

In my biased opinion I'd say a C270 Estate is perfect for what you're looking for you'll see low to mid 40's on a run they don't tend to go wrong with no rust issues, the gearbox needs a service every 40k if it hasn't been done then budget around £150 for that:

I hadn't really thought of a Merc as thought they would be expensive to run
They do look very nice though and a good place to be stuck on a long drive.

Two little things:
I was looking for a manual, this is partly because I have an image of autos being more complicated/likely to go wrong and more expensive to fix.
That may well be a very outdated view though?

An aux input is an essential, or the ability to replace the stereo fairly recently.
Obviously bluetooth would also work but probably out of my price range. My Volvo had a tape deck which was fine, I have a cheap adapter I can use.
Realise this sounds minor but the ability to play music/audiobooks from my phone is a big deal.

One bigger thing though, the Volvos I'm looking at show 65mpg average, obviously real figures may vary but not sure the Mercedes is a big enough difference, even the 25.L T5 V50 is 32.5, Mercs are obviously 7+ better but still a bit of a compromise.

[genericguy]

tickedon said:

What about a v60? Earlier models should be near your budget. A bit newer looking inside and out than the S40/V50 models.

Had been driving an S60 for the last four years and it laps up motorway miles with super comfortable seats.

The V60 is one of the few Volvos I don't like the look of, although I could obviously live with it. From a quick search I think the V60 is a bit out of my budget. That said there is a D5 version that does 50+ mpg with 0-60 of 7.5 seconds which would be great.

[genericguy]

theseoldcars said:

Honda Accord or a Mondeo (2.5?) would get my shout.

Accord is a good shout, they look quite nice and should be reliable.

I do like Fords (had a Capri, Probe and a Fiesta), although I'm not keen on the wife's Focus estate.
How good are the Ford diesel engines?

[kurt535]

Lexus IS/GS family but avoid the IS diesel!

[MorganP104]

How about something like this:

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

Yes, it's high mileage, but they can take it, and being VAG, anyone will fix them.

[genericguy]

I'm not that bothered by high mileage normally but was thinking for this car I would ideally get something under 100k, might make an exception for something I loved but not a big fan of Audi estates for some reason.

[genericguy]

That suggestion of a Merc earlier lead to more searching.
My budget is a bit flexible (£7k absolute max but £5k would be better), this is extremely tempting though:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[ZX10R NIN]

genericguy said:

Accord is a good shout, they look quite nice and should be reliable.

I do like Fords (had a Capri, Probe and a Fiesta), although I'm not keen on the wife's Focus estate.
How good are the Ford diesel engines?

You do know the V50 is a Focus with a different body they use the same hardware but the Ford is the better drive, if it's space then the Mondeo is a good shout.

The Mercedes auto is pretty much bulletproof as long as you change the fluids I'd say go & drive one, as for the economy yes the 1.6d will be better on fuel but not by as much as you think if you drive it normally you'll be working the 1.6d harder compared to the 2.0/2.7d engines.

I'd say test drive one before discounting them & there's always the E Class:

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

[genericguy]

Yeah, 1.6 looks tempting but with the miles I'll be doing I thought it might be better to go for a 1.8/2.0.

I didn't realise the Volvo and Focus were the same. Might be a poor comparison as wife works for a charity so it is a bottom of the range model but I dislike the fact it's an anti-tardis, biggish outside but so small inside I am really squashed in the front seat when my daughter is behind. The Volvo is a bit smaller outside but miles more space inside (I realise this is also because the Focus is 16 years newer).

The Volvo is also just a really pleasant car to drive, just very comfortable and I've always had a soft spot for Volvos in general.

[ZX10R NIN]

genericguy said:

That suggestion of a Merc earlier lead to more searching.
My budget is a bit flexible (£7k absolute max but £5k would be better), this is extremely tempting though:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

It's okay spec, but I'd go for this C320cdi it's a better engine & going by the pictures it looks more cared for.

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

Or this well spec'd 220cdi

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

[kurt535]

Lexus will put merc reliability to shame and then some....

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

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

I chose these two for their low miles.

Edited by kurt535 on Wednesday 13th December 08:21

[genericguy]

I like the look of the IS200 but both those Lexus are too poor on mpg unfortunately.

[FiF]

genericguy said:

Yeah, 1.6 looks tempting but with the miles I'll be doing I thought it might be better to go for a 1.8/2.0.

I didn't realise the Volvo and Focus were the same. Might be a poor comparison as wife works for a charity so it is a bottom of the range model but I dislike the fact it's an anti-tardis, biggish outside but so small inside I am really squashed in the front seat when my daughter is behind. The Volvo is a bit smaller outside but miles more space inside (I realise this is also because the Focus is 16 years newer).

The Volvo is also just a really pleasant car to drive, just very comfortable and I've always had a soft spot for Volvos in general.

There are differences, lots of people say the Focus and S40/V50 are the same under the skin, and clearly there are similarities, but also some significant differences. As they say the devil is as always in the detail.

Bias declaration 2*V50 user, over 200k miles and many >4k road trips. Frequent user of Focus on pool / hire car. Also found quite Ok but always preferred when flung the keys for a Volvo.

[genericguy]

ZX10R NIN said:

It's okay spec, but I'd go for this C320cdi it's a better engine & going by the pictures it looks more cared for.

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

Or this well spec'd 220cdi

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

Both very nice.
If I stretched much budget it would have to be for something with pretty decent mpg but think 220 would fit that.

[TurboHatchback]

I can vouch that the Mondeo 2.5T is an excellent motorway car and very comfortable. Incidentally there will be a nice low mileage orange one going on the market for about £4k very shortly .