Cheap sub £5k mile muncher

[BigShick]

Hi,
I know this topic has been done to death, and I have read through previous posts. I'm currently doing 35,000 miles a year ish due to a long commute to work. My house is on the market so I can move closer, but I need something comfy, cheap, reliable with decent mpg to keep me going 6-12 months while I get moved.

Two of the top recommendations when (numerous) others have made this thread is the Volvo S60 or the Mondeo.

I saw this on autotrader:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

which came under budget and looked pretty ideal. Its automatic though - am I better looking at manual on an s60 of that age?

Or if I went for a Mondeo which engine is the one to go for? I see the 2.2 mentioned here but I suspect a 1.8 or 2 litre would give better mpg which is a consideration with the amount of miles that I'm doing.

Any other suggestions welcome - thanks

[andyalan10]

Despite owning a V70 myself and the general love of big Volvos and Mondeos on here I just wonder if you wouldn't be better off with something smaller if economy is the top priority.

The S60 you link to is probably higher priced because of its low mileage, which it won't have 6 months after you have bought it.

You might find an S40/V50 in budget and many of them seem to wear very high miles well. Something French and mid sized - Laguna/508/C5 would be way newer and in budget. Maybe even a prius if your commute is varied rather than all high speed motorway work.

Seat Exeo? Just brain dumping unfashionable mid size cars now. So I'll leave it at that.

Andy

[talksthetorque]

andyalan10 said:

Seat Exeo? Just brain dumping unfashionable mid size cars now. So I'll leave it at that.

Andy

This. The VAGerati haven't cottoned on to them yet, you can buy a 2007 2.0 TDI A4 with 90k for your money or you can buy a 2010 Exeo with the same mileage.
IT'S (near as dammit) THE SAME CAR!

[ZX10R NIN]

The 1.8d Mondeo really isn't worth considering, but the 2.2/2.0d are the ones to go for (you'll get a better/lower mileage car if you go for the 2.0) or maybe look leftfield.

Doing 35k a year comfort would be high on my list so also keep that in mind, which is why I'd go for a Mondeo sized car.

Mondeo Titanium X

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

The thing is most modern cars are as reliable as each other, if you go for the less popular makes not only you can grab yourself a bargain you'll also get a good well spec'd car.

Laguna Initiale

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

Dynamique

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

Insignia Elite

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

Insignia SRI VX Line

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

Citroen C5 VTR (same car as a Peugeot 508 but cheaper)

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

[kurt535]

Lexus. IS model, just not the diesel.

[Evanivitch]

talksthetorque said:

This. The VAGerati haven't cottoned on to them yet, you can buy a 2007 2.0 TDI A4 with 90k for your money or you can buy a 2010 Exeo with the same mileage.
IT'S (near as dammit) THE SAME CAR!

Doing 30,000 miles in a SEAT or doing 30,000 miles in an Audi is 2 very different experiences. The difference between the 2 is generally the pieces you care about most when doing such high mileage, the interior.

[talksthetorque]

Evanivitch said:

Doing 30,000 miles in a SEAT or doing 30,000 miles in an Audi is 2 very different experiences. The difference between the 2 is generally the pieces you care about most when doing such high mileage, the interior.

SEAT took the A4 production line to Spain and built Exeos with it. Lights, bumpers, boot and bonnet changes, an A4 Cabrio interior and better seats. Also A6 front suspension I’m led to believe. But it’s an A4.
With any other SEAT I’d agree (had a mk2 and a MK3 Leon) but the Exeo is an Audi bar the badge.
I did 105k in the Exeo, 120k in the Mk2 Leon, and 40k in the Mk 3 Leon. I now have a B9 S4 and it’s noisier than the Exeo.

[Turbojuice]

kurt535 said:

Lexus. IS model, just not the diesel.

Either that or an Avensis imo. Again, avoid the diesel.

[BigShick]

Exeo seems a good shout - I'll have a look at them.

I think it has to be a diesel for the mpg.. I'll have another look at Mondeos as well.

Also looked at Golfs, but doesn't seem like you get much for your money with them

[Shuff4]

I'd certainly be considering the Seat Exeo, plenty of 2.0 CR Tdi, around 80k around £5/£5.5k, even a few estates which could be useful come house move, unless you used a moving company.

[wemorgan]

Honda Civic / Accord 2.2 diesel. No cam belt to worry about + v.good economy/performance balance.

[ZX10R NIN]

BigShick said:

Exeo seems a good shout - I'll have a look at them.

I think it has to be a diesel for the mpg.. I'll have another look at Mondeos as well.

Also looked at Golfs, but doesn't seem like you get much for your money with them

Exeo:

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

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

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

The Mondeo/Insignia are better cars than the Seat but if they don't work then the Exeo isn't a bad alternative.

[CX53]

The exeo looks nice in sport trim

[BigShick]

Picked up an Exeo today. Paid slightly more than my £5k budget but got a low mileage 2011 in excellent condition with Bose stereo and most upgrades. Not as nice as the XF 3.0ds I had to get rid of last week... but hopefully cheaper to service/maintain/put mega miles on! Ticks the boxes I wanted ticking perfectly, so thanks to everyone that replied to the thread

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted OP