Suggest a comfy, reliable commuter - reasonable ££ - Page 1 - Car Buying

Original Poster

7 posts

95 months

Monday 5th February 2018

Evening PH, thanks in advance

I am looking for an auto for mainly motorway/A roads. 13,000 per year. Budget anything up to £7,000 but would prefer sub £5,000 cos I'm a tight so and so . Edit: No estates please!

I am committed to not being a badge snob this time around.. and would say reliability/reasonable running costs are most important (after comfort - dodgy back and shoulder).

Must haves:
Auto
Cruise control
Rear parking sensors
Really comfy ride / comfy seats

Nice to haves:
Heated leather (almost a must!)
Diesel (for fuel costs.. unless you can persuade me otherwise)

Also - I've always thought the monthly payment models (lease/pcp etc) are a waste of money but my ears are open....

Edited by Commuter1001 on Monday 5th February 19:29

MR2 Steve

364 posts

128 months

Monday 5th February 2018

Volvo S60 or Mondeo

keo

2,758 posts

191 months

Monday 5th February 2018

For 13k miles a year I would be very tempted to go Petrol. Bigger cars are usually more comfortable as well. How about a BMW 5/7 series, big merc/ Volvo or Audi A6.

Just a few ideas

Original Poster

7 posts

95 months

Monday 5th February 2018

MR2 Steve said:

Volvo S60 or Mondeo

I have been looking for an S60 D5 based on recommendation from a mate. Seats definitely tick the comfy box.

He said it had to be the Euro 3 model for reliability but I have really struggled to find any with <100k miles, FSH and not gold or silver (is it just me rolleyes

). Then after some more research it seemed like people suggest steering clear of the Euro 3 anyway for an auto so I felt snookered... any thoughts?

I hadn't thought of a Mondeo - any suggestions on best generation / trims?

wiliferus

4,197 posts

219 months

Monday 5th February 2018

Volvo S60/V70 D5 does everything you need very well

troika

2,063 posts

172 months

Monday 5th February 2018

V70 D5. Brilliant cars. I had one as a 3rd car to smoke about in for a while. One of the best seats (heated!) I’ve ever had, so comfy on a journey. Economical too.

Original Poster

7 posts

95 months

Monday 5th February 2018

troika said:

V70 D5. Brilliant cars. I had one as a 3rd car to smoke about in for a while. One of the best seats (heated!) I’ve ever had, so comfy on a journey. Economical too.

wiliferus said:

Volvo S60/V70 D5 does everything you need very well

Thanks for the suggestions.. I left a gaping hole in my requirements - No estates! I have just edited my first post. I had a rental V70 (auto) a few weeks ago to drive from south coast to north west and back and it was a delight.. but I just don't dig the estate look. I'm still halfheartedly looking for an S60 but have almost given up as per post above.

Any thoughts on the D5 Auto box - are the Euro 3 ones OK? Or am I worrying too much about DPF etc with a Euro 4 model and it's worth it for better gearbox?

Original Poster

7 posts

95 months

Monday 5th February 2018

keo said:

For 13k miles a year I would be very tempted to go Petrol. Bigger cars are usually more comfortable as well. How about a BMW 5/7 series, big merc/ Volvo or Audi A6.

Just a few ideas

Cheers

. After a bit of searching I figured I can't really afford a 530d (my BMW specialist said to only look at E60 LCI so I think that's 57 onwards). Also almost all for sale are M Sport which I think the ride will be too hard.

I don't know much about Mercs but looks like they do loads of Autos

Any thoughts on if the Audi A6 is worth the premium... or would my requirements be better off with a cheaper VAG motor?

tickedon

121 posts

98 months

Monday 5th February 2018

I had an S60 and tick all your boxes, plenty around with the winter pack too that’ll have your heated seats.

Sadly can’t comment on the auto box or earlier euro engines, I had a manual euro 5 D3 and it was great. Personally would aim for the 2013 and later 4 cylinder euro 6 ‘vea’ engine D4 (181bhp) which had a new auto box and as I recall was well reviewed. Not sure what pricing is down to now for those though.

Shiv_P

3,000 posts

126 months

Monday 5th February 2018

SEAT Exeo?

confused_buyer

7,009 posts

202 months

Monday 5th February 2018

Commuter1001 said:

Any thoughts on if the Audi A6 is worth the premium... or would my requirements be better off with a cheaper VAG motor?

In your budget you're looking at the 2004-2009 A6. I wouldn't bother. Very poor ride - 2.0 TDI's eat oil pumps, 2.0 FSi eat oil and oil pumps, 2.7/3.0 before 2006 eat injectors which can cost £2000 to fix, multitronic boxes go wrong. Only one I would consider is a 3.0 TDi Quattro with regular Auto box 2007-on after they fixed the injectors but even then it is a nice engine in a very average car.

As for the 5-Series I wouldn't get too bothered about the LCI. All it consists of really is some very slightly revised lights and door trims. In fact, if looking at a 520d, a pre-2007 with the M47 engine instead of the later N47 which eats timing chains is probably preferable. Better car than the Audi but dated in many respects and will need money spent on it in your price range. SE nicer than Sport to drive IMO.

Edited by confused_buyer on Monday 5th February 21:31

Wooda80

1,743 posts

96 months

Monday 5th February 2018

2011 Volvo S80
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2011 C5 3.0HDI Exclusive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2012 Peugeot 508 FAP Allure ( Great model name! )
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You'd want a warranty, breakdown cover and crossed fingers with any of those. But they would be no worse than a typical 10 year old Audi / BMW etc and much fresher.

Prinny

1,669 posts

120 months

Monday 5th February 2018

Volvo was my first suggestion too. If you don’t like the v70 (then there’s something wrong with you wink

) then the s60’s are getting old now.

So go bigger! Get an s80. It has absolutely no sporting pretensions, short of going upto limo class (s-class, 7-series), you’ll not get better for the money IMO. (not this example in particular, just for reference).

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

Dapster

8,637 posts

201 months