£1000-7000 25k miles p/a

[KnackeredSwede]

New to me car needed, and I’m hoping you guys can pitch in with some suggestions as car buying isn’t my favourite thing to do!

I say 1-7k because if it’s fit for purpose and won’t cost an arm and a leg to keep, I’m fine with spending less than my max budget. The more expensive I go though the longer I’d like the car to last me.

Requirements:

40+ mpg ideally (or less when pressing on, but capable of 40-50 on a run to work)

Refined enough to not annoy me on my commute, good enough shove and handling to stop me from getting bored

Reliable - this is the most important thing for me, this means no knackered old 320d’s or Saabs etc. I would prefer a good track record of reliability and hopefully cheap-ish parts

4 seats for the occasional 3rd or 4th passenger

Decent spec

Good looking (subjective I know, but nothing that’ll make people ask me if I’ve borrowed my dads car...)

Good turn of pace when required, this may mean I can consider faster less economical cars, I’ll just have to learn to go steady on my commute for the mpg

Anything considered, I’ve thought of all sorts from Kia Proceeds, Mondeo’s, Fiestas, Ibiza cupra/polo GTI, Lexus IS, Honda Civic... Petrols, diesels, the lot...

I suppose I’m just after the best all round value and package that will be unlikely to let me down.

PCP and PCH not really an option due to budget and mileage, although if there’s anything nice for £180 a month that’ll let me do 25k I’ll happily look into it!

Your thoughts are much appreciated

Thanks

Swede

[CX53]

You can get a nearly new Fiat Tipo with a 1.4 turbo petrol for your top budget. Quite a good looking car IMO and excellent value for money at the moment.

[Jimi.K.]

I had a very similar attitude to budget and list of criteria and went for a 2010 Audi A5 sportback 3.0tdi Quattro in the end.

The 3.0tdi is generally very reliable as is the rest of the car. Its essentially a A4 underneath so parts and servicing are reasonable. 0-62 in 5.8secs, and I'm getting 42mpg on a run (mixture of motorway and A-roads). Decent refinement and the ride is good if you stick with an SE spec car. I drive a lot for work so proper integrated bluetooth was also something I really wanted.

One difference for me is I needed something with a practical boot for furniture shopping and trips to the tip, so a hatchback or estate was high on my list of priorities. If you're happy with a saloon then that opens up a lot of options. Before this I had a 2005 Lexus GS300 which was unbelievable value for money - see my thread here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... and although you'll struggle to get more than 35mpg on a mixed commute, you can pick up a good example for £3k and it will never go wrong, so that negates the extra fuel cost! I would have definitely got another if it wasn't for the saloon boot and lack of folding rear seats.

[CX53]

Great Lexus, enjoyed reading your thread

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm bias as I've had one & it soaked up the miles with ease they also come with the added bonus of Orthopedic seats which are a nice bonus on a long run.

CLK320cdi Sport (if you haggle & stretch the budget a bit you can land a sub 50k one)

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

Back in budget

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

CLK220cdi Sport not that much better on fuel for me not to get the 320

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

The Insignia strikes a good balance between newness Spec Year & mileage:

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

Titanium X Mondeo

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

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

Accord ES GT

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

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

508 Allure the first one has a 5 year 0% finance option along with a 5 year guarantee which is well worth a look.

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

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

[KnackeredSwede]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I’ll spend some time having a look in to each one and doing some research.

Part of me likes the idea of a sub 1k poverty shed and hope it does me well, this will mean no loan is required, I do hate credit...

The other part of me likes the idea of something a bit nicer to do the hateful commute in, love the second grey accord, smashing value!! Wonder what the auto box is like.... Also love the merc suggestions, but wondering if parts could be a bit pricey?

Been having a look at Alfa Romeo Giulietta’s also, but not sure how well these do on the reliability front these days.

[JamesRR]

Volvo S40 D3/D4/D5. 5 pot diesel is a characterful engine and not too thirsty, and it’s a smart looking car. Great seats to do 25k p/a in too!

[ZX10R NIN]

Parts are pretty sensible for the Mercedes, finding a good Independent specialist near you is a big help cost wise but things like discs & pads are very sensible money being around £130.00 for front discs pads & wear sensors.

So don't be put off by the mercedes being overly expensive.

[KnackeredSwede]

JamesRR said:

Volvo S40 D3/D4/D5. 5 pot diesel is a characterful engine and not too thirsty, and it’s a smart looking car. Great seats to do 25k p/a in too!

I did once test drive an old S60 and as I remember the seats were superb, as was the stereo!

[KnackeredSwede]

ZX10R NIN said:

Parts are pretty sensible for the Mercedes, finding a good Independent specialist near you is a big help cost wise but things like discs & pads are very sensible money being around £130.00 for front discs pads & wear sensors.

So don't be put off by the mercedes being overly expensive.

Thanks, that does sound quite reasonable for those consumable items... I must admit I had perhaps wrongly thought the badge would carry a massive premium over something from ford etc, but having had a look the Mercedes offerings are definitely right at the top of the list, providing I don’t get a cheap shed for a while.

[Hodgie]

I'm doing the same annual mileage as you and using a Volvo S60 D5, the 185bhp model and manual.

I bought it on 108k for £3k and its now on 176k and I haven't had any issues at all. It's returned a true 46mpg and is a nice place to be for the daily commute.

Downsides are the rear legroom is non existent if you are tall and has the same turning circle as a ferry. These don't really matter to me, when this one breaks I'll get another!

[ZX10R NIN]

KnackeredSwede said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Parts are pretty sensible for the Mercedes, finding a good Independent specialist near you is a big help cost wise but things like discs & pads are very sensible money being around £130.00 for front discs pads & wear sensors.

So don't be put off by the mercedes being overly expensive.

Thanks, that does sound quite reasonable for those consumable items... I must admit I had perhaps wrongly thought the badge would carry a massive premium over something from ford etc, but having had a look the Mercedes offerings are definitely right at the top of the list, providing I don’t get a cheap shed for a while.

It's because they use a lot of the same parts across the ranges so the CLS320cdi will have the same discs as a C320cdi etc.