A car for soaking up bad roads?

[Flip Martian]

Any suggestions for something that can cope pretty well with poor quality roads? Just moved to South Ayrshire and the roads are pretty shocking in the sticks where we live. To replace a 2011 Focus 1.6 Titanium X which has been far better than I ever expected. So reliable, comfortable, well spec'ed, looks decent, reasonably powerful. Doesn't have to be sporty - got an MX5 2.0 for twisty fun. Price up to around 15k used? Preferably no more than 3 years old unless its something special.

At the moment my scouting on Parkers is throwing up SUVs and the Honda CRV in particular. Not averse to an SUV I suppose. Also thought about a Jeep but they don't seem particularly easy on the wallet. So any sensible suggestions would be really welcome please!

[flatso]

Any Citroen with the Hydropneumatic suspension.
The last generation C5 with the HP is probably your best bet, in the exclusive trim you also get massage seats and double glazed windows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMo-hclo5D0

Had an old Xantia and did several trips on horrible roads in Romania, the suspension was an absolute revelation.

[Flip Martian]

flatso said:

Any Citroen with the Hydropneumatic suspension.
The last generation C5 with the HP is probably your best bet, in the exclusive trim you also get massage seats and double glazed windows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMo-hclo5D0

Had an old Xantia and did several trips on horrible roads in Romania, the suspension was an absolute revelation.

Interesting choice, hadn't considered Citroens at all... I'll have a look, ta.

[Pericoloso]

Nothing with low profile tyres.

Maybe 16" or 17 " max diameter and 55 profile perhaps minimum.

My car has 195/55 15" which I consider to be very sensible and I haven't bent any rims in 6 years.

[Pica-Pica]

We went up to Dumfries and Galloway (nearby) and can confirm that, compared to North Wales, the roads are terribly broken. As well as getting a car with comfort (or adjustably so) suspension, I would look at a tyre profile of 205/60 or 225/55. Tiptoeing around in a 335d on 225/40 fronts was a bit painful.

[Pica-Pica]

Pericoloso said:

Nothing with low profile tyres.

Maybe 16" or 17 " max diameter and 55 profile perhaps minimum.

My car has 195/55 15" which I consider to be very sensible and I haven't bent any rims in 6 years.

Yes, my wife’s Fabia has that profile. I would seriously consider trying to get something with steel rims.

[Shiv_P]

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

Can get yourself into an older A8 for that money, air suspension etc. Very good ride on these 19" alloys, supreme wind suppression etc
However perhaps a little older than you are looking for

[flatso]

Flip Martian said:

Interesting choice, hadn't considered Citroens at all... I'll have a look, ta.

Make sure its a model with the Hydropneumatic suspension, not al C5's had them (the lowered spec versions had a classic steel suspension).

Having been a lot in Romania with truly horrible roads in a variety of cars, nothing came close to the Citroen, in a league of its own. Try one, you and your back will thank me later.

[S100HP]

flatso said:

Make sure its a model with the Hydropneumatic suspension, not al C5's had them (the lowered spec versions had a classic steel suspension).

Having been a lot in Romania with truly horrible roads in a variety of cars, nothing came close to the Citroen, in a league of its own. Try one, you and your back will thank me later.

Key word is "exclusive"

[Flip Martian]

Shiv_P said:

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

Can get yourself into an older A8 for that money, air suspension etc. Very good ride on these 19" alloys, supreme wind suppression etc
However perhaps a little older than you are looking for

Yeah I think for that money I'd need something more recent. Cash is fairly restricted. Cheers though.

[Flip Martian]

Pica-Pica said:

Pericoloso said:

Nothing with low profile tyres.

Maybe 16" or 17 " max diameter and 55 profile perhaps minimum.

My car has 195/55 15" which I consider to be very sensible and I haven't bent any rims in 6 years.

Yes, my wife’s Fabia has that profile. I would seriously consider trying to get something with steel rims.

Ta for the input both. Yes, I figured a max of 17" rims would be the limit really, with regular suspensions.

[Flip Martian]

flatso said:

Make sure its a model with the Hydropneumatic suspension, not al C5's had them (the lowered spec versions had a classic steel suspension).

Having been a lot in Romania with truly horrible roads in a variety of cars, nothing came close to the Citroen, in a league of its own. Try one, you and your back will thank me later.

I have had a look - they seem to be as rare as rocking horse teeth unless I travel hundreds of miles. Either they weren't popular or they don't come up for sale too often! I'll keep an eye out just in case.

[Nickbrapp]

Any Volvo of any description

I’ve got a Audi A3 S line with the comfort suspension and it soaks up the bumps terrifically, but no where near as well as the mondeo I had on 16 inch wheels. The seats where like sofas and the ride was so sublime

[Flip Martian]

Nickbrapp said:

Any Volvo of any description

I’ve got a Audi A3 S line with the comfort suspension and it soaks up the bumps terrifically, but no where near as well as the mondeo I had on 16 inch wheels. The seats where like sofas and the ride was so sublime

Always quite liked Volvos but never owned one. What year was the Mondeo?

[Nickbrapp]

2017 mondeo so the current shape, you can get a titanium X for that sort of Money as well, all the kit you could ever need.

[Zarco]

2CV

[Flip Martian]

Zarco said:

2CV

I can just see my wife's face if I brought one of those back...

[Flip Martian]

Nickbrapp said:

2017 mondeo so the current shape, you can get a titanium X for that sort of Money as well, all the kit you could ever need.

Interesting, ta. I'll have a look.

[Fastpedeller]

Flip Martian said:

Any suggestions for something that can cope pretty well with poor quality roads? Just moved to South Ayrshire and the roads are pretty shocking in the sticks where we live. To replace a 2011 Focus 1.6 Titanium X which has been far better than I ever expected. So reliable, comfortable, well spec'ed, looks decent, reasonably powerful. Doesn't have to be sporty - got an MX5 2.0 for twisty fun. Price up to around 15k used? Preferably no more than 3 years old unless its something special.

At the moment my scouting on Parkers is throwing up SUVs and the Honda CRV in particular. Not averse to an SUV I suppose. Also thought about a Jeep but they don't seem particularly easy on the wallet. So any sensible suggestions would be really welcome please!

Why not lobby the local Council to fix the roads? Think of those with shallower pockets who can't afford a new set of wheels!

[SAS Tom]

Fastpedeller said:

Why not lobby the local Council to fix the roads? Think of those with shallower pockets who can't afford a new set of wheels!

You might as well suggest he gives up driving!