4dr, quickish, petrol, 35mpg + max 11k...

[jimmy156]

Hello PH,

I am looking for a car for a 70 mile a day commute, not interested in diesel, but do want 35mpg or higher.

I would like it to be at least a little interesting/fun to drive, needs to be 4/5 door, would like the mileage to be below 80,000, and ideally less then 8 years old.

Currently thinking of 2011ish Octavia VRs, at lower end of budget (6/7k) or 2013ish 320i at the higher end (10-11k) (would like a 328i but they really are like hens teeth!)

Any thought on these (am putting about 20k a year on the current cat, so both of these would be north of 100k pretty quickly on the examples I have seen)

Is there anything obvious I am missing?

[Lukas239]

Avoid the N47 engine in the 20i BMWs if you believe the internet, timing chain failures etc.

Unfortunately 2 litre TFSI engines suffer the same fate and drink oil apparently.

Mk5 Golf GTI? Honda accord type R?

[jimmy156]

I think the problem is any car will have scare stories about it, with timings chains etc. It’s deciphering whether it’s a real issue, or the internet providing a biased account of the situation.

I like mk5 golf, but most of the ones I have seen are a bit old/leggy.

Not many accord type r’s about! None have come up in my searches at all!

[vtecyo]

jimmy156 said:

I think the problem is any car will have scare stories about it, with timings chains etc. It’s deciphering whether it’s a real issue, or the internet providing a biased account of the situation.

I like mk5 golf, but most of the ones I have seen are a bit old/leggy.

Not many accord type r’s about! None have come up in my searches at all!

The VAG TFSI oil consumption issues are very real FWIW. 09-12 I think it was.

Will a 330i achieve 35mpg? Even if it's close I'd go for one of those.

[jimmy156]

My experience of an E46 330i auto was high twenties with mixed driving!

[thel33ter]

GS450h sport?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

Unlikely to be an exciting drive, but very quick (5.9 0-60) and definitely unusual. Would be a nice place to be for an hour or two a day.

Low tax too.

[jimmy156]

That’s definitely an interesting suggestion, would not have been on my radar at all and certainly interesting! Love the interior on the one you have linked to.

My concern would be the potential for big bills on something like that, but Lexus reliability is supposed to be excellent!

Only one within 40 miles of me on autotrader and it’s an 08, so getting on a bit, but I will keep an open mind to these!

[thel33ter]

Not much goes wrong on them, but parts aren't cheap if it does. Late models will still have a bit of battery warranty (10 years) if they've been serviced by Lexus. Plenty with big miles on them. I've read suspension parts are a weak link sure to it's weight and they're pretty much dealer only.

The sport model I linked must be pretty rare. Don't think I've ever seen another.

Edited by thel33ter on Monday 18th November 22:48

[ZX10R NIN]

IS300

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

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

GS450h SE L

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

335i SE Active Hybrid

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

Infiniti M 3.5 Hybrid (but don't buy off of this seller)

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

Q70 GT Premium (newer version of the above)

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

[Jag_NE]

I have a 2013 merc c180 which is in your budget. Not fast but adequate. Can achieve a real 40mpg if driven sensibly (im 35 miles each way too). I don’t think fast and petrol will be realistic for 35mpg+.

Just get a 320/330d. It’s perfect for what you need. Or a Mondeo or an Infiniti

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're doing 20k a year a diesel really is the answer & with your budget you could get a sub 40k 2012> Infiniti M 3.0d well within budget which means it'll be at least 3 years before you hit 100k & you'll be driving a well spec'd comfortable quick car:

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

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

GT with 60k but it's a fair bit cheaper than the two above:

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