Advice needed on next commuter

[Mikey2312]

Hi all,

Just after some opinions and recommendations..

So I've currently got a 2009 Passat Estate 2.0 TDI that's sat on 135,000 miles. Ive racked up just over 50,000 miles over 2 years of ownership (I commute 134 miles a day, 14 days a month)

It's caused me no issues and has gone service to service with the exception of consumables and servicing.

I'm starting to think it's getting closer to big bill mileage now so I'd rather jump ship before that happens but I can't decide what to go for next.. I dont want to spend silly money on a car that I'll run into the ground but I'd like something relatively comfortable, economical to a degree (40-50mpg would be ideal) that can be used for work and travelling (once corona buggers off)

Everytime I look at cars I keep coming away from it.. mine is a highline so has all the spec so it's hard to find something else..

Any ideas or recommendations would be appreciated!

[CX53]

If you keep it and it does throw a couple of big bills at you, it'll still be cheaper than getting something else... If you genuinely like it and are happy with it, this might not be a bad option.

If you definitely fancy a change, consider a Mondeo in Titanium X trim, great spec, very reliable and nice to drive.

[Mikey2312]

CX53 said:

If you keep it and it does throw a couple of big bills at you, it'll still be cheaper than getting something else... If you genuinely like it and are happy with it, this might not be a bad option.

If you definitely fancy a change, consider a Mondeo in Titanium X trim, great spec, very reliable and nice to drive.

Yea it just ticks the boxes only trouble is it's ripping through rear tyres as well.. the camber needs adjusting but the bolts have seized, I watched a guy hang (no joke) off the pry bar trying to get them to crack a few months ago and foolishly thought changing the tyres more than regularly would be a cheaper solution.. cue face palm emoji..

I have been looking at mondeos and they're within budget.. are they as reliable as people say? Dont they have the PSA engine in them?

I've looked at Volvo S40's but, again, the PSA engine doesnt have the greatest write up.. audi A6 was another but they're all moon miles

I really like the Freelander 2 but a colleague has the FL1 and just laughed saying it's not a good car for the miles I'm doing. I'd love a 4x4 for when we head up the Lake District and we'd like to do a bit of the NC500 but I guess... can't have your cake and eat it

[ZX10R NIN]

The 1.6 PSA engine isn't great but the 2.0d is a very good & reliable unit (just look how many cars it's in) so don't let that put you off.

The big question is how much do you want to spend.

[MorganP104]

It seems to me that you need a large-ish, comfortable car that's widely unloved and generally overlooked (which drives the price down nicely).

For "unloved" and "overlooked", see large French cars. I'm thinking Peugeot 407, Citroen C5, Renault Laguna.

The only real challenge is finding low mileage cars, as most 407s, C5s and Lagunas have done mega miles.

But they are very, very cheap, and the diesels are very, very economical.

[Mikey2312]

ZX10R NIN said:

The 1.6 PSA engine isn't great but the 2.0d is a very good & reliable unit (just look how many cars it's in) so don't let that put you off.

The big question is how much do you want to spend.

£4,000 or less would be nice if I'm honest

[ZX10R NIN]

The hard part will be getting newer car close to the spec of your Highline & getting a car with low mileage, as above go French & you should find a car that suits your needs.

Laguna 2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

508 Allure

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Or take the hit of a few big bills & keep what you have.

[CX53]

ZX10R NIN said:

The hard part will be getting newer car close to the spec of your Highline & getting a car with low mileage, as above go French & you should find a car that suits your needs.

Laguna 2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

508 Allure

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Or take the hit of a few big bills & keep what you have.

Unbelievable value for money there in all of those

[Mikey2312]

Never thought of a Laguna.. or Renault to be fair, how are the 2.0 engines in them for taking a pounding on the miles?

I had thought about a Juke or Qashqai but they seem a bit bland inside

[MorganP104]

Mikey2312 said:

Never thought of a Laguna.. or Renault to be fair, how are the 2.0 engines in them for taking a pounding on the miles?

I had thought about a Juke or Qashqai but they seem a bit bland inside

The oily bits on Renaults, especially the diesels, are very good, and capable of pretty high mileages. They come in for a bit of flak when it comes to the electrics, mind. If you're looking to buy French, check everything electric works, and there are no warning lights on the dash.

Well looked after cars should cause you no more grief than anything else.

[DailyHack]

I always suggest a Saab 9-3? Always well speced.

I have a 2011 TTID twin turbo, £30 tax aswell (pretty rapid tbh) these are under the radar most of the time, why I bought one, different and tbh pretty underated, very cheap and very safe, they are built like tanks!

I own a E91 318d and i prefer the Saab everytime - just feels abit more of an occasion.

Parts seem good still, swedish gov own the parts and still make new ones, so no issue there, and there are so many specialists.

Still look pretty sharp I think aswell.

Edited by DailyHack on Tuesday 28th April 19:52

[ZX10R NIN]

Mikey2312 said:

Never thought of a Laguna.. or Renault to be fair, how are the 2.0 engines in them for taking a pounding on the miles?

I had thought about a Juke or Qashqai but they seem a bit bland inside

They're good & are much improved over the Gen1 the electrics are much better like all used cars make sure everything works, the window regulators can be crap but most will have been replaced by now.

[Mikey2312]

Yea I've heard and seen the horrors of french electrics! 😂 I'm guessing because they are French they're not as expensive to maintain as my passat give or take?

I keep seeing Saab's, what are they like on fuel?

[MorganP104]

Mikey2312 said:

Yea I've heard and seen the horrors of french electrics! ?? I'm guessing because they are French they're not as expensive to maintain as my passat give or take?

I keep seeing Saab's, what are they like on fuel?

Diesel SAABs are pretty good on fuel, as long as you're sensible with the BHP (many have been chipped by previous owners).

Petrol SAABs tend to be quite juicy, as the popular ones were fitted with big turbos.

[itcaptainslow]

£4k will buy you a very, very nice Rover 75/MG ZT diesel-comfortable and reliable!

[ZX10R NIN]

Mikey2312 said:

Yea I've heard and seen the horrors of french electrics! ?? I'm guessing because they are French they're not as expensive to maintain as my passat give or take?

I keep seeing Saab's, what are they like on fuel?

Things like the Laguna2 are much improved & will be on par reliability wise, the Saab's use the GM drivetrain but it's the older 1.9 (which is no bad thing) so I'd also look at the 2.0d Insignia.

TBH I'd buy the Laguna/508 over the 9-3 Saab.

[Mikey2312]

ZX10R NIN said:

Mikey2312 said:

Yea I've heard and seen the horrors of french electrics! ?? I'm guessing because they are French they're not as expensive to maintain as my passat give or take?

I keep seeing Saab's, what are they like on fuel?

Things like the Laguna2 are much improved & will be on par reliability wise, the Saab's use the GM drivetrain but it's the older 1.9 (which is no bad thing) so I'd also look at the 2.0d Insignia.

TBH I'd buy the Laguna/508 over the 9-3 Saab.

What do you think of mondeo's in comparison?

[nuttywobbler]

Sounds like you’re thinking of buying a new car for the sake of it, to be honest. If the biggest issue with your Passat is the rear camber bolts are a bit seized, keep it.

“The cheapest car is usually the one you already own” said a wise man, once.

[DailyHack]

nuttywobbler said:

Sounds like you’re thinking of buying a new car for the sake of it, to be honest. If the biggest issue with your Passat is the rear camber bolts are a bit seized, keep it.

“The cheapest car is usually the one you already own” said a wise man, once.

^ Completely this

[ZX10R NIN]

Mikey2312 said:

What do you think of mondeo's in comparison?

The Mondeo is the best FWD car in it's class but to get a high spec one you'll only get a 2008 vs a 2012 Laguna, the Mondeo would normally be my first pick but with your requirements & usage I'd look elsewhere.