£7.5k, 30kPa help with car suggestions

[Slackman99]

A pending new job (mid Sept) will see me at circa 30k a year.

Have had company cars for the last 10 years so a car allowance and HMRC fuel rates are somewhat new to me. Currently drive an A3 saloon diesel so nothing smaller than that from a ride quality perspective.

Most of the mileage will be motorway and about half of that will be commute mileage that i'll be liable for.

Therefore looking for a reliable, frugal car that (hopefully) won't throw up any large bills.

I'm looking at the cost over 2 years (as I was comparing to a lease) so if the car doesn't throw up any bills in this time then ideal and if it lasts longer then even better.

Decent mpg
Reliable and safe
Cruise control
Auto (not essential but preferred)
Some way of plugging my phone in for music and can use it for sat nav if nothing inbuilt

Much as I would like an exciting car, it really just needs to be a white goods car that is safe and reliable. A couple of (left field) cars that i've been considering:

Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC. Look to be able to get a 7 year old car with circa 60k from a main dealer with 12 months Honda warranty for this kind of cost. Google suggests that I should be able to get circa 70mpg on the motorway. Honda so hopefully reliable and big boot/magic seats always a bonus. All the usual diesel things to go wrong (turbo, dpf, dmf, high pressure injectors, alternator, belts etc). Manual only

Toyota Auris Hybrid (or poss Prius). Look to be able to get a 9-10 year old car with 60k from a main dealer with 12 months Toyota warranty. Lower mpg than the Civic but Google/Spiritmonitor reckons mid 50's for mpg. Main reason for considering this is that it has none of the 'normal' expensive stuff to go wrong as theres no clutch, turbo, alternator etc Same drivetrain as the Prius which has a reputation for doing big miles with Uber drivers. Looks like most services are oil and filter which I could do myself

I know the 1.6hdi PSA engines are supposed to be frugal too but not sure how reliable Peugeot/Citroen cars are these days (or specifically at the age I would be looking at).

Would like to avoid Vauxhalls as i've had both an Astra and Insignia and didn't find the seats comfortable.

I have thought about something bigger, but they obviously tend to be more expensive/less frugal/higher miles for the same sort of cost.

I'm a bit wary of buying from a non-franchised dealer, but would be happy with a dealer that specialises in the marque (e.g Mercland, Dyrdals etc) or randomly if there was an enthusiast that's looking to move a car on that's lavished love on it

I would like a Volvo V70 as I know the seats are supposed to be very comfortable (as are all Volvos I believe) but looking they would be quite old, eat tyres and suspension components etc. Not sure what the newer Volvos are like, but haven't seen much for sale that doesn't look well used.

There's also a Volvo 'specialist' near me that has a few C30s for sale. Quite small I think, but always likes the look of them and they currently have a D5 auto, 2.0d auto and D2 manual all for under my top budget with between 70k and 80k on the clock (the D5 and 2.0 have had cambelt changes and 2.0 and D2 are facelift).

Alternatively have thought of an old Merc E class. Would be (I assume) ideal for motorway wafting but not sure how reliable or expensive they are to run. I live in the midlands and not too far from Mercland so at least have a decent indy close by.

As you can see i'm fairly indecisive, and don't have a common thought on class of car or fuel type.

Anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, recommendations.

Edited by Slackman99 on Sunday 9th August 10:12

[ZX10R NIN]

I wouldn't get hung up on buying from a main dealer there are good cars everywhere private/dealers etc infact with your budget a main dealer probably will mean you won't be getting a decent deal.

Comfort is a big factor at 30k a year so Rep size cars will be the pick:

With your budget the 508 in GT form ticks all the boxes with a real world 60+mpg (as do all the cars below) on the motorway & you get a great well spec'd reliable set of wheels.

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

Mondeo Titanium X Auto 163 pretty much ticks all the boxes & it's the best FWD steer in class:

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

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

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

But if you want some extra niceties (like air cooled seats which I can personally vouch for as a well worthwhile extra) then the Titanium X Sport is the pick:

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

The DS5 is a great buy (it uses a conventional auto so cheaper fluid changes then the Mondeo) well spec'd reliable (these Ford & Peugeot use the same well proven engine:

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

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

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

Volvo S60 D3 SE Lux

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

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

By going for the more mainstream cars you get a better mix of newness/spec/MPG & reliability all can be serviced by a good Indy & will serve you for a good few years.

Leftfield:

Kia Optima not as fuel efficient as the above but as a white goods car to get the job done they're not bad & you can extend the Manufacturers Warranty on a 2013 model:

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

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

i40 Same as the above

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

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

For around half your budget take a look at the Laguna 2:

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

Insignia's have two seats the standard ones are considered to be rubbish but the ones in the SRI/Elite are better bolstered so it may be worth trying one of those:

Elite Nav

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

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

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

For me with your budget it would be the 508 GT with the Mondeo Titanium X Sport & DS5 joint second

[Slackman99]

Thanks, very comprehensive reply.

The insignia I had was an Elite with nav.

The 508 is interesting but how is Peugeot reliability?

Same question about the Citroen and Ford. Am I right in thinking that the Ford Powershift aren't great for reliability? If a manual gets me more reliability then happy to look at them (although assume an auto will avoid a dmf?)

[ZX10R NIN]

Slackman99 said:

Thanks, very comprehensive reply.

The insignia I had was an Elite with nav.

The 508 is interesting but how is Peugeot reliability?

Same question about the Citroen and Ford. Am I right in thinking that the Ford Powershift aren't great for reliability? If a manual gets me more reliability then happy to look at them (although assume an auto will avoid a dmf?)

All three are reliable they all share the same engines so their reliability has already been proven & these units are as good as anything out there (Germans included) the Powershift is fine as long as you (a lot of the bad press is in relation of the Powershift gearbox was because of the Dry Clutch version it's the same issue with the VAG car but all the big engined cars run wet clutches so very few issues) have them serviced as per schedule.

If there's no evidence of a fluid & filter change then get that taken off the price, the Peugeot/Citroen both have conventional autos but it's the same with any Auto get the fluid & filters changed as per schedule & you'll have a reliable car that'll soak up those 30k's with ease.

I'm just giving my opinion all the cars I listed are good cars it's just about which suits you best but imo those three are better than anything else out there for your budget & needs.

[Slackman99]

I've done a little light googling and 8ts suggesting that the 2.2hdi is more reliable than the 2.0.

Quite liking the look of the 508 and imagine it should be a comfortable motorway cruiser.

Spec seems alright too

[anonymous-user]

What about a Lexus CT200h?

It's effectively a Prius but with a nicer interior and better looks. The budge would get one with around 70-80k miles, but it's a Lexus, so that shouldn't matter. 68mpg.

[ZX10R NIN]

Nearer to 50's on the motorway & they have to be worked hard not as nice a place to be as you think, I'd take the 508/Mondeo/DS5 everytime.

[ZX10R NIN]

Slackman99 said:

I've done a little light googling and 8ts suggesting that the 2.2hdi is more reliable than the 2.0.

Quite liking the look of the 508 and imagine it should be a comfortable motorway cruiser.

Spec seems alright too

you can get the 2,2 in the Mondeo too:

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

[Slackman99]

Sorry for the slow reply, PH wasn't allowing me to post.

I have looked at the CT200h but have read reviews that the suspension is quite harsh. They also seem to be the Auris but with a Lexus badge (doe that mean better built/materials/quality than the Toyota version)?

The 508 does look like a lot of car for the money as it pretty much has everything I'm after and imagine it would be pretty comfortable on the motorway.

I might need to ask a few questions about it to the dealer so assume I should be asking whether the auto box has had fluid and filter changed?

At 60k I assume it might also need the belts doing soon (if not already done so)?

Does an auto box remove the clutch and dual mass flywheel potential failure points?

[ZX10R NIN]

Slackman99 said:

Sorry for the slow reply, PH wasn't allowing me to post.

I have looked at the CT200h but have read reviews that the suspension is quite harsh. They also seem to be the Auris but with a Lexus badge (doe that mean better built/materials/quality than the Toyota version)?

The 508 does look like a lot of car for the money as it pretty much has everything I'm after and imagine it would be pretty comfortable on the motorway.

I might need to ask a few questions about it to the dealer so assume I should be asking whether the auto box has had fluid and filter changed?

At 60k I assume it might also need the belts doing soon (if not already done so)?

Does an auto box remove the clutch and dual mass flywheel potential failure points?

There's no DMF/Flywheel on the Peugeot auto, the 2.2d has a timing chain.

[Slackman99]

No clutch/dmf and timing chain sounds even more appealing!

As I was scrolling through my eye also caught an Astra. Wasn't really looking for one but a 2016 (new shape) is just within budget. Not auto, but any thoughts on whether the 1.6 diesel is any good (or the car as a whole)

[ZX10R NIN]

Elite Nav is the spec you want the engine is decent but with your annual mileage a lightly stressed 2.0+d would be my pick everytime, also bigger cars tend to have lower NVH which also adds to the comfort of spending time in the car as does an auto.

Elite Nav

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

SRI Nav

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

[Previous]

I've put 80k on a vw cc 177 hp 2.0 tdi manual in 4 years (well, just over 3.5 as I haven't really driven it since Feb...)

Mainly motorway miles at the NSL or slightly less. Average mpg is low 50's (worked out, not obc).

Frugal enough to run on HMRC advisory rates.

Reliability wise its needed a glow plug, and once I had to reset the airbag light (error code showing loose connection under a seat - common VAG issue)

Cheap, comfortable, reliable motoring.

Will buy auto next time though.

[Slackman99]

I currently have a 2.0 TDI A3 that is fine to drive but as my current company car will be going with the job.

Far to indecisive now as I'm looking at Astra's as well as that 508, so 2 completely different class cars (Astra will be newer, more modern, include Android Auto, better mpg but 508 is likely to be more comfortable, auto box, faster although not a huge concern)

[ZX10R NIN]

You can still use your phone via the USB input if you really unsure test drive them.