£10k Comfortable Daily

[Crojac]

Looking for suggestions on an interesting and comfortable daily

Budget up to £10k, less would be preferred. Looking to avoid depreciation as much as possible (difficult in this market, I know) so likely something over 5 years old. Have also toyed with the idea of getting something <£3k for the next 6-12 months in the hope used prices come back down.

Commute is 30 miles each way, mix of motorway and town so something comfortable with cruise would be ideal.
Decent ride needed, roads round here are awful
Bit of power would be nice but anything over 150bhp will do
Would probably prefer an auto but wouldn't rule out a manual for something fun.

The winters here can be quite bad with snow so I am hesitant over RWD. Owned an M235i previously which was shocking in the snow. A bit put off 3/5 series for this reason, coupled with the fact the interiors don't seem much of a step up over the 2 Series. I would love a 640d though, just a bit out of budget for an LCI model.

Cars I have considered:

Alfa 159
Alfa Giulietta
BMW X1 - despite hating SUVs, I do like the look of the X1 and they seem decent value over a 3 Series touring
Jaguar XF
Mercedes C Class / E Class - interiors of the W207 and W212 seem a bit dated to me though


Got quite a mix at the moment so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[ChevronB19]

Late version of the Freelander 2? Post 2013 they are mini Range Rover in quality.

[ChevronB19]

ChevronB19 said:

Late version of the Freelander 2? Post 2013 they are mini Range Rover in quality.

(BTW, after I sold my freelander, and bought an up gti and an Elise, my mrs bought an X1 - I bloody hate it, and it doesn’t even come close to the Freelander)

[Lee540]

Skoda Octavia vRS

[Crojac]

ChevronB19 said:

(BTW, after I sold my freelander, and bought an up gti and an Elise, my mrs bought an X1 - I bloody hate it, and it doesn’t even come close to the Freelander)

What do you hate about the X1? There's one near me at a decent price that I quite fancy going to see. Have read that the M Sport suspension is too firm, this one is an SE

[georgeyboy12345]

If you want something that depreciates less, then get something German and Euro6 compliant so you won't have to pay LEZ charges that are currently being rolled out across cities in the UK. Unfortunately, interesting cars and cars that don't depreciate too much tend to be somewhat mutually exclusive, unless you are talking about a limited production run Ferrari or something like that.

With that in mind, these are the two are the best options as they are

- under £10k
- over 5 years old
- diesel to handle your lengthy commute
- Euro 6, so ULEZ compliant
- decent power
- decent ride? hmm, maybe. The wheels look a bit big on the Golf though.
- automatics
- AWD and FWD
- from brands that hold their value


Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sportback Quattro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106264...


Volkswagen Golf GTD
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...

[Matt Clay]

Lexus IS250 or 300h depending on how much of your budget you want to use.

[ilikejam]

This would tick most of your boxes. Certainly comfortable, 'interesting' with the rarity factor plus the 3.7 V6 from the Nissan 370Z and 4WD system from the Skyline. Way under budget too

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011166...

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd second the G37 above it really does tick all the boxes, also if you like the look of the X1 you might like these:

ULEZ & CAZ compliant 4WD

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

Or fit a set of winters & go for the M30d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108116...

[ChevronB19]

Crojac said:

ChevronB19 said:

(BTW, after I sold my freelander, and bought an up gti and an Elise, my mrs bought an X1 - I bloody hate it, and it doesn’t even come close to the Freelander)

What do you hate about the X1? There's one near me at a decent price that I quite fancy going to see. Have read that the M Sport suspension is too firm, this one is an SE

I honestly can’t put my finger in it, but it’s probably comparison with my old car. It feels cramped in the cockpit, heavy and slow (despite being lighter and similar performance to my old car.

[ninjag]

For gliding over poor road surfaces whilst still retaining great handling it's hard to beat Jaguar and their magic suspension trickery. You could even pick up a high mileage 2012 XJ on air suspension and thanks to the very long production run it still looks very modern.

Their 3.0d V6 are pretty powerful and often you will get the excellent Meridian Surround system. Parts are fairly inexpensive and if maintained they are pretty reliable. It will be Euro5 though.

[Crojac]

Starting to lean towards a 2nd gen Lexus IS250 - seem to be available for as little as 3.5k for an early model. Worth spending more for a newer one? Seems that the tech inside doesn't improve up until the new model in 2013

Seems to tick a lot of boxes - somewhat sporty yet comfortable, auto, smooth V6 engine, reliable.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you like the IS then keep an eye out for the GS250 more spacious & the same drivetrain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103270...

[Macron]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd second the G37 above it really does tick all the boxes, also if you like the look of the X1 you might like these:

ULEZ & CAZ compliant 4WD

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

Or fit a set of winters & go for the M30d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108116...

I'm wondering if that FX claim of Ulez compliant is a mistake because of the private plate, the diesel only came in as of 2010, and was E5 compliant - https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/new-cars/2010-03...

I can't see them having immediately upgraded to E6, the power quoted is the same.

Autotrader doesn't think it should be, and I would not be relying on the seller...

[Jamaker]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd second the G37 above it really does tick all the boxes, also if you like the look of the X1 you might like these:

ULEZ & CAZ compliant 4WD

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

Or fit a set of winters & go for the M30d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108116...

That infinity suv is a nice looking motor. That's a new brand to me will have to do a bit of research into it? have you owned one previously?

[ZX10R NIN]

Macron said:

I'm wondering if that FX claim of Ulez compliant is a mistake because of the private plate, the diesel only came in as of 2010, and was E5 compliant - https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/new-cars/2010-03...

I can't see them having immediately upgraded to E6, the power quoted is the same.

Autotrader doesn't think it should be, and I would not be relying on the seller...

Don't rely on the seller but check it on the ULEZ/CAZ checker & you'll find they're compliant, I'm guessing Nissan made them Euro6 compatible from the start it's the same for the vans with the 3.0d engine they're ULEZ & CAZ compliant.

[ZX10R NIN]

Jamaker said:

That infinity suv is a nice looking motor. That's a new brand to me will have to do a bit of research into it? have you owned one previously?

I have a quite a lot clients & family members with various Infiniti SUV's/cars they're great picks amazing value reliable with a spec (Air Cooled Seats/360 Camera's etc) that's almost unrivaled.

My uncle has a 5.0 V8 (4 years) & my friend has a 3.0d both (1 year) S Premium models the fit & finish is easily as good as the Germans.

Most Nissan dealer will service them but a good Indy will have no trouble looking after one.

Neither have had any issues (& it's a similar story with the ones I've supplied) apart from regular servicing it's been pretty much the same with all of the Infiniti's & other brands.

One upgrade both have carried out is add this unit:

https://gromaudio.co.uk/nissan-infiniti-grom-vline...

So that they now have Android Auto/Apple Carplay