Opinions on a few potential buys

[Bazzoie]

How's it going fellas? I was on here last year looking for some advice when buying and got some great suggestions and ideas. At the time I was doing 16k miles per year(a lot of it motorway) and accordingly bought a diesel. Anyway it's looking like I may well be moving to a new job closer to home this year with a good pay rise, so I'm thinking of changing cars again as the motorway miles will no longer really be part of the equation. Obviously I'm not in any major rush, but wouldn't mind having an idea what to keep an eye out for in case something interesting pops up in the next 12-18 months.

Requirements:
Petrol(or petrol hybrid - though I have nowhere to plug in in my current rented flat and I'm unlikely to buy as I'll probably be leaving the country in the next 2-3 years)
Automatic preferably
Decent bit of poke, but a comfortable drive as I do very occasional do long distance trips
I like saloons & coupes, but would be open to a hatchback that's nice and roomy inside. Not a major fan of estates or SUVs.
Android auto - have it on my current car and love it, don't think I'd go back. If it doesn't come as standard but is could be fairly easily retrofitted I could live with that
Adaptive cruise control: had it in my previous car, but not my current, and miss it
40+ MPG would be nice if possible
Preferable mileage and age not excessive, as I plan to keep the car for a good long while this time round!

Budget is somewhere in the 20-25k range preferably.

What I've come across that seems to meet the brief: Volvo S60/S90, Jaguar XF, Kia Stinger, Peugeot 508

Anyone got any opinions on any of the above, or anything else that might be worth considering? Cheers in advance

Edited by Bazzoie on Monday 31st January 17:36

Edited by Bazzoie on Monday 31st January 17:39

[ZX10R NIN]

The Kia Stinger is a good option but don't be temted by the the 2.0T, if you're not doing big miles daily then 30mpg should be okay?

3.3TT Stinger GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112090...

2.0T GT Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

Alfa Giulia Veloce 280 very good cars & would get my vote ahead of the cars you listed:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201171...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201201...

Leftfield options.

2.0T RC 200 F Sport 240:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201251...

RC 300h F Sport Premium 220:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111109...

Q60 Premium Tech 210 has adaptive & you can add carplay:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

2.0T Q50 saloon version of the above but well under budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...

Infiniti Q50h 360 these come with adaptive & they're also properly quick too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112100...

3.0TT Q50 Sport Tech 400 you'll lose a bit of mpg compared to the above:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...

New Shape Insignia Elite Nav 260 Carplay/Adaptive:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201141...

[georgeyboy12345]

BMW 440i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201061...


Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201221...


Lexus GS 450h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...

[Bazzoie]

Thanks for the replies, interesting and very helpful as always!

The Stinger is definitely an eye catcher, though the mpg is what let's it down a bit for me. Not that important imminently but I'm Irish and planning to move back there in the next 2-3 years and take the car with me (car prices are much higher than, and choices, specs etc tend to be more basic and limited. Can also import the car tax free on a once off basis from the UK) and the mpg may become more important then.

The Alfa is an interesting one I hadn't considered: what's it like reliability wise?

Any particular reason to go against the Jag, Volvo or Peugeot? I'm not that bothered about the car being a little bit more on the boring side. Decent acceleration and responsive driving is nice but to be honest I'd probably weight ride comfort and convenient extras slightly more.

Infinitis an interesting one as always and worth considering for sure. Beamers unless I'm mistaken also don't come with Android auto pre-2020? Easily enough retro fitted?

Also not sure how I'd missed lexus off initially. Think I'd looked at a few is300s and was still trying to decide if I liked their looks or not.

I'd also prefer a 4/5 door if at all possible, I like the look of the 2 doors and at the moment it's just myself and the mrs... but in terms of practicality that may not be the case for the lifespan of the car.

Edited by Bazzoie on Monday 31st January 22:40

Edited by Bazzoie on Tuesday 1st February 11:47

[ZX10R NIN]

Bazzoie said:

Thanks for the replies, interesting and very helpful as always!

The Stinger is definitely an eye catcher, though the mpg is what let's it down a bit for me. Not that important imminently but I'm Irish and planning to move back there in the next 2-3 years and take the car with me (car prices are much higher than, and choices, specs etc tend to be more basic and limited. Can also import the car tax free on a once off basis from the UK) and the mpg may become more important then.

The Alfa is an interesting one I hadn't considered: what's it like reliability wise?

Any particular reason to go against the Jag, Volvo or Peugeot? I'm not that bothered about the car being a little bit more on the boring side. Decent acceleration and responsive driving is nice but to be honest I'd probably weight ride comfort and convenient extras slightly more.

Infinitis an interesting one as always and worth considering for sure. Beamers unless I'm mistaken also don't come with Android auto pre-2020? Easily enough retro fitted?

Also not sure how I'd missed lexus off initially. Think I'd looked at a few is300s and was still trying to decide if I liked their looks or not.

I'd also prefer a 4/5 door if at all possible, I like the look of the 2 doors and at the moment it's just myself and the mrs... but in terms of practicality that may not be the case for the lifespan of the car.

The Alfa is as reliable as anything else on your list & just as easy to maintain.

I have nothing against the Jag/Peugeot etc as they're decent cars & no better than a Giulia & Lexus etc, so I'd book some test drives as that'll be when you know which one will make part with your cash.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 1st February 21:51

[Bazzoie]

Yeah definitely, I'll keep an eye out for a few of them locally and book in some test drives.

Thanks again for your input, plenty to think about and very helpful as always!

[Xcore]

B5 s4s can be made quick and manual! A little dull to steer though

[Bazzoie]

Xcore said:

B5 s4s can be made quick and manual! A little dull to steer though

Lovely car but think this may have been meant for another thread as not sure it quite meets my brief

[Mo28]

With a little budget stretch you maybe able to get yourself into a Lexus ES300h

[Bazzoie]

Mo28 said:

With a little budget stretch you maybe able to get yourself into a Lexus ES300h

Thanks for the suggestion! Would love to get my hands on one, might need to see if the budget can be stretch and keep an eye out for a well priced one