25k per year with 5k budget

[Clappedoutvolvo]

25,000 miles a year, mostly motorway and dual carriageway, you have 5k to spend, what is your money going on?

The car will mostly be occupied by just me, but some times my other half and labrador clipped in the back seat or boot (estate or hatchback not necessary though, he prefers the back seat!).

Must haves are probably automatic, cruise, good seats and ride comfort, some tech like Bluetooth, air con/climate.

[Raymond Reddington]

Similar brief to me and I've shortlisted the volvo S80 D5 and Jag XF along with a few mercs. Insignia is also just about still on the list too as you seem to be able to get a newer and nice example for the money but it's just not my cup of tea.

I'd love to go for a big lexus but fuel consumption is a consideration for me as I can't claim any mileage or anything.

Is MPG an issue for you as if not then that opens up some cool options!

Edited by Raymond Reddington on Saturday 15th October 17:58

[ZX10R NIN]

This one is a simple one for me, the CLK320cdi in either:

Avantgarde:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209129...

Sport (these come with the Orthopedic seats)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206237...

Elegance:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165601162677?hash=item2...

You'll see an easy 45mpg on a run without a map (with a map you'll see high 40's to low 50's) they eat miles with ease & are simple to maintain.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206136...

[Canon_Fodder]

Volvo C30 quite a practical little thing - I've always liked them. Practical for the animals too

This one has been attended to by Volvo dealers apparently and is well under budget

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207228...

[paddy1970]

Audi A5

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022101407...

Bmw 123d

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022101106...

[Shiv_P]

Mondeo

[Clappedoutvolvo]

Thanks folks!

I hadn't realised how little you get for this amount of money these days...

I'm keeping an eye out for a low ish mileage looked after example of some of the above.

[NordicCrankShaft]

I currently do what you're looking at doing in a 2010 CLS 320CDI, has cruise control, is auto and super comfy, has Bluetooth phone connection but not for playing audio which an fm Bluetooth adapter deals with. Comfiest car I've ever owned and I love the 3ltr V6 diesel, feels refined.

Edited by NordicCrankShaft on Tuesday 18th October 22:05

[PurpleTurtle]

My old lodger did similar miles.

He swore by his Volvo S80. Mega comfy seats and 50mpg.

Something like this?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210060...

[LowTread]

Civic 1.6 iDTEC. Comfy. Some toys.

But importantly, it has a really decent cruise control that adapts to being in eco mode. So rather than normal cruise that mashes the throttle at the slightest incline to maintain speed, killing MPG, the civic's will allow you to drop 5-10mph on an incline and pick the speed back up again more gradually.

Good for 65mpg. Mine used to hit 75mpg+ on a run.

[ChattingWham]

Clappedoutvolvo said:

what is your money going on?

Volvo S60 or a CLK for me. Maybe a Saab 9-5 but they're getting thinner on the ground now.

All diesel, for that mileage.

[NordicCrankShaft]

PurpleTurtle said:

My old lodger did similar miles.

He swore by his Volvo S80. Mega comfy seats and 50mpg.

Something like this?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210060...

I had a Euro 3 I think it was pre DPF S60 with the same engine. You will not get 50mpg in one of those so I'm sure you won't get it in a bigger and heavier S80.
My indicated average was around the early 40's and the Volvos are notorious for incorrect readings.

But saying that, I liked the S60, auto and the 2.4 5cyl was a good grunty engine, very comfy too.

[ZX10R NIN]

Clappedoutvolvo said:

Thanks folks!

I hadn't realised how little you get for this amount of money these days...

I'm keeping an eye out for a low ish mileage looked after example of some of the above.

I'd say this or the other CLK Avantgarde I listed above are the picks:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125569548127?hash=item1...

[maz8062]

I’ve bought a fair few so called cheaper cars over the past few years, including BMW’s, Mercs, Audi’s, VW’s etc. Audi’s and VW’s were the most reliable, BMW’s the least. I’d be going into it with an eye on resale as well.

[mercedeslimos]

Both of us at home do over 25k a year, minimum. 600 miles a week commute each for 5 days work (to the same place, but at different times of the day and night). A 2006 Passat diesel estate and a 2011 Mondeo diesel are on the drive. Mondeo was 4k in 2019, and Passat was 250 quid at the start of this year! Though I've tended to stick to 1.9 TDI VWs as I know them and trust them. The Mondeo has been fantastic, 50mpg, excellent climate control, super comfy seats and ride and really the only thing missing is radar cruise control - try finding one of those in your budget - only Titanium X Sport mainly had it. Neither are massively quick but cover mileage very well.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Mondeo ST TDCI

[Raymond Reddington]

F20CN16 said:

Lexus IS 220d is probably what I’d go for. Or a Prius. It’d be nice to have something more interesting, but at 25000 miles a year I’d be trying to do it as cheaply as possible.

Are the IS220d's reliable? I seem to read conflicting information