Mile muncher on a £5000 budget

[Japcreation]

I have recently found myself being forced to change jobs into a sector that I wasn't planning on going into. On the plus side, I'm still employed, but I do have to get myself a car for visiting customers, for which I do have an allowance.

I have set myself a budget of £5000 so that I don't go too far in the hole (I need to borrow) for a job that I'm not sure that I will stay in long term. The company initially had a "nothing older that 5 years" rule, which has now been dropped as I wasn't prepared to go that far in debt to keep my job. Allowance won't stretch to lease anything worth having (in my opinion) as I'm 6'2" and need something with a bit of space.

I'm 48 with 0 no-claims (I have use of a motability vehicle), so insurance is a consideration when factoring in approx 15000 miles pa. I don't want something too asthmatic, as a bit of overtaking power will be useful, plus I intend to fit 4 people and luggage, so sizeable is also a need.

I have considered both a Mazda 6 (owned one previously), Insignia (hatch or estate), Jaguar XF (pricey on insurance). Looking to avoid a Ford as I have an unjustified dislike of the blue oval.

Up to 125000 miles, nothing older than 2010, but preferably not older than 2013. Needs to be tidy as I am still representing the business.

What suggestions do people have? I seem to be going around in circles and wondering if I'm missing out on a jewel that fits the bill.

Thanking you muchly. (Not selling my Boxster as it's not worth a carrot and I still love it)

[A500leroy]

Toyota Avensis/ Honda Civic.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Insignia is a good pick but budget £200 to get the oil pick up pipe sorted, also check to see if the cambelt has been changed. It has to be done every 100k or 6 years.

Elite Nav Euro6:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310122...

Euro5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309162...

Auto:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308100...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308251...

Euro6 SRI Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309242...

Infiniti Q50 these are also ULEZ compliant:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=price...

508 2.2d GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306289...

2.0d Allure:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311053...

Mondeo Titanium X Sport 2.0d for me this is the pick if ULEZ isn't an issue:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310263...

2.2d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308231...
The Mazda 2.2d has too many issues at this price point imo to consider one.

[Rob 131 Sport]

I’d definitely be looking at a Diesel Insignia. I’ve had them as long term (a couple of months) hire cars and in the right spec they are lovely cruisers.

Edited by Rob 131 Sport on Tuesday 14th November 11:31

[Japcreation]

Thanks for the responses.

I had noted both of these yesterday and were on my shortlist, but distance is a problem as I live in Portsmouth and I'm not keen on buying blind. However, that's not what I'm looking for help with...

What's with the odd MOT history on both? They both have gaps of 2 years in recent history and the green one only did 70 miles between the last 2. Where has it been? Does something smell a bit fishy or am I just paranoid?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310122916623?sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Diesel&include-delivery-option=on&make=Vauxhall&maximum-mileage=100000&model=Insignia&postcode=PO7%208RD&price-to=5000&transmission=Manual&fromsra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311123875721?sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Diesel&include-delivery-option=on&make=Vauxhall&maximum-mileage=100000&model=Insignia&postcode=PO7%208RD&price-to=5000&transmission=Manual&fromsra

Edited by Japcreation on Tuesday 14th November 09:07

[Ankh87]

I've had an Insignia since 2019. Done a lot of miles in it on the motorway. They aren't inspiring places to be and not a B road car at all. My advice is try find one with a good spec and make sure to get one with the oil seal done. The oil seal can go at any time and more so in winter time. Other things to look out for is the boost pipe that splits which is annoying as hell. Happened to me, cost me £150 to get it sorted. Could have done it myself but I really didn't have the time.

Otherwise it's a solid car, massive boot even without an estate version. Its comfy and gets decent mpg (50mpg at least on long motorway runs). I chose the Insignia as it were big, great boot, comfy and was cheap. Overall it's a good car and if you look after it, it will look after you.

The negatives for mine is it's getting a bit dated especially tech wise. I do have a MK1 pre-2013 model so even though it has a satnav (which I rarely use), that's really it. Got Bluetooth for phone calls and aux which is a pro. Another negative on mine is no electric windows in the rear, which I didn't mind when I bought it but now the kids are old, they like to open them which was an oversight of mine.

Would I buy another again? I would definitely consider it but with electric rear windows. Only reason I wouldn't is that I'm wanting an estate as that would be a better fit for UK holidays. I don't like the look of Insignia estates otherwise I'd get one.

[Japcreation]

I got a HPI report from the seller of the green one and it was full of strange things.

Changed hands 4 times in 2022, 3 times in the space of 5 weeks. No MOT in 2021 and only 70 miles between tests in '22 and '23. Seller said that the owner had been working abroad, hence the very low miles over the past year.

Too many red flags for me, so I've bailed on this one as an option.

The search continues.

[Bobupndown]

Once again the answer is Skoda Octavia.

[Stupot123]

I was going to suggest a VW Passat

[Martin_Hx]

Ankh87 said:

I've had an Insignia since 2019. Done a lot of miles in it on the motorway. They aren't inspiring places to be and not a B road car at all. My advice is try find one with a good spec and make sure to get one with the oil seal done. The oil seal can go at any time and more so in winter time. Other things to look out for is the boost pipe that splits which is annoying as hell. Happened to me, cost me £150 to get it sorted. Could have done it myself but I really didn't have the time.

Otherwise it's a solid car, massive boot even without an estate version. Its comfy and gets decent mpg (50mpg at least on long motorway runs). I chose the Insignia as it were big, great boot, comfy and was cheap. Overall it's a good car and if you look after it, it will look after you.

The negatives for mine is it's getting a bit dated especially tech wise. I do have a MK1 pre-2013 model so even though it has a satnav (which I rarely use), that's really it. Got Bluetooth for phone calls and aux which is a pro. Another negative on mine is no electric windows in the rear, which I didn't mind when I bought it but now the kids are old, they like to open them which was an oversight of mine.

Would I buy another again? I would definitely consider it but with electric rear windows. Only reason I wouldn't is that I'm wanting an estate as that would be a better fit for UK holidays. I don't like the look of Insignia estates otherwise I'd get one.

Echo all the above, ours is a 2014 elite facelift estate 170? and has been brill as a family lugger for 3 years we have had it.

Now almost on 150k miles and everything works as it should and does 55-60mpg on a long run (40-45 pootling)

[DaveyBoyWonder]

I was going to suggest a 318/320D but people will recite internet horror stories of timing chains or whatever it is.

2.0CR TDI VAG cars in my experience are mega reliable and theres loads of them so options/spares etc are plentiful.

[CrippsCorner]

A4 S Line?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311133...

Alfa 159?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310313...

SEAT Exeo?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307239...

[Japcreation]

What thoughts are there on a Peugeot 508SW with the 2.0 HDI?

Not what I had been looking for, but is it worth a punt?

[Vsix and Vtec]

My experience with Peugeot is that the AdBlu and tiny but hard working turbo are the modern weak points. My firm has five of them, and each has been off the road at least once in the last 3 years because of the AdBlu, and three of them have new turbos. That aside, they're comfortable, willing to do distance (mine does about 1k a week, others not less than 300 a week) and are reasonable on fuel.

[georgeyboy12345]

What you want is something like a Passat - solid, dependable, boring.

Here's a DSG estate with recent timing belt
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310293...

manual saloon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308221...



Old Mercs still look premium as long as they don't have naff blacked out bits and bobs on them and are tidy, i.e. not scratched, etc. Usually good enough to fool non-car people that they are more expensive than they really are.

C220 CDI estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311033...

C250 CDI saloon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310283...

This E350 CDI certainly won't be asthmatic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309101...

E220 CDI if the insurance is a bit much on the above
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310263...


Finally - what about this Citroen C5 for half your budget?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310163...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Saturday 18th November 21:36

[Jazoli]

georgeyboy12345 said:

What you want is something like a Passat - solid, dependable, boring.

Here's a DSG estate with recent timing belt
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310293...

I'd agree as I've recently bought one very similar, really comfy, quiet, spacious, decent spec and just blends in, since buying one it seems like everyone else has the same idea as there are loads around.

[georgeyboy12345]

Oh yeah - also, when buying this kind of car, you really have to watch out for clocked ex-taxis, so check MOT history for gaps or MOTS every 6 months. I’d probably spend a few quid on a V Check, which includes all that info, plus salvage history too

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I note your dislike of Ford but..


Why not a Mondeo Mk4.5? 2.0 diesel PSA engine, manual not the powerst auto.

I've just bought my first Mondeo which means now I'll jabe to get some arm tattoos, start voting Labour and drinking in a working man's club.

Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Sunday 19th November 09:31

[Japcreation]

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions, but I picked something up yesterday.

2011 Peugeot 508 SW 2.0 HDi (in white)
113000 miles
FSH - cambelt and water pump done
Fresh MOT with no advisories
Pano roof
Half leather
Heated seats
AC, cruise, auto lights auto wipers etc.
Upgraded audio
Seems really tidy for age and mileage
£3500
Hopefully I won't regret it

[ZX10R NIN]

Nice choice they''re good cars.