What to get for less than £10K
Discussion
Right, looking for suggestions here. I need the greater minds of the community of PistonHeads. Me and the bread knife are lost at the moment as to what to buy. Seeing as there are a lot of you out there - maybe you have some suggestions... Kind of hitting my head against a brick wall trying to figure out what I want... The more off the wall the better...
Well, the Citroen wont last much longer and is actually a bit of a nail (160K miles!). Want something larger, more practical and with toys. Doesnt need to go fast as I have the TVR for that, but I do have the following requirements:
1) Largish - doesnt need to be Merc S / BMW 7 size
2) Practical - BIG boot and lots of rear space for kiddie. Could be estate
3) Comfortable - tend to do LONG journeys and needs to be nice and smooth
4) Quick - not fast, but dont want to get stuck behind a tractor and cant pass. But most distances are covered at less than 70MPH anyway as it is in rush hour etc. So high speed cruise not necessary.
5) Toys - Lots and lots of toys. Need aircon. Like leather, auto etc.... more the better
6) Quiet - not too quiet, but compared to the TVR and a Golf GTI Mk2 anything is quiet.
Was (currently still am) thinking about a Jeep Grand Cherokee as they are cheap at £6,000 for an early one and have all of the toys like electric seats etc. However, frightening fuel consumption is a slight worry. Need to be able to cover 15,000 miles a year without breaking the bank. Could be a diesel, or petrol dont mind - but if it is a smoke burner then it needs to be a nice one, Citroen 1.9TD is a second generation TD and you cant half tell!!!
Suggestions please.... the 4x4 idea is nice, but feedback from people suggest that 18MPG is the norm for a Jeep and covering 15,000 miles a year would get costly. No more than £10,000 and would keep it for a couple of years.
Oh, and servicing need not be a problem - run a TVR so anything is cheaper than that!!!!
HELP???!?!?!
Cheers,
Paul
Well, the Citroen wont last much longer and is actually a bit of a nail (160K miles!). Want something larger, more practical and with toys. Doesnt need to go fast as I have the TVR for that, but I do have the following requirements:
1) Largish - doesnt need to be Merc S / BMW 7 size
2) Practical - BIG boot and lots of rear space for kiddie. Could be estate
3) Comfortable - tend to do LONG journeys and needs to be nice and smooth
4) Quick - not fast, but dont want to get stuck behind a tractor and cant pass. But most distances are covered at less than 70MPH anyway as it is in rush hour etc. So high speed cruise not necessary.
5) Toys - Lots and lots of toys. Need aircon. Like leather, auto etc.... more the better
6) Quiet - not too quiet, but compared to the TVR and a Golf GTI Mk2 anything is quiet.
Was (currently still am) thinking about a Jeep Grand Cherokee as they are cheap at £6,000 for an early one and have all of the toys like electric seats etc. However, frightening fuel consumption is a slight worry. Need to be able to cover 15,000 miles a year without breaking the bank. Could be a diesel, or petrol dont mind - but if it is a smoke burner then it needs to be a nice one, Citroen 1.9TD is a second generation TD and you cant half tell!!!
Suggestions please.... the 4x4 idea is nice, but feedback from people suggest that 18MPG is the norm for a Jeep and covering 15,000 miles a year would get costly. No more than £10,000 and would keep it for a couple of years.
Oh, and servicing need not be a problem - run a TVR so anything is cheaper than that!!!!
HELP???!?!?!
Cheers,
Paul
I had a 96 Grand Cherokee, and err yep you're right the fuel consumption is frightening!
I just hated pressing on though, because I always had the thought in the back of my mind of that fuel dripping away, the on board computer made it worse, as it had instant MPG, when you went up hill the MPG went down to 3!!!
I only travelled into the town centre once a day about a 26 mile round trip. 20 quids worth of fuel would last 2 days if I was lucky. I once did a trip from Yorkshire to Brighton, cost me 120 quid all in. The train isn't much more cheaper really, so long journeys aren't too bad.
Very, very comfortable though and you feel extremly safe. I once got side swiped by a numpty in a rover, the Jeep got knocked onto two wheels for a second the impact was so fierce. I got out thinking about the damage, and there was only a scuff mark on plastic moulding around the door! Her car was smashed up bad, headlights, bonnet, bumper. If I ever have kids it'll be first on my list! Quick off the mark too, I pi$$ed all over a Golf TDi 130, as soon as he changed gear he went backwards!
Build quality not as good as the Jag (obviously), the cheap plastic would creek and groan round corners, but it comes into it's element in the snow.
Having said all that I might get a new shape one soon.
Those are a huge improvement on the older shape and I think they look gorgeous, better than the X5 IMHO and since the company car tax rules the bottom has fallen out of them. A 1999 3.1 turbo diesel, all the toys for 13k, not far off your limit?
>> Edited by schueymcfee on Wednesday 5th February 15:46
>> Edited by schueymcfee on Wednesday 5th February 15:50
I just hated pressing on though, because I always had the thought in the back of my mind of that fuel dripping away, the on board computer made it worse, as it had instant MPG, when you went up hill the MPG went down to 3!!!
I only travelled into the town centre once a day about a 26 mile round trip. 20 quids worth of fuel would last 2 days if I was lucky. I once did a trip from Yorkshire to Brighton, cost me 120 quid all in. The train isn't much more cheaper really, so long journeys aren't too bad.
Very, very comfortable though and you feel extremly safe. I once got side swiped by a numpty in a rover, the Jeep got knocked onto two wheels for a second the impact was so fierce. I got out thinking about the damage, and there was only a scuff mark on plastic moulding around the door! Her car was smashed up bad, headlights, bonnet, bumper. If I ever have kids it'll be first on my list! Quick off the mark too, I pi$$ed all over a Golf TDi 130, as soon as he changed gear he went backwards!
Build quality not as good as the Jag (obviously), the cheap plastic would creek and groan round corners, but it comes into it's element in the snow.
Having said all that I might get a new shape one soon.
Those are a huge improvement on the older shape and I think they look gorgeous, better than the X5 IMHO and since the company car tax rules the bottom has fallen out of them. A 1999 3.1 turbo diesel, all the toys for 13k, not far off your limit?
>> Edited by schueymcfee on Wednesday 5th February 15:46
>> Edited by schueymcfee on Wednesday 5th February 15:50
Fully loaded Omega estate, something like the 3.0ltr MV6 has more lamps, buzzers, bells and creature comforts than you'll ever need or could possibily want. Not a bad car in the handling department given it's size as a bonus it has over 200 genuine bhp 
, does a true 150mph and can embarrass msot cars with its mid range oompth.
Harry
, does a true 150mph and can embarrass msot cars with its mid range oompth. Harry
A late model Saab 9000 CSE full pressure turbo comes highly recommended, with the cash left over get it down to Abbott Racing for lower/stiffer springs, stiffer bushes and a 250bhp rechip. Very quick, comfortable, heated/leather, climate control, good audio, electric everything, roomy int back and folding seats for lugging fridge/freezers around, not a bad looker either in black and tasty alloys. You'll still have cash left over to pay for Mark Adams to wave his magic wand over the Chimaera too. Failing that I'd go for a quad cam Legacy estate, practical and quicker than a Cossie
>> Edited by apache on Wednesday 5th February 16:08
>> Edited by apache on Wednesday 5th February 16:08
If you like Cherokees (and imo, they are cool as fcuk!) you could get one and LPG it... bingo 36mpg (effectively) and they are big enough to house the LPG cylinder.
Alternatively, how about an older Merc estate. A 3litre job has plenty of grunt mid range. Should be well within your limit and they are unbreakable apparently. RWD too...
Alternatively, how about an older Merc estate. A 3litre job has plenty of grunt mid range. Should be well within your limit and they are unbreakable apparently. RWD too...
BMW 540 Touring How about mondeo 2.5V6 (2litre if consumption is a real issue).
You must be able to get a fully loaded one a few years old for less than 10k.
Or, if you will consider something older try a Merc C220CDI (old shape). A higher mileage one will be available for less than £10k and they will go on forever.
You must be able to get a fully loaded one a few years old for less than 10k.
Or, if you will consider something older try a Merc C220CDI (old shape). A higher mileage one will be available for less than £10k and they will go on forever.
mallorymark said: Or this...?
www.mercseller.com/popup.cfm?p_n=69743&p_i=69743
Bloody hell!
I was trying to be practical.......!
HarryW said: Fully loaded Omega estate, something like the 3.0ltr MV6 has more lamps, buzzers, bells and creature comforts than you'll ever need or could possibily want. Not a bad car in the handling department given it's size as a bonus it has over 200 genuine bhp
Harry
I second the Omega. I was in the same predicament as you describe. I needed something to munch the miles as I often drive Reading to Manchester. I already have the TVR (which I used to use for the journey
) so really wanted something relaxing and comfortable. Looked at the various BM's, Jag's etc but eventually settled on the Omega 3.0 MV6. It's fairly quick and handles well enough (17" wheels, lowered sports suspension) but is also soooooooo comfortable for the motorway drive. Comes with all the toys to. Running costs are also resonable, think it has cost around £120 for a service this year. That's it, no other problems. I'm getting an average of 28 mpg too.
Definately worth a look...
Graham
Now that has got me thinking - took a look in Classic and Sportscar magazine and found this one, not listed on the internet though:
M5 Touring - 1995, 6 speed, Individual order, sterling silver, full leather, 69,000 miles, 18" wheels, Nurburgring pack, FBMWSH, AC, 3.8ltr & 340BHP - £9,995
Now thats interesting... but then again, needs to be nice but not necessarily a rocket...
Cheers,
Paul
M5 Touring - 1995, 6 speed, Individual order, sterling silver, full leather, 69,000 miles, 18" wheels, Nurburgring pack, FBMWSH, AC, 3.8ltr & 340BHP - £9,995
Now thats interesting... but then again, needs to be nice but not necessarily a rocket...
Cheers,
Paul
HarryW said: Fully loaded Omega estate, something like the 3.0ltr MV6 has more lamps, buzzers, bells and creature comforts than you'll ever need or could possibily want. Not a bad car in the handling department given it's size as a bonus it has over 200 genuine bhp
Harry
I'll second this: quintessential Q-car. Totally blends in but perfectly refined, impeccable road manners and fast?
Well the police use/used 'em which is always a good starting point and I remember one giving me a severely hard time in the old Crewester RT a few years back...come to think of it, I had trouble against one in a 928S4 too, following a stop off at the somewhat disappointing Rhine Falls.
So there you have it, The Omega Elite. Just don't mention the brand. Alright Major?
You could pick up a 325TDS Se with all the bells for that cash, great cars - lovely interior, really quick with a huge slug of torque from 2000-4000rpm, 0-60 around 8secs, 137mph, 45mpg at 80mph. Not bad! Much nicer build than later Pug's or Citroen's, better drive than Audi's or Merc's. I suspect you'd actually get a nice (higher milage) 530TD for that money too...
4x4's are awful unless you really need to go off road, doesn't sound like you do... Tell you what, how about an Integrale? £10k plenty to get a worthy one....
Then there's the Alfa 156 Sportwagon, and the excellent and under-rated Omega either with the best diesel around (the BM straight six TD) or a V6 is rather nice too.... mucho cheapness too
4x4's are awful unless you really need to go off road, doesn't sound like you do... Tell you what, how about an Integrale? £10k plenty to get a worthy one....
Then there's the Alfa 156 Sportwagon, and the excellent and under-rated Omega either with the best diesel around (the BM straight six TD) or a V6 is rather nice too.... mucho cheapness too
trackdemon said: Tell you what, how about an Integrale? £10k plenty to get a worthy one....
Dont, as a subscriber to Classic and sportscar magazine I see lots of them and they are VERY interesting. Currently one in there for £6,995 complete with the Lancia RHD conversion worth £3,000!!!! Very tempting, but I am sure that the rattles and squeaks would piss me off after a bit.
Cheers,
Paul
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