what diesel sh**box sorry i mean daily driver!!

[Jam Rock]

let me get the apologies out the way with first, yes another what car thread, so apologies to all who are sick of these......


I am after a daily runner saloon, pref diesel, maximum budget for this is about £3000, i really dont want to spend anymore than that, but could stretch a couple hundered quid, the idea is to leave £300 to £500 (from my main budget of £3500) aside incase anything goes wrong with the daily runner.

so i have been looking hard and have found the following but not sure which to choose, especially as they all seem to have astranomical milages!!


BMW 530d se
volvo s60 D5


could you guys give me your opinion on the two above and indeed if there are any suggestions for cars i have overlooked i would appreciate the input!



cheers everyone! :-)

[patmahe]

Top spec Skoda Octavia? Not exactly a saloon though. Depends how you feel about the image, but I'd imagine any cars from the 'class above' will be tired and leggy at this money, but this looks very fresh and well cared for. Depends what your priorities are really

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

ETA: of the two you've posted I'd take the Volvo as it has the most comfortable seats of any car I've ever sat in, including a Lexus LS400 and E39 5 series, perfect for long journeys.

Edited by patmahe on Tuesday 6th July 15:15

[Robatr0n]

Not alot to add really accept !

Hope you've been keeping yourself well.

[Riccardo1973]

I have run an D5 S60 for the past 4 years & have been very happy with it.

It is reasonably quick, & does around around 40 mpg.The seats are very comfortable, much better than my wife's 3 series, although the 3 series does handle better. Parts seem to be expensive though.

[y2blade]

+1 for the Volvo D5 ... superb engines

[Jez200]

op
What did you go for in the end?

Im looking for the same at the moment.

My current choices for upto 3.5k budget
-Alfa 156 1.9jtd
-Saab 9-5 1.9d
-Honda accord 2.2D
-volvo D5

Alfa was my first choice but after reading this im slightly put off!!: http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...

[Wycombe83]

Maybe a bit under budget but how about a Citroen ZX or a Pug 306 ...sorry...

[twiglove]

Nothing to add other than

[schmalex]

Maybe I'm going to get ripped to bits for this, but what about a Mondeo TDI?

[Wadeski]

Saab 9-5?

[Jez200]

Nothing French... sorry! lol

I just cant bring myself to consider a Mondeo / vectra... got to be something vaguely interesting / quirky!
Hence the Alfa is top of my current list.
Been looking at the Saab's this morning. I like them and there is a nice 3.0l turbo diesel with 100k miles in my budget. Interior looks sooo dull though!

[size13]

I picked up a Signum 3.0 elite 6 months ago with 92k on the clock
All the toys and a very strong Isuzu engine.

Paid 3k and touch wood - no major problems yet after adding another 8k

Edited by size13 on Wednesday 18th August 11:11

[Jez200]

musclecarmad said:

If I had £3k and a small contingency i'd forget anything quirky or big engined as it could quickly turn into a nightmare for you.

I'd go something cheap and cheerful and good on mpg - a run of the mill hatch.

a bill on a 530d could easily cripple you and put you in your overdraft, another bill could send you to tears.

I think your right. Should stick to a smaller engine, cheaper car. The Alfa is ticking all the boxes but im just worried about the reliability of the engine! Seems to be causing people problems around the time of the 1st cambelt change so i guess looking at cars that have had this done (plus some miles) should give me a better chance of getting a good one.

[Jam Rock]

Im still looking to be honest, but i have just spent a small fortune (about 1.5k) on the m3 (suspension etc etc) so at the moment that is still the daily driver........albeit a very fresh feeling one.


the problem is that its all a bit of a false economy....buying a 530d se (with 100k miles on it) or indeed any semi lux barge might seem a good idea in our price range, but parts arent as cheap as we think and there is still insurance and road tax and consumables etc etc.... what im saying is, if i was to carry on driving the m3 everyday, and pocketed my 3.5 k, then that would pay for servicing and petrol for a couple of years prob.

the other problem was i went to see a load of cars and all of them without exeption were in st state..... the best car i saw was a auto 2.0 vtec petrol accord se which was clean as, but i was going to see a 530d next so i didnt buy it, and it was sold by the next day.....so the search goes on!!



@robo

hey up buddy!!! hope all is well with you too mate, and indeed all the SAS lot...pls pass my regards on the next sunday lunch outing........aint the same up here in sunny (lol) manchester!! nice trophy too dude! lol

[Jam Rock]

^ good choice, been looking at them recently....i want an auto tho!!!

[Jez200]

I wouldn't mind staying VW as my current daily drive is a Golf V5.
Just looking at Passats around 02-04. Not too bad, lots of 100k plus mileage ones. The 1.9tdi is pretty solid im told too.

[Jez200]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Gonna go have a look at this at the weekend.

Id feel a lot more confident that the VW wouldn't let me down over say..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[Jez200]

Just found this Saab for sale nearby.
Liking these more and more.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...