car ideas - £3-4k

[jasongtr]

bit open to suggestions here, main criteria is it needs to be a reliable car (with std servicing)

can be an MPV, 4x4, estate car, saloon, auto or manual

it must be

4 door (kids)
bigger boot space than a MK4 Golf (was a 4motion so even smaller than a std golf)
prefer it to be no older than 10 years old unless something quite special
would prefer it to be a good tow car


fuel economy not a major issue as i dont do many miles, doesnt even need to be overly fast as i have a little weekend toy


cars i have browsed around are (so you know where im coming from)

3/5 series BMW
Mercedes ML
Audi A6 Avant
Land Rover Discovery (but worried about the reliability)
even a mercedes V class


i know many of the above are german but it doesnt have to be, having previously owned 2 BMW's and many golfs i like them, but im open to other cars i may not of thought

so lets have some suggestions and see if we cannot find the one that ticks some boxes.

cheers

[bozmandb9]

Jeep Grand Cherokee, you'll get an 02 or 03, petrol up to 80k or diesel with higher mileage for that. They're great cars, very good for towing, and extremely good value. Don't compare to a Range Rover, but a quarter of the price!

[jasongtr]

good point, i did think of one of them ages ago, but Jeep havent got the best rep for problems have they?

[Otter Smacker]

Bit different, but how about this?

Ford Sierra Saphire RS Cosworth...


Not sure how much they currently are, but you could easily spend a couple of hundred more (within budget) fitting the Leather Recaro's that this should of come with

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2515724.htm

[billzeebub]

Beemer 5 series..no question at that money if you want a compromise between enjoying your driving and being practical it's the only real choice in my opinion

[jasongtr]

do you know what mate, the saph cossie was always the car that i wanted when they came out that i couldnt afford, now though i wouldnt buy one as they are too old and other cars offer similar performance with better reliability.

cheers though

and the more i look the more i think the 5 series is looking good

[dowahdiddyman]

MG ZT V6

BMW 530D

ALFA 159

[bozmandb9]

jasongtr said:

good point, i did think of one of them ages ago, but Jeep havent got the best rep for problems have they?

If you listen to the 'experts' on t'interweb every car is a shed. Apparently I have the worst car in the world for expensive repairs (Range Rover), however before this I also had the worst car in the world for expensive repairs (BMW 7 Series), most of the cars I've had have had 'reputations' amongst experts for being 'money pits', however none of them have been.

Just buy a car you like based on condition etc and don't listen to doom mongers, or you'll end up with a Skoda Superb or something (and it'll blow up 100 yards down the road just to spite you!)

[jasongtr]

true, but the car i bought in october (as we needed 7 seats) was an auto ford galaxy - weakest point on those cars the gearbox - whats going wrong now the bloody gearbox, and for a car worth about £1500 i aint spending £800 on a recon one

but i hear what you are saying about interweb peeps, nobody spends ages typing how good their car is all the time, but if there is a problem then they ask for help - as i have done on a galaxy forum (twice in 2 weeks)

[jasongtr]

dowahdiddyman said:

MG ZT V6

BMW 530D

ALFA 159

beemer out of those 3 mate, although i like the look of the alfa, and the MG is a rover and i aint getting one of doze cars

[jasongtr]

dowahdiddyman said:

MG ZT V6

BMW 530D

ALFA 159

beemer out of those 3 mate, although i like the look of the alfa, and the MG is a rover and i aint getting one of doze cars

[LukeSi]

Have a look at the E38 7 Series. There is the 550iL on autotrader for about 3k. 5.3 litre V12. Same car as in The Transporter.

[Otter Smacker]

Ok! How about this then...

Jaguar S-Type 3.0 V6 Auto.
500 jib under budget, and only 53,625 on the clock...


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2509404.htm

[jasongtr]

alot of car for the moolah, but can you not see Jeremy Clarkson pulling that face

[jasongtr]

LukeSi said:

Have a look at the E38 7 Series. There is the 550iL on autotrader for about 3k. 5.3 litre V12. Same car as in The Transporter.

ha transporter quality, i know i said fuel economy is not an issue but a V12 what would that get around town 6mpg?

[Otter Smacker]

I think this wins the thread!

MERCEDES E55 AMG for £3500



http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2508751.htm

If you turn this one down, I...I...I don't think I can do any better

[Matt UK]

I'd buy an e39 528i/530i/540i BMW 5 series touring.

Sold ny 530i last month and already miss it. For the price, it was the best all-rounder I've ever owned.

[jasongtr]

AMG is nice but come on you know theres another up your sleeve

another vote for the 5 series

[Otter Smacker]

Another Merc. A little older than you suggest in wanting, but this is a bit special as it's rare colour...

...And looks to be in beautiful condition too

Mercedes C36 AMG, 83k, 286bhp...


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2566929.htm

YUM YUM

[jasongtr]

nice but too old mate