8k Burning a hole in my Pocket

viper_2003 · 29 Mar 2008 at 15:43

I have just sold my Leon so I have 8k to replace it with something.

I want something comfortable, preferably leather and reasonably economical (30+ mpg). It has to be reasonable to drive but im not expecting lightening performance and comfort is preferable over outright cornering ability.

Im looking specifically at Volvo S60 D5 SE's at the moment but what else should I be looking at?

Randell Floyd · 29 Mar 2008 at 15:52

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/422122.htm

Octavia vRS

Gets a easy 35mpg on the motorway, and 30mpg around town.
0-60mph in the mid 6s
Half leather
Cornering sorted with the suspension upgrades and the rear ARB.

mattpc · 29 Mar 2008 at 15:57

V6 Mondeo Titanium with LPG conversion? (uber v6 and decent economy. Might need to commission the conversion yourself however)

5 Series? (tasty all rounder)

Passat? (perhaps not the most comfortable option although some people will disagree)

Are you after something with a prestige badge or something as new and comfy as possible?

Twentymac · 29 Mar 2008 at 15:58

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/353310.htm

GinG · 29 Mar 2008 at 16:00

^^ just needs lowering a tad and thats a nice car!!

mattpc · 29 Mar 2008 at 16:00

Twentymac said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/353310.htm

Is that really going to do 30mpg or more? :rolleyes:

viper_2003 · 29 Mar 2008 at 16:01

Somthing a bit more comfortable than what I have had recently I think and something thats slows down my driving would go amiss.

Im not sure how far 8k would go for a decent 5 series but a top spec Mondeo feels quite appealing.

There is something interesting about that Passat, not sure about its thirst for unleaded though!

mjt · 29 Mar 2008 at 16:05

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/391383.htm
MTV pimp my ride jaguar! :eek:

[TW]Fox · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:35

Sigh, another thread, more Octavia vRS intrusion. The Octavia vRS is a good, cheap, fast family car. It is not a comfortable motorway cruiser on a par with a Volvo S60 D5 and it does not do 0-60 in mid 6 seconds. It has no place in this thread.

That out of the way, the D5 really is a good choice at this budget - they don't really handle at all but that isnt a requirement and so the soft comfort orientated suspension will really suit. Plenty of kit, not that quick but quick enough and reasonably economical.

ethos · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:41

[TW]Fox;11394217 said:
Sigh, another thread, more Octavia vRS intrusion. The Octavia vRS is a good, cheap, fast family car. It is not a comfortable motorway cruiser on a par with a Volvo S60 D5 and it does not do 0-60 in mid 6 seconds. It has no place in this thread.

That out of the way, the D5 really is a good choice at this budget - they don't really handle at all but that isnt a requirement and so the soft comfort orientated suspension will really suit. Plenty of kit, not that quick but quick enough and reasonably economical.

It has been remapped to 240bhp (the octy suggested), it will easily do 0-60 in the mid 6s. Mine pulled 6.3 on a g-tech. Although I only got that once, got 2 @ 6.7 secs. Mine isn't at 240bhp either.... Again the autocar test got 6.7 although apparently it was lightly fettled with to produce 200bhp (probably 3-4psi more than stock).

It is also a VERY comfortable motorway cruiser, nice supportive seats and good driving position. Susp is middle ground between hard/soft but you def don't feel the bumps bad when cruising at 70-80mph. Cabin noise is also very minimal and it will get well over 30mpg on a long cruise.

Volvo S60 D5.... boring

Mad old tory · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:42

Guessing the 530d is a bit out of budget, otherwise it would be another option. I've always been a fan of the Merc E320cdis but again I suspect they are out of budget and the quality would be a bit iffy.

[TW]Fox · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:48

ethos said:
It has been remapped to 240bhp (the octy suggested), it will easily do 0-60 in the mid 6s.

So what? If you supercharge a 530i it'll do 0-60 in 5.something seconds can I tell everyone thats how fast a regular model does it? Of course not. Not everyone can be bothered with performance modding and the hassle/insurance implications. In a thread about modifications or where there is a modification budget then sure, but this is a thread where a guy is after a nice comfortable car. He isn't going to be performance tuning it so the Octavia is not a 6 second to 60 car.

It is also a VERY comfortable motorway cruiser, nice supportive seats and good driving position. Susp is middle ground between hard/soft but you def don't feel the bumps bad when cruising at 70-80mph. Cabin noise is also very minimal

With respect the only way you could think that is if you are used to noticeably poorer motorway cruisers. The Octavia even lacks cruise control in standard form, hardly the specification of the ideal motorway cruiser. Cars like the S60 are leagues ahead in every respect on the Motorway.

and it will get well over 30mpg on a long cruise.

I should hope so too from a 1.8 litre 4 cylinder engine!

Volvo S60 D5.... boring

im not expecting lightening performance and comfort is preferable over outright cornering ability.

He doesn't want a car that makes him grin every time he turns the key./

wassap · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:52

Why would you buy an Octy if youve had a Leon, same bloody car

Oh and there is nothing interesting about a Passat, ever.I would rather run my balls over a cheesegrater, and drive a Toyota avensis for the rest of my days, than buy a passat.

[TW]Fox · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:53

wohoo said:
Oh and there is nothing interesting about a Passat, ever.

The W8 Passat is interesting but only from a 'Why on earth did they do that and why did anyone buy one' point of view.

ethos · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:55

That is why I said "the octy suggested". Not "the standard octy".

I've driven my Dads bmw long distance with cruise control and a nice arm rest, wouldn't say it was any nicer to munch miles on. Sure, cruise control is nice- but you can get that for under a tonne from the dealers if you really need it. Personally I quite like controlling the speed myself. Each to their own though. So bar the lack of cruise control (quite a lot do have them as an added extra though) what else is so bad about the octy? I think it fits the bill fine.

1.8 pot that can push out some decent bhp, infact about the same as your 3.0 with better mpg? Seems alright to me. Standard form 42mph is doable on a long cruise.

I think he'd be happy if he could get a car that does everything he wants AND gives him a grin, wouldn't you say?

wassap · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:56

[TW]Fox;11394322 said:
The W8 Passat is interesting but only from a 'Why on earth did they do that and why did anyone buy one' point of view.

Bit like the Futon then

ethos · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:57

wohoo said:
Why would you buy an Octy if youve had a Leon, same bloody car

Good point

I'm not saying get an octy, just saying it's not OMG SO FAR AWAY from the spec the guy wants.

It's hardly a 1.1 fiesta now is it.... :cool:

wassap · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:58

ethos said:
I think he'd be happy if he could get a car that does everything he wants AND gives him a grin, wouldn't you say?

To be fair thats a summisation on your part, re-read the op, he has had a Leon, he wants something different, the Octy as nice as it is, is similar to a Leon.

[TW]Fox · 29 Mar 2008 at 18:59

ethos said:
I've driven my Dads bmw long distance with cruise control and a nice arm rest, wouldn't say it was any nicer to munch miles on.

Then I see little point in discussing this any further if you feel a Golf based Skoda is the same for long distance comfort as a large BMW or Volvo. Thats just daft.

Personally I quite like controlling the speed myself.

Yea, the enjoyable fun of keeping to 80mph using the skill of your foot :confused:

1.8 pot that can push out some decent bhp, infact about the same as your 3.0 with better mpg? Seems alright to me. Standard form 42mph is doable on a long cruise.

There we go again with the modded Octavia of doom. For a 180bhp car, the MPG is hardly something to throw a party about.

I think he'd be happy if he could get a car that does everything he wants AND gives him a grin, wouldn't you say?

The Octavia wont do everything he wants unless like you he feels a Golf based car does everything a Maybach does on the Motorway.

ethos · 29 Mar 2008 at 19:00

wohoo said:
To be fair thats a summisation on your part, re-read the op, he has had a Leon, he wants something different, the Octy as nice as it is, is similar to a Leon.

I completely agree. Just sticking up for the Octy, it's not a bad choice for his criteria... but after having a leon there's no point in changing to an octy.