New car time. Thoughts appreciated.

Freakitchen

Freakitchen

Freakitchen

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Am looking to upgrade my car in a month or so. Thought I'd see what peoples' suggestions were given my wants&needs, and whether anyone has any specific thoughts on the ideas I've had so far...

Currently drive a petrol Rover 45 which was bought when I was driving fewer miles than I am now. I now do an 80 mile a day commute and more at weekends, the majority of it on motorways, so fundamentally I'm after something both economical and powerful enough to cruise at motorway speeds.

Practical things, I'm 23 and have had my license for 18 months, with 1 years' no claims. Budget is around the 7k mark.

Personal preference; I prefer something a bit out of the ordinary, but this is an excercise of balancing that with practicality. I'm looking at diesels for reasons mentioned above, and would be happy with either an auto or a manual. Things I've thought about so far - Volvo S40s, Saab 9-3s, Mondeos, though would prefer the former two rather than the latter.

Any model-specific advice is appreciated, and also the question of whether I should be looking for newer cars, with higher mileage, or older ones with lower - given the miles I'm going to be putting on it!

Cheers.
 
I'm certainly enjoying my 9-3, but if you're looking at the diesels then take them off your list ASAP. The diesel engines in them are horrendous in every way - reliability, performance, they arent even that economical.

The petrol engines are very good though and very reliable. Avoid the 2.0T and nutter 2.8T if you're after economy and consider the 2.0t and 1.8t instead, economy wont be any worse than your current car I wouldnt imagine. Even my 2.0T will do mid 30s on a run
 
Thanks for the advice on the 9-3. Quite disappointed about the diesels, very much like the way the Vector Sport looks. I get close to 40mpg with my current car, was hoping for more than this (without expecting miracles), but will have a look at the 2.0t.

Moeks, will have a look at the S60. Hadn't considered it since the S40 would be plenty size-wise, but not averse to bigger. Potential for more car for the money, too?
 
Certainly look at the petrols if you like the car, I really like mine. My use is pretty mixed and I'm averaging just below 30mpg, but that's the high output turbo and an autobox.

Last longish run I did was Exeter - Cleltenham and back again, even with heavy traffic around Bristol, my average at the end of the week was 36mpg.

The petrol range goes

1.8i - Who wants a Saab without a turbo? 120bhp makes me a sad panda too and it's not that economical
1.8t - Actually a 2.0 engine, light pressure turbo and an adequate 150bhp. More economical than the 1.8i. Should see high 30s from it
2.0t - Another 2.0 engine with another light pressure turbo, but a nicer 172bhp. A bit less economical (probably talking mid 30s) but 60 is 8.0s
2.0T - Yet another 2.0 but with a high pressure turbo. 210bhp and a lovely warm squishy feeling in the kidneys when you plant it but without causing a fuss :D
There's also an n/a 2.8V6, a light pressure and a high pressure turbo 2.8V6 - with the latter developing 276bhp and you'd probably be lucky to see 20mpg from it!

So plenty of choice, I'd think the 2.0t would suit your needs nicely. They're comfortable, refined, a bit quirky and people let you out of junctions. Interior isnt the best built, but is a nice place to be.

FWIW, my low mileage 55 reg Aero 2.0T Auto was 7k a month ago :)
 
Being realistic, I think if I go for a Saab petrol it will have to be the 1.8t purely for economy reasons. Appreciate you breaking it down like that though, it's useful. I was hoping for 45 mpg + as I'll be doing around 25K miles a year. As much as I'd like to sacrifice economy to get something I'd really like, I think with that kind of mileage it would be an expensive sacrifice!

Anyone got any thoughts on the age/mileage question in my first post?
 
Just because... Mondeo. You don't have to spend the whole budget but surely these are worth looking at? Although my money would be on the S60 I think.
 
BMW 320D Coupe - More premium image?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1607226.htm

Mondeo ST TDCI - Newer & Lower mileage car for the ££
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1666300.htm

Accord 2.2 CDTI Sport - Bit different. I like the looks of them
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1653561.htm

Jaguar X Type Diesel - Looks like your dads car
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1655525.htm

Alfa Romeo 156 JTDM 175hp - Different, Get the chicks? Quickish with 175bhp
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1664407.htm

Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI - Meh
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1535632.htm

Seat Ibiza Cupra PD160 Diesel - Getting more fun and won't hang around. Younger image
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1662196.htm

All diesels! Or you could play the lightweight card and buy a Clio 182. Loads of oomph but also around 40mpg on a run. Guess what I'd take?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1424211.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1651112.htm

Edit - BUY THIS: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1587057.htm - Fun in abundance, reasonable MPG if you're sensible.
 
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iaind said:
I'm certainly enjoying my 9-3, but if you're looking at the diesels then take them off your list ASAP. The diesel engines in them are horrendous in every way - reliability, performance, they arent even that economical.

Avoid the 2.0T and nutter 2.8T if you're after economy and consider the 2.0t and 1.8t instead, economy wont be any worse than your current car I wouldnt imagine. Even my 2.0T will do mid 30s on a run
Click to expand...
 
iaind said:
I'm certainly enjoying my 9-3, but if you're looking at the diesels then take them off your list ASAP. The diesel engines in them are horrendous in every way - reliability, performance, they arent even that economical.
Click to expand...

If you would like a Saab 9-3, I would still recommended the diesel if its needed. They are nowhere near as bad as people seem to say they are, most people on here seem to be anti-diesel anyway.
 
Your requirements were fairly similar to mine.

If you want and are happy with a manual, Accord CDTi. According to Warranty Direct, should be more reliable than just about any similar sized car. Should return a good 50mpg on the motorway and have a better interior than a Mondeo (IMO).

If you want something with pretensions of "sportiness" and a badge, a 320D can be had for that.

If you want an auto, S60 D5 SE. Better seats than anything I've sat in (and I sat in a Jag XF last Thurs), wafty ride, 40-50mpg depending upon driving conditions. Bigger boot than a 3 series.
 
Freakitchen said:
It would be an upgrade from my Rover ;)

Anything I haven't already mentioned that would be significantly better in budget?
Click to expand...

The Volvo S60 is a better relaxed wafter.
The Mercedes C Class is a better 'prestige' saloon.
The BMW 3 Series is a better drive and better built.
The Audi A4 is a better 'Nice Saloon'
The Jaguar X-Type is a better stab at 'reasonable flash for not much cash'.

etc.
 
cronaldo7 said:
If you would like a Saab 9-3, I would still recommended the diesel if its needed. They are nowhere near as bad as people seem to say they are, most people on here seem to be anti-diesel anyway.
Click to expand...

My research would suggest otherwise - look on some of the Saab forums, who arent full of "Saabs are rubbish" people and you'll find 2 camps about the 9-3. One lot who will say they are the worst car they ever owned, useless pile of junk. The others are people who are quite happy, have never had any real issues and enjoy their car. There's a definite split - the former are all diesel owners and the latter are petrol owners.

I think the 9-3 is a great car and gives good value for money, but if you want a diesel then I'd look elsewhere. I'm not saying they are great because I own one, I chose one because I think they're great. If you want something a bit different that focusses more on comfort than a "sporty" ride, then they are definitely worth considering.
 
Vectra C owners with the same 1.9 CDTI engine report similar woes on the vectra c forums. So its definately widely known amongst the various owners forums that the epsilon platform diesel engines arent very reliable.
 
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