What car for 25k/annum?

Abyss

Abyss

Abyss

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,548
Location
Nottingham
I currently drive a 54 plate Volvo S60, and intend to pass this on to my girlfriend to drive to/from work and replace her car with a newer one for me.

Criteria:
£10k-£15k
Comfortable on long distance journeys
Presentable and smart without being too flashy
Reliable (nothing worse than breaking down on the M4 150 miles from home)
As economical as the Volvo to run (45mpg+, £200 servicing)
Be able to keep and maintain for 3 years minimum.
As many mod cons as possible (e.g. volvo has heated leather seats, cruise control, parking sensors, automatic lights, 6 disc sound system).
Must have auto folding mirrors and rear parking sensors

I am torn on the size of car, whether to go for a large car and use it for going out for the day or go for a focus/A3 size and use the Volvo when carrying 4 people

So far I have been interested in the new Mondeo, however the Zetec doesn't offer all the options I want, and the model I really like (Titanium X Sport) is around £4k more for basically the same car!
 
Octavia/Superb.

You can almost get a brand-new Octavia 1.6 TDI Elegance for £15k: http://discounted-new-cars.com/process.php?formid=dealdetail&mode=new&id=24915

Not sure that'd entirely match what you're looking for - but not a bad place to start. Claimed average of 62mpg, probably see about 50/55.

Obviously, buying a second-hand one that's a year or two old would be a more financially sound idea for something like this - unless you have a particular requirement that it's new.
 
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45+ MPG might be a bit of a push for a Mazda 6, but I'd certainly recommend them also.
 
Lashout_UK said:
Octavia/Superb.

You can almost get a brand-new Octavia 1.6 TDI Elegance for £15k: http://discounted-new-cars.com/process.php?formid=dealdetail&mode=new&id=24915

Not sure that'd entirely match what you're looking for - but not a bad place to start. Claimed average of 62mpg, probably see about 50/55.

Obviously, buying a second-hand one that's a year or two old would be a more financially sound idea for something like this - unless you have a particular requirement that it's new.
Click to expand...

25% off at dealers at the minute (on this model), making a brand new 1.6 SE just under 11k:

http://www.skoda.co.uk/gbr/finance/offers/25-percent-off/Pages/default.aspx

including a 3 year warranty. I dont know about the iindividual trims of the octavia, but I imagine this should at least be worth a look.

£300 on top for parking sensors, although not sure folding mirrors are available.
 
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I've been driving a new superb estate the last few weeks and it was a very nice place to be. Quiet, comfortable and ridiculous amounts of space in the back and in the boot.
 
Thanks everyone. A quick update

- mazda 6 - loved the exterior look but have discounted as i hate the cabin with its cheap plastic switches chromed plastic and poor build quality. It feels a real downgrade from the s60 se.

- audi a4 - i like but the saloon is a bit too small and the avant seems expensive for what it is

A6 - seems like a lot of car for the money. I may need to push the budget closer to 17k but can get a facelift model in the saloon and just pre faceliftmin the avant. Can anyone offer any advice on these for running costs and in general?

New model s60 - similar price to the a4 and a6 but just didnt take to the car, not really sure why
 
Thanks. I will take a look at the superb in the flesh but i really can't stand the look of it, so I'm not convinced.
 
Quick update:

It looks like the A6 is keeping my interest. The Superb is nice but I didn't take to it. I am actually seriously considering an 07-08 plate high mileage A6 Le Mans for around 12-14k. Am I mad?
 
Abyss said:
Quick update:

It looks like the A6 is keeping my interest. The Superb is nice but I didn't take to it. I am actually seriously considering an 07-08 plate high mileage A6 Le Mans for around 12-14k. Am I mad?
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You get a lot of car for the money, but it's not very exciting.
Coming from an S60, I can understand how that's appealing.

As long as you didn't find the S60 boring or underwhelming, I can't see you going wrong. As long as you keep your eyes open to potential bills.
 
Abyss said:
Quick update:

It looks like the A6 is keeping my interest. The Superb is nice but I didn't take to it. I am actually seriously considering an 07-08 plate high mileage A6 Le Mans for around 12-14k. Am I mad?
Click to expand...

If you dont mind such a big car why dont you go all the way and get a 730d
 
Abyss said:
Quick update:

It looks like the A6 is keeping my interest. The Superb is nice but I didn't take to it. I am actually seriously considering an 07-08 plate high mileage A6 Le Mans for around 12-14k. Am I mad?
Click to expand...

I own one of these and it fits all your criteria except for the mpg. However be aware it's not a cheap car to run etc. 110 quid fill ups and 200 pound a corner tyres etc, plus audi service costs. Also think your Volvo will be more comfy on the motorway given the lemans 19" rims and sporty suspension. Also wasn't the lemans only on the 2.7 or 3.0 engines back then? If so don't bother with the 2.7. It has the same mpg as the 3.0 but less power.

At the budget your talking I would seriously look at the superb.
 
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