House move means halving mileage, new car time?

mattyprice4004

mattyprice4004

mattyprice4004

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Joined
24 Apr 2007
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Location
Southport
Well, a massive change in circumstances means I'll be living above (yes, above!) my office.

This means rather than commuting 30 miles each way 5/6 days a week, I'll just be driving 30 miles each way a couple of times a week to take my daughter to my parents, and of course the usual pottering to the shops etc.

The actual move will save me around £700 a month in bills, rent and other bits and bobs, plus I'm hoping business will continue to grow as it has meaning I'll have quite a bit more spare cash.

Part of me says it's time to chop the 75 in for something else - I love the car to bits, and with it's 180bhp it's certainly quick enough. It's just a part of me says I should be driving something a little nicer now I'll have the cash.

My requirements:
- No less than 20mpg, 25 would be nice.
- Must be a large 4 door saloon or an estate, as I go on quite a lot of camping trips etc and have to carry lots of people and camping crap. Also have a daughter and baby stuff takes up lots of room. :p
- Lots of toys, at least climate, cruise and auto wipers. Heated seats are quite nice too
- Less than £5k to purchase, I'm not a fan of finance.
- If I'm going to move, it'll be to something sporty. I'd rather have something that hugs the ground and knows its way around corners than a powerful luxobarge.

The only things I can think of are some kind of BMW 5 series, or a ZT 260 so far. I'm not really too 'up' on quicker large cars, as I've never bought anything half-decent and quick yet.

I had an MG ZT190 for a while and loved it, although the V6 always felt a little underpowered for a 2.5 litre lump with 188bhp. I suppose I could find one of those in estate form on a late 05 plate with lots of toys, but I'd like to think outside of the Birmingham box a little. :)

Help? :D
 
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Howard said:
I assume he means 'to my parents' :p
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Yes, this.

I'm not mad about the 220, it felt very much like the ZT190 to me. Lovely V6 pull, just not quite 'mental' enough to warrant spending the cash on.

When I went out in a ZT260, the torque was phenomenal. I just can't see anything past my blinkered British-car loving rose tinted glasses, so I'm asking for similar cars that might not have the daft scene tax the ZT260 has, just because it's got an outdated Ford Modular V8 under the bonnet.
 
I'll put it on the test drive list, I do like the styling and the interior just didn't feel the engine was up to much.

And I'll try, depends how the 260 fares when I take one for a spin in the near future. Never driven anything V8 before. :)
 
The ST220's engine is pretty strong low down but to get the best from it you have to rev it a bit. Duratec just kicked in, yo. :)
 
As far as I'm concerned there's no issue regarding reliability. They tend to make more power than the book figure as standard (mine made 232bhp) and an exhaust/intake/remap can eke out another 10-20 horses. So there is scope but if you want real tuning potential, buy something turbocharged.
 
If it's near to 250, I'm sure that's plenty in something Mondeo sized.

I do like the feeling of coming on boost in a turbo, but I also like the low down torque of larger NASP engines. Genuine dilemma!
 
Drive one (properly, not just round an industrial estate or something), see how you feel. It doesn't feel as fast as the figures may suggest due to the creamy smooth power delivery, but it does pick up speed well. If you're after some sort of lunatic crazy vehicle it's probably not for you, but for me it's the ideal daily. :)
 
[TW]Fox;21377641 said:
Do you not need an estate for your businesses?
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I'm moving next to my office - the estate was to shift stock to and from my house to the office as I have lots of storage at home. I've got some proper warehousing sorted for my excess, plus more space in the office I'm in now.

Howard said:
Drive one (properly, not just round an industrial estate or something), see how you feel. It doesn't feel as fast as the figures may suggest due to the creamy smooth power delivery, but it does pick up speed well. If you're after some sort of lunatic crazy vehicle it's probably not for you, but for me it's the ideal daily. :)
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Not really after lunatic, just something that feels properly 'fast' rather than the nothing-nothing-BOOOOOOST-nothing of my diesel.

If I can get the 75 too 200bhp, I'm tempted to fit the ZT suspension and 18" hairpins, and hang on to it. It all depends how far the tuning goes before something goes bang. :o
 
A proper engine is always going to feel better overall than a 4 cyl diesel, even if the diesel momentarily feels faster due to the power delivery. The best thing you can do is try different cars really.
 
So for now the list stands at:

- ST220
- ZT260

I'll do some hunting and see if I can add to that.

Any thoughts on an Impreza? Seem to be within budget, and insurance isn't too daft now I'm getting old and 'sensible'. :p
 
Blackhawk47 said:
Not sure what to suggest matty but it better have a wood interior. Jag?

:p
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Ooo, possibly an S type. I know they have quite a range of interiors, but I don't see them as particularly sporty. I'd like something I can chuck about.

I did have a ZS180 on the list, but I drove a ZS120 around last week and I'd rather eat my own face than put up with the 90s Honda interior again.
 
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