Ideal squaddie car?

[deano1863]

I live in stoke but I'm now based in Blandford ( 180 miles each way)

My mk2 punto cant handle it anymore

Budget is £6k rising to £7.5k for something exceptional

Dont mind diesel or petrol. Would be nice is if was a bit flash/sporty (kinda rules out the mondeo really). Possibly cruise control and a few gadgets.

Currently I've been looking at the new shape Ibiza 1.4/ 08 plate suzuki swift/ 08 plate civic

Could you please recommend any cars or even possibly ones to avoid? needs to be comfy(ish) long distance with half decent mpg

 

[paradigm]

Hang on. Mondeo is out, but Ibiza and Swift are in? I'd rather do that kind of journey in the Mondeo.

How often are you doing the trip?

 

[d_brennen]

180 miles in a Swift... They're fun throw around cars but I can see it getting annoying if you do that trip often

 

[deano1863]

the trip is every other week when im bothered to come home. it seems a bit irrantional but the mondeo is a bit big size wise for my liking. im open to suggestions. it will be doing a fair bit of city driving too, just with enough punt on the motorways. a swift will be a lot more comfy than a 13 years old punto surely?

what would you recommend?

 

[paradigm]

I'd probably say something like:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/a4/audi-a4-2-0t-fsi-se-4dr/792708

If a Mondeo is too "normal".

2.0T FSI engine can be relatively frugal (even in my heavier A6 I got 40MPG on motorway jaunts).

 

[Kingy]

half decent mpg

That's somewhat subjective, what would you call half decent mpg?

A Megane R26, Golf GTI or facelift Focus ST would tick the sporty box, but might be overkill?

 

[Kingy]

I'd probably say something like:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/a4/audi-a4-2-0t-fsi-se-4dr/792708

If a Mondeo is too "normal".

2.0T FSI engine can be relatively frugal (even in my heavier A6 I got 40MPG on motorway jaunts).

If something that old would be considered, maybe an E46 330Ci Sport is worth a look too?

 

[Haggisman]

Why not a Mondeo ST? Yeah it still has the size, but is a bit "flash/sporty" but still comfy for those long trips...

 

[deano1863]

That's somewhat subjective, what would you call half decent mpg?

A Megane R26, Golf GTI or facelift Focus ST would tick the sporty box, but might be overkill?

they definitely tick the sporty box and something Ill look into..thanks

Id class decent mpg around the 40 mark

Preferably newer the better, although the 05 Audi does seem smart

 

[Kingy]

they definitely tick the sporty box and something Ill look into..thanks

Id class decent mpg around the 40 mark

Preferably newer the better, although the 05 Audi does seem smart

Are we talking 40mpg every tank, or capable of hitting ~40mpg on your 180 mile trek cruising at 70?

Do you need 4 seats? Or a roof?

If not, other random musings ranging from hmmmm to justlol;

MX-5 mk3 2.0i
TT QS
Z4 3.0i (See rg-tom's new toy)
S2000
350Z

 

[rossk26]

I'd probably say something like:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/a4/audi-a4-2-0t-fsi-se-4dr/792708

If a Mondeo is too "normal".

2.0T FSI engine can be relatively frugal (even in my heavier A6 I got 40MPG on motorway jaunts).

DAT ARCH GAP!

 

[Hostile-17]

those dont look like 'standard' A4 wheels for that year A4

 

[Rybo89]

Up the budget a little and get a 08+ Mondeo Titanium X Sport. Lovely looking cars and a lot nicer than the drivvel you have posted in the OP (swift, Ibiza etc).

2 examples:

Diesel (bargain):

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ds/titanium_x_sport/postcode/s417lb?logcode=p


2.5T (T5 engine same as the Focus ST)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...nium_x_sport/postcode/s417lb/page/2?logcode=p

 

[deano1863]

Up the budget a little and get a 08+ Mondeo Titanium X Sport. Lovely looking cars and a lot nicer than the drivvel you have posted in the OP (swift, Ibiza etc).

2 examples:

Diesel (bargain):

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ds/titanium_x_sport/postcode/s417lb?logcode=p


2.5T (T5 engine same as the Focus ST)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...nium_x_sport/postcode/s417lb/page/2?logcode=p

Aren't they quite high mileage cars considering the age? Don't really fancy high garage bills in a few years

 

[Bromhead]

I like the look of those Titanium Mondeos

 

[Howard]

Aren't they quite high mileage cars considering the age? Don't really fancy high garage bills in a few years

Yep but it just means they've been sitting on the motorway doing longer journeys for most of their life, pretty much the most un-stressed aspect of driving in terms of mechanical wear and tear

I'd have no qualms about buying that Black 2.5T, that's a lovely car and I'm quite tempted by one to replace my Mondeo when the time comes.

 

[rossk26]

If the mileage bothers you then drop the "sport" and just get a titanium x

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201305226898190

Still heavily kitted

 

[p1RATE]

It would be a 350z for me.

 

[Matt82]

DAT ARCH GAP!

An SE spec car with a previous owner to desperately wanted it to look like a Sport so fitted Sport wheels :S

 

[neil-ste]

A friend of mine is in the forces and has an e39 530, seems like the perfect car for him.

It doesn't get used during the week, when it does get used on a weekend it's for long jaunts home and is nice and comfortable. It can his bergen and kit in the boot with ease, even 2 or 3 people's kit and take them home too should he want to. It's not thirsty, not that it matters when you hardly use it, but means he can go pretty much anywhere in the country on a single tank.

It just seems like the right tool for the job, which is probably why he's had it for 7 years now and is struggling to find something to replace it with.

Edit: I'm not specifically suggesting an e39, more saying something of that ilk would be much better than an Ibiza or whatever.