I've been looking at a lot of cars lately, and unsurprisingly I have been drawn into it like I always have been in the past, I've pushed the budget to 12k now ...I even toyed with 15k but really I don't need to spend that much to get what I want so there is no need to.
I have of course become less sensible with my cars, and really I have a few that I intend to look very closely at ...when I can find ones that look like they might be worth buying within reasonable distance of my house (I don't usually need to go on an epic trip being centrally located).
So far I am a bit torn though, do I want to go more comfort and effortless cruising or do I want something a bit more sporty ...hmmm, I'm not really sure, I very much enjoy the merits of both at different times. My drive to work is 85% motorway and then fast smooth roads mainly. Repeatedly sitting in traffic trying to get back on the motorway when I leave work lately has made me decide than an automatic really is what I want, I only really throw manuals into the mix to give myself more choice, frankly though I much prefer good autos.
So, the Mercedes E class W211 face lift version is very appealing, it just seems like such a complete package to me and really has a luxurious feel about about it that you can't get from a BMW outside of a 7 series (I don't fancy going that big again)
Also there is the Lexus GS300, this one surprised me, the more I looked at it the more I liked it, the IS really doesn't appeal but the GS has quite a nice interior and decent appeal to me as a comfortable cruiser ...the looks are what get me though, it really does look like a Toyota from the outside, it's very colour and wheel sensitive. Always automatic and always well equipped and easy to find with a light coloured interior, which I like.
Then we have the E92 BMW 330i Coupe. This is obviously my idea of more sporty rather than luxury, it's easy to get with an autobox though so like my E46 330CI will still suit just fine, I just fear the ride is too hard on these and the interior is ...well it's better than the Volvo's but it's no E class, it really lacks the feeling of opulence and occasion I like ...but I do still like them. It'd be a pre face lift example, probably a '56 plate to suit my budget, indeed I 've seen plenty coming it at less than 10k. Lots of choice in these too.
I have also considered the Mercedes C class W211 Sport, a great looking car and one I am quite familiar with as my Dad drives a C350 CDI with just about every option you can get on it ...however I can't afford one like that, and although it has a great engine, gearbox and ride (the ride is much better than the 3 series) the interior isn't great ...although it seems fairly well put together it really lacks the luxurious feel you can get from an E class, and given my budget and requirement for it to be a Sport (the none Sport looks really plain) I'm pretty much limited to a C200 CDI, C220CDI or a C180K ...not particularly awe inspiring engine options, infact the only one I would consider is the petrol engine anyway. A nice C180K is probably a much more sensible choice than an E320 CDI though to be honest.
I've toyed with a few other options too, the Skoda Superb, but it would have to be a 1.8T or 3.6V6 with an automatic gearbox and in Elegance spec ... an S with a manual box is not what I am looking for and finding a nice Superb for under 15k is a pain, they are either diesels or manual or S spec
(I think over 90% of buyers go for one of they 4 pot diesels). Also the VW Scirocco is interesting, I like the look of these inside and out, not the sort of thing you would normally expect me to go for given my other choices but both the 2.0 litre TFSI and the 1.4 TFSI with 160PS appeal, again much more on the fun side of things ...would be cheaper to run than my other options and not prone to 50K car bought for 10K repair bills either I imagine. I think I would find one a bit small though after the novelty wore off, I do like space, I like big cars primarily because I like the feeling of space, this is why I like the Jags so much, because they have big wide transmission tunnels and lot's of wood and leather dash that sweeps around infront of you, the width of the interior combined with the design and the long bonnet gives a great feeling of space ...I always liked this. Although the X350s are a bit too large to be practical in many of our tight car parks and side roads, it's a big car. The next size down, the 5 series E class is much easier to deal with, it really makes a difference. For those that don't know I have had two X350s before, and an E39, an E46 and spent a lot of time driving an A4 so I have sampled all the sizes (ahem
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I think an E class or a CLS (I forget to mention that) is probably my best chance at capturing the large luxury wood and leather feel I like, although I know Mercedes can really be nasty on out of warranty repair costs should something go wrong ...I'm not sure I fancy this. The BMW's I had were quite reasonable by comparison, then again they were old ones by today's standards, the newer ones may not be so reasonable.
This is what I am thinking so far anyway. If anyone has anything to say about any of these cars or even something else, feel free, you can never have too much information about these things imo.
I am sure someone will suggest I buy another X350 ...believe me everytime I look at them I want to, but I'd like something different and a bit smaller really ...also I would rather avoid air suspensions. As for the E60 ...nope, don't like them really, the LCI looks alright from the outside ...but that's about all I can say, I do not desire one at all really. I am also finding it very hard to desire anything about any of the Audi's ...other than the A8 ...and even then I'd rather have an S class or a Jag. The A6 appeals only in certain specs and trim configurations, that's about it though.
... < with the petrol engine would be mighty interesting.
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