12k budget, 20k miles per year - Spec me

thedazman67

thedazman67

thedazman67

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Joined
24 Apr 2004
Posts
2,059
Location
Warrington, UK
So I feel like a change. I have been driving a Mk5 Golf GTI for 2 and half years and to be honest its fine nothing wrong with it. I've sort of finished with the hot hatch phase of my driving career and driving it up and down the M56 daily is starting to feel a bit tedious.

I fancy getting back into premium saloon of some sorts

Recent car history has involved a brief spate with a Mondeo ST220 didn't like it, wasn't a well built as my previous car a 2004 Volvo S60.

And it never really felt that quick, also the particular ST220 I had numerous faults which soured the relationship from the get go.

So what to go for? 12k budget, 20k a year, no less economical than my golf which averages 32MPG. Ideally a comfortable cruiser with all the creature comforts such as auto box, cruise, bi-xenon head lights, navigation etc.

I don't mind a diesel as long as its not a 4 pot tractor.

I've always been fond of the Jaguar XF but my budget only really lends its self to high mileage examples. I'm not afraid of high mileage my Volvo and my Golf were all purchased with 120k+ on and they've been nothing but reliable.

But with the complexities that make up a modern diesel it would be a big gamble no?

I like the lines of the Passat CC the only really one that takes my fancy is the 3.6 V6 petrol where are a rarity and the figures suggest they don't meet my MPG requirement.

Thanks :)
 
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I had similar requirements 2 years ago and ended up with a Lexus GS450h.

+Fast (in a straight line)
+Loads of kit
+Very comfortable
+Get a good one for below budget
+Very refined (no dug dug)
+Very reliable
-Small boot
-Interior is very Japanese
-Doesn't like going round corners
+/-Not German
+/-Alan Partridge
 
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thedazman67 said:
Gs450h nice exterior shame about the inside don't think I could tolerate that everyday
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It's not as bad as it looks in photos, I nearly discounted it based on adverts on Autotrader but as there was one at my local dealer I had a look and wasn't totally disgusted ;)

If you like the idea of the car, have a look at one before saying no though I would understand if you still said no.
 
I went from a Mk3 Focus to a Jaguar XFS at Christmas for similar reasons.

Didn't end up test driving the equiv Merc/BMW/Audi but the XF is great. Nice and relaxed. Hasn't got to it's next service yet so I can't really comment on further costs.
 
Try out the BMW 630, I have one and I think it fits what you are after. Or 635D which has meant to have more power, torque and better fuel consumption. Around 260 HP (based on which varietn you choose). Won't be as fast as the V8 engine in the XK which is around 400 HP
 
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Del Lardo said:
I had similar requirements 2 years ago and ended up with a Lexus GS450h.

+Fast (in a straight line)
+Loads of kit
+Very comfortable
+Get a good one for below budget
+Very refined (no dug dug)
+Very reliable
-Small boot
-Interior is very Japanese
-Doesn't like going round corners
+/-Not German
+/-Alan Partridge
Click to expand...

How are the MPG figures quoted on various sites compared to real world?
 
pumba said:
Try out the BMW 630, I have one and I think it fits what you are after. Or 635D which has meant to have more power, torque and better fuel consumption. Around 260 HP (based on which varietn you choose). Won't be as fast as the V8 engine in the XK which is around 400 HP
Click to expand...

Any 635d for this money will be a suspect example, they were only available on the face lift cars.
 
DodgeeRascal said:
I went from a Mk3 Focus to a Jaguar XFS at Christmas for similar reasons.

Didn't end up test driving the equiv Merc/BMW/Audi but the XF is great. Nice and relaxed. Hasn't got to it's next service yet so I can't really comment on further costs.
Click to expand...

If you went from a Focus and never even bothered to drive equivalent cars no wonder it's great, you have no frame of reference with which to compare it. Luckily the XF is a good car, but how would you have known otherwise. :p
 
Jumper118 said:
audi a6 3.0 tdi
bmw 530d
merc E320 cdi
Click to expand...

These are some good options IMO. Later on in the year we'll also be looking for a car along the same lines.

I haven't been able to find any 530d's but the 520d's around £12k look superb, will definitely consider it.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201409037077310
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201505193599006
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201503272119090
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201503242023954

Decent A6 here as well.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201505183571543
 
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