I'm pretty sure I'll be dong 20k or so a year for the next few years and am thinking about changing car.
I'd really like a Jag XF but they're fairly pricey for a nice one and I'm not sure it's worth spending that much on something that's just going to sit on the motorway. Even if I kept it for two years I'd add 40k on it and it'll shed £ like no tomorrow.
I'm thinking something less than £10k is probably ideal for doing the job?
Sensible options
The Seat Exeo seems to be a good shout, well under £10k for a 140bhp version that could most likely be mapped to 170ish? Or could just buy the 170 model. This is a very boring option.
Passat CC also falls under this option but would be pretty high mileage, therefore by the time I've finished it'll be worth £0.
Lexus IS200d is also a potential option but they're only like 150bhp? And from what I've read, the 6 speed 'box isn't amazing, 6th is only really good for cruising well over the speed limit.
Not so sensible option
Alfa 159 2.4 Diesel. Not so economical, not quite as unreliable as previous Alfas and looks lovely! Would come easily under the £10k budget and if bought sensibly might not turn out too bad? Big issues seem to be inlet manifolds and eventually the gearbox. Not too much else out of the ordinary from a diesel of this era - does need a new water pump and timing belt every 40k or so. Lovely looking car though, best looking out of the lot, interior looks nice as well, from photographs at least.
Cheaper, not so sensible option
E46 330i? Far cheaper than any of the above. Could easily buy a car within budget and have plenty left over for inevitable repairs. My only concern is that they're getting on a bit now and there may be lots of niggly repairs needed which, whilst I don't mind, may get annoying if new things crop up weekly.
Mondeo ST220 - thirsty but should be better than the 330i when it comes to reliability?
If I bought either of these two I could keep saving for when the XF does drop into a more reasonable price range.
Another option is an E90 330i? I recently sat in an F30 and really didn't like the driving position so if the E90 is similar then I'd definitely pass. Also, there appears to be questions regarding the build quality of this model?
Anyone agree/disagree with my logic/reasoning? No point in spending much (over £10k) for a car that's just going to sit @ motorway speeds for 90% of the time. I doubt decent XFs will be in that range for a few years but then if I'm going to lose say £3k on whatever I buy before the XF I could just add that £3k onto the budget now and get an XF for £13k?
I've never spent so much on a car, it just seems a bit crazy
I'd really like a Jag XF but they're fairly pricey for a nice one and I'm not sure it's worth spending that much on something that's just going to sit on the motorway. Even if I kept it for two years I'd add 40k on it and it'll shed £ like no tomorrow.
I'm thinking something less than £10k is probably ideal for doing the job?
Sensible options
The Seat Exeo seems to be a good shout, well under £10k for a 140bhp version that could most likely be mapped to 170ish? Or could just buy the 170 model. This is a very boring option.
Passat CC also falls under this option but would be pretty high mileage, therefore by the time I've finished it'll be worth £0.
Lexus IS200d is also a potential option but they're only like 150bhp? And from what I've read, the 6 speed 'box isn't amazing, 6th is only really good for cruising well over the speed limit.
Not so sensible option
Alfa 159 2.4 Diesel. Not so economical, not quite as unreliable as previous Alfas and looks lovely! Would come easily under the £10k budget and if bought sensibly might not turn out too bad? Big issues seem to be inlet manifolds and eventually the gearbox. Not too much else out of the ordinary from a diesel of this era - does need a new water pump and timing belt every 40k or so. Lovely looking car though, best looking out of the lot, interior looks nice as well, from photographs at least.
Cheaper, not so sensible option
E46 330i? Far cheaper than any of the above. Could easily buy a car within budget and have plenty left over for inevitable repairs. My only concern is that they're getting on a bit now and there may be lots of niggly repairs needed which, whilst I don't mind, may get annoying if new things crop up weekly.
Mondeo ST220 - thirsty but should be better than the 330i when it comes to reliability?
If I bought either of these two I could keep saving for when the XF does drop into a more reasonable price range.
Another option is an E90 330i? I recently sat in an F30 and really didn't like the driving position so if the E90 is similar then I'd definitely pass. Also, there appears to be questions regarding the build quality of this model?
Anyone agree/disagree with my logic/reasoning? No point in spending much (over £10k) for a car that's just going to sit @ motorway speeds for 90% of the time. I doubt decent XFs will be in that range for a few years but then if I'm going to lose say £3k on whatever I buy before the XF I could just add that £3k onto the budget now and get an XF for £13k?
I've never spent so much on a car, it just seems a bit crazy
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