New car help! (please!)

[Gr44]

Right, I think I've posted 2-3 of these posts, and I still haven't changed my car... now is the time though, I promise!

Wish list below;

Budget Lookin at ~£10,000 (including p/x of current car ~£1000-£1500 ish)

Could be pushed though... I saw a 59 plate with 9K on the clock for 16K earlier... tempting! (vw passat highline 2.0 TDI)

Type: Saloon

Has to:

Good mpg (40+ - Ideally closer to 50-60)
Full leather
Climate control
Comfortable for long journeys
'Fun' to drive (if that's possible with the above)
Be fairly sensible
0-60 in under 10secs (8-9 would be nice!)

Prime candidates thus far are Honda Accord 2.2 Ex and VW Passat 2.0 (140ps) Highline (No climate control though)

Any other thoughts, links would be nice!

One question (if anyone knows) regarding the Passat;

I've read that a revision to the 2.0 Diesal engine came out around 2008... all I've read (parkers) is 'thats the one to go for' and 'you'll know it's that because it's quieter' - anyone know what the *actual* differance is?

Thanks!

[Guy]

Not sure I would put the words Passat and fun to drive in the same sentance. The only expection would be the 3.6 V6 Coupe!

Fair few choices, I'll have a hunt and post up some choices.

[Barakka]

Type: Saloon
Has to:
Good mpg (40+ - Ideally closer to 50-60)
Full leather
Climate control
Comfortable for long journeys
'Fun' to drive (if that's possible with the above)
Be fairly sensible
0-60 in under 10secs (8-9 would be nice!)

Prime candidates thus far are Honda Accord 2.2 Ex and VW Passat 2.0 (140ps) Highline (No climate control though)

I had an Accord 2.2 for a few weeks and 'fun' to drive is not something I would have said, same with the Passats i've driven. They're both mile munchers - my boss had a new Passat and loved it, but then again it went in for the 36k service at about 8 months old.

For what you've listed 1st thought is BMW 320d. Your budget will get you the latest version on around 06-57 range with low miles (<40k) and it'll take some looking but you could get the leather and climate (or air-con at a minimum).

2.0 diesel / 60-ish mpg / 163 bhp / 0-60 8.3s / sensible / comfortable / drives like a BMW (RWD and doesn't think it knows better *cough*VAG*cough*)

Example :Slightly more expensive (£12,995) But a low mileage with Leather, Climate, and SatNav

[Gr44]

Example :Slightly more expensive (£12,995) But a low mileage with Leather, Climate, and SatNav

Hmmm, I had not thought of BMW yet; and that doesn't look half bad. Be nice to have something with a little more poke (and RWD is w1n!)

Just to offer a little more information, to explain my somewhat bi-polar 'wish list'

I've been driving my current car (2001 2L Astra SRi) for 4 years and it's still running fine, however for the past 9months ish I've been driving to a site my company has recently bought 2-5 days a week, which is 140 mile round trip.

Some issues with that;

Astra SRi is not comfortable for that kind of mileage.
It drinks petrol, at least the way I drive it (50 litres get me 250 miles if I'm lucky)
No cruise control and high motorway miles = points

The problem I have is I have no idea if I'm going to be doing this trip for another week, month or year... had I of known I was going to be doing it so long I've have bought something more suited a long time ago.

If I carry on going I can still get mileage expenses (40p a mile) and also get use of said car.

If I don't, I'll probably do ~10K in the next year and it'll be hardly worth it.

Bit of a gamble, hence my unusual request! (either way, I fancy something new!)

Thanks for the 320d idea though, I shall explore!

[chris_argyle]

I've read that a revision to the 2.0 Diesal engine came out around 2008... all I've read (parkers) is 'thats the one to go for' and 'you'll know it's that because it's quieter' - anyone know what the *actual* differance is?

Sounds like they are talking about when the VW brands moved from a Pump Duse type diesel engine to a common rail. The common rail engine gives a much smoother torque spike leading to a more progressive power delivery (closer to the characteristics of of a petrol). However I have a 1.9TDI (pump duse type) and although less refined I quite enjoy having the power arrive all at once!, I think it makes it feel faster.

HTH

[jjgreenwood]

Yup cr engines start in 2008 they don't make a massive difference in my opinion have you considered jetta? I sell vw in swindon so could find a nice passat if you want one

[Barakka]

Just to offer a little more information, to explain my somewhat bi-polar 'wish list'

I've been driving my current car (2001 2L Astra SRi) for 4 years and it's still running fine, however for the past 9months ish I've been driving to a site my company has recently bought 2-5 days a week, which is 140 mile round trip.

Some issues with that;

Astra SRi is not comfortable for that kind of mileage.
It drinks petrol, at least the way I drive it (50 litres get me 250 miles if I'm lucky)
No cruise control and high motorway miles = points

The problem I have is I have no idea if I'm going to be doing this trip for another week, month or year... had I of known I was going to be doing it so long I've have bought something more suited a long time ago.

If I carry on going I can still get mileage expenses (40p a mile) and also get use of said car.

I faced a similar dilemma myself recently, I have a 2003 Celica VVTLi and use it for day to day commuting (20 miles a day or so) but regularly go see my parents (every week or so) on a 90 mile round trip on the motorway. I considered similar to you are thinking, to swap for a Golf GT TDi or something to save on the fuel, but after looking into everything and thinking about it I realised that I just need to stop driving on the motorway like I do on an A Road.

TopGear did a test a few years ago racing a Toyota Prius and an M3 round the track, the Prius going for it, and the M3 just keeping up. The result was the Prius used more fuel than the M3, in other words don't buy a new car to slow you down and save money, just drive what you have slower.

That's what i've been doing this last month or so and i've gone from 230ish miles from a tank to last week getting 320 miles If you're getting 250 miles from 50 litres that's around 22mpg - a 2.0 astra should be easily capable of >30 mpg especially with motorway miles.

On a side note Cruise Control is a funny thing, I used it many times but the only time i've found it or real value is on the small InterState's in West Coast US, and the little Highways in New Zealand. Basically in situations where either there are no other vehicles around for miles but you want to stick to a low speed, or where it's a single lane carriageway with all the vehicles going at the speed limit. In the UK with busy roads and trucks going 20mph slower than the limit it just doesn't get used - unless you're driving north of the border or in the wee hours.

My advice would be before you go swapping your car for something you don't know is permanent try doing those work journeys in the inside lane letting everyone overtake you and driving as frugally as possible, not all the time just on those long journeys. It takes a bit of getting used to, but remember you're working, they won't pay you more for getting there quicker !

[usxhe190]

BMW 320d

[Gr44]

I considered similar to you are thinking, to swap for a Golf GT TDi or something to save on the fuel, but after looking into everything and thinking about it I realised that I just need to stop driving on the motorway like I do on an A Road.

Wait, don't drive on the motorway like you do on the A roads? Where is the fun in that (I know you're right )

TopGear did a test a few years ago racing a Toyota Prius and an M3 round the track, the Prius going for it, and the M3 just keeping up. The result was the Prius used more fuel than the M3, in other words don't buy a new car to slow you down and save money, just drive what you have slower.

Yeah I remember that, although a big bucket, such as a Passat/E-Class/300C etc you'd be less inclined to hammer all over the place but enjoy the ride. Smaller cars often ask to be thrashed around the place.

That's what i've been doing this last month or so and i've gone from 230ish miles from a tank to last week getting 320 miles If you're getting 250 miles from 50 litres that's around 22mpg - a 2.0 astra should be easily capable of >30 mpg especially with motorway miles.

Yeah, I seem to recall a distant memory of getting 420 miles from a tank when I drove to Newquay a good few years ago... very rarely even see 300 now, have seen under 200 before...

Part down to driving style, part down to car age (mostly down to driving style)

On a side note Cruise Control is a funny thing, I used it many times but the only time i've found it or real value is on the small InterState's in West Coast US, and the little Highways in New Zealand.

Interesting comment, I've only used cruise control a handful of times, once in this country when I left at silly-o-clock in the morning. Several times in the US and Canada where I found it brilliant... that comment has made me question it's use over here though...

My advice would be before you go swapping your car for something you don't know is permanent try doing those work journeys in the inside lane letting everyone overtake you and driving as frugally as possible, not all the time just on those long journeys. It takes a bit of getting used to, but remember you're working, they won't pay you more for getting there quicker

I know you're right... not sure that's how I'll play this out though!

Thanks for the comments all, will be interested to see what Mr Rasta comes back with

[kalniel]

In the UK with busy roads and trucks going 20mph slower than the limit it just doesn't get used - unless you're driving north of the border or in the wee hours.

Have to say that's not my experience - even in quite busy traffic cruise control is really useful, and I use it for both motorways and A roads that aren't too twisty. Sticking at a constant 70 or 60 is not only more economical, it keeps everything very predictable and helps everyone else around you. Dead handy for speed cameras as well.

[Barakka]

Have to say that's not my experience - even in quite busy traffic cruise control is really useful, and I use it for both motorways and A roads that aren't too twisty. Sticking at a constant 70 or 60 is not only more economical, it keeps everything very predictable and helps everyone else around you. Dead handy for speed cameras as well.

I suppose its cause i've used in the places I have where you set the speed and leave it for 4+ hours that I see it as limited use over here, as I know what it can do, if that makes sense ? I think I just find UK roads too unpredictable for it to be effective. Although it was very useful when I used to have to visit an office in Endiburgh reguarly with a 480 mile round trip, but only because the M74 is so quiet and boring until either end

[Bugbait]

BMW 320d

+ (another) 1. Go test drive one if you haven't already. I'm a 330d man myself but you won't get the same mpg for your budget (will be older too). Arguably won't quite match a Merc for cruising on a motorway but for everything else (ie. enthusiastic driving) it blows them away. Arguably, the good part is 320d's are very popular executive cars due to their tax bracket so there are often a lot to choose from in the used market.

[kalniel]

I suppose its cause i've used in the places I have where you set the speed and leave it for 4+ hours that I see it as limited use over here, as I know what it can do, if that makes sense ? I think I just find UK roads too unpredictable for it to be effective. Although it was very useful when I used to have to visit an office in Endiburgh reguarly with a 480 mile round trip, but only because the M74 is so quiet and boring until either end

Yeah I know what you mean - 30 minutes on cruise control seems short when you're used to 4+ hours! I use it even less than that actually - the A roads have roundabouts so I knock it off on approach and then just flick it on again on exit. It's definitely best for motorways or roads that you have driven before (my commute is very untwisty these days).

[Gr44]

Hmmm, I'll have to try and find a 320d nearby I can have a drive of over the weekend!

Having had a quick look, it appears finding a 320d with leather/climate control may be difficult for my budget (was hoping for ~2006-2007 with less than 60K on the clock) but I guess I need to lower my expectations if I go down the BMW route

Question, not knowing much about how BMW label their cars... differance between 318d, 320d, 325d, 330d?

Not very up on BMW

Thanks again everyone, working tomorrow unfortunately but hoping I'll get chance to try a few cars out; will let you know how I get on!

Edit;

This seems to tick all the boxes... will give them a call tomorrow http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...leRegLetter=56

[usxhe190]

Hmmm, I'll have to try and find a 320d nearby I can have a drive of over the weekend!

Having had a quick look, it appears finding a 320d with leather/climate control may be difficult for my budget (was hoping for ~2006-2007 with less than 60K on the clock) but I guess I need to lower my expectations if I go down the BMW route

Question, not knowing much about how BMW label their cars... differance between 318d, 320d, 325d, 330d?

Not very up on BMW

They are just different engine sizes. Just go for a 320d. Fine for what you are doing I think.

[Guy]

They are just different engine sizes. Just go for a 320d. Fine for what you are doing I think.

Technically not. The 316, 318, + 320 are all 2 litre engines, just in various tuned/detuned form. Hasnt been the case that the last 2 digits represent capacity for a while now. Would make it easier, but I don't quite think something like a 544i has quite the same ring to it!

Likewise (in latter form, as in early forms the 325's were actually 2.5's) the 325/330/335 are all actually 3 litre lumps, but in the case of the 335 it being twin blown. *I'm speaking about the diesels, the same mostly applies still to the petrol versions.

/BMW Geek rant over.