Cars to consider for frequent distance driving.

[Vini]

I've recently accepted a position at work that will see me driving from Sheffield to Maidenhead a few times a month.

I've been driving 9 years and have 9 years NCB. I currently drive an 06 Focus, which needs about £800 spending on it at MOT time in Jan, up until recently I did like my Focus, but as I have been paying more and more attention to the smaller things such as road noise, comfort and driving position I can't help but crave more...

I've grown up with Fords, she's grown up with VW's. I was always informed Fords are one of the cheapest to repair as theyre like rats! It's for this reason I've never really considered anything else.

With it being an 06 it's almost 8 years old, it's just passed 62000 miles and whilst its never really missed a beat it is starting to sound throaty and feel a bit rough . I know nada about cars, but imagine an 8 year old car is probably the equivalent of a mardy teen!

What disappoints me most about my car is when I'm a passenger in other cars of a similar age and they drive like new. A perfect example being taxi's! Most round here are either Vectras or Octavias, now I've driven a few Vectras and they seem to offer the ride I'm after, however they're discontinued now and also I'm not sure if I like the shape anymore. My dad has had every Focus, MK1, MK2, MK2.5 and now MK3 and in my opinion the MK1 offered the best comfort. Verified by the MK1 I owned. At 6' 3", I am not a fan of the MK3 the internal space ship like dashboard is damn big and the ride doesn't feel like it will last! Based on this, I've ruled out another Focus and based on my experience with Ford, have ruled out the Mondeo (worth considering?)...

Back to my car, with a shopping list left over from its last MOT and me receiving a small promotion it's probably the right time to consider chopping it in.

My car history isn't that vast, (KA (04) - from new, Focus MK1 (2000, W) and now Focus MK2 (06)) but I've been a passenger in loads and driven a few. From the experience of driving a few cars, I've (perhaps stupidly?) decided I am not a fan of Audi, Seat, VW (all the same anyway??) and whilst I can probably afford the initial outlay on a suitable BMW the cost to maintain would put me in the red!

Although not a vast amount of experience, the list of "must have features" in my next car is relatively small. As above, style is one of my 'requirements'... In order of preference I'm looking for;

Comfort
Fuel Economy
Cruise Control
Gadgets
Style

I really liked the old 08-12 Kia Cee'd, however it has been replaced with a new design which I'm unsure about - although its growing on me daily. My issue is that it looks just like the new Focus, nicer in my opinion, but I'm not sure if all Mid Sized Hatches like the Focus turn out the same after time (uncomfortable). I liked the 3 door pro Ceed even more, however 3 doors at this stage of my life might not be a wise decision...!

With the change in design of the Ceed I then started to look at 4x4 Crossovers, 4WD variants, such as the Kuga, Sportage (11+), Mokka and Qashqai. A lot of research at the weekend suggests I can't afford the Mokka or the Sportage. But can just about scrape a Kuga or Qashqai. The Kuga seems to be behind the Qashqai on every aspect. Tax, fuel economy, gadgets (n-tec & Tekna) and price! Which led me to spend a lot of time looking into the Qashqai variants. Although any of these diesel crossovers seem to be more economic to run than my Focus, which I find bizarre - though I guess thats how the technology has improved! I like the idea of 4WD, I don't think I'd opt for a 2WD of any of the crossovers. If budget was forcing me down a 2WD path, I'd probably look at Hatchbacks and or Saloons again.

I'm not in a position to do anything just yet and I haven't been looking that seriously enough to speak with any dealers and/or take any test drives. However, I am fairly certain come January I will chop my Focus in. By then the new Ceed will probably be back on top of my wish list and thats the route I'll take, however right now, I'm seriously considering a Qashqai.

The absolute top end of my budget is £11000. That's based on a £2500 Part Ex, a small deposit and monthly payments of about £200. Are there any other cars that I should be considering?

Perhaps, with all said above, the ride in my Focus is actually fine, and that I'm just bored??

[Phage]

Sure I can't tempt you with a coupe ?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1307157825406/

[jimbouk]

Comfort
Fuel Economy
Cruise Control
Gadgets
Style

Diesel Phaeton? Autotrader

[Jay]

Audi A4 Diesel?

[Vini]

Sure I can't tempt you with a coupe ?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1307157825406/

Sure, my back still causes grief from the Quattro I sat in many years ago

Diesel Phaeton? Autotrader

I've seen the Phaeton mentioned a few times, and its obviously a lot of car for your money, but to me its damn ugly and a VW

Audi A4 Diesel?

I might have a peek at the A4, despite not liking Audi or VW... the maintenance costs put me off though, I imagine, perhaps incorrectly, that they're quite expensive if owt goes wrong?

[jimbouk]

I've seen the Phaeton mentioned a few times, and its obviously a lot of car for your money, but to me its damn ugly and a VW

Lol can't argue with that. Finding a pretty barge is a challenge!

[Phage]

Pretty barges ? 5-series ?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01307127793370

[circuitmonkey]

Have you considered going French?

I have the Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi 110 FAP and it's been a great car

The electrics did give me a bit of grief with the rear right light cluster going, but the dealer sorted this gratis, which was very nice of them.

It's very quiet inside with little road or engine noise and will cruise along at 75mph at 72mpg (80mph drops it to 60mpg, my model really needs a 6th gear!)
I my commute is a 100+ mile round trip and I find it very relaxing

[Phage]

Have you considered going French?

I find it very relaxing

OOOOer Matron.

[kalniel]

Audi A3 (sportback) another choice. My criteria were almost exactly the same as you, similar budget (slightly less). Regular maintenance is fine - cheaper in fact than my Astra was as the service interval is long and regular wear replacements are fixed price jobs to try and counter the expensive reputation (eg cambelt, pads etc.). What does cost is damage/non-wear repair. They're reliable so should be OK, but look into a third-party warranty. Fairly typically, after mine was eventually out of warranty (at nearly 9 years old) I had some shock/spring damage over winter. Almost certainly due to pot holes and cold weather, but I wasn't organised enough to get compensation from the council so had to stump up myself, which was IMHO a reasonable cost, but roughly twice the price of a very similar SEAT Ibiza repair.

But they're very lovely cars. Super comfy. Interior is a wonderful place to be and although mines getting on a bit now, it still looks and drives like new - passengers regularly comment that they can't believe it's the age it claims to be

[Vini]

Audi A3 (sportback) another choice. My criteria were almost exactly the same as you, similar budget (slightly less). Regular maintenance is fine - cheaper in fact than my Astra was as the service interval is long and regular wear replacements are fixed price jobs to try and counter the expensive reputation (eg cambelt, pads etc.). What does cost is damage/non-wear repair. They're reliable so should be OK, but look into a third-party warranty. Fairly typically, after mine was eventually out of warranty (at nearly 9 years old) I had some shock/spring damage over winter. Almost certainly due to pot holes and cold weather, but I wasn't organised enough to get compensation from the council so had to stump up myself, which was IMHO a reasonable cost, but roughly twice the price of a very similar SEAT Ibiza repair.

But they're very lovely cars. Super comfy. Interior is a wonderful place to be and although mines getting on a bit now, it still looks and drives like new - passengers regularly comment that they can't believe it's the age it claims to be

A couple of friends just bought A3's, one an SLine and dunno about the other.

Both seem basic inside, and sitting in the back was a definite no go, my neck was stiff after a 10 minute drive. Granted, I wouldn't be in the back of mine much....!

I'll take a peek at A3/A4...

I need/want a dealer though, so with the price hike there, an A4 is probably out of range

Thanks for all your replies folks, interesting to see everyones thoughts!

[kalniel]

Do NOT get the S-line if you want comfort - that things designed for smooth german roads! Get the SE and no more sporty - for the newer cars they've even started supplying SE suspension as a no-cost option for models further up the range as it's much better for our roads.

As for basic.. I dunno, maybe depends on spec. - mine's got lovely wood panel inserts, leather steering/gear etc., cruise, dual zone climate control, auto lights/wipers etc.

[DanceswithUnix]

With my usual bias, I will suggest an Alfa GT:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1305016541355/

or more practical (though not as pretty) a 159:

http://www.autoworld.co.uk/alfa-rome...alfa-romeo-159

My wife has a 2004 3.2v6 GT, lots of Momo leather, excellent handling, lots of smiles from other people in nice cars.

When you park a car and walk off, you should find yourself looking back at it and smiling, otherwise all that money is wasted

[kalniel]

When you park a car and walk off, you should find yourself looking back at it and smiling, otherwise all that money is wasted

But not worrying about whether it will start again the next time you get in it?

[DanceswithUnix]

But not worrying about whether it will start again the next time you get in it?

*grin* there's always one isn't there!

If you want to break down then buy French, preferably a Renault, but I don't think that was on the OP feature list

Edit to add:



That pretty and also lovely to drive, how can you not walk away grinning with a furtive glance back towards it?

[Jay]

Do NOT get the S-line if you want comfort - that things designed for smooth german roads! Get the SE and no more sporty - for the newer cars they've even started supplying SE suspension as a no-cost option for models further up the range as it's much better for our roads.

As for basic.. I dunno, maybe depends on spec. - mine's got lovely wood panel inserts, leather steering/gear etc., cruise, dual zone climate control, auto lights/wipers etc.

I have the S-line and yes the suspension is painful at times!