At nearly 1000 miles per week I wouldn't buy based on either whether I could sell it afterwards or worrying about depreciation.

I'd aim for largish family-type car (bigger cars are quieter on the whole), say Insignia/Mondeo/Passat etc.

More likely to find an auto too.

I'd shy away from prestige, as it'll be old at the budget you've got.

Only time I've done your kind of mileage I'd company cars (so Xantia, Vectra, Mondeo), and pretty much destroying them at +150k in 3-4 years.

That's 1000 miles per month BR...at least that's how I read it...

You should be able to get a nice Audi A4 or A6 saloon for about £6k probably with the TFSI engine.

Off the wall (but still practical) choice would be an Alfa 159 Sportwagon with the 3l V6 engine.

If you are doing a lot of motorway miles, then a volvo v70 or a saab.

Volvo seats are brilliant.

It's nearer 2000 per month (Tues - Thurs it's 30 - 40 miles per day max, probably on average 20 miles)

Residuals aren't really a consideration, as I expect to be doing this mileage for about 18 months and then just have it as a second family car or off load it for whatever we can get for it.

Saabs are a good shout, I was scanning them on AutoTrader earlier

Alfa 166?
Subaru Legacy?
BMW 530d touring?

I think that covers it

oh and someone talk me out of buying a Jag X or S type as I drove a friends the other week and found it very comfortable.

I'm only 41!!! I can't be ready for a Jag at this young age surely!

Porsche Cayenne? Not sure why but they seem suspiciously cheap on autotrader?

Citroen c6 v6 diesel.

You'll get a moderate mileage high spec Saab 93 for that money. I'd recommend the 1.9 TTID. That second turbo gives a very useful 30+ bhp which you'll enjoy on the motorway. Heated leather seats too and although GM era, still good build quality.

Volvo.

parkesie - Member
Citroen c6 v6 diesel.

Not a bad shout.

How about a Jaguar XF:

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Jaguar-XF-3-0-TD-V6-S-Luxury-/182481832386?hash=item2a7cc3c9c2:g:5fwAAOSwTuJYvx7V ]Link to Jaguar XF on eBay[/url]

MkVii golf estate

Volvo V70.
Been eying them up myself.
£6k buys a lot of car.

Merc clk 220 or 270 d. Bullet proof engines and nice too look at too

Skoda

What Stevedoc says but you want a clk 320cdi. I've done 80k in mine with nowt but tyres. Comfy place to be. About 37mpg overall and suitably wafty

What Stevedoc says but you want a clk 320cdi. I've done 80k in mine with nowt but tyres. Comfy place to be. About 37mpg overall and suitably wafty

Mazda 6.

Big is a good call for comfort (our A6 was brilliant on mtorway/dual carriage way). Saloon yes for lower purchase price but not pooch friendly.

I wonder if you could pickup an older Lexus - Toyotas luxury brand. Or an Avensis ?

A3 remarkably comfortable for a small car, newer Golfs too but I suspect above budget.

Mondeo

Skoda Superb?

+lots for a V70, good vfm, awesome seats, galvanised construction, premium brand/image, practical, safe, brilliant stereo, can carry bikes well, 5cylinder engines, reliable, decent parts prices, hardwearing interiors.

- auto gearboxes spoil the 'fun factor' of the engine, barge like handling on twisty B roads, complex electronics, it's a Volvo.

Ours has been a great car, would buy another tomorrow if ours was written off

£5/6k will get you a V70R on eBay currently without mega miles and a good service history. Ok fuel economy isn't the greatest but the seats are super comfy.

It's also a cavernous 300bhp estate that will do 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, has a variable suspension system designed by ohlins and brembo brakes.

Daffy - Member
How about a Jaguar XF:

Link to Jaguar XF on eBay

why on earth is that so cheap? Or am I missing something?

Another vote for Volvo estate. Probably a D5 with that mileage. I really wouldn't get a V70R, everyone i know that's dallied with one has had a variety of pricey issues.

I personally think some of your requirements are mutually exclusive. Long distances in comfort are barge territory, and barges almost always aren't fun.
The only fun to be had in a barge for me is with a strong engine, so you could keep an eye out for something like an E61 550i touring. It may be a long wait though!

I recently got a D5 V70.

Sublimely comfortable, much more so than the standard issue 2006 Octavia estate that it replaced.

The D5 engine is lovely and goes well.

Picked it up at 3yrs 100K and hope to keep to 10yrs 200K then sell. As the car design is about 10yrs old, it is reassuring to see plenty of high mileage 10yr old examples still holding value and selling.

id be looking at an old A6 estate.

the 159 is a poor choice, especially the v6 as it has cam chain issues (i nearly bought one and got an rx8 as a more reliable car!)

I agree that I'm asking for the moon on a stick - and understand that I'm going to have to comprimise somewhere (but a wish list shoudn't necessaryily be achievable right?)

I am thinking that a barge is the way forward - as the majority of the time it's just cruising (was thinking last night the last time I actually properly put my foot down while driving - I couldn't actually remember so perhaps I just think I want something fun to drive?

I'm driving a primera at the moment (54 plate for £750 and have done 50k miles in it during the last 2 years so it's done well) and it's just such a depressing place to sit for hours on end I desperately want somewhere nicer to spend the 10 or so hours a week I'm sat in it.

Volvo or Saab are current front runners . . .

I'm currently driving a Volvo V70 D5
LOVELY on long runs with super comfy leather seats, heated seats, cruise control, and very spacious.
mine has done 16k mile sin the last year with minimal fuss!
love driving it tbh and on long runs achieves 45mpg

Passat. my 61 plate 2.0tdi is probably worth about £5k. heated leather, all the toys (DAB, Bluetooth, Self Parking) very frugal, comfortable and quick enough. i bought it 18 months ago and it was much cheaper than even the most basic golf - i guess they are not very desirable.

There was me thinking... blooming hell !! Some people have miles to travel for work in their motors. Glad I dont have to.

Then you've said ...

a depressing place to sit for hours on end I desperately want somewhere nicer to spend the 10 or so hours a week I'm sat in it.

I've got 10 hours a week on a packed PACKED train ...sat next to stinking dirty builders (nothing against them what so ever ... but not so nice when your sat very close) and opposite middle aged women with 3 bags all on the floor by your feet rather than using the baggage rack above. Eating pawn sodding cocktail crisp on their way home.... with some Yoof somewhere in the carriage (You cant see them because there are soooo many people standing in the way) ... with their rubbish music blaring out of their headphones.

So wafting along in the heated leather luxury, listening to radio 3 sounds like bliss.

Good luck in your choice 😀

I have a similar situation and I'm currently driving a 2001 Passat TDI estate. It's a mapped 130 TDI so goes alright. It's on 182K right now and I'll be keeping it 'til it dies.

What to replace it with is something I keep thinking about. I really like the look of the newer shape Honda Accord estates. You can just about get one for the top end of your budget but not sure what they're like. I'm hoping the lack of info out there is due to them being super reliable. If that's the case, that's my next car!

there you go:

[url= http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201701040999064?make=VAUXHALL&model=INSIGNIA ]Vauxhall Insignia[/url]

utterly bland and comfy. fits in well in business car park

this is nice too, poor turning circle though

[url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201702102186526?make=VOLVO&model=V70 ]Volvo V70[/url]