Comfortable High Mileage Car, 20k to spend

NewApproach

I was asked last night by a relative about recommendations for cars. Basically he will be doing high mileage, so wants something fuel efficient and comfortable. I guess long service intervals would be good too. Low tax/insurance would be another key. Nothing too old either I would imagine.

I told him basically there is any number of cars he could pick from, but the one that came into my head first was a Ford Mondeo. He mentioned both a new Renault Fluence (I wasn't overly keen), or an Audi A6.

I guess others to consider would be:

Opel Insignia (would you get one for the budget?)
VW Passat
Honda Accord


Any recommendations?

Stevie Dakota

For comfort I'd put the Citroen C5 near the top of my list. 2008 1.6HDi well within budget.

changes

If i was him i'd go for an 08/09 2.0 Litre Diesel 140 BHP VW Passat in dark grey. He'd get one brought in from the north no problem with 20K

http://www.usedcarsni.com/52972404

af_thefragile

Erm..
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CL-Class/CL-600-V/201020198005683/advert?channel=CARS

Swampy

I second this.

af_thefragile wrote: »

Erm..
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CL-Class/CL-600-V/201020198005683/advert?channel=CARS

Max Power1

My reccomendations (obviously we all want the merc ) staying within the criteria:

Avensis
Passat
Superb
Mondeo

Get a high spec TDI/D4D model of the above and youre set!

JimmyCrackCorn

335d. The only diesel id like to own.

af_thefragile

More sensible note:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A8/TDI-QUAT/201021198167465/advert?channel=CARS
It can do 40mpg so its eco, luxury and power!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/2.2D-LE-/201024198451526/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/2.2-D-SP/201025198522343/advert?channel=CARS
Its a Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag!!


You can get some really tasty cars within your budget. Don't go with the generic VWs, Fords and Skodas...

Max Power1

af_thefragile wrote: »

More sensible note:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A8/TDI-QUAT/201021198167465/advert?channel=CARS
It can do 40mpg so its eco, luxury and power!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/2.2D-LE-/201024198451526/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/2.2-D-SP/201025198522343/advert?channel=CARS
Its a Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag!!


You can get some really tasty cars within your budget. Don't go with the generic VWs, Fords and Skodas...

Both of those Jags are manual (a big no no for a Jag IMO) and are on the older tax system, as they are 07s. Combined with the more expensive maintainance costs, I think the OP may need something generic! (As it said in the OP that they wanted long service intervals and low tax)

af_thefragile

But then the OP can't say he's got a Jaaaaaaaaaaaaag!!
He'ld instead find himself saying he's got a diesel Mondeo which won't go down very well...

Max Power1

af_thefragile wrote: »

But then the OP can't say he's got a Jaaaaaaaaaaaaag!!
He'ld instead find himself saying he's got a diesel Mondeo which won't go down very well...

Werent the jags of those era made by ford?

R.O.R

At high mileage, overall cost of ownership has to be taken in to account, so like it or not, the only sensible choice is a post 08 diesel (fuel consumption, road tax and resale value).

Unfortunately, it's fairly slim picking at the moment for €20,000.

There are a load of new Mondeo's, but they are all 1.8Tdci versions, and that is a horrible engine.

You'd pick up an 08 Passat for that money handy enough, but it will probably break down and cost a fortune to fix.

There don't seem to be any worthwhile Insignia's around for under €20k.

All the Superb's under €20k are the old model.

If possible I'd stretch the budget to a new model Superb in Ambition or Elegance spec as they are increadibly comfortable for the high mileage.

Apple Orange

What about some sort of hybrid? Very eco, very low tax, not a Fluence!

Max Power1

Apple Orange wrote: »

What about some sort of hybrid? Very eco, very low tax, not a Fluence!

*** Shudders**

Apple Orange

Max Power1 wrote: »

*** Shudders**

Haha! I just assume if he suggested a Fluence he wouldn't be against a hybrid!

stimpson

Hybrids are OK for town driving. I assume if it's high mileage then that means Motorway and that means 2 litre turbo diesel.

I'd take this:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/NEW-MODE/201013197459798/advert?channel=CARS

Or a fully loaded 08/09 old shape.

af_thefragile

Max Power1 wrote: »

Werent the jags of those era made by ford?

Still a Jaaaag... Nice interior too. Its just a nice place to be in after a long day at work...

Anyway here are some more less generic choices for the OP to consider:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/AUTO-TIP/201032199144428/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.0-TDi-/201029198943532/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520d-Aut/201032199156878/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-D-SE/201030199017504/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/C-Class/200-CDI-/201023198358123/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/1.9-TID-/201034199278964/advert?channel=CARS

NewApproach

Thanks for the replies guys! Some good suggestions!

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

For comfort I'd put the Citroen C5 near the top of my list. 2008 1.6HDi well within budget.

Thats an interesting one alright, however I always have had a doubt with regard to reliability of French cars. Would this C5 be better than its predecessors? If so, it's definitely one to consider.

af_thefragile wrote: »

More sensible note:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A8/TDI-QUAT/201021198167465/advert?channel=CARS
It can do 40mpg so its eco, luxury and power!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/2.2D-LE-/201024198451526/advert?channel=CARS
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/2.2-D-SP/201025198522343/advert?channel=CARS
Its a Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag!!


You can get some really tasty cars within your budget. Don't go with the generic VWs, Fords and Skodas...

I'd say something generic is exactly what he needs. He wouldn't be a petrolhead, just uses the car as a means of transportation, so from that point of view a 4 litre Audi would be a bit silly. Plus the tax would make it a no-no.

The Jag X-type is just an expensive Ford Mondeo.

R.O.R wrote: »

At high mileage, overall cost of ownership has to be taken in to account, so like it or not, the only sensible choice is a post 08 diesel (fuel consumption, road tax and resale value).

Unfortunately, it's fairly slim picking at the moment for €20,000.

There are a load of new Mondeo's, but they are all 1.8Tdci versions, and that is a horrible engine.

You'd pick up an 08 Passat for that money handy enough, but it will probably break down and cost a fortune to fix.

There don't seem to be any worthwhile Insignia's around for under €20k.

All the Superb's under €20k are the old model.

If possible I'd stretch the budget to a new model Superb in Ambition or Elegance spec as they are increadibly comfortable for the high mileage.

Yeah thats what I was thinking, unless you can get a >'08 diesel, I would nearly recommend just spending a fraction of the budget, say €8k, and waiting until the newer diesels come down in price.

Apple Orange wrote: »

Haha! I just assume if he suggested a Fluence he wouldn't be against a hybrid!

His wife mentioned the Fluence, he just passed on the message! Personally I wouldn't be in favour of it at all!

Stevie Dakota

NewApproach wrote: »

Thats an interesting one alright, however I always have had a doubt with regard to reliability of French cars. Would this C5 be better than its predecessors? If so, it's definitely one to consider.

Seems to be on par(ish) with Mondeo and Passat.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/jd-power-survey-2010/family-cars/250115

selfbuilder1

I recently bought a 2009 Superb and have to say that its very comfortable. You should get one for around 20,000 euro. You may have to look at the UK to get one as there are not many of the new models for sale here.

bazz26

Honda Accord:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201032199193635

Subaru Legacy:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201030199036642

Padraig Mor

OK, a left field option.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Citroen/C-Crosser/2.2-HDI-/201033199216321/advert?channel=CARS

2008 Citroen C-Crosser 2.2 HDi Exclusive. Leather, space, parking sensors, xenons, liquid suspension, 4WD etc.