20k budget

intoDwest

Hi Lads/Ladies,

Advice needed. I will be changing cars in the new year and I am at a loss at what to buy. I have an old 00 Avensis which I love but it is falling apart and it is time to let it go. I have not got a clue what to buy but I want something comfortable.

I will be doing about 500 miles a week, half of which will be on the motorway. I was thinking about buying something like an accord/A6/520d.

I have a budget of around 20k, I am not worried about resale value as I plan to drive this into the ground. I would buy in the UK if it was worth it.

I have a small baby so boot size and leather seats would be a factor. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

daRobot

Personally, doing 500 miles a week with much of it on the motorway, i'd like something ultra comfy.

A 730D would fit the bill nicely. Returns great mileage, extremely comfortable and relaxing place to be on the motorway.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3368429.htm

Something like the model above could be found in the UK for about 12k stg if you look around. If you get a 2005 model, it'll cost 3.5k euro to VRT it in the new year which isn't too bad.

You'll feel like you've won the lotto coming from your Avensis

aristotle25

I considered the 730 as well but its a bit of an old mans car really. I am not sure they look well though.

Go for a m-sport 530 or 535. I do similar mileage and unless you are worried about an extra 10 euro per week its as economic as most diesels on the motorway i.e. I can get 47mpg cruising at 110kpm from my 535d.

And you get a great engine in the 530 and 535, speed and handling are top notch.

EPM

You'll get more for your money with a bread and butter brand but if you want something a bit more special you'd get a very nice E60 530d for that money.

Alternatively:
Superb Elegance 170 diesel
Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTD (you did say resale didn't matter)
Volvo S80 D5
Ford Mondeo 2.2 tdci

Midnight_EG

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2434051 IMO

DaveMur1

Mercedes..............ftw!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2675743

DaveMur1

Midnight_EG wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2434051 IMO

Nice car............. but, a 2door sport model of any car would be some pain with a child.

EPM

DaveMur1 wrote: »

Mercedes..............ftw!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2675743

That cars in dealers now...

Mister-M5

Are you thinking along the 5 series/A6/E Class lines or the 7 series/A8/S Class lines?

With the bigger cars their biggest flaw is their depreciation but this is a non issue if you're not planning on selling it. Running these limos would be pretty costly also with tax, wide tyres etc.

You can't really go wrong with a 520D really or you could opt for the more powerful 525/530/535D models if power is a must for you. Estate versions have tons of space too.

Parkers.co.uk could help you out if you have time to have a look through it. They'll give you all facts and figures (in crazy detail) as well as driver/owner reviews and used market prices (in GBP unfortunately).

Anyway best of luck, hope all goes well with your new car

intoDwest

Thanks lads for the feedback.

I had a drive in a 2.0tdi manual A6 at the weekend, loved it I have to say.

Could anyone give me a bit of feed back in relation to Manual or Automatic in the A6.
I will have to sort out a test drive in a 530d to see how it compares but on first impressions the A6 was good.

I wonder would I be able to import and clear a 09model in March for the 20k figure.

Marcusm

intoDwest wrote: »

Thanks lads for the feedback.

I had a drive in a 2.0tdi manual A6 at the weekend, loved it I have to say.

Could anyone give me a bit of feed back in relation to Manual or Automatic in the A6.
I will have to sort out a test drive in a 530d to see how it compares but on first impressions the A6 was good.

I wonder would I be able to import and clear a 09model in March for the 20k figure.

No idea on prices of specific models but 1 March is the changeover to 12 reg in the UK so would have thought that would be a good point to pick up a 3 year old model being px'd.

GavMan

DaveMur1 wrote: »

Mercedes..............ftw!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2675743

Pretty pants example of that particular model. Though I appreciate your sentiment. Beautiful motor