New Car For Motorway Cruising?

Raskolnikov

After a few years driving and building up the no-claims bonus, I am finally getting some realistic quotes on higher-end cars. Yipee. Therefore, I am looking at upgrading my super reliable (but very plain) diesel Skoda Fabia, to something with a bit more luxury, comfort and power.

Budget: €8k-€12k.

Things I want.

• Leather seats
• Air conditioning
• Front and back electric windows
• Trip computer
• 6-speed gearbox
• Sat-nav

The first four are pretty much must-haves, the 6-speed gearbox I would consider sacrificing and the sat-nav would be a nice to have.

In terms of power, I am thinking of something in the region of 110hp-150hp, don't want to go too far over the 150hp mark, as insurance and tax starts getting ridiculous again.

Cars I am considering.

• Saab 9-3 1.9 TID Linear Sport
• Honda Accord CTDI 2.2 Sport GT
• Toyota Avensis 2.2 D4D

Suggestions?

Nissan doctor

Waits for the default car for those criteria to be suggested

johnos1984

Saab would be the easier to find. Possible to get one in the new tax bracket too I'd wager but be warned Saab uk went in to liquidation yesterday and Saab workers weren't paid again last friday

barura

just to be different

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2677189

Atlantic Dawn

I'd go with either Honda Accord Diesel or if your going the Toyota Avensis 2.2 try to get the T180 engine.

Raskolnikov

johnos1984 wrote: »

Saab would be the easier to find. Possible to get one in the new tax bracket too I'd wager but be warned Saab uk went in to liquidation yesterday and Saab workers weren't paid again last friday

The Saab was the one car that I have sat in (that's actually affordable for me) that has really impressed me. It seems to give the most bang for buck in terms of getting a decent spec, performance and comfort. If the driving experience and reliability was shown up to be decent, then it would be a front-runner for me.

Forgot to mention, I am really only looking for a diesel, doing too many miles to consider a petrol.

krank

I don't know if it would have everything you want but if I was looking for a motorway cruiser with that sort of budget I'd definitely test-drive a Volvo S80.

johnos1984

I find the drive to be very good. A bit down on space and personally I'm not a fan of the fit and finish of the interior but certainly a worthy choice.

Nissan doctor

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Waits for the default car for those criteria to be suggested

520d is out of budget I'd say :pac:
So you must be thinking of the 320d :P

pheelay

Always liked the look of Accords, myself.

Just to throw another into the mix..should tick all the boxes:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2526298

I've had a couple of Citroens (C4, C5) as hire cars for long distance runs and found them great motorway cruisers. Lots of gadgets on the later ones.

Celly Smunt

pheelay wrote: »

Always liked the look of Accords, myself.

Just to throw another into the mix..should tick all the boxes:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2526298

I've had a couple of Citroens (C4, C5) as hire cars for long distance runs and found them great motorway cruisers. Lots of gadgets on the later ones.

comes with a free child too,bargain.

wandererz

Are you limited to diesels only?

If not, how about this

Compared to the current Skoda it is heaven on earth, even if not a T5.

MugMugs

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I'd go with either Honda Accord Diesel or if your going the Toyota Avensis 2.2 try to get the T180 engine.

Isn't the 2.2 D-4D prone to Head Gasket failure ?

Zubeneschamali

Saab 9-3 1.9 TID Linear Sport

Have you ever sat in a Saab 9-3? I was absolutely shocked the first time I did, it has the absolutely nastiest plastic dash I've ever seen anywhere, worse than a 90s Hyundai.



Honda Accord CTDI 2.2 Sport GT


Nice, if a bit dull. The leather interiors I've seen are a bit German looking, and I hate German leather interiors, they remind me of grey leather slipons worn with white socks.



Toyota Avensis 2.2 D4D


Sorry, I fell asleep there. What were you saying?

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Suggestions?

2.0 Mondeo Titanium X for 11K.

Alfa 159 or Volvo S60 for 12K.

Gophur

The OP is in N Ireland, posting advertisements from ROI aren't much use to him.

Raskolnikov

Raskolnikov wrote: »

....................

Budget: €8k-€12k.

.....................

Gophur wrote: »

The OP is in N Ireland, posting advertisements from ROI aren't much use to him.

OPs budget is in €s though

cjt156

+1 on the Volvos and 159.
Fantastic diesel in the Italian, also utilised in the SAAB and a number of GM brands.
The Volvo is a very nice place to sit on a long journey, though I've never tried their diesels (assume they're Ford-sourced) we've got the thirsty petrol.

Raskolnikov

The budget is in Euro, but the car will be bought in the North, or mainland UK.

biko

Do you like a big boot? If so get

the SAAB

Raskolnikov

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Saab 9-3 1.9 TID Linear Sport

Have you ever sat in a Saab 9-3? I was absolutely shocked the first time I did, it has the absolutely nastiest plastic dash I've ever seen anywhere, worse than a 90s Hyundai.

I liked it, particularly the leather seats, which were the most comfortable that I had sat in. All cars in my budget are going to be largely plasticy and believe me, compared to the Skoda I am driving, the Saab is at a different level.

MugMugs

Raskolnikov wrote: »

I liked it, particularly the leather seats, which were the most comfortable that I had sat in. All cars in my budget are going to be largely plasticy and believe me, compared to the Skoda I am driving, the Saab is at a different level.

I spoke to a Traffic Garda about a year after they were given a load of different cars. Forresters, Saabs, Octavia's etc...

One thing I remember from the conversation was that the interior of the Saab was rubbish and that the astetic housing of the seatbelts came away very easily and that bits and bobs around the rest of the car didn't hold up too well either.

Nice cars all the same but have heard interior faults about them before and if that's the case one would assume an annoying rattle wouldnt be too far down the road.

ninty9er

It is only a fancy Ford...but:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/2.2-D-LE/113226619882920/advert?channel=CARS

Also comes in manual, but FFS who buys a manual one!

Given that it's December and this one is in the CC based tax system I reckon you could knock it in to your budget. You might have to make the salesman cry, but cash is cash to them (please say you're not intending on trading in the Skoda:o)

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class/E220-CDI/201148205823466/advert?channel=CARS

brembo26

[IMG][/img]http://photos.donedeal.ie/photos/Full?id=8734269

Raskolnikov

cjt156 wrote: »

+1 on the Volvos and 159.
Fantastic diesel in the Italian, also utilised in the SAAB and a number of GM brands.
The Volvo is a very nice place to sit on a long journey, though I've never tried their diesels (assume they're Ford-sourced) we've got the thirsty petrol.

The Volvo S-series is another possibility. As for the Alfa, I am not a big enough fan of the 159 to put up with all the inevitable niggles of owning an Alfa. The Brera and Giulietta are amazing cars though, just that bit out of budget unfortunately.

Raskolnikov

Raskolnikov wrote: »

The budget is in Euro, but the car will be bought in the North, or mainland UK.

Are you going to be VRTing the car, if not I don't see why the budget is in €s tbh

Raskolnikov

ninty9er wrote: »

Given that it's December and this one is in the CC based tax system I reckon you could knock it in to your budget. You might have to make the salesman cry, but cash is cash to them (please say you're not intending on trading in the Skoda:o)

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class/E220-CDI/201148205823466/advert?channel=CARS

Tax in the North goes on emissions, so no worry about the old system. Lovely looking Merc, but it's just that bit too expensive for me

Raskolnikov

RoverJames wrote: »

Are you going to be VRTing the car, if not I don't see why the budget is in €s tbh

Earn in yo-yo's, live in the North.

cjt156

Seems to be less niggles on the 159 than previous models but its your cash; you call the shots. The S60 and S80 are lovely, that Jag above looks mighty tasty too, Ford underpinnings not necessarily being a bad thing.

Though when I finally give in to Jag ownership it'll be for the XK...

Jimmy Bottlehead

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Earn in yo-yo's, live in the North.

Off-topic, but I bow to you, sir. Best of both worlds, and a plan I intend to follow.

Raskolnikov

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Off-topic, but I bow to you, sir. Best of both worlds, and a plan I intend to follow.

It's a pain in the arse at times though. I have taken to keeping utility bills in the car to prove my residency, because the guards are looking for any excuse at all to try and impound the car for VRT/Motor Tax evasion. Even with a UK licence, UK insurance, a proof of address, they still only grudgingly let you go at a checkpoint. I might just go the whole hog and apply for a British passport.

166man

This Alfa Brera is now in budget,

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/Brera/3.2-4wd-/131746388446469/advert?channel=CARS

_Kaiser_

Raskolnikov wrote: »

It's a pain in the arse at times though. I have taken to keeping utility bills in the car to prove my residency, because the guards are looking for any excuse at all to try and impound the car for VRT/Motor Tax evasion. Even with a UK licence, UK insurance, a proof of address, they still only grudgingly let you go at a checkpoint. I might just go the whole hog and apply for a British passport.

Still seems worth it though for the benefits you get from doing it that way I'm with Jimmy - kudos

On topic: Passat/A4/A6?

Zubeneschamali

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

On topic: Passat/A4/A6?

Here's some of that horrible skanger-shoe leather in a Passat for €11K (high miles?). This A4 has better leather, even if it's a bit like a coal-hole (isn't that the unloved 2.0 PD engine, though?).

This A6 is not bad looking at all.

_Kaiser_

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

This A6 is not bad looking at all.

Ooh.. I wonder would I get any sort of decent-ish trade in on a 06 2L TDI Passat with DSG, Full VW history and 200k km motorway miles....