Economical, comfortable cruiser? €4k Budget

Sobanek

Hiya guys, since I've started working already, it's becoming a bit of a pain to pay 250 quid for the train every month, so I've decided to purchase a car.

My approximate mileage per year is 15k miles, and since 85% of the journey everyday is motorway, I'm guessing diesel or Petrol+LPG.

What I'm looking for is an economical, comfortable cruiser that would get me to and from work in good mood

As for tax purposes, I'm going to set the bar to 2 litres, however if it's something very interesting I might go as high as 2.5.

In terms of spec, the bare minimum is Air Conditioning and Electric Windows, but it would be nice to have Leather and Heated Seats if possible (very useful during winter )

Body type is I think irrelevant, could be a hatchback, saloon or an estate.

My budget would be approximately 4k, and I'd be looking for something from 2001 onwards.

I thought about the Volvo S60 2.0T, Passat B5.5 1.9 TDI and the BMW E46 320d.

I did some topics before and have considered a Fiesta and a Golf before, but right now, I finally know my situation, and since I'm planning to buy next month, there shouldn't be much change in it as well.

So, what are your suggestions?

PS. If the car is petrol, then my budget is 3k as I need another grand for the LPG Conversion.

BdaraB

Something along the likes of this Skoda?

Sobanek

Fully loaded 2005 Passat for 4k? Me likes

power pants

you start these threads almost weekly now!!!

Idbatterim

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-525d-02/5312059

leather, sat nav and cruise control...

Sobanek

power pants wrote: »

you start these threads almost weekly now!!!

Every two months I'd say But yeah, this one is the final one before the 645ci since I'm actually in need of a car.

^That 525d looks nice, but will the 163hp do its job? It's a heavy car after all (heavier than the Superb/Passat anyway)

Oh yeah, and it will by my first own set of wheels (although not the first one to drive at all).

Idbatterim

youd just about get an E60 5 series petrol for 4k but youd then have to shell out for the conversion on top of that...

Sobanek

Idbatterim wrote: »

youd just about get an E60 5 series petrol for 4k but youd then have to shell out for the conversion on top of that...

Not much of an E60 fan to be honest. 4k will get me a 520i too which is just ridiculous to tax compared to a 525i.

Idbatterim

just saw this...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-525-dse-2005/5644556

bazz26

If you could stretch your budget a little you might get something like this, probably will not find anything as comfortable as it in that price range:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volvo/S80/D5-SE/36513772578420740/

Sobanek

That S80 looks awesome! Didn't know they went for smaller money than the S40 which is a shocker. I'm just afraid it might be a bit too large for me, since I'm a fairly short guy.
Definitely got me interested in the S80 though.

Sobanek

Speaking of big cars, how comfortable would a Touareg be? Talking about a 2004 2.5 TDI

Sobanek

Gosh, it is awfully quiet down here

Come on guys, apart from the obvious E39 choice, what else is there? I like the S80, I like the E39, I like the Superb...

Idbatterim

Ill pre-empt mad_lad and throw a prius out there LOL or maybe he hasnt visited the thread because he doesnt reckon 4k will buy one!

just came across this, has very nice spec and is well priced...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-525i/5631303

pred racer

OP, you would get a very nice citroen c5 for 4k.
If you want a comfortable cruiser, imo they have no equal.

pajor

Comfortable? Cruiser? Think bigger imo.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-1-9tdi-2003/5660440

Even if this particular one's mileage is a little on the high side. Tested and taxed though.

Sobanek

It's only got a 100k miles, so it's not too bad.

pajor

Sobanek wrote: »

It's only got a 100k miles, so it's not too bad.

The mileage description says KMs, but they mention belt and water pump being done at 135k miles.

Then again I'm easily confused. :pac:

bazz26

It says 161k miles in the description which is hardly huge on a 10 year old diesel car.

fl4pj4ck

I doubt that's real mileage to be honest

wersal gummage

If you are trying to save money for a flash motor and only plan to have this one in the short term, it may be worth reconsidering a 2.5 litre motor. Particularly things like that volvo s80 I imagine would be a pig on juice.

Now I drive a 2.5 6 cyclinder petrol so I'm not knocking them. However, if you are just saving for something else, this might not be the smartest move in the meanwhile.

Could you pick up a cheap petrol mazda 6 or something like that? You'd have the nice bmw bought that bit sooner.

Sobanek

According to my precise calculations, i.e.

1 brand new set of tyres. - decent ones not ****e.
1 year of fuel - varied fuel consumption - I might be stuck in traffic from time to time
1 year of tax
1 large breakdown - in case of the seicento it was an engine failure, in case of the A6, turbo failure
1 year's insurance - 200 quid difference between the two.

It is 2.12 quid per day more to run a 2003 A6 with the 1.9 TDI than a 2001 0.9 litre Seicento.

pajor

Money well spent.

Sobanek

I know safety is priceless, but those 2 quid per day could make all the difference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlDS8SMWTf8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96wLn7396YA

pajor

Sobanek wrote: »

I know safety is priceless, but those 2 quid per day could make all the difference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlDS8SMWTf8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96wLn7396YA

You're not walking away from that!

And if you think that's bad, I just had a look at the Cinquecento crash test too. :eek:

Sobanek

pajor wrote: »

You're not walking away from that!

And if you think that's bad, I just had a look at the Cinquecento crash test too. :eek:

Jaysus, that's really bad.


Now, to be fair, I'm guessing the Seicento would do me just as good as the A6, but that's going to be 5 days a week, driving 55km to work each day, 30kms will be motorway, 10kms will be city and 15kms will be being stuck in traffic. I think the A6 (or even an A4 as a matter of fact) will just be much better to sit in, and live with everyday (bigger boot, safer, more refined, pedals arent 2cms from each other!) and even when the time comes, I think the A6 will not be too hard to sell, unlike the S80, 525i or even the C5. I think I'm going to trust my gut, and go with the A6 unless something better shows up here.

pajor

Guessing you're in a Seicento atm. Fun fun.

Well if you do go for an (or maybe even that) A6, glad I could help.

Sobanek

Oh no, I'm not, dear God. I was just making a point to my dad today about the Seicento, and why it's not "miles better than the A6". When I told him it was 2 quid a day extra to run the A6, he suddenly got all quiet.

I drive a 2006 Volvo V50 2.0D, but it's not my own car.

If that A6 is there in 4 weeks time, I'll be happy to take a look

pajor

Phew.. that's a relief.

And a point well made by the sound of it.

Idbatterim

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/04-bmw-525i-nct-tax/5687178

E60 asking E3750...

bidiots

Sobanek wrote: »

Oh no, I'm not, dear God. I was just making a point to my dad today about the Seicento, and why it's not "miles better than the A6". When I told him it was 2 quid a day extra to run the A6, he suddenly got all quiet.

I drive a 2006 Volvo V50 2.0D, but it's not my own car.

If that A6 is there in 4 weeks time, I'll be happy to take a look

Unless you wanted a spare set of alloys, 3900 is a bit steep to me for the felt spec

Sobanek

bidiots wrote: »

Unless you wanted a spare set of alloys, 3900 is a bit steep to me for the felt spec

How's that a felt spec? I don't see any RS6 badges on it.

bidiots

No leather, just cloth...although in the winter this may be a blessing(unless its heated leather:D)

Sobanek

It's called poverty spec or paddy spec Felt spec with RS6 badges and bodykit on a TDI.

WitAce

We have this one for sale, and we will have a Jag S-Type and Saab 9-5 2.3T as well very soon. All from 2003 and all already converted:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v70-2003-2-0t-on-lpg077-9c-litre/5669802

Sobanek

WitAce wrote: »

We have this one for sale, and we will have a Jag S-Type and Saab 9-5 2.3T as well very soon. All from 2003 and all already converted:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v70-2003-2-0t-on-lpg077-9c-litre/5669802

I don't think that a soccer mom's car suits me
Za mlody jestem na v70

WitAce

I'll keep you posted on both Jag and Saab than. They should be ready next week. They are getting gas treatment at the moment
Mi tez sie wydawalo ze jestem za mlody, ale 2L turbo i podgrzewanie tylka potrafia do siebie przekonac

WitAce

Jag and Saab after gas treatment

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/jaguar-s-type-2003-on-lpg077-9-cent-l/5773919

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-9-5-1-year-road-tax-on-lpg077-9c-l/5773967