Long distance car needed

Slksht

Hey guys,

So, I'm wondering what your opinions are on the best value for your money these days when buying a car that's needed for a fair bit of generally long distance driving.

I'm interested in opinions ranging from the best value used cars to what could be bought brand new. The cost, if justified, isn't so much of a problem.

Cheers!

The Engineer

As far as I'm concerned, secondhand is always the way to go - you've let someone else take the hit on the depreciation, plus if the car checks out mechanically you could be on to a real winner. So long as the previous owner has driven the car sensibly, they will have only served to run it in nicely for you.

Long journey car - I've had a few. All diesel. All 2.0L engines and over. The two that stand out the most are:

Volvo S80 2.4D automatic (old model - 2004) - it was one of the most solid cars I've ever owned. Built like a tank and you can get over 50 mpg on long runs. Seriously - Volvo know how to make you comfortable in a car, from memory and heated seats, to awesome sound systems as standard. Looked after (i.e. driven sensibly and serviced regularly), this car could easily see you good for well over 250,000 miles.

Honda Accord 2.2D manual (old model - 2006) - a car that I always enjoyed driving. Really quick for a diesel, and the engine was a complete peach - regularly returning 60+ mpg. It had all the bells and whistles - including built-in sat nav, voice activated controls, etc. You can pick up nice secondhand ones here and in the UK. I got my one in Car Giant (cargiant.co.uk)

For Irish roads, avoid low profile alloys, etc. I had a Volvo S40 1.9D with sports alloys and had regular trips to get them straightened out.

I'd stick to diesel too - more economical all round. And stick to a marque that will hold it's value better / be easier to sell.

Some of the newer 2.0 L Diesels have very high-pressure turbos and can knock out seriously impressive fuel consumption...and speed. I had a test-drive in a 2011 BMW 3-Series Coupe recently and was blown away by the speed.

Depending on budget, if I was in your shoes I'd be looking at the Honda Accord Diesel, the Lexus 220d, Saab 9-3 TiD (you could pick up a 2008 version with all the extras, such as sat nav, bluetooth, etc. and 80,000 miles on the clock for GB£5,300 - and they're sharp looking motors and very comfortable to drive...they also get well over 60 mpg on "extra urban" driving), or even a Honda CRV Diesel - if you needed the 4WD option).

The Engineer

As an example, this is the sort of car I'd love to be using on regular long journeys:

Volvo S80

But then again, I'm a boring old fart!

Or this:

Saab 9-3

Or, if the budget can stretch a bit:

Honda Accord

Slksht

Class! Cheers man, bit to think about there! That Accord is beautiful looking!

How cost effective is it to import from the UK? Not something I've had experience with!

The Engineer

You're welcome.

It can be very cost-effective to import from the UK - I find they have a better-maintained, higher spec car. But, you can find good deals in Ireland too.

I also find that dealers in UK can be better to deal with and more interested in doing business. They may even refund the cost of your airfare if you make a purchase.

What I would do is set up a spreadsheet with the cars you like and factor in the VRT (https://www.ros.ie/evrt-enquiry/vrtenquiry.html?execution=e1s1) and the exchange rate (http://www.xe.com/), and see how the UK models stack up against the Irish.

If buying in the UK, stick as far south as possible as the underside of the car will have less wear and tear from the heavily gritted roads up north.

As for the Honda - drive one and see! They're savage motors.

Also, you won't go far wrong with Car Giant. I've bought there in the past and would go back again in a heart-beat.

The Engineer

Slksht wrote: »

The cost...isn't so much of a problem.

Keep that one to yourself when you're hitting the forecourts! You'd want to be giving the dealer 'an béal bocht'. If they smell blood, they'll pounce!

Slksht

The Engineer wrote: »

Keep that one to yourself when you're hitting the forecourts! You'd want to be giving the dealer 'an béal bocht'. If they smell blood, they'll pounce!

Ha that in no means money is no issue, more that it's an important purchase!

toyotaavensis

a second hand avensis diesel might suit.

_Kaiser_

I had a 06 2.0 TDI Passat with the DSG/auto box and did a lot of driving over the 5 years i had it.. at one point I was doing 1000-1100km a week on a tank of diesel (then about €100 for 70L) and it never gave me any real problems beyond normal wear and tear for that mileage, but she was regularly serviced too - roughly 2/3 times a year.

I'd think an automatic essential for driving like that myself and the Passat was very comfortable, lots of cabin space and a big boot. If you were considering it I'd recommend the 2.0 TDI over the 1.9 as the B6 Passat is a bigger heavier car than its predecessor, but note that early (05-08) 2.0's were subject to injector problems - although these should all now be fixed as VW did a recall a year or so back.

Sold it on with 243000 km on the clock and it was still running like clockwork.

colm_mcm

Cruise control would be a must. It would need great seats too

The Engineer

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I'd think an automatic essential for driving like that myself and the Passat was very comfortable, lots of cabin space and a big boot. If you were considering it I'd recommend the 2.0 TDI over the 1.9 as the B6 Passat is a bigger heavier car than its predecessor, but note that early (05-08) 2.0's were subject to injector problems - although these should all now be fixed as VW did a recall a year or so back.

I'd agree with you on the Passat - they are solid cars and they're a straightforward resell.

I'd disagree on the automatic being essential - I was putting up similar mileage on the Honda and the manual gearbox was a treat to drive with. The newer Hondas (08-onwards) have auto diesels, if needs be.

Also agreed on the bigger engine - the engine doesn't have to work as hard to move the car, and it is also able for more work (i.e. bigger mileage) as a result.

Some of the recent high pressure diesel engines churn out serious power for the size, and I don't know how good that is in the long run. I know some BMWs have had turbo failure issues - e.g. the X3 - so, do your homework.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Cruise control would be a must. It would need great seats too

Cruise control is a great point - but the seats are key...and very much a personal choice. Ultimately, you're going to spend a lot of time in the car so get one that you'll be comfortable in... nothing worse than driving a few hundred miles and your back aching the whole way. (Great catch Colm!)