Tough choices

Miamiheat

I am looking at buying a car between 5000 and 8000 euros (I dont necessarily want to spend it all if i dont need to). So far in this country i have driven a 2002 Avensis which was not fancy but a great investment (crashed and got paid full car value by insurance). And after that I bought a 2005 Murano which was an impulse buy and in a rush as i had no car. I love and hate the Murano: I love the comfort, the power and the look and i hate the consumption (3.5L petrol V6) and especially the motor tax (1809€)

In any case this Murano will go.

I am a big guy and i like to drive fairly fast. A lot of short commute and the occasional motorway run.

Cars that caught my attention but i know nothing about them:

2008 Mercedes E200
2007 BMW 5251 estate
2008 Lexus IS250
2006 Audi A6 tfsi

I have read so many threads now and tried to find so many reviews that i now have a headache. I discovered while reading the existence of the Volvo S80.

So now I am exhausted, and even more confused that before (fact is i have a load of other issues to solve these days and the car is also a priority as I dont want to pay tax on the Murano in 2016)

Not looking for a choice to be handed on a silver plater but perhaps a couple of objective remarks that may help me put things in perspective and narrow down my choice. (Doesnt have to be any of these cars in the end).

I do like a fancy looking or sporty car
I do like auto/tiptronic transmission

My biggest fear is spending 7-9K in a nice German to end up at the dealer within a few months and have a 2000-3000 euro bill (which seems common from what I read).

Help!

kerten

While Lexus is a class below from other ones in list, I recommend it unless you need space at rear/boot.

It will be the most reliable(at that price range) and refinement won't be far from competition.

Oafley Jones

kerten wrote: »

While Lexus is a class below from other ones in list, I recommend it unless you need space at rear/boot.

It will be the most reliable(at that price range) and refinement won't be far from competition.

I've one and they're incredibly reliable. Terrible boot space and poor space in the rear. Non of the cars are that sporty. The Lexus is quite sedate for 204bhp RWD V6 ,unless you stick in sport and even then it's grand. Avoid the manual.

Miamiheat

Oafley Jones wrote: »

I've one and they're incredibly reliable. Terrible boot space and poor space in the rear. Non of the cars are that sporty. The Lexus is quite sedate for 204bhp RWD V6 ,unless you stick in sport and even then it's grand. Avoid the manual.

That made me realise i carry people often and i use my big SUV boot all the time: so i either need a big saloon or an estate. Do these lexus come in estate versions?