motorway mile muncher - suggestions pls
10 September 2002, 11:35 PM
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I'd go with Flat 4x4
Find one with 100k miles on it.. might even track down a 6 speeder. I went in an A6 Avant 6 spd with 120k on the clock on a N plate last week. Solid as rock, all the toys like climate, ideal motorway cruiser - I think the guy said he got 500+ miles to a tank of diesel.
[Edited by ChrisB - 10/9/2002 11:38:26 PM]
Find one with 100k miles on it.. might even track down a 6 speeder. I went in an A6 Avant 6 spd with 120k on the clock on a N plate last week. Solid as rock, all the toys like climate, ideal motorway cruiser - I think the guy said he got 500+ miles to a tank of diesel.
[Edited by ChrisB - 10/9/2002 11:38:26 PM]
09 October 2002, 10:02 PM
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Just got a new job involving 90mile daily commute (all motorway). Don't fancy putting that much fuel in the Scoob, so thinking of getting another motor for around £5 - £10k. Criteria are comfort and effortlessness rather than handling perfection etc.
I was thinking along the lines of something from Saab or Vauxhall (memories of munching miles in a vectra from a few years ago..). Wildcard would be a Ford Cougar which seem a lot of car for the money (e.g. t reg 2.5v6 with leather and lux pack, 75k miles for £6400)
Any suggestions / experiences?
Cheers
Dales
I was thinking along the lines of something from Saab or Vauxhall (memories of munching miles in a vectra from a few years ago..). Wildcard would be a Ford Cougar which seem a lot of car for the money (e.g. t reg 2.5v6 with leather and lux pack, 75k miles for £6400)
Any suggestions / experiences?
Cheers
Dales
09 October 2002, 10:07 PM
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How about an Audi A6 2.5 TDi ?
150bhp,228lb/ft. Long geared, quiet, stable, good seats, 40mpg+ on the motorway. And if you get bored add a chip/box to give 180/185bhp. Resale possible to big miles.
150bhp,228lb/ft. Long geared, quiet, stable, good seats, 40mpg+ on the motorway. And if you get bored add a chip/box to give 180/185bhp. Resale possible to big miles.
09 October 2002, 10:22 PM
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Omega V6? MY dad's eats the miles superbly. Not my machine really but if I was doing the sort of miles you (and he) does, then for far less than £10k you can get an elite 3.0 will every toy under the sun...
Either that or buy my Corrado
It's for sale
Either that or buy my Corrado
It's for sale
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09 October 2002, 11:09 PM
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You could try one of these cars
Either a pug 306 dt which is a good long distance car and nippy with it or one of the vw group cars like a passat 1.9tdi? both will keep you happy driving and give you good economy to boot
Tony
Either a pug 306 dt which is a good long distance car and nippy with it or one of the vw group cars like a passat 1.9tdi? both will keep you happy driving and give you good economy to boot
Tony
10 October 2002, 08:22 AM
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anything with the Volkswagon / Audi group 1.9Tdi engine - A4, Passat, golf, octavia, ford galaxy (mm...)
my A4 gives over 50mpg on the motorway (yes really), ridiculus range (i did Anglesy - London - Kent - half way to Lincoln on one tank) comfort, very easy torquy delivery, etc, etc.
Aint no performance car, but its also a great tow car
If i didnt need the size of the A4 for towing then I'd go for a Skoda Octavia 1.9tdi
my A4 gives over 50mpg on the motorway (yes really), ridiculus range (i did Anglesy - London - Kent - half way to Lincoln on one tank) comfort, very easy torquy delivery, etc, etc.
Aint no performance car, but its also a great tow car
If i didnt need the size of the A4 for towing then I'd go for a Skoda Octavia 1.9tdi
10 October 2002, 08:55 AM
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Well done Dales, I presume this is the one you went for on Monday? Car wise the T5 sounds nice
Hope you enjoyed the banger racing Monday? I can get you a nice maroon Granada
Hope you enjoyed the banger racing Monday? I can get you a nice maroon Granada
10 October 2002, 10:05 AM
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The BMW 330d or 530d...nothing will touch these cars for smooth effortless motorway cruising and you'll get great fuel consumption under those conditions also
10 October 2002, 02:52 PM
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Audi all day. Eats miles.
I had an A4 snd briefly an A6 (both new) and I did about 20k in the A4 and about 5k in the A6 - the A6 almost drives you there!!, excellent car and dirt cheap now.
I had an A4 snd briefly an A6 (both new) and I did about 20k in the A4 and about 5k in the A6 - the A6 almost drives you there!!, excellent car and dirt cheap now.
10 October 2002, 09:29 PM
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Blimey - amazed at the response in 24 hrs.
flat 4x4 - always fancied an a6, but not sure that i could get myself into a 2.5 tdi for that sort of money (unless you know differently?)
volvo t5 sounds like another great option although not sure that mpg will be any better than the scooby...
omega - they are cheap cars for the money. there's one in the trader 2001y, 2.2cd auto with 2,500 miles on the clock for £8,350. not sure about the image though as i am only 28!
zero7 - give me a few more details
TonyBurns - Peugeot 306, been there, crashed that. Don't fancy another. Passat sounds like a good option in theory, but I've looked around and all the ones I've seen with 30k+ miles on seem scruffy. Do they really take the miles that well?
DW - Trust you to suggest the T5 which has the most power. In another couple of years you will be able to use one of those to destroy unsuspecting austin metro drivers (Comment from Jane: "and ferry your 10 kids around")
Carl - I know what you mean, but the more I look around the more I think I am going to keep my scooby for a long time. Therefore I am reluctant to "waste" mileage just hammering up and down the motorway in it.
Went to the auctions today and bid on a Peugeot 607 2.2 hdi. It got a bit rich for me though beyond £11k (ended up going for £12.4k). There were a few A6's there but they were making top money as were the beemers (eg W reg 530d for £21k - nice car but too much for me)
Cheers for all your responses - I'll keep you up to date.
Dales
[Edited by Dales - 10/10/2002 9:46:19 PM]
flat 4x4 - always fancied an a6, but not sure that i could get myself into a 2.5 tdi for that sort of money (unless you know differently?)
volvo t5 sounds like another great option although not sure that mpg will be any better than the scooby...
omega - they are cheap cars for the money. there's one in the trader 2001y, 2.2cd auto with 2,500 miles on the clock for £8,350. not sure about the image though as i am only 28!
zero7 - give me a few more details
TonyBurns - Peugeot 306, been there, crashed that. Don't fancy another. Passat sounds like a good option in theory, but I've looked around and all the ones I've seen with 30k+ miles on seem scruffy. Do they really take the miles that well?
DW - Trust you to suggest the T5 which has the most power. In another couple of years you will be able to use one of those to destroy unsuspecting austin metro drivers (Comment from Jane: "and ferry your 10 kids around")
Carl - I know what you mean, but the more I look around the more I think I am going to keep my scooby for a long time. Therefore I am reluctant to "waste" mileage just hammering up and down the motorway in it.
Went to the auctions today and bid on a Peugeot 607 2.2 hdi. It got a bit rich for me though beyond £11k (ended up going for £12.4k). There were a few A6's there but they were making top money as were the beemers (eg W reg 530d for £21k - nice car but too much for me)
Cheers for all your responses - I'll keep you up to date.
Dales
[Edited by Dales - 10/10/2002 9:46:19 PM]
10 October 2002, 11:17 PM
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Vectra Gsi's are peanuts now with excellent recaro seats and not bad all round performance 195bhp. Cheap to insure and quite econimcal on the motorway. They eat motorway miles and are quite good fun really quite a different car to the lesser spec ones. Only real downside are the stupid dealers but don't dismiss one cause of the Vx rep
11 October 2002, 12:09 AM
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Dales,
one more for the melting pot that everyone else has missed, the Saab 9-5.
They are plentiful, have the absolute best seats in the business, are capable of 250,000 miles without breaking sweat, and have great turbo engines for long legged motorway cruising. OK handling won't win many prizes but you don't get many hairpin bends or chicanes on the motorway.
For your budget you have the pick of the whole range, from 2.0t 150bhp upto the 2.3HOT 250bhp, and if you need a diesel there's the 2.2TID, but its only 125bhp and is actually borrowed from Opel/Vauxhall. Avoid the auto gearbox for less hassle, they were a weak point on the 9000, and steer well clear of the V6 models as they like their go-go juice.
one more for the melting pot that everyone else has missed, the Saab 9-5.
They are plentiful, have the absolute best seats in the business, are capable of 250,000 miles without breaking sweat, and have great turbo engines for long legged motorway cruising. OK handling won't win many prizes but you don't get many hairpin bends or chicanes on the motorway.
For your budget you have the pick of the whole range, from 2.0t 150bhp upto the 2.3HOT 250bhp, and if you need a diesel there's the 2.2TID, but its only 125bhp and is actually borrowed from Opel/Vauxhall. Avoid the auto gearbox for less hassle, they were a weak point on the 9000, and steer well clear of the V6 models as they like their go-go juice.
11 October 2002, 09:10 AM
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11 October 2002, 09:23 AM
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In another couple of years you will be able to use one of those to destroy unsuspecting austin metro drivers
Insurance £1200 Better get some more work in quickly
11 October 2002, 09:37 AM
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Don't discount a Saab 9-5. Effortless motorway crusier - and one of the best seats there are for long distance driving.
Not the best at MPG but you should see mid 30's for the 2.0 Light Pressure Turbo.
Unfortunately the cheapest 9-5 Aero's are hovering just above £10k - though you could go for a rarer 2.3 LPT.
Would have thought you could get a lowish miles S plate for around £5k. Not sure how much the diesels are, though being newer, they will be closer to £10k.
Dealer charges are pretty aweful - though there are plenty of specialist - TSL is also Trent Saab....
Not the best at MPG but you should see mid 30's for the 2.0 Light Pressure Turbo.
Unfortunately the cheapest 9-5 Aero's are hovering just above £10k - though you could go for a rarer 2.3 LPT.
Would have thought you could get a lowish miles S plate for around £5k. Not sure how much the diesels are, though being newer, they will be closer to £10k.
Dealer charges are pretty aweful - though there are plenty of specialist - TSL is also Trent Saab....
11 October 2002, 09:47 AM
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Here's one :
1999 SAAB 9-5 2.0t 4DR SALOON,
1999, V reg . 108000 miles, Black, 1 owner & driver, VGC, Climate Control, CD, FSSH, Full MoT, Taxed Mar 03. £5,250.
(From Autotrader web today)
Looks like I was wrong about the Aero:
1999 SAAB 9-5 AERO ESTATE 2.3
TURBO AUTO, 1999, V reg . superb in Met Blue with contrasting Tan leather, equipped with air con, CD, cruise, alloys etc, this 1 owner vehicle has 12 months MOT and Tax till 04/03, 77,000 miles with full Saab s/history, offered at only . £9,495.
That one's in Nottm..
1999 SAAB 9-5 2.0t 4DR SALOON,
1999, V reg . 108000 miles, Black, 1 owner & driver, VGC, Climate Control, CD, FSSH, Full MoT, Taxed Mar 03. £5,250.
(From Autotrader web today)
Looks like I was wrong about the Aero:
1999 SAAB 9-5 AERO ESTATE 2.3
TURBO AUTO, 1999, V reg . superb in Met Blue with contrasting Tan leather, equipped with air con, CD, cruise, alloys etc, this 1 owner vehicle has 12 months MOT and Tax till 04/03, 77,000 miles with full Saab s/history, offered at only . £9,495.
That one's in Nottm..
11 October 2002, 05:39 PM
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Mercedes E300 6 pot diesel. W124 shape before the 4 headlamp models.
Reputedly the finest engineered saloon ever made. Good ones for around 6K. Solid as a rock, depreciation proof, its a Merc. Just been to Cyprus, rode in such a taxi with over 1,200,000km. Felt as tight as a drum.
Looking for one myself at the minute.
Reputedly the finest engineered saloon ever made. Good ones for around 6K. Solid as a rock, depreciation proof, its a Merc. Just been to Cyprus, rode in such a taxi with over 1,200,000km. Felt as tight as a drum.
Looking for one myself at the minute.
11 October 2002, 08:07 PM
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Thanks for all the replies.
I think the first big decision is whether to get something safe but boring such as newish vectra/accord et al or to take a punt on an older higher mileage audi/bm/saab/merc. Has anybody got actual experiences of running these brands beyond 100,000? What are the realistic running costs?
Thanks again
Dales
I think the first big decision is whether to get something safe but boring such as newish vectra/accord et al or to take a punt on an older higher mileage audi/bm/saab/merc. Has anybody got actual experiences of running these brands beyond 100,000? What are the realistic running costs?
Thanks again
Dales
11 October 2002, 09:41 PM
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Beyond 100k its all down to which parts wear out. You can get 'breaker' parts for all the 4 quality brands you've mentioned or German&Swedish for consumables. I'd buy diesel.
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