magicgreg

My dad is after a run around to work and is looking at spending upto £15K ish.

He would want a car that has the following attributes:

Good performance nothing staggering for the price obviously

Decent fuel economy

Ideally a 4 door although if its a big car a 2 door would work

Big enough to get him in as he is 6'5"

Nothing more than 3-4 years old

Reasonably nice on the eye, nothing offensive

Relatively practical

Some luxury with a few toys


All I have thought of so far would be a BMW 330 D which always comes highly recommended.

Any further advances on a 330D would be appreciated.

Cheers

G

what would scooby do

Year old civic? Lots of toys in the EX

Varboy

Don't think you will go far wrong with your initial suggestion.

There are always lots around, they tick all the boxes and keep their money well.

scoobynutta555

My first choice would have been what you've already mentioned. for something newer how about a year old low miler Golf gt tdi, 170 bhp. I don't have one for sale

magicgreg

Had a Civic Type R myself before the Impreza, I've driven the new Type R and think its a pile of crap and no where near the car that the EP3 was, better interior but thats about it.

I can see why you suggested it though.

Cheers

magicgreg

I think he is looking for something a little more 'grown up' than a Golf mate.

G

Edcase

BMW E39 M5, only area it falls down is fuel economy. Average is about 21mgp.

Ed

projectsubaru

Maybe a Saab or a volvo one of the TID models inparticular ?

scoobynutta555

Surely more 'grown up' than a Civic typeR! if you're after a bigger car then go with the 330d.

magicgreg

Fully agree mate.

Aye, looking like a good option at the moment, maybe a 300C.....

G

what would scooby do

Type R's have always been **** - I had a brand new 04 EP3 - yuk

was suggesting a diesel EX or boggo petrol

magicgreg

For what it is and the price you pay there is no way that an EP3 CTR is **** mate, its a cracking motor.

Practical, cheap to run, cheap parts, good performance, good handling and all for a very reasonable price. The same cannot be said for the FN2 CTR mind, that is a pile of toss.

G

Going 4 400bhp

iTrader: (2)

S4

Everything uv asked for and 2003-04 can be had for 15k i belive

Dream Weaver

Having had a 3 series Diesel Beemer and now having a 5 door Civic Diesel I wouldn't swap back to the Beemer.

Beemer is nicer looking but thats all IMO.

rickya

iTrader: (18)

I also have a 330d, if possible Sport looks better than Se & has sportier suspension/bumpers/seats. From 2004 the engine was revised & powe went up from 185bhp to 204bhp. (I have the 185bhp SE model ) Great car though, hasnt skipped a beat in 3 years & does 43mpg on motorway, not so good mpg around town though.

Blueblaster

How about a Honda Accord? You could get a one year old 2.2 diesel or 2.4 petrol from Honda for £15k. A new model is out this year so you might even be able to get close to a new one with some serious haggling. Great to drive, very nice engines, cracking build, tons of room, mountains of kit and good residuals.

I don't mean to upset BMW 3-series drivers, but they are more common than Mondeo's these days. I know you can get a remap that gives ten million tonnes of torque, but they are such an obvious choice. I can't criticise anyone for buying one because they are good cars, but can we please have a few recommendations for something that isn't so predictable. AND, while I'm on my hobby horse, no cars with the same engine as the Golf Diesel.

I feel better now.

lestippp

170bhp VW Passat TDi, discreet, tons of space, loads of toys, well built, good mpg, reasonable insurance, fairly quick

For the money you will get a car with a year or so's warranty for piece of mind but should be fairly reliable anyway. Plenty of space for 4 with luggage.

Just one idea mate, lots of options out there.

The Beemer is a good choice of course (and don't forget that the 320d M Sport is also a good option and a bit cheaper on the pocket than the 330) but will be more expensive to run and repair and he would not be "judged" as quickly in the Passat... you know what I mean right

Forgot to add... Ford Mondeo Tdci ST would be another very good alternative

Tidgy

astra 888?

djmisio85

I think being 6 foot 5 the 3 series might be a little cramped, I know they are not small cars by a long stretch (no pun intended) but something more like a 5 series, e class, a6/passat would be good I think. no too sure on prices, but maybe even stretch to an a8?

markymark34

mondeo or the 330d are obvious choices. You might struggle to get a 330d sport for 15k (a 3 or 4 year old one) but you should be able to get an SE.
From 04 they had 204bhp and a simple remap gives a significant increase in power without much bother on the mpg side (mine went from 38mpg to 36).

slightly less obvious could be a volvo? great for tall drives or so im told. Or as already mentioned a honda accord.
How about an audi A4 or even A6?

magicgreg

Some good options here lads, thanks for all responses!!

G

wilffive

New Mondeo Zetec 140 tdci.

Excellent motor should be able to pick one up for about £12k on an 07 plate.

MattOz

G,

It depends on what your dad wants and how many miles he'd accept on a car, but my 330d is currently for sale. Would give him some spare change too! I'm 6ft3 and have no problem with the size of the interior etc.

2003 BMW 330d Sport - PassionFord

Matt

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

Dare to be different ..... Alfa 159

D

Blueblaster

I had one of those as a hire car. Very, very good car. Real feel good factor. Do not pay list price if you buy new!

RS Grant

My dad bought an '06 Volvo S80 D5 SE Lux Auto to waft up and down the motorway in recently.. so far he's averaging 40mpg and he doesnt hang about, its ok performance-wise once on the move but its extremely comfortable to drive and miles more relaxing than his old 530i Sport was. The Volvo comes with all the toys, pop-out Sat Nav, leather, heated seats, climate, cracking stereo, cruise, auto lights/wipers etc etc etc.. and he paid a lot less than your dads budget, he also was looking at a 15k max spend.


Cheers,
Grant