Large luxury car on a budget. Recommendations please.

[DrunkenZombiee]

This is pretty much the opposite problem to the other thread so I am making a new one.

The problem : I currently have a tiny city car for nipping about in Cambridge which I bought when I was a student. I love my little car but it crippling me to drive it on long journeys and doesn't look very professional when turning up in it. The main problem is that the MRS wants it so I am looking for a new big motorway cruiser to replace it.

I get completely free fuel for work mileage, and I only pay tax on the personal fuel consumption (benefit in kind) due to work issuing me with a fuel card. This means that the consumption doesn't hit my wallet too hard and I am not too fussed about petrol prices. Saying that It would be nice to keep the road tax down and as I am 24 the insurance will be a killer for a high group car.

I have been looking at something along the lines of a 4-5 year old Jag/volvo/SAAB petrols around the 2 litre mark to still shift on on ramps but still get about 35mpg at motorway cruising speeds.

A 5 seater would be nice, pref hatchback so I can get bikes and big stuff in the back at a push.

Anyone got any ideas?

I don't really want to pay more than 4-5k for a second hand car just in case the worst happens and something serious goes pop.

[Tutonic]

I'd look at:

Ford Mondeo
BMW 3 Series
Honda Accord
VW Passat
Mazda 6
Skoda Superb

None of which are hatchback, but they'd make a nice motorway cruiser.

For hatchbacks you're looking at:
VW Golf
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
BMW 1 Series
Mazda 3
Seat Leon
Skoda Fabia

There are, of course, plenty of other options but from what I've read these are among the best ones to look at.

[sulky_uk]

if you are looking for something slightly posher then you can pick up an 06 plate X type jag 2.2 diesel from a proper dealer for 10k.

theres you boot and slightly posh looking all in one



Review

[Sn00ks]

Depends on what you consider to be a luxury car?
One that had windows that went up and down, with a working heater and windscreen wipers that wiped used to be considered a luxury when I had an SIII Landy.
 
What about an older Audi? Used to have an 80 that I really liked.
 
Also had a Mitsubishi that I liked and as they are not considered cool or wanted by trendies you should be able to pick up a bargin.

[DrunkenZombiee]

if you are looking for something slightly posher then you can pick up an 06 plate X type jag 2.2 diesel from a proper dealer for 10k.

theres you boot and slightly posh looking all in one



Review

Something like that but petrol would be very nice .

Big petrol cars are going cheap at the moment so hopefully I can pick up a Petrol one with quite a few grand off.

[DrunkenZombiee]

Depends on what you consider to be a luxury car?
One that had windows that went up and down, with a working heater and windscreen wipers that wiped used to be considered a luxury when I had an SIII Landy.
 
What about an older Audi? Used to have an 80 that I really liked.
 
Also had a Mitsubishi that I liked and as they are not considered cool or wanted by trendies you should be able to pick up a bargin.

What I mean by luxury is nice interior and good driving position with lots of room. I am looking for a 5 seater family car that looks a bit corporate and is a good motorway cruiser.

[Blunt]

As a 24 year old aren't you worried about insurance premiums?

[DrunkenZombiee]

As a 24 year old aren't you worried about insurance premiums?

Very good point, that has always been a consideration of mine. Hence the 5 door family car rather than a big engined 2 seater or 2 + 2 etc. Trying to go for cars that boy racers do not buy.

I am looking into it currently but its looking to be about 1.5k a year. Which is a lot considering I have 3+ years no claims and not had an accident.

[Penfold]

ouch.

The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 6 characters.

[smilodon]

Go take a look at a Ford Mondeo Ghia or Titanium. You'll be surprised at how well appointed they are. As motorway cruisers they glide along nicely. If they do go wrong they won't kill you on parts and servicing. Insurance should be a lot less painful that £1500.00 What you loose out on though is that they are common as muck and won't turn heads. Personally I couldn't care less who I impress or don't with my choice of car, but it's a big purchase and you need to feel 'good' about what you drive.

Saab's and Audi's are nice but along with BMW you'd be surprised that they don't have any more bells and whistles than a Mondeo Ghia and cost a fair bit more to keep on the road.

Back in the summer of 2007 I was picking up a brand new Focus Titanium and the dealer had just received their very first new style Mondeo. It was so obvious that Ford had pulled someone from the Aston Martin design team to do a job on the car. It really does look nice. I'm not sure you can get the Mk4 for £5000 but it's worth a look

[Gorion]

I noticed that you haven't mentioned any Mercedes cars.

They have that nice "elegant power" style, plus they're German - which stands for quality.

[sulky_uk]

Something like that but petrol would be very nice .

Big petrol cars are going cheap at the moment so hopefully I can pick up a Petrol one with quite a few grand off.

they do a 2.5 and a 3.0 both v6's i think cheap as well, some  3.0l are awd as well

prices about the same for 06 plate diesel from jaguar used cars

[T-Bag]

Very good point, that has always been a consideration of mine. Hence the 5 door family car rather than a big engined 2 seater or 2 + 2 etc. Trying to go for cars that boy racers do not buy.

I am looking into it currently but its looking to be about 1.5k a year. Which is a lot considering I have 3+ years no claims and not had an accident.

I'm 24. I've got a Citroen Xantia. Don't worry I'm not suggesting that, it doesn't fit you bill at all (Diesel, not exactly posh, 55MPG...but it does the motorway cruising just fine and it's pretty spacious) but I still get absolutely hammered with insurance premiums. It costs me significantly more than my Jeep Chrokee and several other cars I've had in the past. It doesn't seem to matter what you go for badge wise saloon cars come with a premium over hatchbacks and 4x4s at the moment.

I'd approach it from the opposite direction if I were you. Have a look on auto trader for cars that fit your budget and at least some of your criteria and then narrow it down on insurance. It could be disappointing to pick a car only to find it's far too expensive to insure.