Changes to cars what do the panel think?

[st4]

Steve

Like I said before.

Learn to read, walk to the train with a book for the journey to work, get fit and buy a decent car for the times you actually want to drive it rather than need to drive it.

For **** weather, buy a **** car. Like a Fiesta.

I do not like to take the train, I like to drive to work, and as its 1hr I like to do it in a decent car. Been there, done that, taking the train. Never again, no amount of car magazines made it half as pleasant as driving. I like to drive. I will always drive if I can.

Commuting only makes up 13k miles, the other 17k (still double the annual milliage of most people) comes from personal use. I had the big V8 powerful car, but having to cut back the miles was more painful than the clatter of the clatter wagon. What I need is a higher income, so I can do my 30k miles in the sort of car I want to do 30k in, like a CLS500, E500, E63 etc

Like it or not, I need a diesel motor, so I might as well have the best one for my needs that there is.

 

[wemorgan]

Another thought, what's stopping you from using your CLK? It would seem to fit the bill. Save the £4k and just use it towards the w/e car.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

To me there is one car that fits your description exactly.
Lexus IS200 Sport.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/03-53-Black-L...1556828?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2eb004235c
My brother in law had one for about 3 years and besides routine maintenance, it cost him nothing, and he covered about 60k in that time.
I can honestly say that pound for pound it is the best that meets your criteria by long way.

 

[flango]

Another thought, what's stopping you from using your CLK? It would seem to fit the bill. Save the £4k and just use it towards the w/e car.

I had actually considered that and It is still in the mix, engine would take it easily but it's low mileage and I'm not sure if I want to put 90k on it in 3 years

The other option of course is not to buy a w/e car but buy a new 204 or 212 instead and keep the 208

 

[wemorgan]

If newer cars are also on the cards then this should wear the miles easily:

2006 Mercedes S500 5.5 L

or even better VFM:

2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 5000 cc CLS500 4dr Tip Auto

edit: but after an extra 100k miles or so the value will be minimal. A quick way to blow £20K IMHO. Whereas the w/e car with low mileage will holds its value, even with considering higher than average maintenance costs it'll be cheaper motoring.