Need a new car for the wife

[davidjpowell]

First that springs to mind for me is a Lexus IS200. For that price you could pick up one with not THAT many miles, although its kind of irrelevant as the cars are bullet proof.

I had mine for 5 years, sold it with nearly 130k on the clock and the only things that ever needed doing were the waterpump and cambelt at 100k and the obvious change of brakes and tyres.

My partners was also very reliable, but relatively thirsty I felt. I also didn't like the revvy engine, but I prefer the tourqe of a diesel.

The susgested Volvo S60 sounds good. I have heard good reports on their longevity too.

 

[Seamster15]

IS200 are very cheap at the moment, you have to budget for a wheel referb, but apart from that they are nice. 2k should buy you a 2000 model.

Most seem to be Manual though.

 

[wemorgan]

you have to budget for a wheel referb, but apart from that they are nice

are the known to leak air...or is this purely for aesthetics?

 

[ALFIE CONN]

Thanks for ALL your replies, i really am looking at EVERY bit of advice but i am looking mainly for a DIESEL S60 (at the MOMENT.)

Someone has just shown me, as i type this, (from todays Sun Motors section) that you can get a NEW 09 Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 Turbo Diesel SRi for £9,000 (saving £10,000) from Motor point car supermarket.
Any thoughts on this car for this price?

 

[Chris Akabusi]

Thanks for ALL your replies, i really am looking at EVERY bit of advice but i am looking mainly for a DIESEL S60 (at the MOMENT.)

Someone has just shown me, as i type this, (from todays Sun Motors section) that you can get a NEW 09 Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 Turbo Diesel SRi for £9,000 (saving £10,000) from Motor point car supermarket.
Any thoughts on this car for this price?

Dont think you could go wrong! Motorpoint are a reputable dealer too

 

[wemorgan]

Here's a list of special offers from Drive the Deal.
Another list of best deals from Honest John.

 

[Seamster15]

Make sure the Vectra has a full 3 years Manufacturer warrenty upon purchase.... Sometimes these deals don't.

 

[hawk20]

If she likes smaller cars for ease of parking and manoeuvrability, then I would look at the new model A class. You'll get a 2005 one for your budget. Safest car in class according to NCAP and the diesels do excellent miles per gallon. My brother averages 60 mpg from his manual. We got well into the 50's on a run from our A180cdi auto and my daughetr gets mid fifties on her A180cdi manual. All ours have been reliable but mine has gone now to make room for two puppies -so E class estate is our best bet.

Oddly the A class has about the same legroom front and rear as our E class. Bit of genius IMO

 

[ALFIE CONN]

If she likes smaller cars for ease of parking and manoeuvrability, then I would look at the new model A class. You'll get a 2005 one for your budget. Safest car in class according to NCAP and the diesels do excellent miles per gallon. My brother averages 60 mpg from his manual. We got well into the 50's on a run from our A180cdi auto and my daughetr gets mid fifties on her A180cdi manual. All ours have been reliable but mine has gone now to make room for two puppies -so E class estate is our best bet.

Oddly the A class has about the same legroom front and rear as our E class. Bit of genius IMO

I will now look at them as well

 

[Smiley]

Mitsubishi colt diesel
BMW 320d
Toyota Yaris
VW Polo 1.9TDI

All good cars in my opinion, easily had for under £5k, under 5 years old, with sensible miles and not french!

That was just about the same list as I had for similar reqts; ended up with a Polo 1.4tdi. Very nice to drive been very reliable so far now up to 40k miles. I expect the Yaris is a more reliable car but could not find one at the time in budget.

 

[SSBB]

I have a W203, C220cdi, I bought it partly because my friend also has one...only his has done 280,000 miles! and shows no signs of giving up yet.
The list price for my December 03 car is around 9-10,000. I paid £7500 cash with just 46000 miles and full history (from a dealers forecourt). If you have cash, now is definitely a good time to by a presige car. Im getting 38mpg to work and back (15 miles) and 44mpg on a run.

 

[ALFIE CONN]

I appreciate that it's not in your neck of the woods, but here's where Lloyds offload their contract hire cars....

http://www.blackhorsecarsales.co.uk/makes/Mercedes/Info.aspx

I am not sure i have heard of the above. Good company and prices?
I may visit Birmingham.

 

[st4]

Oddly the A class has about the same legroom front and rear as our E class. Bit of genius IMO

Sandwich floor you see. However I bet your E handles better and is more comfy....for a town car with occasional long range driving an A would be great but 70miles/day you need a bigger car.

Fords excellent focus can be had for the OPs budget and I can't say a bad thing about one, comfy, reliable, good NCAP, well made, brilliant to drive...

 

[Dryce]

Sandwich floor you see. However I bet your E handles better and is more comfy....for a town car with occasional long range driving an A would be great but 70miles/day you need a bigger car.

I've ended up with an A a few times now for trips of ~100 miles.

The current model is quite good for town, motorway, and dual carriageway. Not so good on A/B cross country routes (better than the original though).

Fords excellent focus can be had for the OPs budget and I can't say a bad thing about one, comfy, reliable, good NCAP, well made, brilliant to drive...

I commuted 80 miles out and back for several months and used a variety of cars plus my own. The E was obviously king but I was trying to keep the mileage down at that point. I used an Astra and a Focus for several weeks. For me the Astra was was the better of the two.

 

[st4]

I commuted 80 miles out and back for several months and used a variety of cars plus my own. The E was obviously king but I was trying to keep the mileage down at that point. I used an Astra and a Focus for several weeks. For me the Astra was was the better of the two.

Never driven one but my pal took one from Aberdeen to Kendal and rated it and used it for a weekend of fast driving in the lake district. Said it was good.

Would a MKV golf and new passat fit in the OPs budget or a current shape Skoda octavia. Nice cars all of these.

 

[hawk20]

Sandwich floor you see. However I bet your E handles better and is more comfy....for a town car with occasional long range driving an A would be great but 70miles/day you need a bigger car.

Fords excellent focus can be had for the OPs budget and I can't say a bad thing about one, comfy, reliable, good NCAP, well made, brilliant to drive...

But the Focus isn't a bigger car. It is short on legroom for me unlike the A class. I drove my A class to Spain and back during our two week motoring holiday in Europe and it was fine and really comfortable on long runs. My brother regularly drives Bournemouth to the Wirrell in his (260 miles each way). BTW I had the comfort seats (£85 extra) and the steering column adjustable for rake and reach (£115 extra). Makes a difference for the long-legged like me.

A recent excellent thread with info from 2 driving instructors using A’s for big miles is: -
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?p=322767#post322767

 

[bpsorrel]

Thanks for ALL your replies, i really am looking at EVERY bit of advice but i am looking mainly for a DIESEL S60 (at the MOMENT.)

Someone has just shown me, as i type this, (from todays Sun Motors section) that you can get a NEW 09 Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 Turbo Diesel SRi for £9,000 (saving £10,000) from Motor point car supermarket.
Any thoughts on this car for this price?

Well, I can vouch for the engine as it's basically the same one I have in my Saab 93 Convertible. In real life driving it's very quick with a lot of torque and I average a good 50 mpg+ ! Only down, it's a bit noisier than some, especially when compared to my E320 cdi! But, for me the Vectra just is soooo boring! How about a Saab 93 saloon? They're incredibly cheap now!! (And, things don't look quite so bad for Saab now as there are reportedly around 10 serious buyers in the frame...)

Still, I can happily vouch for the S60 as mine was an absolute diamond of a car and actually, I miss it!

 

[nick mercedes]

Someone has just shown me, as i type this, (from todays Sun Motors section) that you can get a NEW 09 Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 Turbo Diesel SRi for £9,000 (saving £10,000) from Motor point car supermarket.
Any thoughts on this car for this price?

Get a used one, I was looking at diesel Astras, and you can get one less than 3 years old for £3995, £120 a year tax too.

 

[janner]

I'd head for an auction that's selling ex-fleet cars and buy something like a two or three year old Focus/Astra/Golf/Leon diesel.
Eg. http://www.auctionview.co.uk/SaleCatalogue.aspx?branch=0201&date=20090406

 

[stevesey]

And, things don't look quite so bad for Saab now as there are reportedly around 10 serious buyers in the frame

Wow sales are up then - must keep an eye out for those exclusive 09 plate Saabs.