New car - what to get?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi,

Hopefully in the next couple of days I will be selling my current car, Skoda Fabia VRS, which I love but don't really need a car like this anymore.

I travel only a couple of miles a day to work and so am looking for a cheaper to purchase car, to free up some money.

It has to have a big boot, ideally an estate for runs to the tip, also needs to be quickish, can't be doing with anything too sluggish and I want a tow bar as I have a motorbike and trailer I would like to take to trackdays.

So far I have looked at 328 BMW touring, Volvo V70 (2.5) and Audi A4 / A6. (2.8)

The Audi is probably my favourite, I would like the gadgets etc but my only must have is leather seats.

My max budget is 2k but anything less than this would be ideal.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Jon

The only the two things I don't like about my A4 saloon are the lack of split/folding rear seats and the atrocious rear leg room - I'm 6'5" and my 4 year old niece doesn't fit behind me. That's 2 clicks from the rear setting.

As above, the A6 sorts this out though and is a nice thing to smoke about in, a bloke I know has a A6 with the smaller 2.4 V6 in, still goes pretty well, and can be got dirt cheap. Also the A6 didn't change much, if at all, from 1997 till about 2003, so if the age thing bothers you, an earlier one with a private plate can be any age.

Thanks for the replies, I have spoke to several people and the Audi seems to come out on top each time.

I would need room in the back so the A6 seems the obvious choice, and the age doesnt matter too much, I would like it before the emissions tests changed so I would pay the lower tax on it.

I have seen the Audi's from as little as £1500 with alot of gadgets on.

Any more comments welcome.

Thanks

Jon

Can be expensive when you unexpected and stupidly brake something...

A6 should be a good option as its more likely to have the leather

leather should wear well - mine has 167k on the clock and leather is still very good considering

I would chose either of those Audis, but I'm a bit biased. I've had 2 Audis with the 12v version of the 2.8, I love the engine but it is not economical. I get 20MPG driving to work and never more than 30MPG from a tank.

i was looking for a similar car a while ago but accidently found a saab 9-5 which im very pleased with.

Have you found your boost yet though Anton?

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

well other than an issue im having atm im pleased with it...

John... not yet, i have nicked my dads Jag for now, OBD2 cable has arrived but I need to find some time to plug it in

"i'm in the JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYG"!!!

I say jag... its a mundarno in disguise...

Still better than last time I had to use my dads car! It was a maroon 3.2 V6 Vectra with a tan leather interior!

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

Just an update:

My car is now sold and am now on the hunt for my new one.

I have been looking everywhere for an audi but don't seem to be that many around.

I have been looking at alternatives in the way of the V70, does anyone have any comments on these?

One I have found is the 2.5 200bhp AWD, just wondered if anyone knew how good the engines are, reliability etc?

Thanks

Jon

i have a V70 T5, cannot fault it, well bar the fuel usage but tuff for now, if i was to buy another ( and i probably will at some point) it may well be a Diesel awd would be nice too,
these T5s are around 250bhp and it gets abit dicey around peak torque with it being fwd
mine is @ 165k miles and you wouldnt even know, pulls like a train still

i commute about 6 miles a day each way, mpg is around for that is 19-20, on the motorway 30mpg is easy and i pulled 47.5mpg over 150 miles the other week, i stayed tooked up behind a lorry conveniently doing nearly 70

a fantastic all round car not found anything i cant fit in it, its not slow either, its done of the line by an impreza but soon rakes him in making for some rather amusing facial expressions

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

Another vote for the V70 here, I would definitely buy another one. The most useful and comfortable car I have owned, and quick to boot.

Hi

Thanks for the replies, I do have a bike and am riding it at the moment but I must be honest it isnt great leaving the house in the morning when it is -7 degrees outside.

I also have a motorbike but leave that for summer months only.

I think I will phone up tomorrow about the V70, is there anything I should ask, common faults etc?

When should the cambelts be replaced on them?

Thanks

Jon

I've got the S60 (V70 but saloon) D5 (163bhp) and Its superb - returns 55mpg. The SE commands more money but gets full leather (rather than half on the S spec), dolby surround (S gets 2 channel but still great audio), digital climate control (dual zone on the S manual control). So the S spec is good value for money. The early D5 had some issues with injectors (upto 2004) and many were replaced on warranty. starting trouble is first signs of failure. I have looked into it and there arn't that bad to replace (unless you goto Volvo!)

The petrol versions go on and on and on and on and on! (as do the D5!)

great value for money, we changed from an A4 and TBH wouldn't go back now.

common faults, the alarm backup battery leaks and eats through the pcb, expensive fix diy kits are available about 300dolla
the only down side is a message when you get it ( goes off after about 20s) and the alarm siren doesn't sound alarm and immobiliser still work

alot of people dont bother fixing it, another problem from what i have read is you cannot take electrical parts off another volvo as they are digital signed and only work on the volvo they are intended too, i have no personal experience of this but wouldnt be surprised tbh the ecu is connected to everything

cam belts, 70-80k miles mine needs to be done too :(

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett