Need some advice on a more practical car
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Hampshire
Need some advice on a more practical car
So, new job, new baby, and the S2000 is becoming less managable.
I am living in Bristol city centre during the week and returning home to Fareham at the weekend (plus maybe a mid-week trip too). My daily commute to work would be easier and cheaper by rail (heresy I know!), plus there is no off-street parking available at the Bristol flat.
I need a car that will be comfortable to do the 2.5 hr M27/M3/A34/M4 trip up to 4 time per week in. This means a comfortable interior, probably cruise control and the facility to plug my USB stick into the stereo.
The 500 miles per week mean I need a car that will munch the miles and will not cost the earth to run. At best I am getting 30mpg out of the S and would prefer something that will do at least 45mpg or the equivalent of no more than 10p/mile in fuel costs. I also need to be confident to leave the car on the street or in the work car park all week (and for the insurance not to be outrageous).
I need a car that will enable me to take my wife and daughter out at weekends, or on trips oop north to see the family, so Isofix, switchable front airbags and preferably a leather interior are on the hit list!
As far as aesthetics and performance go, I would quite like to keep some of the smooth lines and sleek looks of the S2000 and would like something that doesn't handle like a soggy matress!
I am not fussed about whether I buy new, buy second hand or go for a leasehire plan, but if I buy, the cost to change from my 02 reg S2000 (57500 on the clock) must be no more than £15,000 or LH payments need to be in the region of £350pm.
Additional considerations are that I'm not keen on uber expensive servicing costs/tax/insurance and that I'm only planning on keeping the car for the duration of this job (2.5 years or so).
A lot to ask I know, but has anyone got any ideas?
PS: Wifey says that divorcing her, keeping the S and living in Bristol full time is not an option
I am living in Bristol city centre during the week and returning home to Fareham at the weekend (plus maybe a mid-week trip too). My daily commute to work would be easier and cheaper by rail (heresy I know!), plus there is no off-street parking available at the Bristol flat.
I need a car that will be comfortable to do the 2.5 hr M27/M3/A34/M4 trip up to 4 time per week in. This means a comfortable interior, probably cruise control and the facility to plug my USB stick into the stereo.
The 500 miles per week mean I need a car that will munch the miles and will not cost the earth to run. At best I am getting 30mpg out of the S and would prefer something that will do at least 45mpg or the equivalent of no more than 10p/mile in fuel costs. I also need to be confident to leave the car on the street or in the work car park all week (and for the insurance not to be outrageous).
I need a car that will enable me to take my wife and daughter out at weekends, or on trips oop north to see the family, so Isofix, switchable front airbags and preferably a leather interior are on the hit list!
As far as aesthetics and performance go, I would quite like to keep some of the smooth lines and sleek looks of the S2000 and would like something that doesn't handle like a soggy matress!
I am not fussed about whether I buy new, buy second hand or go for a leasehire plan, but if I buy, the cost to change from my 02 reg S2000 (57500 on the clock) must be no more than £15,000 or LH payments need to be in the region of £350pm.
Additional considerations are that I'm not keen on uber expensive servicing costs/tax/insurance and that I'm only planning on keeping the car for the duration of this job (2.5 years or so).
A lot to ask I know, but has anyone got any ideas?
PS: Wifey says that divorcing her, keeping the S and living in Bristol full time is not an option
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From: In the gutter
My brother had an Alfa 157 JTD a couple of years ago. It looked beautiful and ticked the dynamic boxes too. The interior was a very pleasant place to be and it had loads of toys. He did mention that it wasn't as economical as the Passat that followed it.
He only had it for 8 months, but in that time he racked up about 25K miles and nothing fell off it and nothing broke.
He only had it for 8 months, but in that time he racked up about 25K miles and nothing fell off it and nothing broke.
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My son has just got a Passat 2lt TDi and having had an extended play in it I must say I'm very impressed indeed It's a very nice place to spend a couple of hours on the motorway....quick enough for most..and there seems to be enough room inside for a small game of football 
It looks like the first owner just put one big tick when he was handed the options sheet as it would be quicker to list what it hasn't got 
And all this from a car that on his daily commute has yet to return less than 52mpg
It's a very nice place to spend a couple of hours on the motorway....quick enough for most..and there seems to be enough room inside for a small game of football It looks like the first owner just put one big tick when he was handed the options sheet as it would be quicker to list what it hasn't got And all this from a car that on his daily commute has yet to return less than 52mpg
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From: West Sussex
Originally Posted by Sti Vi,Nov 11 2009, 07:52 AM
But if you can't stretch that far both the 320d and 325d are great cars as well 
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From: location, location
Originally Posted by Sti Vi,Nov 11 2009, 04:52 PM
But if you can't stretch that far both the 320d and 325d are great cars as well nah, its a very nice motor
