What Would You Buy?

[BarneyTT]

Hypothetical question: What would you buy if circumstances dictated you had to buy a more cost effective car (any make) in the 2.0 - 2.5cc range?

It has to be a 4 door auto and a max budget of £7k

Think I might look at a Toyota Camry 2.2.

[Chris Skelton]

Good to see you had a lie-in today Barney! After 5 a.m. postings......

Are you getting old/rid of your Supra?

Subaru Forester/Legacy? Or Berlingo Multispace.

P.S. You can dig back at the 'old' bit; I retire in 2 weeks! Sold business......

[steve-bedford]

Hypothetical question: What would you buy if circumstances dictated you had to buy a more cost effective car (any make) in the 2.0 - 2.5cc range?

It has to be a 4 door auto and a max budget of £7k

Think I might look at a Toyota Camry 2.2.

Hi Barney,

I've worked in the automotive sector for almost 20 years. Working for a vehicle manufacturer generally means that your new car arrvies every 6 months which, of course, is wonderful but it does mean that cars (when you're working with them day in, day out) turn into just another commodity like your washing machine or microwave.

I had a career change recently and whilst still in automotive, had the chance to opt out and take the cash option. As I have the "really nice" car thing well out of my system I'm now well into the "bangernomics" theory which is incredibly cheap fun.

I don't know your circumstances but if it were me I'd be tempted to go for a Nissan QX which you can buy for literally peanuts (bank the change) and will probably see us all out!!! A Mazda 626 V6? Or how about it's sister - a Mondeo V6? More bullet proof than you think. The V6 is thirsty but reliable and sounds very very good. How about an Omega 2.5V6 Elite? No street cred, fairly reliable and oh so cheap now. Finally, I'd take a very close look at a Saab 9-5 2.0 Turbo. They have lots of class and will go to the moon and back without a hitch.

Good luck in your search - There are bargains to be had out there, especially in the days leading up to Xmas!

Cheers,

Steve

[maneesh]

Cost effective 4 door auto...up to 7k..IMHO, with petrol prices the way they are, something like a Mondeo TDCi. Economical, and pretty nice to drive too.

[lutonmatt]

Hypothetical question: What would you buy if circumstances dictated you had to buy a more cost effective car (any make) in the 2.0 - 2.5cc range?

It has to be a 4 door auto and a max budget of £7k

Think I might look at a Toyota Camry 2.2.

4 door auto and cost effective a transit ;D;D;D

camry's are good

[BarneyTT]

Not selling my beloved LS (or the Supra Chris :) ) Just curious what everyone would buy under the above circumstances.

Steve: Having had two V6 Mondeo's, one manual, one auto and numerous other V6 Ford's I have to say that petrol wise they are little better than a V8 Lexus (in the case of the MK1 Granada I owned, worse!) I would personally be looking at a four cylinder car hence the 2.2 Camry or perhaps an older 2.0 Mondeo Ghia X.

[maneesh]

The 2.0 TDCi Mondeo I was referring to is a diesel not a petrol and is a four cylinder and is a lot more economical than a V8 Petrol!

[chrisfs]

Another vote for a Saab 9-5 2.0 turbo auto. I had one before buying my LS400, was hugely impressed and always said I would buy another some time.

So when I sold the 400 at the end of last year, I did buy another and again was greatly impressed. Very smooth, well spec'd if SE, very reliable.

But not a Lexus which is why, having just returned to a LS430, I'm selling my Saab! Looks like a buyer coming with cash on Saturday but I've had to drop the price under £5k to sell (2001 but only 44k miles) and I can't believe how much car the buyer will get for that amount of money. But I suppose the same is true of the Lexy . . .

Chris

[steve2006]

I read somewhere that the Saab 9-5 has a problem with the timing chain at around 60k.

[BarneyTT]

The 2.0 TDCi Mondeo I was referring to is a diesel not a petrol and is a four cylinder and is a lot more economical than a V8 Petrol!

I've heard they are pretty good too.

[BarneyTT]

Another vote for a Saab 9-5 2.0 turbo auto. I had one before buying my LS400, was hugely impressed and always said I would buy another some time.

So when I sold the 400 at the end of last year, I did buy another and again was greatly impressed. Very smooth, well spec'd if SE, very reliable.

But not a Lexus which is why, having just returned to a LS430, I'm selling my Saab! Looks like a buyer coming with cash on Saturday but I've had to drop the price under £5k to sell (2001 but only 44k miles) and I can't believe how much car the buyer will get for that amount of money. But I suppose the same is true of the Lexy . . .

Chris

It does hurt when you have to let something go for less than you would have liked knowing they are getting a well sorted bargain.

Nearly bought a Saab years ago as I do like them, but have never got close to owning one since, what's the 9-5 turbo auto like on petrol out of interest Chris?

[Chris.S]

Id go for an Auris T180 but its not auto which wouldnt matter to me. 2.2 deisel, 180 brake, 0-60 in less than 7 seconds and still can do 45mpg

[chrisfs]

Nearly bought a Saab years ago as I do like them, but have never got close to owning one since, what's the 9-5 turbo auto like on petrol out of interest Chris?

To be honest Barney, I don't know! As with the LS, I drive it, I fill it up, I drive it again . . .

But I would say not too bad, maybe around 30-ish overall?

Chris

[chrisfs]

I read somewhere that the Saab 9-5 has a problem with the timing chain at around 60k.

I'm not too sure how you mean that, Steve? Like any other car they need replacing periodically, and I believe it is at 60k (still some way off on mine) for these. But I have not heard of any special problem around that, what have you heard?

One of the great virtues of the Saabs, in my view, is their great reliability so it would be interesting to know if there is some doubt around that.

Chris

[bazgtr]

Hypothetical question: What would you buy if circumstances dictated you had to buy a more cost effective car (any make) in the 2.0 - 2.5cc range?

It has to be a 4 door auto and a max budget of £7k

Think I might look at a Toyota Camry 2.2.

Easy answer.

My R34 GT 2.5, 4 door. Super everyday car and rare in 4 door version. Mine was the seventh in the country, But there will be a big inflex next year as car version no longer needs the SVA on it. Great for drifting aswell with the long wheel base and has Nissan realiablitly and cheap service parts for it. Not as nice as the LS400 though on comfort and noise, but the R34 was quicker and can tuned quite easily.

The R34 is living in London area now.