Luxurious commuter car advice

[arbit]

I am looking to replace a 13y old Merc A180 with something safer and more luxurious to drive. I will be using the car to go to the station and back during the week for my commute, 13 miles each way. We've got an Audi Q5 as a family car.

I have gone through many different scenarios regarding what I want, from a Jaguar F-Type to an I-Pace but I am a bit lost and would appreciate some input. I am also concerned regarding an imminent drop in used car prices but I guess everyone is.

Basically the requirements are:
- not a diesel but with 13 mile trips it wouldn't make sense anyway
- 4 wheel drive, as it's a lot of country roads where I live
- comfortable suspension with lots of potholes around here
- Useable seats in the back so that it can be used when sth is wrong with the Q5 or we've got family over
- up to £35k budget; it is flexible but depends on what kind of car it is/how long it can be kept for given our circumstances, more on that below
- sth with Apple CarPlay or where it can be retro-fitted

Since we've got another child on the way, I think we will have to upgrade the Q5 to sth bigger for holidays/longer trips. So I could also buy a bigger SUV type car that I could use for the commute and my wife keeps the Q5 for daily trips. Or I could make use of free-falling prices of I-Paces for example and use that for commutes now, give it to the wife later and buy a Cayenne or so as the family car/commuter as my wife doesn't want to drive a bigger car than the Q5.

Basically I am really confused what to do but a few scenarios are as follows:

1. Get a luxurious limousine that I will use for the commute and would not sell for a while; get a roof box for the Q5 and keep using it for holidays/longer trips.

E.g. a BMW 540i Xdrive like this one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302184...
BMW 640i with all the trimmings, but doesn't have AWD
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302124...
Mercedes E400 Coupe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302104...

2. Go electric now with e.g. an I-Pace which can be had for around £35k incl discounts and wall-charger and we could keep the car for a long time for all local/nearby trips and replace the Q5 later with a bigger family car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302094...

3. Buy a bigger SUV now, e.g. XC90, Cayenne etc.
This would potentially mean the biggest outlay at the top of the market but equally no faffing about with selling admin etc again.

Any thoughts/inputs to help me make up my mind?

[bitchstewie]

arbit said:

Any thoughts/inputs to help me make up my mind?

If the parking at your station is anything like is at mine think whether you really want £35K worth of shiny motor having doors opened onto it on an almost daily basis.

[Deerfoot]

Lexus RX450?

[dmsims]

Although it pains me to say it - e-tron ?

[Yomamaisasnowblower]

Do you really need to travel 13 miles to the station in luxury? In the middle of winter, you'll need to drive five miles before the cabin warms up.

My opinion, divert the cash for the family wagon and spend 5-10k on a Japanese/Korean hatchback. If you're lucky you might find one with a bit of leather and heated front seats.

[ChocolateFrog]

That budget would get you a very nice late Lexus LS460.

Stick it on a set of Michelin Cross Climates and you won't need 4WD.

[AmitG]

£35k will get you a *brand new* Subaru Outback after a bit of haggling (and Subaru are desperate to shift them right now, so haggling may yield good results). A lightly used one should be easily within budget.

It ticks all the boxes as far as I can see, and will probably last forever. They are more luxurious than you might think. The top-spec one (which is about £40k, but see above comments about haggling) has 11.3" screen, Nappa leather, Harman Kardon audio, heated seats etc.

Lexus is a good shout, but bear in mind that hybrid Lexus models do not have permanent AWD; the rear axle is electric and kicks in when required. Not as good as the Subaru, which is permanent AWD.

[arbit]

bhstewie said:

arbit said:

Any thoughts/inputs to help me make up my mind?

If the parking at your station is anything like is at mine think whether you really want £35K worth of shiny motor having doors opened onto it on an almost daily basis.

Fair point - the one I've switched to now that is on Crossrail has quite some sthole vibes going on and is very different to the station I used to go to before.

Yomamaisasnowblower said:

Do you really need to travel 13 miles to the station in luxury? In the middle of winter, you'll need to drive five miles before the cabin warms up.

My opinion, divert the cash for the family wagon and spend 5-10k on a Japanese/Korean hatchback. If you're lucky you might find one with a bit of leather and heated front seats.

I only live once, so yes I am done spending an hour of each day in a trash can.

ChocolateFrog said:

That budget would get you a very nice late Lexus LS460.

Stick it on a set of Michelin Cross Climates and you won't need 4WD.

I will check them out, thank you.

AmitG said:

£35k will get you a *brand new* Subaru Outback after a bit of haggling (and Subaru are desperate to shift them right now, so haggling may yield good results). A lightly used one should be easily within budget.

It ticks all the boxes as far as I can see, and will probably last forever. They are more luxurious than you might think. The top-spec one (which is about £40k, but see above comments about haggling) has 11.3" screen, Nappa leather, Harman Kardon audio, heated seats etc.

Lexus is a good shout, but bear in mind that hybrid Lexus models do not have permanent AWD; the rear axle is electric and kicks in when required. Not as good as the Subaru, which is permanent AWD.

That car is not for me - also don't want to take a depreciation hit on a new car plus it's quite slow. The £35k budget suggestion is for a car that could also be used as a family car. If it's a sedan/coupe of some sort then I don't really want to go above £25k.