Luxurious but not ostentatious cars...
Discussion
After 4 years and 50,000 miles with my mk7 Golf 1.4 TSI zoning in on 100,000 miles, it seems like it’s time for a change. The Golf has been very reliable and averages 45-50mpg on the commute (roughly 30 miles each way, 5 days per week) and has been an all-round great car. My only complaint would be excessive road noise and although the ride is considerably better than the R56 MINI that it replaced, you certainly feel the bumps more than I would like. I would like a C/D-segment-sized 5 door hatch/4 door saloon to replace it with ideally similar fuel economy but with a bit more performance and less road noise/a more cosseting ride. Petrol but don’t want a 3 cylinder and don’t mind either manual or auto. I was pretty set on a facelift W205 C-Class saloon (probably a C300) but am starting to have second thoughts, as I’m a middle manager at a small factory (around 80 employees) and times have been a bit hard (wage freezes, cost of living crisis, layoffs etc), so I don’t really want something too “flash”, as people will likely get a bit “funny”, even though there are people on the floor earning less money that drive nicer cars than me.
This is my 3rd Golf and they have done me pretty well so far. Decent reliability, look smart, quality feel and this one being GT spec has all the toys (leather, pan roof, radar cruise etc) but still looks like a Golf, so doesn’t really say too much about me. Why not just get another Golf? I’ve had a look at one and I really don’t like it. Looks worse, interior feels cheap and the infotainment system is a disaster. A 2020 C300 would have cost around 30k, so I’m thinking that I could still get something “nice” for 20-25k and spend the difference on a sports car/motorbike to enjoy in my own time. So what C/D-segment 5 door hatches/4 door saloons would offer decent comfort/luxury/ride and are 2020 or newer? Also, no CVTs, as I can’t stand them! I guess if this was the 80s/90s, I’d be getting a Ford Ghia/Vauxhall CDX/Rover.
My parents have recently switched from Citroens to Mazdas and think they’re amazing, so I guess that I could look at a Mazda 3/6
Hyundai i30/Kia Ceed
Ford Focus
SEAT Leon/Skoda Octavia (but the infotainment is probably the same as the new Golf)
Vauxhall Insignia
Volvo S60 T5?
Renault Megane
Peugeot 508
These all look pretty reasonable to me but I don’t know how well they fit my criteria. I guess a “wild card” choice would be a mk2 Nissan Leaf long range. I’m not sure if I’m ready for an EV yet and have never driven one but have always thought if I were to get one, I might start with a Leaf. Would also consider a 4 seat coupe with decent rear seats (but can’t think of any off the top of my head) or reluctantly a crossover if it met all my other requirements.
This is my 3rd Golf and they have done me pretty well so far. Decent reliability, look smart, quality feel and this one being GT spec has all the toys (leather, pan roof, radar cruise etc) but still looks like a Golf, so doesn’t really say too much about me. Why not just get another Golf? I’ve had a look at one and I really don’t like it. Looks worse, interior feels cheap and the infotainment system is a disaster. A 2020 C300 would have cost around 30k, so I’m thinking that I could still get something “nice” for 20-25k and spend the difference on a sports car/motorbike to enjoy in my own time. So what C/D-segment 5 door hatches/4 door saloons would offer decent comfort/luxury/ride and are 2020 or newer? Also, no CVTs, as I can’t stand them! I guess if this was the 80s/90s, I’d be getting a Ford Ghia/Vauxhall CDX/Rover.
My parents have recently switched from Citroens to Mazdas and think they’re amazing, so I guess that I could look at a Mazda 3/6
Hyundai i30/Kia Ceed
Ford Focus
SEAT Leon/Skoda Octavia (but the infotainment is probably the same as the new Golf)
Vauxhall Insignia
Volvo S60 T5?
Renault Megane
Peugeot 508
These all look pretty reasonable to me but I don’t know how well they fit my criteria. I guess a “wild card” choice would be a mk2 Nissan Leaf long range. I’m not sure if I’m ready for an EV yet and have never driven one but have always thought if I were to get one, I might start with a Leaf. Would also consider a 4 seat coupe with decent rear seats (but can’t think of any off the top of my head) or reluctantly a crossover if it met all my other requirements.
If you want the modern equivalent of a Ford Ghia etc. the options would be a Focus (or Mondeo or Kuga) Vignale, the "Lauren & Klement" Skodas or an Xcellence Seat. I don't think there's a 'posh' Vauxhall option any more - the top "Elite" trim is nothing special.
Personally I don't really see the point of these super high spec ordinary cars - the upper-mid spec equivalents have almost as many toys and the interior trim improvements just look like someone is trying a bit too hard to make something very ordinary seem special to me.
For something a bit different you could get a DS4. I've only ever seen one of the current version and it looked pretty smart without being obviously flashy. Being effectively a Citroen, I'd guess on it being pretty comfortable without quite as much as plastickyness you get normally.
Personally I don't really see the point of these super high spec ordinary cars - the upper-mid spec equivalents have almost as many toys and the interior trim improvements just look like someone is trying a bit too hard to make something very ordinary seem special to me.
For something a bit different you could get a DS4. I've only ever seen one of the current version and it looked pretty smart without being obviously flashy. Being effectively a Citroen, I'd guess on it being pretty comfortable without quite as much as plastickyness you get normally.
Infiniti Q50 Hybrid? Conventional auto, not a CVT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...
Yomamaisasnowblower said:
Just buy the C Class, not sure what part of the country you're in but they aren't really considered "flash" these days and are anonymous run of the mill saloons on most company car lists. A C63 might raise a few eyebrows, the others, not so much.
My old C63 was lovely and went pretty much under the radar. Maybe a few eyebrows by some hardened petrol heads.OP, I have had 4 Octavia's (mk 2 and 3) and now have a Leaf. The Octavia is generally considered to have a bit more road noise than the Golf. I can't confirm that as I have never driven a Golf. The Octavia is also very spec sensitive on ride, bigger wheels and vRS spec are not good if you want ride quality, whereas the 16 inch wheel on standard suspension is great, but you lose handling. 17 is a reasonable compromise. The Leaf doesn't ride so well and the longer range E+ is a bit worse as it has lower and stiffer suspension because of the extra battery weight. They are also noisier than the Octavia on the motorway. Without getting into the electric car thing, if the range fits your commute and life, and you can charge at home I find the Leaf is brilliant. For longer journeys with charging en-route, then it is a PITA. Also expensive compared to many petrol cars. Leaf is surprisingly quick in the real world and has a decent boot. Can also be optioned with a spare wheel and still has proper buttons for much of the basic controls, which is lucky because once you do go into the screen menus they are quite confusing IMO.
Fusion777 said:
S60 is right up your street, but haven’t driven one.
I have, and agree, right up to the task request. Floaty, and not a single pretension of 'sporty' about it, which is a rarity. Also features the comfiest seats you'll ever sit in, it's really stolen the Granada's (Car Magazine) moniker of 'motorised sofa'.Maybe a bit over budget but it will sail under the raider as not many people will have a clue what it is.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212152...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212152...
white_goodman said:
After 4 years and 50,000 miles with my mk7 Golf 1.4 TSI zoning in on 100,000 miles, it seems like it’s time for a change. The Golf has been very reliable and averages 45-50mpg on the commute (roughly 30 miles each way, 5 days per week) and has been an all-round great car. My only complaint would be excessive road noise and although the ride is considerably better than the R56 MINI that it replaced, you certainly feel the bumps more than I would like. I would like a C/D-segment-sized 5 door hatch/4 door saloon to replace it with ideally similar fuel economy but with a bit more performance and less road noise/a more cosseting ride. Petrol but don’t want a 3 cylinder and don’t mind either manual or auto. I was pretty set on a facelift W205 C-Class saloon (probably a C300) but am starting to have second thoughts, as I’m a middle manager at a small factory (around 80 employees) and times have been a bit hard (wage freezes, cost of living crisis, layoffs etc), so I don’t really want something too “flash”, as people will likely get a bit “funny”, even though there are people on the floor earning less money that drive nicer cars than me.
This is my 3rd Golf and they have done me pretty well so far. Decent reliability, look smart, quality feel and this one being GT spec has all the toys (leather, pan roof, radar cruise etc) but still looks like a Golf, so doesn’t really say too much about me. Why not just get another Golf? I’ve had a look at one and I really don’t like it. Looks worse, interior feels cheap and the infotainment system is a disaster. A 2020 C300 would have cost around 30k, so I’m thinking that I could still get something “nice” for 20-25k and spend the difference on a sports car/motorbike to enjoy in my own time. So what C/D-segment 5 door hatches/4 door saloons would offer decent comfort/luxury/ride and are 2020 or newer? Also, no CVTs, as I can’t stand them! I guess if this was the 80s/90s, I’d be getting a Ford Ghia/Vauxhall CDX/Rover.
My parents have recently switched from Citroens to Mazdas and think they’re amazing, so I guess that I could look at a Mazda 3/6
Hyundai i30/Kia Ceed
Ford Focus
SEAT Leon/Skoda Octavia (but the infotainment is probably the same as the new Golf)
Vauxhall Insignia
Volvo S60 T5?
Renault Megane
Peugeot 508
These all look pretty reasonable to me but I don’t know how well they fit my criteria. I guess a “wild card” choice would be a mk2 Nissan Leaf long range. I’m not sure if I’m ready for an EV yet and have never driven one but have always thought if I were to get one, I might start with a Leaf. Would also consider a 4 seat coupe with decent rear seats (but can’t think of any off the top of my head) or reluctantly a crossover if it met all my other requirements.
Spend around 20k on one of these:This is my 3rd Golf and they have done me pretty well so far. Decent reliability, look smart, quality feel and this one being GT spec has all the toys (leather, pan roof, radar cruise etc) but still looks like a Golf, so doesn’t really say too much about me. Why not just get another Golf? I’ve had a look at one and I really don’t like it. Looks worse, interior feels cheap and the infotainment system is a disaster. A 2020 C300 would have cost around 30k, so I’m thinking that I could still get something “nice” for 20-25k and spend the difference on a sports car/motorbike to enjoy in my own time. So what C/D-segment 5 door hatches/4 door saloons would offer decent comfort/luxury/ride and are 2020 or newer? Also, no CVTs, as I can’t stand them! I guess if this was the 80s/90s, I’d be getting a Ford Ghia/Vauxhall CDX/Rover.
My parents have recently switched from Citroens to Mazdas and think they’re amazing, so I guess that I could look at a Mazda 3/6
Hyundai i30/Kia Ceed
Ford Focus
SEAT Leon/Skoda Octavia (but the infotainment is probably the same as the new Golf)
Vauxhall Insignia
Volvo S60 T5?
Renault Megane
Peugeot 508
These all look pretty reasonable to me but I don’t know how well they fit my criteria. I guess a “wild card” choice would be a mk2 Nissan Leaf long range. I’m not sure if I’m ready for an EV yet and have never driven one but have always thought if I were to get one, I might start with a Leaf. Would also consider a 4 seat coupe with decent rear seats (but can’t think of any off the top of my head) or reluctantly a crossover if it met all my other requirements.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303074...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303135...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303235...
If you want a Mercedes I'd go for the nicer (interior wise) E Coupe:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303315...
& buy yourself something properly interesting.
675R:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155472223308?hash=item2...
Gixer 750:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266187258445?hash=item3...
RC8 R:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185560004964?hash=item2...
ZX10R:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134511076720?hash=item1...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 1st April 13:06
QJumper said:
If you want understated comfort and luxury then Lexus fits the bill.
If he's worried about adverse reactions to a C-Class then a Lexus isn't going to help.I know many on here will be dimissive, but I just got rid of a C Class I've had for many years. Really I'm a 'Mondeo man', but I wanted a diesel auto estate and at the time there wasn't much choice. Got a good deal on a nearly-new one.
People that aren't particularly into cars don't see that it's a C Class, they just see 'Merc'. Same as you wrote 'Lexus'.
I used to be a big SEAT fan but the word luxurious as SEAT shouldn't be in the same sentence.
I'd be looking at Mercedes,Volvo,Lexus or stuff like Infiniti. Suppose there is also Alfa and Kia (Stinger).
Looking at the Kia advertised above, the interior very much reminds me of my mates C300.
I'd be looking at Mercedes,Volvo,Lexus or stuff like Infiniti. Suppose there is also Alfa and Kia (Stinger).
Looking at the Kia advertised above, the interior very much reminds me of my mates C300.
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