Talk me out of this 'sensible' car?
Discussion
A bit of history, I have always had company cars, but our scheme changed to car allowance early 2021.
I bought an XF 2.0d R Sport, not particularly exciting, but I happen to like Jaguar saloon cars. I have since done 40k in it and all was well, until now when I am getting some bills for the car and it is approaching 60k miles, so time to go.
I need something fairly recent as I do use the car for business purposes, I don't want a manual gearbox, and hybrid seems a compromise between ICE and full-electric.
Budget is approx £22k.
I don't want a sports car, just something comfortable and efficient with a good level of spec.
Will this car make me fall asleep?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149...
I bought an XF 2.0d R Sport, not particularly exciting, but I happen to like Jaguar saloon cars. I have since done 40k in it and all was well, until now when I am getting some bills for the car and it is approaching 60k miles, so time to go.
I need something fairly recent as I do use the car for business purposes, I don't want a manual gearbox, and hybrid seems a compromise between ICE and full-electric.
Budget is approx £22k.
I don't want a sports car, just something comfortable and efficient with a good level of spec.
Will this car make me fall asleep?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149...
Well it's a mk5 so probably the least engaging Mondeo ever and it's a Hybrid too so heavier with low rolling resistance tyres.
A smidge over 9s to 60 so isn't going to be setting anyones knickers on fire and a CVT so while reliable engine may drone if you're flooring it... but then why buy something like this if you're going to drive round with your hair on fire?
Essentially it's the Ford version of the Prious but a bit comfier, (IMO) better looking but not in any way exciting.
Fuel economy is probably on par with a diesel.
There are more economical cars out there and there are more exciting cars out there, it's a very sensible car.
A smidge over 9s to 60 so isn't going to be setting anyones knickers on fire and a CVT so while reliable engine may drone if you're flooring it... but then why buy something like this if you're going to drive round with your hair on fire?
Essentially it's the Ford version of the Prious but a bit comfier, (IMO) better looking but not in any way exciting.
Fuel economy is probably on par with a diesel.
There are more economical cars out there and there are more exciting cars out there, it's a very sensible car.
Fastdruid said:
Well it's a mk5 so probably the least engaging Mondeo ever and it's a Hybrid too so heavier with low rolling resistance tyres.
A smidge over 9s to 60 so isn't going to be setting anyones knickers on fire and a CVT so while reliable engine may drone if you're flooring it... but then why buy something like this if you're going to drive round with your hair on fire?
Essentially it's the Ford version of the Prious but a bit comfier, (IMO) better looking but not in any way exciting.
Fuel economy is probably on par with a diesel.
There are more economical cars out there and there are more exciting cars out there, it's a very sensible car.
It is far too sensible isn't it!A smidge over 9s to 60 so isn't going to be setting anyones knickers on fire and a CVT so while reliable engine may drone if you're flooring it... but then why buy something like this if you're going to drive round with your hair on fire?
Essentially it's the Ford version of the Prious but a bit comfier, (IMO) better looking but not in any way exciting.
Fuel economy is probably on par with a diesel.
There are more economical cars out there and there are more exciting cars out there, it's a very sensible car.
Where is 'ZX10R NIN' when you need him, he always has loads of suggestions!!
Decky_Q said:
A newer jag? My brother in law is also a jag man, and I am always surprised at the bargains he finds, always v6 and always faultless in his ownership. And usually half what I pay for similar age/spec cars.
Mins is a 2018 / 68 plate, which was 2yrs old when I got it, and I have piled on the miles.In my budget, I would probably just end up with the same again, but lower miles which seems daft!
I did a driver training course in these (the hybrid) 5 years ago (CAT driver training, on road and at Millbrook).
The powertrain is a bit of a mixed bag. In general it's smooth and quiet enough. When you need a burst of power to overtake someone the hybrid comes through quite strongly, just what you want. However it didn't seem like the most well-integrated powertrain, sometimes the braking and acceleration can feel inconsistent due to the varying state of charge of the battery. At Millbrook we managed to empty the battery with unreasonably harsh accel and braking, at which point it's very sluggish and noisy, but you wouldn't drive like that on the road in a car like this.
The chassis I liked, good Ford handling and ride, better on-limit balance and response than you'd expect of a big family car like this.
Generally seemed comfy and well equipped. The beltline felt a bit high for my taste but I think that's the same on most modern cars.
We didn't get the chance to evaluate fuel economy.
I think it depends whether you're prepared to accommodate and work with the powertrain's quirks, or if you want something more simple and straightforward. Overall I wouldn't say it's necessarily a wrong choice, depends what you want. Worth a test drive I'd say.
Edit: in terms of other options, you could consider whether a Tesla Model S would work for you, eg https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149... . A bit older but still in production so could easily private plate it if appearances are the issue, might work out cheaper overall esp with free charging included.
The powertrain is a bit of a mixed bag. In general it's smooth and quiet enough. When you need a burst of power to overtake someone the hybrid comes through quite strongly, just what you want. However it didn't seem like the most well-integrated powertrain, sometimes the braking and acceleration can feel inconsistent due to the varying state of charge of the battery. At Millbrook we managed to empty the battery with unreasonably harsh accel and braking, at which point it's very sluggish and noisy, but you wouldn't drive like that on the road in a car like this.
The chassis I liked, good Ford handling and ride, better on-limit balance and response than you'd expect of a big family car like this.
Generally seemed comfy and well equipped. The beltline felt a bit high for my taste but I think that's the same on most modern cars.
We didn't get the chance to evaluate fuel economy.
I think it depends whether you're prepared to accommodate and work with the powertrain's quirks, or if you want something more simple and straightforward. Overall I wouldn't say it's necessarily a wrong choice, depends what you want. Worth a test drive I'd say.
Edit: in terms of other options, you could consider whether a Tesla Model S would work for you, eg https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149... . A bit older but still in production so could easily private plate it if appearances are the issue, might work out cheaper overall esp with free charging included.
Edited by samoht on Thursday 20th July 15:32
Volvo S90 in either D4 or T4?
Very comfortable, well equipped and ideal for long motorway jaunts:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306078...
Very comfortable, well equipped and ideal for long motorway jaunts:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306078...
Toyota Camry 2.5 VVT-h - watch out for ex-taxis
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305097...
Lexus IS300h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304056...
Infiniti Q50S Hybrid with 360 bhp
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306158...
Even better would be a PHEV, but you need to keep them charged up to get the most from them
BMW 530e
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306208...
VW Passat GTE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306238...
Peugeot 508 GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307029...
Kia Optima 2.0 GDi PHEV
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306309...
Mercedes C350e
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305097...
Lexus IS300h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304056...
Infiniti Q50S Hybrid with 360 bhp
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306158...
Even better would be a PHEV, but you need to keep them charged up to get the most from them
BMW 530e
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306208...
VW Passat GTE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306238...
Peugeot 508 GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307029...
Kia Optima 2.0 GDi PHEV
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306309...
Mercedes C350e
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...
WAVman said:
I like the 508's, and the S90 is worth a second look.
There are some cheap lease deals on 508 at the moment, but the 1.2 engine. Is that underpowered?
Not too underpowered, it'll do the 0-60 in 9.5, so not far off the 2.0 hybrid Mondeo. I'm not sure how close it'll come to it's claimed 49 mpg though. Small turbocharged engines usually do quite badly, look at the 1.0 Ford Ecoboosts and Fiat Twinairs. I'd be expecting mid-30's mpg from this. There are some cheap lease deals on 508 at the moment, but the 1.2 engine. Is that underpowered?
The other issue with that engine is the wet cambelt design that is expensive to replace and can fail early in some cars as low as 50k miles. Since you'll be leasing that won't really be a problem though.
Didn’t even know anyone bought these now! I’m afraid it’s a German executive saloon for me - either a BMW 3 series or 4 series Gran coupe with hatch - bought my wife a 430d Gran coupe xdrive - brilliant car but she has joint problems and struggled with access down to would you believe it the depth of the door pockets when in tight spaces!
I wouldn’t have sold it……..
I wouldn’t have sold it……..
Boxster5 said:
Didn’t even know anyone bought these now! I’m afraid it’s a German executive saloon for me - either a BMW 3 series or 4 series Gran coupe with hatch - bought my wife a 430d Gran coupe xdrive - brilliant car but she has joint problems and struggled with access down to would you believe it the depth of the door pockets when in tight spaces!
I wouldn’t have sold it……..
I have to be honest, I can see where she's coming from even without joint problems. I used to be able to park a Mk2 Mondeo in a space barely wide enough that I'd physically fit between the two cars and still be able to squeeze myself out of the door without touching the other car. I wouldn’t have sold it……..
Can't do that in a newer car, the door is so physically wide and more curved in at the top that it has to be opened *far* wider and so the spaces I need to park in need to be much wider just to open the door more (added to the car itself being wider too). Add in some mobility issues and I could see it being a real pain..
georgeyboy12345 said:
Toyota Camry 2.5 VVT-h - watch out for ex-taxis
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305097...
Lexus IS300h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304056...
Peugeot 508 GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307029...
I would discount these three from any shortlist. The Japanese stuff have terrible CVT gearboxes and the 508 has that awful Peugeot live cockpit that means the steering wheel and instruments are in strange places and when you get the wheel where you want it you can’t see the instruments https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305097...
Lexus IS300h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304056...
Peugeot 508 GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307029...
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