Fast, comfortable, reliable 4/5 seater under 20k pounds?

[Audia5audia5]

Do about 10-12k miles a year, majority of that long distance journeys.

Previous car, an Audi a5 2.0 tfsi Quattro 2008 stage 1 remapped - engine seized up on the motorway at 160k miles so it’s rip now

Criteria:

- Fast/fun to drive - has to be similar or better than previous car
- Comfortable ride
- Decent mpg for long distance drives
- Fairly reliable
- Brand prestige - merc/bmw/audi/porsche ideally
- 4 or 5 seats
- Saloon or SUV
- Under 23k pounds
- Good sound system
- Slightly exclusive if possible
- And of course, looks good!

Currently considering 640d/640i, Porsche panamera diesel, Porsche macan petrol/diesel. Also a Merc C43 potentially, although cost of ownership will be a little high!

[Crumpet]

Nothing says ‘prestige’ like a mid-range, ten year old, German saloon! Although, to be fair, there aren’t many options outside the German brands.

Jaguar XE 3.0V6 S would be where I’d look first. Maybe a Lexus RCF? I always thought the VW Arteon was a handsome car as well.

[fflump]

Audia5audia5 said:

Do about 10-12k miles a year, majority of that long distance journeys.

Previous car, an Audi a5 2.0 tfsi Quattro 2008 stage 1 remapped - engine seized up on the motorway at 160k miles so it’s rip now

Criteria:

- Fast/fun to drive - has to be similar or better than previous car
- Comfortable ride
- Decent mpg for long distance drives
- Fairly reliable
- Brand prestige - merc/bmw/audi/porsche ideally
- 4 or 5 seats
- Saloon or SUV
- Under 23k pounds
- Good sound system
- Slightly exclusive if possible
- And of course, looks good!

Currently considering 640d/640i, Porsche panamera diesel, Porsche macan petrol/diesel. Also a Merc C43 potentially, although cost of ownership will be a little high!

Main question is petrol vs diesel as it really shapes the options. Some car brands do great petrol engines but meh diesels, and vice versa.

I very much enjoyed the owning experience of a Ghibli V6S, both performance, engine and rarity were a step up from what it replaced (an F 3-series).

[Audia5audia5]

Crumpet said:

Nothing says ‘prestige’ like a mid-range, ten year old, German saloon! Although, to be fair, there aren’t many options outside the German brands.

Jaguar XE 3.0V6 S would be where I’d look first. Maybe a Lexus RCF? I always thought the VW Arteon was a handsome car as well.

True not really prestige, but something towards that!

Jaguar XE could be a potential. Lexus RCF is only 2 door and would prefer 4 door after all family and friends complained about my last 2 door!

VW arteon is another potential.

Although I would prefer something from a bmw/merc/porsche/jaguar… just personal preference.

What do you think about stage 1 remapping a Macan or panamera diesel?

[Audia5audia5]

fflump said:

Audia5audia5 said:

Do about 10-12k miles a year, majority of that long distance journeys.

Previous car, an Audi a5 2.0 tfsi Quattro 2008 stage 1 remapped - engine seized up on the motorway at 160k miles so it’s rip now

Criteria:

- Fast/fun to drive - has to be similar or better than previous car
- Comfortable ride
- Decent mpg for long distance drives
- Fairly reliable
- Brand prestige - merc/bmw/audi/porsche ideally
- 4 or 5 seats
- Saloon or SUV
- Under 23k pounds
- Good sound system
- Slightly exclusive if possible
- And of course, looks good!

Currently considering 640d/640i, Porsche panamera diesel, Porsche macan petrol/diesel. Also a Merc C43 potentially, although cost of ownership will be a little high!

Main question is petrol vs diesel as it really shapes the options. Some car brands do great petrol engines but meh diesels, and vice versa.

I very much enjoyed the owning experience of a Ghibli V6S, both performance, engine and rarity were a step up from what it replaced (an F 3-series).

I guess I am undecided as I want fun but also fuel efficiency for regular long distance driving … hard to get both.

Thanks for the suggestion of Ghibli, will check it out, looks good, although the average mpg is a little lower than I would liked.

[Mammasaid]

How about a S90 T8, ticks most of the boxes, and will be a superb motorway cruiser;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408152...

[Monkeylegend]

BMW G30 540i SE or Sport X Drive.