Around 10,000 what motorway cruiser are you buying? - Page 1 - Car Buying

Original Poster

25 posts

1 month

Monday

Need a first car that I don't want to spend much money on ideally around 10,000£ max 12,000£. I won't drive in the city mostly on the motorway and on country roads. What I value is the balance between a car that is fuel efficient and also safe in a car crash. Now the safest car is the one to avoid a crash thus people recommend smaller cars and yet a 3 series will be as if not more maneuverable than a Micra and also safer if a crash occurs. Yes, a larger car like the X5 will be even safer but not as fuel efficient so where is the sweet spot? Ideally I will avoid anything from VW group as I don't like that their DSG is not smooth at all and I want a car that smoothly accelerates in city traffic.

7 5 7

4,376 posts

139 months

Monday

Probably an Insignia, get alot more for your money than anything at that price point imo, and a much newer car too. Absolute tanks for safety also, and are purposely built for motorway/rep cruising.

Neil-nvaua

288 posts

9 months

Monday

2.5NA CX-30, 2.0 Lexus UX and 2.0 Honda ZRV

cliffords

4,107 posts

51 months

Monday

Neil-nvaua said:

2.5NA CX-30, 2.0 Lexus UX and 2.0 Honda ZRV

£10 to £12k. ?

Neil-nvaua

288 posts

9 months

Monday

cliffords said:

Neil-nvaua said:

2.5NA CX-30, 2.0 Lexus UX and 2.0 Honda ZRV

£10 to £12k. ?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2148263

Its the OPs 10th or so what car thread this month, he's not reading the replies anyway so it doesnt matter what I posted.

paul_c123

2,312 posts

21 months

Tuesday

Definitely either a Kia Picanto, Vauxhall Zafira or Mercedes S-Class. None of these are VW and all are available in auto.

Original Poster

25 posts

1 month

Tuesday

7 5 7 said:

Probably an Insignia, get alot more for your money than anything at that price point imo, and a much newer car too. Absolute tanks for safety also, and are purposely built for motorway/rep cruising.

Are Insignias reliable seems most of them on the road see brand new ones - rarely see old ones they do look good I have to say.

stevemcs

10,222 posts

121 months

Tuesday

Insignia or Mondeo

Magnum 475

4,123 posts

160 months

Tuesday

Best E-Class or C-Class I can find in budget. Comfy, quiet, generally reliable, and totally unobtrusive. Did I mention comfy? I find Mercs have the best seats of most major manufacturers.

Original Poster

25 posts

1 month

Tuesday

Do you think the C class's engine is more reliable than the BMW B48? I am asking as it is made by Renault not Mercedes.

Chris_i8

2,421 posts

221 months

Tuesday

stevemcs said:

Insignia or Mondeo

This^^

Still the perfect choice for a motorway mile muncher in the sea of nondescript SUV's.

Original Poster

25 posts

1 month

Tuesday

When I go to France do you think these cars can easily cruise at 80mph/130kmph.

mikeyr

3,382 posts

221 months

Tuesday

Yes.

Magnum 475

4,123 posts

160 months

Tuesday

raspberry-26 said:

Do you think the C class's engine is more reliable than the BMW B48? I am asking as it is made by Renault not Mercedes.

Good question.

Some B48s stretch their timing chains at around 100k miles. It's on the flywheel end of the engine. Just had Mrs Magnum's replaced on 92k miles - £2k bill - did include new VANOS gears though.

Can't speak to the latest generation Mercedes 2.0 though.

ZX10R NIN

30,462 posts

153 months

Tuesday

raspberry-26 said:

Do you think the C class's engine is more reliable than the BMW B48? I am asking as it is made by Renault not Mercedes.

The 2.0/2.1d diesel is a Mercedes unit.

Original Poster

25 posts

1 month

Tuesday

I will have it in mind

ZX10R NIN

30,462 posts

153 months

Tuesday

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 18th August 19:17

paddy1970

1,458 posts

137 months

Tuesday

BMW 3 Series (F30 generation, 2012–2019)

Volvo V40 or S60 (2013–2019)

Lexus CT200h or Toyota Auris/Corolla Hybrid

CG2020UK

2,942 posts

68 months

Wednesday

If you can charge at home find the best Tesla Model 3 you can find.

Handles better than every car on this list and even the majority of hot hatches.

Different level of performance especially relevant for overtaking at motorway speeds.

Nicer roomier cabin.

Automatic cruise control and auto steer.

Safest car in the world.

No worrying about annual servicing and minimal fuel costs.

You are going to get rinsed on insurance with every car suggested if your first car so might as well get the best one.

Original Poster

25 posts

1 month