Never had this conundrum before....what do I buy?

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Sat 14 Jan 2017 18:16
Never had this conundrum before....what do I buy? - addyboy1982

I've never had a problem deciding on my next car but I have now.

I currently drive a Volvo S60 on a 61-plate and have to change it within the next few months as it has hit my company's age limit - I'm on the company car opt-out so receive a monthly payment towards buying and running my car. Possibly why I'm having trouble to decide what to get as I have to rather than want to.

Having looked on and off over the last few weeks, I'm even more confused about what to change to next. Budget is £14-15k and I tend to buy at 2-3 years old to minimise depreciation.

I'd like a similar equipment level to what I have now which includes SatNav, heated leather, electric seats, xenon lights and premium hifi. I'd also like a similar amount of power/torque - my car is the D5 215PS so it goes very nicely.

It would be advantageous if it was over 2.0 litres as I get a better mileage rate, although this wouldn't be a deal-breaker.

Reliability is paramount as I cover a lot of miles - touch wood, the Volvo has been near faultless and it's knocking on the door of 160,000 miles.

Any ideas? I'm really tempted by another S60....

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Sat 14 Jan 2017 20:04
Never had this conundrum before....what do I buy? - SLO76
I like the sound of the S60 D5 SE Lux. 215bhp, 0-60 in 6.9s, 60mpg and £30 a year road tax, lovely seats and Volvo's D5 engine has a great reputation. Just be wary of early D2's which use the notorious 1.6 PSA diesel of doom, later D2's use a detuned version of Volvo's 2.0 4cyl which is likely to be no trouble.

Though I'd be more inclined to go for the V60 for a bit more boot space and lower depreciation.
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Sun 15 Jan 2017 10:18
Never had this conundrum before....what do I buy? - skidpan
I like the sound of the S60 D5 SE Lux. 215bhp, 0-60 in 6.9s, 60mpg

To get 60 mpg out of a S60 D5 is way beyond the realms of possibilty based on the experience of work colleages and looking at HJ's real mpg's.

We had a couple of V60 D3's at my last place, averaged approx 45 mpg which is close to the HJ real figure. Had a V70 D3 and that averaged 41 mpg which was close to the HJ real figure.

Honest Johns real MPG figure for the D5 is 44.3 mpg which while good for a car of that power/performance is way short of 60 mpg.

About 7 or 8 years ago we had 2 V50 1.6 DRIVe which averaged 53 mpg. Both did 150,000 miles with no problems.

You have got to be realistic with mpg expectations. That way you will be less disapointed when the figures in glossy brochures are not met in the real world.

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Sun 15 Jan 2017 10:22
Never had this conundrum before....what do I buy? - addyboy1982

I agree with that. Always ignore manufacturer MPGs as they are unrealistic for the reasons that we all know.

My D5 is averaging 48.8mpg long term which is excellent. It's £110 a year for tax though as 124 g/km.

I think I'll try and seek out a newer D5 or maybe the D4 181.

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Sun 15 Jan 2017 10:45
Never had this conundrum before....what do I buy? - SLO76
Agree regards mpg skidpan but some cars do hit close to manufacturer claims. Our CRV 1.6 DTEC is averaging 56mpg and will better 60 on a run without effort. Volvo's figures look too good to true considering the performance but even high 40's would be good considering.

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Sun 15 Jan 2017 11:33
Never had this conundrum before....what do I buy? - confusedbuyer

We have a V40 with all the packs, very similar to your car and its no issue, despite the PSA sourced engine and spends its life around London. The new D4 I believe is very good as I had this as a courtesy car recently but I don't know how that compares to your D5. I love the Volvo but I do think the sat nav is poor.

I'd have a look at the Mazda6/CX5 as the 2.2D 175 is better for your mileage and is very well received in the media. I've not driven it, but a friend has a new-shape 3 and raves about it and obviously you get that Mazda-reliability reputation for free and Sport Nav is typically extremely well equipped (this is what he has on the 3).

You could probably also get a 2.1D C-class of old shape in a variety of guises (saloon/estate/coupe), but no idea on the reliability and specs at that price/age but I believe its the van engine and my father has put 220,000 miles on his without a problem.

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Sun 15 Jan 2017 11:50
Never had this conundrum before....what do I buy? - Falkirk Bairn

>>I'd have a look at the Mazda6/CX5 as the 2.2D 175 is better for your >>mileage and is very well received in the media.

I would steer well clear of Mazda Diesels - petrols yes, but their oil burners do not have a terrible reputation of problems. Google mazda diesels & see!

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