large executive car with low running costs

wazza

looking for an old executive car with low running costs. willing to spend up to £4000. Since i only use the car on weekends might as well enjoy driving a large car. Must be dependable. Any ideas?

Pink.

I am going to move this over to the Motoring & Public Transport, where hopefully you will get more replies.

Pink

ArsenalFC

A Bmw 3series diesel or an audi A4 diesel would fit your requirement. Low fuel running cost and not too high insurance. As always part cost could be high on these cars.

jjames_3

You might want to look at Lexus as well. These don't hold their value quite as well as BMW/Audi etc, but they're just as refined, and as reliable as the day is long. The "not holding value" bit works in your favour because you'll be able to get a much newer one for the same money.

Fortyfoot

jjames wrote:

You might want to look at Lexus as well. These don't hold their value quite as well as BMW/Audi etc, but they're just as refined, and as reliable as the day is long. The "not holding value" bit works in your favour because you'll be able to get a much newer one for the same money.

I agree, I wish that I had done that years ago when the kids were at home instead of buying the smaller "economical" cars. I have had a number of Volvos since then and now run the S70 auto 2.5, 5 cylinder. They are cheap when a few years old. Check THE AA for info and prices on all the vehicles suggested.
Fortyfoot

vansboy

You'll be hard pressed to beat a Mazda Xedos - pronounced Zedos.

It's not a 'big' car, Vectra/Mondeo/BMW 3, class. Go for a 2lt engine & VERY high spec. Most were sold to private buyers, as it didn't have the image of similar upmarket makes.

You'll find a few lurking in the small ads, still.

Other than that, if you want larger, Vauxhall Omega represent EXCELLENT value, not that anyone paid full price new!! Even the 2lt GLS spec is quite reasonable, if you don't want millions gadgets - but you can find plenty of options, engines & trim levels.

Go to https://www.honestjohn.co.uk clik in The Backroom in Discussion, ask there!! Also in HJ's site, Car By Car Breakdown page tells ALL about whats wrong with EVERY car you can buy!!

Friendly lot in there - just like us!!

& it's free!!

VB

jjames_3

If you are just looking for a big luxury barge with the toys, and are not worried about image or that sort of thing, the Hyundai Sonata is a good buy. Dirt cheap, quiet and soft-riding, every gadget imaginable. There are a fair few around as well, retired execs get them when they want that big-car feel for beer money. They're also reliable, and the parts are reasonably-priced on the whole.

avantra

Probably the best kept secret when looking for a nice big exec saloon is the Toyota CAMRY with the 2.2 litre engine either in auto or manual tranny.
A good example with low mileage from 1998 - 2001 will cost you less than a £2500. Toyota stopped importing of these nice cars in 2002. The reason was due to low demand.

Now this is the most popular family saloon in the US. Here people snob them for “lack of image” , (you Brits always make me laugh), if you buy a Camry you are buying incredible reliability and safety and it will do happily 34 mpg on the M5 (I know - I have one). The car is big and roomy (I know, I am 17 stones) and all the toys are working and keep on working. There are plenty of cheap parts from Thailand and the US and a full service will cost you something around 100 bobs. I doubt you will need any parts as these beasts are cast iron when it comes to reliability. Mine is a 79k , 1998 2.2 auto from ebay! Got it for the grand sum of £1400.

vansboy

The Japanese are good at building quality - but no street cred cars!!

Another, if you see it is Nissan QX - now they REALLY are luxury, for pennies!!

Just find one, first!!

VB

mr_accountant

vansboy wrote:

The Japanese are good at building quality - but no street cred cars!!
VB

what you mean like the honda s2000 or nsx or preludeor civic type r or madza mx5.

i think youve been watching to much top gear!

the japenese cars have far more steet cred in comparison to unrealible rubbish like audi.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9835&item=4552139406&rd=1

mr_accountant

vansboy wrote:

The Japanese are good at building quality - but no street cred cars!!
VB

what you mean like the honda s2000 or nsx or prelude or civic type r or madza mx5.

i think youve been watching to much top gear!

the japenese cars have far more steet cred in comparison to unrealible rubbish like audi.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9835&item=4552139406&rd=1