Motorway Cruising, what car to buy?

[Didge3]

I do an awful lot of motorway miles it seems nowadays, in fact a good 90% of my miles are spent on the motorway, doing about 13k a year.

Backstory, skip it if you actually have things to do ,
I currently have, as you can see in my signature below a 1992 Fiat Panda 750 and a Renault Twingo GT.
I bought the Twingo on a whim in January when I needed a car quickly with my savings that'd be cheap to insure. The Twingo grabbed my attention because of its cheap insurance and moderately fun engine, 1.1 (Renault call it a 1.2 but it's not) Turbo, it boosts to about 10psi and gives 106hp back, not fast but has a degree of fun about it. The problem with the Twingo is, its noisy, has an awful ride and is just not a nice place to be, the power steering lacks any feel and somehow it finds bumps just about everywhere...
This may surprise you but I prefer to drive my Panda on motorways because its just more entertaining even if it does start to struggle when you reach a slight incline....


So the question is, the Twingo looks like it'll be gone in the Autumn and I want to replace it with a better mile muncher,

Things I'm looking for,

• Under £2.5k to buy
• Mileage doesn't worry me, up to 100k is acceptable.
• Nothing really boring, not a fan of Mondeo's, 306's etc.
• Age isn't an issue, happy to drive something older.
• Comfort, Interior ideally needs to be a nice place to be, good for sitting in for 2 hour motorway stints.
• Engine, ideally nothing slouchy, petrols and diesels welcome, low insurance is preferable.
• MPG At least something that'll get 45 at 70mph...

Things I'd want but not essential

• Cruise Control, always wanted it, never had it yet.
• Nothing huge, prefer a smallish hatchback, I'm a fan of the Audi A2 but can't get one on my budget
• Something a bit quirky or characterfull?

I trawl ebay and car review sites for something but can never really get a good idea of what I'd want.... Any help is much appreciated

 

[homeward]

Have a sit in Most Easterly Panda's Bravo, sometime. Don't know what price they go for, but they're really nice cars...!

Otherwise, howzabout a Panda 100hp? Although may have been thrashed, if it's at your price level.

Personally, I'd be trying to find a low-mileage Punto Speedgear.... :nerner:

 

[Gavv8]

100hp is quite hard work on the motorway, how about a fiesta diesel or a corsa?

 

[EvoStevo]

Get a Skoda Octavia -excellent for cruising.

 

[Gavv8]

Get a Skoda Octavia -excellent for cruising.

He said nothing boring..

 

[ChrisUK]

Alfa 156? 2.5k would get a smart looked after example. Smooth and comfortable.

 

[StevenRB45]

Might seem a bit random, but MG ZT or ZT-T? Budget would give you a choice of petrol turbo, 2.0 bmw diesel or the V6. Meant to be good handling cars in their day, should be decent enough at ploughing a groove in the motorway.

 

[Gavv8]

Might seem a bit random, but MG ZT or ZT-T? Budget would give you a choice of petrol turbo, 2.0 bmw diesel or the V6. Meant to be good handling cars in their day, should be decent enough at ploughing a groove in the motorway.

Only if changing head gaskets is your most favorite pastime.

 

[dave]

you need one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291165442054?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[Gavv8]

you need one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291165442054?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

And comprehensive breakdown cover..

 

[StevenRB45]

Only if changing head gaskets is your most favorite pastime.

Seem to recall the 1.8 turbos were fitted with the modified head gasket which largely cured the issues suffered by early K series motors, and the V6s and BMW diesel and nothing to do with the K series.

 

[Gavv8]

Seem to recall the 1.8 turbos were fitted with the modified head gasket which largely cured the issues suffered by early K series motors, and the V6s and BMW diesel and nothing to do with the K series.

Some were fitted with the 'klinger' gaskets but this wasn't a permanent cure as the head was usually damaged ...however the v6's dropped cylinder liners AND ate head gaskets......bmw diesel is pretty reliable but nicer in an actual bmw.

 

[StevenRB45]

Yes but the bmw is predictable, I didn't suggest an Audi A4 TDI either...or a passat....or well you get the idea.

Although on the subject of audis...he who dares..http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/a8/lpg-audi-a8-quattro-lpg/2373693

 

[homeward]

you need one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291165442054?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I thought you might say that...!

 

[Geddes]

He said nothing boring..

Said the guy who suggested a Corsa

 

[The Beard]

Have a sit in Most Easterly Panda's Bravo, sometime. Don't know what price they go for, but they're really nice cars...!

Otherwise, howzabout a Panda 100hp? Although may have been thrashed, if it's at your price level.

Personally, I'd be trying to find a low-mileage Punto Speedgear.... :nerner:

Bravo is a good idea, Mrs. Beard had a 1.4 3 door which was pretty good until she re-arranged it on the back of a Nissan X-Trail! It returned 36 mpg round town and about 40 on the motorway. Good driving position and it managed very well over several 300-400 mile days. It was replaced by a........

Alfa 156? 2.5k would get a smart looked after example. Smooth and comfortable.

......An Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 litre Veloce. It's a 2001 and she's had it for just over three years now and is nudging 100,000 miles and gives 30 in town and 35 on the motorway. It's had a set of Avon tyres and a battery. It's only failed to start two or three times but it was the same problem which the AA diagnosed and a specialist fixed for around £120 including parts, labour and VAT.

It's taken 3 adults and a dog to Berwick on Tweed which is 200 miles each way and 700 for the week. It also took 3 plus dog to Oban, 400 miles each way and 1000 miles for the week.

Before that it took 4 adults from Mancland to Nice which was 900 miles each way and around 2,000 over the holiday. Try and buy from a specialist if you can and have it serviced there as well, there are one or two specialist tools that will be needed so don't use just any mechanic.

you need one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291165442054?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Good idea, a little left field but will be more economical than the other choices and practical but (dare I say it) a trifle boring

 

[Gavv8]

Said the guy who suggested a Corsa

He also said small...said the guy who suggested an octavia..

 

[colin79666]

A 1.6 diesel Fiesta in Titanium spec would fit the bill nicely. Very comfy car with cruise control and other features. Getting one (even a 2008) for under 2.5k might be difficult though.

Renault Megan might do the job if you can find one without electrical issues.

 

[Gavv8]

A 1.6 diesel Fiesta in Titanium spec would fit the bill nicely. Very comfy car with cruise control and other features. Getting one (even a 2008) for under 2.5k might be difficult though.

Renault Megan might do the job if you can find one without electrical issues.

Fiesta's a good shout but the megane needs to come with the optional 'brown head bag'......

 

[Didge3]

Wow, quite the response, thanks everyone
I can't be bothered to quote everyone so I'll just randomly throw in my replies here.
Corsa's go on my list of boring, as do Skoda's really, although I haven't experienced the latter first hand.

Passat's seem to big for me and kind of daunting.

I've looked at Alfa 156's, its certainly been one of the more appealing options for me but I worry about the reliability and MPG can't be awfully high.

I somehow completely forgot about the Fiat Bravo, although for my budget I must be looking at the low spec ones which aren't as nice to be in...