Which boring car...

[duncs500]

Focus is going back next month, I've now got slightly more relaxed car allowance conditions and I'll be doing plenty of miles so I've decided to buy rather than lease next. I don't really care about driving dynamics for this car, it's just got to be a family car and work mile muncher, plus as cheap to run as possible (more money to spend on the Lotus). Criteria as follows:

- Decent size, preferably the kind of Mondeo size category, although will consider Focus size if necessary.
- Cheap to run, so no mega miles cars with imminent wear and tear bills and decent fuel consumption too. Should be plenty of lower miles cars post lockdown anyway.
- Has to be no more than 6 years old for to car allowance rules (eg. need to keep it for 4 years and it stay under 10).
- Rear parking sensors
- Estate preferred but not essential
- Fuel reimbursement rates are better if it's over 2000cc but not worth it unless fuel consumption is still good so not essential
- Budget £10k
- Was thinking about approved used just to take some of the hassle out of buying, but again, not essential
- Petrol

I did want a Merc, but have revised my budget down since then so probably not an option anymore. Mazda 6 looks interesting (don't know if they're any good).

Anyone got any genius ideas?

[nuttinnew]

Superb?

[duncs500]

Yeah, definitely an option.

[ZedLeg]

Forum default 3 series estate.

[duncs500]

Forum default 3 series estate.

Not sure you can get much in my budget / criteria.

[duncs500]

Are Vauxhalls still shit? 2018 Insignia are close to budget and actually a quite good looking car to my eyes.

[DeskJockey]

Insignia isn't nice to drive.

Mazda 6 is a good option I think. Drives well and most versions come fully loaded with kit. Friend has one (about 4yo) and it is a very nice place to sit. My old one (gen2) was excellent fit what it was.

[jamcg]

There should be plenty of octavia vrs options in that budget, or newer non-vrs models

[Jobbo]

Mazda 6 was on my list of possibles 18 months ago. Not a bad choice, though I was after a diesel and I’m not sure what the petrol engines are like.

Passat too; not sure what you get within budget nor what the petrol versions are like.

Volvo V60? Not massive nor that interesting to drive but quite funky.

The slight problem you have is that petrol versions of suitable cars have improved a lot in the last couple of years but they weren’t big sellers at the age you’re looking.

[Jobbo]

Kin has posted something on another thread to tempt you and flex the budget while barely fitting the criteria: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 1266505382

[KevH18]

I've got a saved search for a Mazda 6 Sport tourer and similar cars seem to be a couple of grand more than they were even in January at the minute. The 2017MY is a better csr supposedly. No change at all to the looks but the refinement and drive was meant to be much better from then on. You can tell as the wheel face is quite a bit slimmer than before and it has a heated steering wheel.
Very few petrols around compared to diesel though. Some of the reviews at the time say the diesel was a better option due to the torque anyway. Non-turbo petrol so needs to be revved.

[Jobbo]

Closest thing I can find to your criteria is this Mondeo; a 1.5T rather than 2.0 so you’d need to work out whether it’s worth spending a couple of grand more on a 320i to benefit from the better mileage rate: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 5142593591

[Coaster1]

I think ‘petrol’ seems to be the stumbling block here!

[Zonda_]

Yes, why petrol for a boring mile muncher?

[Jobbo]

Yes, why petrol for a boring mile muncher?

Duncs probably needs to drive into London from time to time.

[Sundayjumper]

Our Passat was good, although they might be too big ? We only sold it because it wasn't getting used. No issues with it.

[Jimmy Choo]

Anyone got any genius ideas?

If you're doing lots of miles, the R design seats in the Volvo are the nicest seats I've ever been in.

[GG.]

Yes, why petrol for a boring mile muncher?

Duncs probably needs to drive into London from time to time.

Not that I would choose derv for that kind of car but if its under 6 years old it will be eligible for ULEZ anyway.

[Peterlplp]

VW Arteon or Pug 508?
Purely based on sexy wagons - no idea if they're good or not.

[16vCento]

S/V60 or V40 T4?

Seem to be decent on fuel and should be reliable.