Ok, it's getting time for a change (103,000 miles in 24 months :eek: ) so I need to get my thinking cap on as to what I replace the "Taxi" with. Particularlyy interested in hearing from other big mileage drivers

Criteria:

Purchase price - no more than 22k OTR

Must be an estate or MPV type thing

Long service intervals (>15k)

Good warranty

Comfortable (look at the mileage, I do 50k+ per year)

Room in the back - I have a growing son

Decent boot - I do lots of outdoor stuff

Decent handling - I have been known to punt a car round a track on very odd occasions ;)Decent performance - see above

Good dealers

Reasonable servicing (not something my SAAB used to have :( )

Depreciation not an issue, at that mileage any car will depreciated faster than a Fabia would accelerate over a cliff

I have a short list in my head; 407SW Executive HDI 136, Accord Tourer; Merc B200 CDI Sport (or SE with sport stuff), Avensis D4D T4, Volvo V50 SE Sport, Passat 2.0TDI Sport 170, BMW 320D SE Touring

Thoughts on them or any other alternatives (with reasons why) greatly appreciated

The passat looks nice. But heard not so favourable things about how they got the 170hp and the way it drives. Knowing you, you'd probably like it. :P

I suspect the Honda would equally be a good buy.

Was tempted to say stuff economy and buy a V50 T5, an Octy RS estate or a Subaru Legacy Spec B estate but I really should be sensible :(

Fabia vRS and 10k blown on mods.

Oh wait, you said room in the back, comfortable and decent boot.

New or low mileage?

BMW titchy in estate form.

V50's are very nice.

I quite like the Mitsubishi Grandis and Outlander

Wait for the vRS deisal

Grandis is a poss... I'll have a look at the specs and what engines they have available. Seen very few on the road, and I do like to be different.

New or low mileage, I'm not fussy, especially with the miles I do, although it's always nice to have a new motor.

You're right, I think a 3 series will probably be too small although it has unlimited mileage warranty and the service costs look good

Wait for the vRS deisal

If it ever comes - by then I could be on 200k miles :eek:

The Passat is available with the 170 in Sport trim already.....

Mazda 6 TS2 is another possible

What about the Signum? I know on list it's pushing the budget a bit, but suspect there would be deals to be done.

Not sure about the "handling" thing, but would probably meet most of the other criteria...

Rob.

Signum? Yeah good deals on them. Didn't PhilC on here get one? 3.0 V6 TDI? Hmmm, must drop him a PM. Only worry is the customer service thing with Vauxhall dealers

Skoda Roomster? The handling might need sorting but it should meet the rest of your criteria. HTH.

Still too young for a Superb then ?? I recon its still stunning value for money

Merc seems good (we have spoken) but still trying to get a test drive in the *kin thing, our Merc dealer dosent seem keen to sell us one, perhaps he knows hes just being used ;)

Scratch the Grandis - 9k service intervals! :eek:

Stuart, Superb meets most of the criteria. Well, all bar one. T'other half doesn't really like it and as I'll "inherit" the SLK at some point, it'll be her's. I'll draw up a list of ones I like and then give her a choice of 3, any of which I'd be happy with.

Another vote for the Signum here - the 3.0 TDi can be rather pokey if remapped too.

Scratch the Grandis - 9k service intervals! :eek:

Stuart' date=' Superb meets most of the criteria. Well, all bar one. T'other half doesn't really like it and as I'll "inherit" the SLK at some point, it'll be her's. I'll draw up a list of ones I like and then give her a choice of 3, any of which I'd be happy with.[/quote']

Has she driven one, Wendy was scheptical until she had one for 1/2 a day

Is a new Octy Estate not an option?

Is a new Octy Estate not an option?

We tried one & were a tadge disapointed, it just had tooooo many rattles & squeaks.

I think it is overpriced for what it is, the Superb is better value. Gone are the days of the value based Octy.

Go and sit in a Signum - you will like it, a lot, especially if you get one with 10k on the clock, then you'll love the price too.

Octavia L&K 140 deisel estate? £17.2 K from drive the deal, add zenons and remap for under 19 and you end up with high spec, fast, economical, roomy speed machine:thumbup: Having said that signum 3.0 l is available with 6k off from drive, blimey anyone who pays book is in for a right royal rogering :lol:

Very true. However......... I'm bored of Octavias. My last 290,000 miles have been in one and I fancy a change. For that money I could have a Passat 140 TDI estate. Guess which I'd choose?

I do like the Signum and it is different. Better see what SWMBO things (I'm guessing at a "no"). Superb, good as it is, is previous generation in terms of engines and handling. Still damned tempting apart from the no estate bit :(

Transit Cosworth

Octavia L&K 140 deisel estate?

Exactly Stuart, they are good b- might get one for the hell of it - just hope that a tumble dryer will fit in the boot