Looking at a few options for a motorway miles cruiser that won't cost the earth.

For this I am loking at two scenarios, one keeps the Octy the other does not :(

So option 1 something around 2-3k ex luxury diesel that will just go on and on, i.e. 80+ miles a day, but still be professional looking.

Option 2, trade Octy in and go for ex demo new, actually thinking of a roomster diesel or transit connect van as I have no need of back seats

I'd prefer option1 in case I move house and then miles are not an issue, so anybody recommend a good solid buy for 2 to 3k that will just work and work...

Inspired by our 400 quid bmw that's 17 years old and still going strong...

So I'll start the list:

Some BMW Diesel block based car...

Audi A4/A6 TDi

How much do Passats go for these days?

Diesel Omege. Get a high spec one so it looks the part.

I've just been to Eastbourne from Leicester in a Superb - only 400 miles but thanks to various idiots spent just under 8 hours in the car

Can't say I'd want to do it again today but I would rather have been in that than a lot of things - comfy, smooth and decent performance - surely they're pretty cheap used?

Edit: That thumbup should be a :thumbdwn: and a

has to be very low purchase cost, i.e. the deposit on a new/exdemo...only one pot of gold for this operation.

Wonder if I can get a caterham with a 1.4 diesel block

Passat B5 would be what my money went on for circa £3k.

nice pd130 passats from 3k..........

or buy mine for 6.5k..........*wink*

BMW E39 has the best ride ever. The 2nd choice would be a vauxhall engined Omega as the 2.5 is thirsty and as slow as the frugal 4 pot. I have had an A6 2.5 TDI which was a dream to drive, although the CVT gearbox took some getting used to.

Wonder if I can get a caterham with a 1.4 diesel block

Sluggish AND cold???

THIS ONE

or

THIS ONE

or

THIS ONE MAYBE?

EDIT - this one looks nice

What about a 406 in a high trim level.

The engines etc are supprisingly rugged, either that or maybe another Octy TDI.

A bit higher up in the class specs you would be looking at i guess an older A4, BMW or VW passat TDI.

Omega. Wasn't the engine a bmw one?

Rover 75 with 2.5L BMW engine.... should be cheap if nothing else

As mentioned... loads of passats knocking around at moment very cheap.

Superb ....the motorway goes by you ....magic

Superb ....the motorway goes by you ....magic

For 3k?

For 3k?

You'd be surprised what they go for on ebay

I second Rover 75 CDTi

Rover 45 very comfy on motorways too

Older Accord for reliability and that discreet exec look

Passats are very good motorway eaters and they are fairly sound, but I wouldn't put my money in one to be honest. I'd go for a diesel block BMW myself, or an older Merc before they got fancy and started breaking. Depends on how 'new' you want it to feel. My mate's Audi 90 tdi feels a little old inside, but it's comfortable and I reckon will just keep on going and going, already at 150k on an M plate and still feels almost like new!

The big Vauxhalls are built like tanks and last forever.

Col, i have a few lurking.. ring me.

Octy 110 Tdi, ours was/is so good Ive bought the wreck back after Wendy tried to shorten it & its currently being lengthened. Brilliant MPG & will go forever + cheap to fix, if Passats are cheap Octys should be even cheaper

Option 3 as an interim, get a runner, this wont cost a lot to sort

Salvage Car Details

If you want luxuary get a Superb, fantastic just dont get the 140 brake

The Rover 45 diesels aren't great :thumbdwn:

I'd go for an older Merc or a BMW. Although Citroens and Pugs have good engines the electrics are flakey.

Based on my experience at up to 2.5k miles per week - get an auto!