tbourner Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 I may be getting a new job soon that will involve an hour long motorway commute (at midnight!! ), and I don't fancy doing it in the Yaris!!! As it comes with a pretty good pay rise, I'll be looking into getting another car. Obviously the Supra is top of the list, but then I saw a BMW 850 (which I've always loved), and wondered what else there is out there. So come on give me some ideas. It'd need to be in the same league although not necessarily a mahoosive car with a big engine (I'm also considering an Audi A4 or maybe just a Golf diesel!!), but I need to keep the cost down preferably arround 7k ish. So far I've only got: Supra Aristo Soarer BMW850 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDriver Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Hello, I've heard that the BMW 850 uses a loooot of fuel, keep that in mind Lexus GS would be a nice cruiser I think. Greets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtwinturbo Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 My old man has a Golf GT-TDI (I think thats it). Its very comfortable on the motorway and he's chuffed to bits with it. Not too slow either with around 140bhp and lots of torque. Oh and he gets 50mpg. Hope thats some help, James. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Ive always liked the look of the 850 but out of that list there is only one car "supra":cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted October 21, 2006 Author Share Posted October 21, 2006 I keep coming back to the Supra idea, I loved mine to bits and always said I'd get another one - but if I did I know I'd end up with a kitted single monster money pit!!!! I only want a standard car to get to work in!! I'm sure an 850 would guzzle fuel, but I was more worried about reliability and cost if it did break! What other Lexii are there? I don't know much about them except that I can't afford a new IS yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aido Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 The Aristo is a great cruiser, it's like having the power of the TT (albeit with a bit extra weight) but while you're sat in a leather armchair Another one you might like is one of the Lexus LS430's - that's supposed to be one of the smoothest rides you'll ever get in and they've got a bit of poke due to the 4.3L V8, also the older ones are alright too, the LS400's, with the 4L V8. As for other models you've got the GS, same as the Aristo but N/A, the RX which is the larger 4x4, and the SC which is the sportier (in a hairdresser way) car, basically the new Soarer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 The 850's are plagued with problems, hence the reason they are so cheap... I had a 520i E42 shape (think it was E42), and that was lovely... my dad now has the car and he does trips down from Northhampton to Reading fairly often..all motorway... and he is returning around 7l/100miles... Not blazingly quick since it is a 2l, but it is certainly comfortable and goes well... I paid 2k for the M-reg 5 series. Golf TDI is also a very good choice, strong car and VERY economical Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 I did a 200 mile trip in the Supra the other night, quiet roads, cruise set to 80 leptons, heated seat on.... effortless and only 1/2 a tank of fuel. Having said this I'd probably get an X-Type, 3.0 V6 Sport - a friend has one and it's so smooth, the manual is like driving an auto, 4WD, cheap parts thanks to it being Mondeo-based (£75 for a full set of discs and pads) and has a bit of class to it. 'Only' ~230bhp but feels quick enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 I did a 200 mile trip in the Supra the other night, quiet roads, cruise set to 80 leptons, heated seat on.... effortless and only 1/2 a tank of fuel. At first I thought that was really good mpg but then remembered the second half of the tank only lasts 50 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Whilst the Supra is possibly the most comfortable cruiser on the planet...I'd never commute again in one (used to do 80miles a day). It's just too uneconomic when you factor in the fuel/tyresserviceing etc. I'd scrap the Yaris and get a second hand VAG 1.9TDi powered car. A3, A4, A6, Golf, Passat, Octavia (yes I know!), Leon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Terry S Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Audi S8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Audi S8 Cheap to buy now but the cost of any potential repairs scares me a little, especially after the 'box on the A6 I used cost ~£5000 to fix after only 50k - I guess this won't be an issue if you get a good one. Amazing machines, so many toys for so little money You can pick up 3.2 V6 Phaetons for £16k - I was looking at them on the trader the other night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Another idea, how about one of the newer 'base' model Skyline 350GTs? Admittedly I don't know much about them as far as driving goes but they look nice (with bigger wheels) and you don't see many around. http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/xp/naiaspic/20060420/07/22591937.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muffleman Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 I bought a stock TT for work kinda figuring that the mpg would be better than the 740i I sold. The 740i was the facelift 4.4v8 and an absolutely lovely motor, returning 21.4mpg however I drove despite it's weight. Er, the Supra ? Is for sale. Absolutely love it and I will miss it, but they do drink their fuel, especially when the loud pedal is so addictive If I could stretch to it, I would get a new shape 730d - you have to spend £20-£22k tho. But fuel is only part of the cost, depreciation can be expensive too and although the fuel is heavy on a Supra, I would like to think that they have done most of their depreciating. Can't see them getting too much cheaper than they have over the last two years ! So although my fuel is expensive in the Supe, don't think I will lose on resale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimreaper Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 vauxhall vectra gsi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 BM 850 will be a huge dissapointment I had a little play in an 840 and it felt slow, unresponsive, poor brakes and handled like a plate of blancmange. Also, the dash looked sooooo dated (especially compared to the Supe). I had previously always fancied an 8 series BM but now I most certainly wouldn't bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockys96 Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 get a aristo. but the 98+ shape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 vauxhall vectra gsi They do something insane like 44mph per 1000rpm so that's 88mph at 2000rpm! They are nice to drive, shame the planet sized flywheel ruins the engine....still that can be replaced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted October 21, 2006 Author Share Posted October 21, 2006 It's only 3 days a week, so the fuel isn't so much of an issue. I'd still consider something like an Audi diesel though maybe (cos I love them so much! ). I think a nice unmolested (yeah right) TT 6spd is still top of the list at the moment......... well maybe just a decat then . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 I used to commute about 40miles a day or so in the Mr2 Turbo... as with any turbo cars, great fun. But if you have to commute in them, the fuel bills soon add up!! If I had to commute more than the mile I do now, I would probably end up getting a golf TDI or something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cable Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Audi S8 Almost bought one of these a few months back. Great cars but like previously stated cost a bomb to fix. I think they can have gearbox issues too. You could think about an A8 though as they are ridiculously cheap now and I don't think it's possible to get more car for your money. On the Toyota side of things have you thought a Altezza, maybe with the Beams 220bhp engine? That'd be fun... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D8MOA Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 gs300 sport mkII Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 gs300 sport mkII Had once of those before my UK TT6 and my present Aristo. Fantastic cruiser. Although I love the Aristo for overtaking power Gaz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted October 23, 2006 Author Share Posted October 23, 2006 OK well the thought of £70 for 3 days on fuel has prompted me away from the Supra/Aristo/etc idea!! So I test drove an 03 plate Toyota Avensis yesterday. It's such an old mans car but I have to say I was pleasantly suprised!! Nowhere near fast enough but it was so nice to sit in complete comfort, wafting along, not feeling the speed bumps down my road!!! So that's become a perfectly viable option now. May go and test drive a Mazda 6 as well tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 I know of a MINT condition It's my partner's dad's and he's retired so hasn't done many miles in it. Think it's a 52plate example 1.8VVti. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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