What car do I get next?

davidsl500

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Its time to part with my 2006 X Type though the engine runs better than new… It’s been utterly reliable during the 165,000 miles and apart from normal service items its only had a drop link, a windscreen washer pump and brake disks and pads all round. Now I am retired I’m tending to get caught in traffic more and its time to get another auto before I end up with one leg stronger than the other!

So what do I replace it with? I am going to budget £14K for the “sensible” car but I am a bit stuck about what to get. The basic criteria is 4 seats, 2.0 – 2.2 Litre Diesel (!), Auto and sporty looking – eg coupe of some sort. Year wise I suppose 2014 onwards.

As the Jag has been so reliable, I am tempted to look at an XE – especially as its all-aluminium and looks good. The C Class coupe is obviously a contender as well. Has anyone had the C220 and C250 coupe and noticed a big difference between the two in terms of performance. I’m veering towards the C250 on paper for that extra bit of power but is it that noticeable anyway I wonder?

I use to be an avid gadget fan but I seemed to have finally calmed down! So specification-wise I only need a decent sat-nav and sound system. Things like a pano roof and electric everything is always welcome and I say I'm not bothered about gadgets but of course I will be checking specs with a fine toothed comb... :)

One thing I have noticed tootling around on the roads is the number of C Class Mercs out there. They seem so common now that I feel I should be getting something a little rarer – hence the XE though the C Class coupe isn’t so prevalent and does look good.

I wonder if I am missing out on any hidden gems out there from other manufacturers. Any suggestions that meet the criteria welcome - though not VW/Audi's please!
 

ajlsl600

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clk3202001,sl6002003 with everything regrettably sold ,A class 170cdi auto. NG/TF1800 ML250
if you want anything thats decent on fuel its going to be difficult to avoid all the electronic faff and dpf,egr, nox ,updates ect and hence maintenance cost of the same.quite possibly negating any fuel saving. given that, C250 prob as good as any and better than some, i quite like the volvo,s but to a great extent the above applies to them as well. i dont know how the XE behaves /is built but if you have been happy with them test drive both and try a" mystery" car as well. the less tech,gimmicks you are prepared to put up with ,the less aggro you are likely to have, simples, i thought on dacia duster for that reason ,but just could not face it, i went from SL600 to ML250, which was sensible ,for me, but still depressing enough.
 

Blobcat

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R171 SLK280, Smart R451, Land Rover 110 County SW, 997 C2S, R1250 GSA TE 40th, CBR600FP
Is be thinking of what mileage you’re likely to be doing, if lower then petrol is probably where I’d go. Just seen an E400 coupe 2014 on autotrader in your price band. Nice 3.0ltr V6 engine and lots of toys :D
 

V6Matty

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Question might be do you really need a diesel any longer, especially as you not your getting caught in traffic a bit nowadays.
XE’s are a nice car but there is quite a few about now and the lease deals seem to be getting better in them so likely only going to get more.
How about an Alfa?
 

ajlsl600

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thought OP had looking after his pennies in mind ?
 

Wighty

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What about the C and E class coupe's (you already mentioned the C class platforms ) . I know you mentioned diesel with an exclamation mark at the end , does that mean only diesel ?
If you would consider petrol with your new probably lower retirement mileage , what about the 200 petrol engine ?
 

McDonald

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Nice of you to share your buying plans, it invites us all to window-shop and vicariously 'buy' a car. We'll all be inclined to give it some thought.
 

Conor

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Is be thinking of what mileage you’re likely to be doing, if lower then petrol is probably where I’d go. Just seen an E400 coupe 2014 on autotrader in your price band. Nice 3.0ltr V6 engine and lots of toys :D

Is this the one you referring to? If so, it makes me warm and fuzzy inside. Seems like a decent enough deal. Some might not like the 75k miles. For me that is low mileage :D

7556cdbca0544c658ad1b9060647f158.jpg
 
OP
davidsl500

davidsl500

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Thanks for the replies. I'm not worried about the pennies and as well as replacing the X Type with another "sensible" car I also have to think about what else I want to get that is not so sensible to replace the R129... I've picked out 2 local-ish models to have a look at :

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...tising-location=at_cars&price-to=14000&page=1

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905308469982?exclude-writeoff-categories=on&sort=price-desc&model=XE&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&transmission=Automatic&price-to=14000&postcode=ws138ra&make=JAGUAR&radius=30&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1


I haven't sat in or driven either of these 2 models as yet so who knows whether I will like either! The BMW 420 may be another option. I don't want to go too big as t'other half might need to drive it occasionally. The other option is to upgrade her car to the C Class and I get myself an SLK which she would then probably pinch off me. Decisions, decisions..
 

Blobcat

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Thanks for the replies.

I haven't sat in or driven either of these 2 models as yet so who knows whether I will like either! The BMW 420 may be another option. I don't want to go too big as t'other half might need to drive it occasionally. The other option is to upgrade her car to the C Class and I get myself an SLK which she would then probably pinch off me. Decisions, decisions..
I can thoroughly recommend the SLK if you want something fun as well :) and the SLK55 would be a great fun car - I'd do the suspension upgrade that unclebenz did if you go for the full fat version.
If you don't want to go that mental then the 280/300/350 is a great package - as long as it's on standard 16" or 17" wheels - anything larger and it's as uncomfortable as hell - suspension is basic compared to the R230 (which is a good thing wallet wise) :D
 

LostKiwi

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I also have to think about what else I want to get that is not so sensible to replace the R129...
Why?
The 129 is in general a reliable comfortable appreciating asset with classic car insurance as well.
 

Blobcat

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Why?
The 129 is in general a reliable comfortable appreciating asset with classic car insurance as well.
Because David sold it already...
 

noonboots

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I don't want to start a riot but I think people are too obsessed with fuel consumption when choosing diesels. Modern petrol engined cars come close enough in economy to make the difference insignificant unless you do high mileage. If you don't do high mileage and do shorter low speed runs your diesel engine will very quickly hit you with problems that wipe out any fuel savings. Also modern diesel is very different to the old Ford based engine in an X type, don't confuse the reliability.
My son has a BMW 440i. Even though its a twin turbo 3 litre the fuel economy is never a concern. Its a very nice car to drive but for passengers not so good. Access to the rear seats is not too easy, the seats are quite hard too. I wouldn't recommend it to an older driver(and I'm one of them)
 

Blobcat

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R171 SLK280, Smart R451, Land Rover 110 County SW, 997 C2S, R1250 GSA TE 40th, CBR600FP
I don't want to start a riot but I think people are too obsessed with fuel consumption when choosing diesels. Modern petrol engined cars come close enough in economy to make the difference insignificant unless you do high mileage. If you don't do high mileage and do shorter low speed runs your diesel engine will very quickly hit you with problems that wipe out any fuel savings. Also modern diesel is very different to the old Ford based engine in an X type, don't confuse the reliability.
My son has a BMW 440i. Even though its a twin turbo 3 litre the fuel economy is never a concern. Its a very nice car to drive but for passengers not so good. Access to the rear seats is not too easy, the seats are quite hard too. I wouldn't recommend it to an older driver(and I'm one of them)
Basically what I said above, having been a diseasal (company and private) driver for many a year I'm now hooning around in a V6 3ltr petrol as my mileage is down to <20K (and it's a lot of fun) :D:p

The E400 Coupe I recommended above would be high on my list (If I need more seats I'll probably consider one myself) - I'd definitely test drive one :D:p
 
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davidsl500

davidsl500

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If I do a search for XE cars within a 50 mile radius of me 29 vehicles come up - all diesel! If I search for C Class Coupes in the same radius then 114 diesels come up and 14 petrol. 4/5 years ago which is probably the age of car I am looking at, Diesels weren't seen as the bad boys so there are a lot out there and generally the specification is much higher than the petrol equivalent models.
 


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