Buying a relaxed motorway car

What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Buying a relaxed motorway car

I want to change my car to meet our new requirements. Some years ago you recommended the Seat Leon Cupra TDi, which I bought. I love this car but as age creeps on (I will be 60 soon) and as we mainly do longer distance trips many of them in Europe where the stiff suspension of the Leon makes such journeys tiring.

I am looking to spend up to £10,000 on a relaxed cruiser. Specific requirements are: quiet but lively, automatic, optionally cruise control, ideally with heated seats, most likely diesel.

My main focus is on the 185hp D5 Volvo S60, as I enjoy the performace of the Leon.

I suspect BMW 5 series, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are out of my reach, but I may be wrong.

I wince at the thought of being Mondeo Man, but again I may be wrong. Over to you.

Asked on 8 January 2012 by Johnhorsley5

Answered by Honest John

Old shape S60 not a good idea. Toyota Auris T180 would be. Nice soft ride and long legs but not automatic. And you'd have to find one.

Tags: buying motorways used cars

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

Similar questions

Economical comfy motorway cruiser

I will be averaging about 20,000 miles an year in the foreseeable future commuting to work on the M40(70 miles round trip). Preferably need an automatic as left knee is dodgy post surgery. Current car...

Lots of motorway miles - what car?

I start a new job this summer which will see me doing up to 30000 miles on business. My new employer isn't providing a car, but will pay me a mileage allowance. The mileage is beyond what I want to put...

Buying a car for high motorway miles

I need to buy a motorway cruiser to travel around 40k miles a year as economically and comfortably as possible. I'm thinking of travelling at mainly in the outside lane, and spending around £10k to minimise...

Related models

Toyota Auris (2007 - 2013)

Decent combination of ride and handling that might suit some people better than a harder sprung Golf or a Civic. A few inches taller than a Golf of Focus so easier to get in and out.