Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 06:13

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Losta Risin'

Hello, All,

I need a four/five-seater automatic with smart upper-legal-speeds acceleration. It's for a 180-miles-in-an-evening trip on busy-both-ways A-roads which are mostly single-carriageway, and bendy at that. Get caught in the wrong car behind a lorry/caravan/mimser doing 45mph on a lengthy 60mph section with regular oncomers and that's half as long again it'll take you.

I want to pass the moving obstacles as safely as possible i.e. swiftly. (I observe the limits at all other times.)

The paragon I seek must be reliable; offer a supple ride; and be widely available secondhand. I'd prefer a diesel; but really what is more important is that it be an unruffled, relaxed, rapid overtaker.

(I took the trip yesterday in a luvverly 'classic' Saab 900 turbo automatic.That was nice. But 12 years' experience of their non-turbos means that, hand on heart, I can't exactly call them 'reliable'.)

Thank you,

LR.

Edited by Losta Risin' on 30/08/2013 at 06:17

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 08:55

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Graham567

You don't say what your budget is by would a MK4 Ford Mondeo 2.2 diesel do?(or the 2.0)

If you get one on smallish wheels then the ride is excellent and the 2.2 has plenty of poke.(200 bhp)

Finally its a hoot to drive on the twisty roads.

The Ford powershift auto is proving to be reliable unlike the dsg from Volkswagen.

Mine has been faultless in the 4 years i've owned it.

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 08:55

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - sandy56

there is a multitude of capable cars for your needs. The biggest issue is price and how important the brand name is to you?

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 14:05

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Losta Risin'

Hello, Videodoctor and sandy56, and thank you.

Please excuse my not stating a budget. I meant the 'widely available secondhand' to screen-out exotica. (Tool for job not toy.) I was after recommendation through personal experience of specific model; so thanks, Dr Vid; your car sounds as though ideal: capable, reliable and fun.

I'm not a slave to the badge, happily. (Phew.)

LR.

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 14:14

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Happy Blue!

Sounds like a job for a medium sized car (Golf etc) with a large diesel engine mated to a decent auto gearbox.

The most obvious is the VAG group with the DSG box, but allegedly unreliable. Thereafter looking at Ford which did both slushbox and DSG-type boxes. My S-Max would do this very well (with a 6 speed slushbox), but you don't need that size, so look at Mondeo or Kuga.

You could look at the BMW 3-series as well, but the value for money will be less.

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 14:25

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - 72 dudes

Volvo S60 (2001-2009) D5 SE Geartronic.

Some models had 163 BHP, some had 185 BHP both from a 5 cylinder 2.4L engine, pulls like a train and 40 MPG. Beautiful interior, fairly compact dimensions (3 series BMW size) and getting quite cheap now.

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 16:43

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Happy Blue!

Good thinking! Even the S40 with the 2.4D5 engine. That should be really fast and economical.

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 17:12

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Bobbin Threadbare

The Mondeo suggestion is a good one; boy can they shift it!

The D5 S60 nets 202hp, and the lovely T6 gets you 304hp. :-))

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 20:14

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - 72 dudes

The D5 S60 nets 202hp, and the lovely T6 gets you 304hp. :-))

Bobbin, these are the new S60s, from 2010 onwards. I agree that if the OP has £16k+ to spend, these would be a good option, but I was assuming less budget (I don't know why)

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 20:30

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Bobbin Threadbare

The D5 S60 nets 202hp, and the lovely T6 gets you 304hp. :-))

Bobbin, these are the new S60s, from 2010 onwards. I agree that if the OP has £16k+ to spend, these would be a good option, but I was assuming less budget (I don't know why)

Yep. Shiny. £12-13k will get you an 11 plate D5.

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 22:31

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - gordonbennet

If its going to be 2WD then for me it would have to be RWD, and that fortunately means a proper TC auto gearbox and not one of the increasingly complex automated manual or twin clutch jobbies with £4k+ bills looming when they give up, which they will.

I'm still as happy as can be with my old 3.2 MB, 17 years old and it still dispatches overtakes in seconds and is as stable and unflustered at high speed corners as it is plodding, the auto box has never so much as sneezed (nor any part of the drivetrain) but the car is maintained the old way.

So depending on your budget i'd be looking at a C class with either petrol or Diesel power as pleases, if budget is higher then a facelift 2007(ish) on W211 E class would be another good bet, lovely 6 pot Diesels available in both classes.

Course if you want to be able to cover the ground quickly in winter there's nothing to touch 4WD, but good auto Subarus are all petrol, but my MB on winter tyres does all i ask of it in the season.

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 22:46

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - SteveLee

Toyota Avensis T180 - silly in gear acceleration for an everyday car - average ride.

Citroën C5 160 HDi - not quite as fast but they ride beautifully if you buy an oleomatic one.

Ford Mondeo TDCI 163 - good ride and performance as long as they are not on the ultra-bling wheels.

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 23:17

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - gordonbennet

What are the autos like on those Steve?

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Sat 31 Aug 2013 16:47

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - SteveLee

To be honest thinking about it I can't remember driving a T180 auto - perhaps they are not available with that engine.

The C5 AL4 box is okay, fairly smooth but it does hunt a bit sometimes.

The Ford Durashift (like the Citroën a proper torque converter auto) in the Mondeo is excellent and IMHO the pick of the bunch as an alrounder.

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Sat 31 Aug 2013 18:55

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - corax

To be honest thinking about it I can't remember driving a T180 auto - perhaps they are not available with that engine.

Manual box only with the diesels Steve.

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Fri 30 Aug 2013 23:33

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Avant

I get the impression that you want to waft effortlessly past slow traffic. The Mondeo and Volvo are good suggestions, but if I were you I'd be tempted by something with six cylinders - a BMW 330 or Audi A4 3.0, either petrol or diesel. (Or 5-series or A6 if you need the room.)

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Sat 31 Aug 2013 12:41

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - pinkpanther_75

Admittedly not diesel, but a few years ago I ran a 2005 / 55 plate Lexus GS300. This was understandably poor on fuel in urban use (~20 mpg), but remarkably good "out of town" - I managed a genuine (brim to brim) 40mpg commuting 1200 miles on the A1.

They are well well specified - leather / bluetooth / heated & ventilated electric seats etc and more than powerful enough to dispatch the occasional "mimser" (245 BHP / 0-60 in ~7 seconds).

The 6 speed Autobox is a traditional configuration, although happy (and quick enough) to drop a few cogs, when called upon.

I see these are getting quite cheap now and still qualify for the marginally less ridiculous VED band, if registered before March 2006.

A slightly more left field choice than the usual BMW 5 / Audi A6 / Mercedes E class.

More here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/lexus/gs-2005/?

Edited by Seant on 31/08/2013 at 12:47

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Sat 31 Aug 2013 12:54

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Zuave

Depending upon the size of car, and having been a Jaguar owner for many years and 3 models, I would suggest an X350 variant 2.7 twin turbo diesel. Can pick up a good one with Full Jag SH and average miles for around 8k. I know as I have one for sale at that price:-).

That aside it has averaged 38mpg for me (on the trip computer) and hits 60 in about 7.5 seconds (206bhp IIRC) and is very comfortable.

Just another left-fielder if you wanted something abit different to the usual hatchbacks.

Good luck,

Zuave.

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Sat 31 Aug 2013 19:27

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Cyd

The sort of motoring you describe is exactly why I love my 2007 Saab 9-3 Aero 2.0T, tuned to 260PS/360Nm. Prodigious overtaking power anywhere from 30 to 120. And with all that torque on tap it isnt necessary to wield the central stick too much either.

You could always try a TTiD, but I've no idea what they're like - I'm a petrol man.

Edited by Cyd{P} on 31/08/2013 at 19:29

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Sun 1 Sep 2013 03:15

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Losta Risin'

Thank you, all, for a feast of food for thought; and Zuave for a deftly-disguised classified-ad (!).

Avant is right (and gordonbennet does it): I do want to waft past the slow-mover. If I can't overtake in an unhurried flash I don't want to do it at all; and more to the point, on our ever-more-crowded roads I feel I haven't the right to inch-past in an underpowered car, endangering the poor oncoming driver(s).

I'm going to relish a lengthy sesh of trying-before-buying, I think.

LR.

Edited by Losta Risin' on 01/09/2013 at 03:29

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Sun 1 Sep 2013 11:43

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Zuave

I thought I was very subtle LR;-p

No good for you anyway as I am on an Island in NW Scotland. But they are a very nice car. Although, oddly enough, the most comfortable was my old 3.6 XJ40. Seats like well-sprung armchairs, sweet.

Good luck and happy hunting.

Rgds

Zuave.

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Sun 1 Sep 2013 20:33

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - corax

No good for you anyway as I am on an Island in NW Scotland. But they are a very nice

Zuave, there isn't anyone to overtake up there :)

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Sun 1 Sep 2013 22:30

Need reliable, smooth-riding, auto mimser-killer. - Zuave

corax

try tourist season up here, it's like the whole island can aford "13" reg cars and drive like snails....tis a glorious place for summer time "target aquired and homing in" overtaking and zipping around, pure heaven!

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