Ultimate compromise car/best all-rounder

[AlsoMike]

Although I trawl ebay constantly looking at local motors, in the new year I might actually be in the market for buying something. Now I've no solid ideas about what I want to get, but as it'll probably be my only car I need it to tick several boxes:

 

1: Not ruinously expensive to run

2: A modicum of performance

3: Interesting/slightly unusual

 

I guess the only thing it doesnt need to do is carry big loads or lots of people.

 

I quite fancied a Peugeot 406 Coupe.

 

peug406coupe2_750_500_70

 

A V6 would be great but realisitically the mpg would be a bit too high for my liking, so I've been looking at diesels. Which I thought would be a good compromise, I like how they look, performance would be ok, and mpg ok too. All very OK. Hmm. A good compromise car.

 

It got me thinking, as I want the car to (unrealistically) be good at EVERYTHING, what is the best compromise car or best all rounder? A commuter car/fun to drive/cheap to run/load lugger.

 

Do I need to lower my expectations, or narrow down what I want?

[Supernaut]

I cannot help, but I'll keep my eye on this thread too.

 

I should probably bump my roffle thread, actually...

[bangernomics]

Interested too

[loserone]

I like the look of the 406 coupe.

 

Of course, the answer is a MK1 MX5

[Zelandeth]

There are only three which immediately spring to mind as the most overwhelmingly competent all rounders.

 

Classic Saab 900. Though good ones are getting dear these days and fuel economy isn't great.

 

Pug 406, though the V6 does like a drink, and quite a few V6 specific parts are NLA.

 

Citroen Xantia. On my second one now, and there's just nothing it's not good at. Huge cabin for the size of car, comfy, big load bay, decent economy (V6/petrol turbo versions excepted), incredible mile munching ability, and not too hard to live with. The hydraulic system isn't made of witchcraft and glass as some people would have you believe. They had it pretty well sorted by this point. Series 2 cars have much better oddment storage in the cabin, which is really my only gripe about the S1 I currently have. Later cars tended to have generous equipment levels for the time too.

 

I think a lot of folks would point at classic Volvos too, though I can't personally comment there as I've sadly yet to own one.

[AlsoMike]

There are only three which immediately spring to mind as the most overwhelmingly competent all rounders.

 

Classic Saab 900. Though good ones are getting dear these days and fuel economy isn't great.

 

Pug 406, though the V6 does like a drink, and quite a few V6 specific parts are NLA.

 

Citroen Xantia. On my second one now, and there's just nothing it's not good at. Huge cabin for the size of car, comfy, big load bay, decent economy (V6/petrol turbo versions excepted), incredible mile munching ability, and not too hard to live with. The hydraulic system isn't made of witchcraft and glass as some people would have you believe. They had it pretty well sorted by this point. Series 2 cars have much better oddment storage in the cabin, which is really my only gripe about the S1 I currently have. Later cars tended to have generous equipment levels for the time too.

 

I think a lot of folks would point at classic Volvos too, though I can't personally comment there as I've sadly yet to own one.

 

I'd considered a Xantia, they tick a lot of boxes for me, but a bit harder to find than a 406.

 

I also thought about getting another Rover 200/25 TD, I like the L-series for performance versus economy.

[Guest Hooli]

Mk2 Granada 2.8i Ghia X estate in manual with the optional A/C. Comfy, works, drives well, looks good inside and out & isn't full of bollocks that take up space for no reward.

 

Close thread.

[Zelandeth]

True, Xantias are a bit thinner on the ground. They're worth buttons though so with a bit of shopping around you should be able to find a decent one for little more than pocket change.

 

406 is essentially the same car with different panels, different styled interior and sans the oleopneumatic gubbins. Was a stronger seller at the time, so easier to find now. Most I looked at a while back had intergalactic mileages though and/or were knackered. Similar affliction you face looking for an old Volvo now a lot of the time it seems.

 

A lot of people I know rate the C5 which replaced the Xantia quite highly, though personally I've always been somewhat distrustful of it due to it having reached the point where multiplexed electronics, dual mass flywheels and in some cases DPF systems were the norm.

[Dan_ZTT]

My only car for 5 years was a Volvo C70 soft-top, I think that fits the requirements here pretty much perfectly...

 

Didn't cost much to run because nothing ever broke, fuel economy was ok (low 30s), it's unusual, it's quick enough. Coupes are around if the floppytop doesn't float your boat, although I personally never got tired of it.

 

This one looks nice, especially for £750 from a dealer, loads of pics - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811052155173

 

 

In writing this post I think I've almost talked myself into buying it...

[skattrd]

Best all rounder for me is a Honda Aerodeck Exi, it does nothing fantastically, but everything well. Plus pop-up headlights

[DodgeRover]

Range Rover classic in either LPG or diesel flavour, not going to depreciate, will keep going with simple maintenence, parts are cheap.

Possibility of T&T exemption if buying a blatent ringer a well preserved older example.

 

Peugeot 504, 505, 305 or 405 in estate versions diesel or fit lpg for penny pinching.

[2MB]

I need to try a c70 before everyone realises how good they are

[Fat_Pirate]

Berlingo Multispace with a sufficient number of hosspowers under the bonnet!  Fun to race about it, spacious, rides better than a XJ6, simple and durable.

[Dan_ZTT]

I need to try a c70 before everyone realises how good they are

 

 

They're the bestest car of ever. If I didn't now have two large dogs, plus a baby on the way, I'd still have mine. If I had any space at all on the drive or road I'd buy another this week. They're at the bottom of their price curve for sure, future classic. 

[Guest Hooli]

I always preferred the V70s to drive compared to the C70s.

[gadgetgricey]

That's a really interesting question. Got me thinking of all the cars I've owned/own, what would be the one I would keep if only allowed one.

 

I think it would have to be my LPG'd Jeep Grand Cherokee. Is never really gone wrong, parts were cheap when it has. MPG is very bad, hence why LPG, but it does everything else really well.

 

Comfy to drive, not massive power but enough, loads of kit cruise/heated seats etc, large enough boot space, 4WD for winter.

It was unstoppable in the snow last year, so much so I was actually trying to get it stuck.

 

Its in for its MOT the weekend, so aware this will be the kiss of death now.........

[iainrcz]

What about a 407 coupe.

 

Or, depending on your budget, a GT 86. They have zero rear seat space, a small but functional boot. Aren't bad on juice, and are big fun to sling around.

 

Sent from my VFD 710 using Tapatalk

[loserone]

Gt86 not bad on juice? I was talking to an owner a few months back and he was getting less than I get in my 3.0 H6 legacy

[Supernaut]

My only car for 5 years was a Volvo C70 soft-top, I think that fits the requirements here pretty much perfectly...

 

Didn't cost much to run because nothing ever broke, fuel economy was ok (low 30s), it's unusual, it's quick enough. Coupes are around if the floppytop doesn't float your boat, although I personally never got tired of it.

 

This one looks nice, especially for £750 from a dealer, loads of pics - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811052155173

 

 

In writing this post I think I've almost talked myself into buying it...

That is mega-value! RantingYoof had the same engine in an S60 and it went well enough and did mid to high 30s mpg-wise on a run. His S60 was even the same shade of grey. I believe Moog won the roffle for it then sold it on (I think).

 

I'd rather a C70 coupe myself, but still. Not bad!

 

 

 

 

 

Gt86 not bad on juice? I was talking to an owner a few months back and he was getting less than I get in my 3.0 H6 legacy

Aye, but how do they drive their GT86?

[loserone]

And how do I drive my legacy?!

[Bobthebeard]

A Saab 9-5 estate......

2.3 lpt auto in preference.

[Schaefft]

Manual pre-9/98 528i in decent condition. Great performance, great handling, great comfort, great looks, great interior, decent reliability (if taken care of no different to most other cars). Also used parts are dirt cheap (so are the cars really), everything is easily available. Can't get better than that!

 

[andy18s]

Gt86 not bad on juice? I was talking to an owner a few months back and he was getting less than I get in my 3.0 H6 legacy

We are looking at a h6 outback to follow the current Legaxy gl....or a Forester

[egg]

Mondeo Mk1 Si 2.0. Sorry, you did ask

 

Find one with air con!

 

4x4 for absolute win.

 

 

Can you daily it? Yes. Is it good to drive? Yes. Is it fast enough? Maybe. Is it cheap to run? Yes. Is it comfortable? Yes.

[Zelandeth]

What about a 407 coupe.

Or, depending on your budget, a GT 86. They have zero rear seat space, a small but functional boot. Aren't bad on juice, and are big fun to sling around.

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407s with the bigger engines in fall into the mega tax bracket sadly...and the thought of spending the best part of £500 a year on tax just irks me.

 

Also the singular reason I've not tried an RX-8 yet given the prices they change hands for nowadays.

[GeordieInExile]

A Saab 9-5 estate......

2.3 lpt auto in preference.

This but a manual Aero HOT. Quick, comfy, decent economy on a run, handsome, well equipped and not that expensive to run as parts are plentiful. Can also be tightened up if you want it to handle better.

[AlsoMike]

407 coupe is a bit out of budget really, plus the styling lacks something after the 406 coupe. Ridiculous tax costs put me off a lot of newer big engine stuff.

 

I suppose I could factor in purchase price against ruinous MPGs, a £500 car that does 30mpg prob works out similar to a £1000 car that does 50mpg over the course of the year. Dependant on mileage of course.

[Coprolalia]

Mk2 Scirocco. Still dirt cheap, <£2k for a solid sorted one. Classic insurance, cheap tax, cheap to service as it's a Mk2 golf in a frock. 30-40mpg realistic. Get an injection and they handle and accelerate well. Unusual.

 

Or buy my diesel converted one when I get it fixed and flog it in March.

[castros_bro]

Any not too rusty 1.9D XUD turbo 306, ZX or Rover prefer with Bosch pump for added frugality or a Seat Ibiza FR 130 1.9D turbo or similar.  Just done London-Bristol 4 times in a 2004  180,000 mile remapped (175 BHP?) FR 130 and got 55mpg

[Parky]

One of these. Mark 1 Seat Leon. Interior from an Audi, engines from VW, large enough for four, capable of a tip run, but still compact enough to cope with car parks.

 

Diesel version gives mega mpg and being a VW benefits from numerous tuning and tweaking options, not to mention being relatively conventional to service.