Another year...

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The question has to be asked.....

With what has he replaced Dame Edna?

I thought you wanted my mothers old Jag? Don't get a Volvo, they're really shit. In answer to Chris, an F-Pace.

It was yes, black one. I did a brief bit about it in the test section last year where I think you mentioned you were a fan.

My understanding from all reports is that the new models are much better and they seem to be very popular, especially the XC40 which keeps winning group tests and is certainly one of the better looking models in its class. Totally understand your opinion Michael, a bad experience will taint your opinion of the brand but I think they’re a far superior product now.

I'm not sure Volvos have ever been shit and are still shit. The old 240s went on forever, they were always well protected from rust and sturdily built. Subsequent models seemed to continue that trend, 740s, S40s, V70s, S60s etc. My brother had an XC90 that went on forever as a solid family workhorse. I hated Volvos when I was young because the annoying kid next door's dad was a Volvo salesman and the two of them never stopped going on about how good they were compared to your average Ford or Vauxhall. Looking back they were probably right.

My brother in law has just bought a 2003 E39 530d estate in automatic form.
It has 190k on the clock and cost him £1250 (I think) and apart from a minor oil leak, some mismatched tyres and a clearly worn bush in the rear suspension it is in incredible condition.
All the toys - inc the satnav - work. Bodily it is excellent too.

As I don't drive near cities on anything like a regular basis, that doesn't bother me. My job is a good 8 miles out from Liverpool city centre, so hopefully no issues there. Failing that, I'll park up just before the Mersey bridge and cycle the rest of the way, figuratively sticking my fingers up at the bastards on the way past.

Some are a bit shit. P2 V70s can be a pain for suspension and electrics. Avoid the autos. So a manual D5 P2 V70 should be massively troublesome. A V50 should be fine (manual, not auto) as there is a huge amount of Focus underneath and it will be far more entertaining than a V70. And a fair bit smaller. P3 platform cars (such as Michael's XC70 and my V60) are reasonably good and I'd possibly have another but it would have to be manual and 2WD to avoid massive bill potential. The 850 was the sweet spot. Absolutely solid. 

So, 2WD D5 V50 manual. And budget for front tyres.

It pretty much has to be an auto, sadly. I'm fed up of clutching in traffic and if my family history of knee issues is anything to go by, I'm going to be ruined by the time I'm 50. DPF avoidance is a must after the monumental ballache I've had with the SAAB - it's a deeply flawed piece of equipment regardless of what car it is fitted to.

Another trawl of AT found this:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201906209240140

Nice beefy 5 pot, renowned auto box, no DPF or air suspension to go tits up. Nice wheels and plenty of moo on the inside. Cushty.

Isn’t the best bet for avoiding a DPF to get a petrol? You can get a 325i auto estate in your budget with sensible miles and I’d guess minimal difference in running costs.

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Never consistently got over 40mpg from mum's 2005 model (54 plate) D5 auto, in fact it was generally a struggle to get over 30mpg out of it unless it was on the motorway for most of the journey. The V50 is a lot smaller inside and out

In my price range (£2k), no petrol car is getting close. Believe me, I've looked. I had use of my Stepdad's 93 Aero whilst mine was off the road with DPF troubles. Similar torque and overtaking abilities but never got any better than 35 mpg, and I had to drive Miss Daisy to get that. I can jump in my Saab and hoof it back and to work 5 days a week and still get 45 mpg tank average.

Even when fully loaded, or towing a trailer or with bikes on the roof, I never see less than 42 mpg average. Diesel is only 5p per litre more expensive near me, so a petrol engine will need to be nearly as good on fuel as a diesel to make any sense whatsoever. Any petrol engine in that price range with 250+ lb/ft of torque is not going to achieve 40+ mpg average.

I’d go for a Mondeo Diesel estate or 320d

How many miles a year is your commute?