With the upcoming reopening of offices and long commutes back on the agenda, we need a comfortable and practical motorway runner.
With offices set to reopen soon and long commutes once again on the agenda, what we need is a comfortable and convenient highway racer, right? Right. But there’s no reason we couldn’t add some panache and performance potential to the deal.
Drive the Mk1 Jaguar XF Sportbrake forward. When launched in 2008, the XF sedan quickly established itself as a leader in the executive segment, and in 2012, the Sportbrake estate boosted its already pleasing level of practicality, thanks to an extended roofline and loading up to 550 liters.
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A first XF Sportbrake can be bought today for as little as £ 8,000, with a choice of four-cylinder and V6 diesel engines, each with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Unlike the sedan, there were no gasoline options. Sacrilege, we know.
It’s possible to hit 55.4 mpg with the smallest engine available, a 161 hp 2.2-liter diesel, and it’s the most common on the used market.
If you want a little more thrust, you can go for the 197bhp quad-pot, which is good for 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds, or even upgrade to the top-of-the-line 3.0-liter V6 in the form of 237 hp or 271 hp. Just beware of their dramatically increased VED rates.
The XF Sportbrake is not lacking in standard technology, with the engine stopping and starting, dual-zone air conditioning, electrically adjustable seats, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors all present and correct.
The most used examples are now long in the tooth after years of highway driving, school races and more, so the single owner 197bhp 2.2-liter example from 2014 that we found with 98 000 miles on the clock is a rare find at £ 9,995.
This car has a full service history and a host of additional options, plus you’ll only pay around £ 155 in annual road tax and enjoy that great fuel economy.
Opel Insignia Grand Sport 2.0 TD SRi VX-Line Nav, £ 13,999: The Insignia fastback is unpretentious yet versatile. This 2019 example has a 2.0-liter turbo diesel and is packed with great equipment including a satellite navigation system, dual-zone air conditioning and, unlike the old XF, Apple CarPlay. It’s a good deal after only 30,000 miles.
BMW 330i Touring £ 1995: This 3-series station wagon from the E46 generation has a 3.0-liter, 231 hp inline six-cylinder petrol engine. It should hit 62 mph in 7.2 seconds (great for highway ramps) while you enjoy premium style and technology that belies its insanely low price tag.
Mini Clubman Cooper S auto £ 10,995: With 189 hp from its 2.0-liter turbo, this original station wagon can top 0-62 mph in 7.1 seconds. It’s covered 93,000 miles and has all the options you could want, including the coveted Chili Pack with its head-up display, 19-inch alloys, cruise control and heated seats.
Porsche Panamera 3.0 V6 S E-Hybrid 33 495 €: Okay, it’s a Porsche, but it’s also a PHEV that can travel 15 miles as an EV, so it’s not really the lopsided shift choice as it sounds. This 2016 car features a Bose stereo, parking aids and a rear view camera, all for a quarter of its original price.
Auction watch
Lotus 340R: One of 340 units produced, this Lotus 340R has only covered 5,856 miles in 21 years on the road. It’s basically a special edition Elise Type 111 with custom bodywork, so it’s fitted with Rover’s 1.8-liter K-series inline-four, which is good for 177bhp. It sold for £ 58,000 at auction, thanks to its extremely low mileage and well-maintained exterior. Other examples in the auction market revolve around the £ 50,000 mark or less. As a proper collector’s item with such low production numbers, you’ll be hard pressed to find one with over 10,000 miles on the dial.
Future classic
Suzuki Swift Sport £ 1,450: As large, heavy and increasingly electric SUVs dominate the market, there is a growing sense of nostalgia for the honest little races that can inexpensively and efficiently liven up your Saturday morning runs. The Suzuki Swift rebirth in 2005 brought the jazzy Swift Sport, with its punchy 1.6-liter atmo petrol engine delivering a pleasing 123bhp. It holds up well in corners, thanks to its well-assembled chassis, and in the years to come, it will serve as a reminder of how much fun a small hatchback can be.
The shock of classifieds
In short: Is there a cool trailer tow car out there? Play with £ 15,000.
Mercedes-Benz ML 350 Brabus 12,750 €
Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 € 12,990
Jack Warrick: My huge Mercedes is the perfect all-rounder for camping. It has four-wheel drive for those muddy campsites, enough Brabus brutality under its hood to surprise an entire Cornish village, and roof racks for when James feels like kayaking. Heated seats to dry the muzzle too.
Felix Page: Where are you going to camp, the Old Trafford parking lot? It’s much more the Premier League than Preston Sands, …
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-07-02 05:01:23
