I don't use my RRS for every day commuter work, as I do between about 450 miles a week, so it's much more efficient to do that in a cheap car. I currently have a 2006 Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD which has been excellent. Reliable, very comfortable and economical, but it does sound like a tractor.
I want to replace it with something similar, but that sounds a bit better, and will last.
I've looked at the Volvo S60 D5, the 5-cylinder sounds very nice (for a diesel) and feels solid, plus it looks quite DIY'able (which is a plus, as I like doing as much as I can).
I've also had a quick look at the Alfa 159 (2.4 D), which again looks and sounds great, but I've not worked much on Alfa's (had 3 about 10 years ago). Very tempted by one.
The obvious choice would be a BMW 330D, and it would probably be a great car, but there are so many of them around, as well as Audi's, that I just can't bring myself to look at them.
Any suggestions ? (I only want to spend about 3-4K)

Spend the £4k on fuel and use your RRS. Leaving it sat in the drive is a crime.

I do 600+ miles a week in mine...  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Early Range Rover Evoque Dynamic or Prestige both with Lux Pack (includes some very expensive options in a much less expensive factory fitted pack) If you can find a Prestige with the Dynamic option even better. They can be had with the 6 Speed auto or manual gearbox. Other option would be LR's most reliable and likeable car, a Freelander 2. I would recommend to go for an auto in both Evoque and Freelander2 as the clutch is a bit of a weak spot if you do want to go off-road in one (both are amazingly capable on greenlanes BTW). Freely2 is often referred to as a better baby Range Rover than the Evoque!. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

600 miles a week

Mine does about 7,000 miles a year, without any commuting (did a quick recce of Salisbury Plain a couple of weeks back, whilst on way to my parents, but I didn't go far, as I had the wrong wheels on.)

If I could get an Evoque for £4K, my wife would swipe the keys, and I'd be stuck with her car. Good idea about the FL2 though, I'll have a quick web search to see what they go for.

Oops sorry I didn't see the £3-4000 budget bit, unlikely you will get a decent F2 at that price point, they are extremely popular as used cars. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

RRSTDV8 wrote:

Spend the £4k on fuel and use your RRS. Leaving it sat in the drive is a crime.

I do 600+ miles a week in mine...

Spending 4k on fuel a year, may equate to spending 8k a year by the time you have factored in all the repair bills.

Haven't worked out the total cost, but I do around 15,000 to 18,000 miles per year in my RRS.(Must admit claim about 12k of costs back).
What's the point of not using it? I arrive refreshed and comfortable for my next appointment, any cheap "runaround" would drive me crazy, and loose us money.
Due for a new model in 2017.  John

RRS MY12 SDV6 HSE. Sumatra Black/Ebony & Walnut + Dynamic Pack, + Cold Climate Pack + Memory Pack, Digital TV/DVD, Premium Leather, Cornering Lights, Cooler/Fridge Box, & most Options.

Opps, wrong forum section..

Thanks Ady.

How about a VW Passat Estate 2.0 TDI Sport. Great mile munchers and the sport looks decent for the budget you have given  2003 BMW M5 - 5 Litres of V8 Optimax Slurping Goodness in Carbon Black

2013 SDV6 HSE Black Edition- Orkney Grey with Ebony & Ivory. LR Facelift RAI, Genuine G4 Expedition Rack, 4x Warn SBD-160 Spotlights, Warn 9.5XPS Winch, Mantec Underbody Protection and Sump Guard, Full Easy Lift Suspension Module, LR Light Guards, Light Force HTX230 Hybrid spotlights, 18� Compomotive PD1881 on 265/65/18 BF Goodrich KO2, ARB fridge, TuffTrek awning 😎

Ady 555 wrote:

RRSTDV8 wrote:

Spend the £4k on fuel and use your RRS. Leaving it sat in the drive is a crime.

I do 600+ miles a week in mine...

Spending 4k on fuel a year, may equate to spending 8k a year by the time you have factored in all the repair bills.

If you take that attitude, why bother buying a RRS in the first place? Starts to look like a "badge buy" bought only for the driveway. If you can't afford to run it, don't buy it.

I'd rather say "I drive a Range Rover" than just "I own a Range Rover".

Oh, and take the bloody thing off road at least once. Please, please, please! 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Hi,
If we are not going far and not going to be putting anything in the car, take the Scooby 30mpg

If we are going far or carrying stuff take the RRS much more relaxed and 34 mpg that's sensible enough for me.

just bear in mind depreciation and running costs can far out way the fuel saved

RRSTDV8 wrote:

Ady 555 wrote:

RRSTDV8 wrote:

Spend the £4k on fuel and use your RRS. Leaving it sat in the drive is a crime.

I do 600+ miles a week in mine...

Spending 4k on fuel a year, may equate to spending 8k a year by the time you have factored in all the repair bills.

If you take that attitude, why bother buying a RRS in the first place? Starts to look like a "badge buy" bought only for the driveway. If you can't afford to run it, don't buy it.

I'd rather say "I drive a Range Rover" than just "I own a Range Rover".

Quote:

why not use your RR for best

I struggle with this idea, to be honest. I can sort of understand it if we were talking about a classic/rare/specialist vehicle but not a commodity 4x4.

I also don't get the idea of buying expensive watches, leaving them on winder systems, barely (if ever) wearing them and then selling them at a loss. Similarly lots of other well known brand items.

I can't help but think that there are a lot of people wasting their money on expensive toys for no good reason other than the "I have a..." bragging rights. Which is a shame because I fear they can't afford to enjoy them for fear of damage and resultant economic loss.

Don't get me wrong - it's their money and it's entirely up to them what they spend it on. I just hope it makes them truly happy. A lot of modern day consumerism surely doesn't, sadly.

Anyway, back to the OP's question, I'd say a Skoda Superb or Octavia would be ideal. Cheap and easy to service, run forever, well equipped for the money, decent fuel mileage on a commute. The estate versions are cavernous if space is a requirement.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

riverblanche wrote:

just bear in mind depreciation and running costs can far out way the fuel saved

Cars need servicing even if they do only 1000 miles a year. Depreciation occurs on all cars too and is only a problem for those who see cars as anything other than heavily depreciating assets.

Bear in mind that LRs generally do better if they're used. Leaving the modern ones sitting around is often a recipe for annoying faults to appear.

On your original question, I'd look at Skoda - VW/Audi in a cheaper package. All of the toys for less cash. They run and run too. The 1.9 TDi will give 50+mpg if driven sensibly on a run. The Octavia and Superb estates are huge inside so great for tip runs too if you're protecting your RRS.

SWMBO has an Octavia estate. It gets serviced once a year (which is more often than strictly required according to the onboard service demand system) when it gets its MOT done. A bit of fuel and tyres as required and that's it. The epitome of boring, sensible car ownership.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

(Without straying too far from the original question), I guess we all have different reasons for what we drive, but I choose to drive a cheapy for the commute, because I still do a reasonable amount of driving at other times. ie my weekly commute is about 450 miles, but the RRS does not sit idle. It does about 7,000 miles a year with the non-commuting stuff. I find this separates the daily grind from the pleasure stuff, and makes it a treat when SWMBO tells me we need to go and see her Mother/Sister whatever.
I bought my Sport partly because I love them and wanted to support a British company, but also it's the best car for the job, from full-on off road, to family bus, to smart limo. It's also quite DIY'able which is one of my hobbies.
I went to see my parents the other week, and stopped off on Salisbury Plain for a quick recce and drive around. There really isn't much else that you can drive down the M5 then off onto some muddy tracks.

I think that the VW/Audi/Skoda is a good option, but there's just so many of them about that I keep swerving away from them, hence looking at the Alfa's.