Big comfy cruiser - sub 2k

squarehead94

squarehead94

squarehead94

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25 Nov 2011
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1,355
Location
Cumbria, United Kingdom
Hi all.

So I'm getting a bit tired of the cramped, bumpy but trusty 1.3 cdti corsa c I have. It's been a good little car needing nothing but diesel but I'm fancying a change.

Now I would like to start by saying I do around 10k per year, absolutely no off reading, and would only ever tow in an emergency or a once a year caravan tow (short distance).

I am fancying something big, comfortable, fairly reliable, mileage isn't a major issue for me as long as they are reliable cars and don't cost the earth for parts (ruling out a BMW / vag)

I like the thought of climbing into my car - so a car maybe x5 sized, with running boards maybe? Mainly with good on road ability, not concerned for off road ability. 4x4 would be nice but not essential.

Diesel, reliable, economical, practical for folding the rear seats down and getting a lot of gear in, maybe even enough room to kip in on a trip, and something that is just a pleasant drive with road presence and feeling high up on the road. Oh and most importantly, one that can handle speed bumps and potholes without knocking my teeth out!

Can it be done? Throw your suggestions down. Thanks!

As a guide for ideas, I thought maybe rav4, x trail, CRV, Vauxhall Frontera, something along those lines.
 
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Age isn't a problem, and mileage isn't a problem.

For example, like I said about x trails, Fronteras and such like, these are all easily had for sub 2k. I am talking anything up to 15 years old.
 
You'll get a cr-v easily enough for £2k, but it won't be diesel (the petrol is slow and relatively thirsty, but also reliable) and I get the impression you think they're a bigger car than they really are.

Adjustable rear seats are reasonably useful though and whilst the early generation are fairly utilitarian for a soft roader they wear white well

The x trail drives better and is also worth considering, but again won't be diesel (for a decent one).

Tbh diesel in a soft roader type car is probably a waste of.time anyway, they aren't economical
 
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For example, found a mint 04 plate with fsh x trail diesel for 2400, with some haggling I'm sure 2k would be achievable or closer to 2k at least.
 
At this budget and with these requirements the thing that's least likely to destroy your soul or wallet is an old Lolvo.
 
Any car with the phrase "mint runner" in the advert should be avoided at all costs

The first two cars I'd want to know when (/if) they last had a turbo as its a heavy old thing and they are fairly well known for chucking them early - and if you insist on buying a diesel x trail make sure that apparent full service history really is up to scratch

I think the chain issues were gone by 2004 so that is at least less of a worry

Ultimately you're buying a near end of life car so the smart thing to do is avoid those with potentially expensive bits (relative to purchase price) to fail.....if you needed it to tow regularly etc buying diesel would be worth the potential hassle but I can't see why you would insist on it here
 
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Why is this?

I've never had a problem with gumtree and Facebook cars. Checking mot history and looking at the appropriate paperwork with the car I've never had problems.

I've always found auto trader to be seriously overpriced, the above mentioned Frontera (as nice it is) would be a good £300 cheaper advertised elsewhere.

I'm not bound to an x trail, I just know a colleague has one and she loves it. They seem big and practical and economical, and look nice too.
 
"mint runner" usually means "bag of ****e" and or "hiding all sorts"

That aside I would look at the lower mileage examples for the same money first of all, unless the ad for the "mint" one was littered with detail on things that had been replaced in the last couple of years that might need doing on the other cars as you put a few miles on

Autotrader is just a selling medium (as is Gumtree or Facebook etc), i don't see how it affects what sellers ask for their cars personally.
 
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It doesn't really mean anything.

Saying "mint runner" is probably a normal persons version of us when we say "Engine is healthy and pulls strongly, no undue noises, always serviced ahead of time, no expense spared" :p
 
Yes it does....:p

More seriously it's a ridiculous phrase and I honestly wouldn't trust anyone that used it. I've bought plenty of cars and left plenty where they were that were "fantastic /mint / best you will find" etc etc

I wouldn't buy a car from someone that didn't have the ability to state that the engine made no funky noises, had been serviced properly and had actually been looked after when required.

Catch lines like "mint runner" are usually used by dodgy two bit low level traders or wannabe driveway sellers.

Anyway as above, there are other reasons I wouldn't look.at that car first
 
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I initially wanted a Frontera - as a cheap and cheerful big comfy barge - wondering if anyone has anh input on these? I've owned plenty of Vauxhall, just wondered if they were decent on road and comfortable on long trips.
 
rodenal said:
Yes it does....:p

More seriously it's a ridiculous phrase and I honestly wouldn't trust anyone that used it. I've bought plenty of cars and left plenty where they were that were "fantastic /mint / best you will find" etc etc

I wouldn't buy a car from someone that didn't have the ability to state that the engine made no funky noises, had been serviced properly and had actually been looked after when required.

Catch lines like "mint runner" are usually used by dodgy two bit low level traders or wannabe driveway sellers.

Anyway as above, there are other reasons I wouldn't look.at that car first
Click to expand...

Ahh but you see, I bought the Corolla from someone who didn't know which hole the oil went in and it was great, and I bought the Celica from someone who knew their **** and well... We know how that went. :D
 
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