Change from MPV to Estate.

greengiant · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:11

You may remember a couple of years ago I posted regarding suggestions for an estate car where I ended up with a W reg Renault Scenic. The mileage is creeping up (at 55k now), last year had to fit drive shafts x 2, lower suspension bushing and I think this coming year I'll be needing to spend more money on it (noisy brakes - passed MOT but I think it'll need disks and pads all round within the next 6 months... and the exhaust is getting noisy)

So I think it may be time to get rid of it, and buy something else.

My main hobbies are cycling, so while I had considered a Peugeot / Citreon / Renault van based car thing as a replacement for the scenic , perhaps I'd be best served by an actual estate car where I can just put the complete bike on its side in the boot.

I'm not wanting anything too expensive to insure, nor too heavy on the fuel.

Probably max cost of £5000.

Any suggestions for a bicycle friendly estate car?

Thanks in advance.

jpmonkey69 · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:28

1.9TD Passat Estate. Maybe an X reg is in budget

James_N · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:37

get a good volvo estate for that. 850 or V70, or save a few grand and get a 940

greengiant · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:44

Thanks for the suggestion of Passat + Volvo.

Not wanting anything too old, would prefer an estate 2 - 3 years old, not too many miles on the clock and £5000 or so. Doubt I'd get a passat or volvo for that price.

[TW]Fox · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:56

Who cares about mileage? Provided you get a half decent car than 55k is hardly 'creeping up'.

Mondeo Estate?

lozza23_uk · 15 Jan 2007 at 15:27

2-3 years old. asking a bit much for that budget unless you want an aweful make.

5k on a mondeo with less than 60k on the clock probably 5-6 years old.

55k is not creeping up

120k on my mondeo so far and going strong. although looking at an estate at the moment to be honest.

wassap · 15 Jan 2007 at 15:42

[TW]Fox said:
Who cares about mileage? Provided you get a half decent car than 55k is hardly 'creeping up'.

Mondeo Estate?

Dude its french, 55k means its about to go round the moon for the 3rd time

greengiant · 15 Jan 2007 at 16:00

wohoo said:
Dude its french, 55k means its about to go round the moon for the 3rd time

Indeed

Spent most of today on autotrader, think I'd be best until I can get a day to spend browsing around garages.

thanks for the replies.

James_N · 15 Jan 2007 at 16:29

greengiant said:
Indeed

Spent most of today on autotrader, think I'd be best until I can get a day to spend browsing around garages.

thanks for the replies.

I have to say if your going to be throwing bikes in the back and generally abusing it a little bit, do you really want a pristine low mileage example of an estate? I know i wouldnt.

You can get some VERY good mondeo or volvo estates for MUCH MUCH less than your budget if you were to look for slightly older, higher mileage examples. (and by slightly older i mean 5 or so years old)

greengiant · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:13

James_N said:
I have to say if your going to be throwing bikes in the back and generally abusing it a little bit, do you really want a pristine low mileage example of an estate? I know i wouldnt.

You can get some VERY good mondeo or volvo estates for MUCH MUCH less than your budget if you were to look for slightly older, higher mileage examples. (and by slightly older i mean 5 or so years old)

My concern about buying an older car is that I'll have to start shelling out for repairs soon after buying. I'd be looking to buy I car I can run into the ground (which I think for my Scenic would be within the next 12 months!)

I certainly think I'd be more happy with an estate rather than another MPV / van based car thing!

James_N · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:15

greengiant said:
My concern about buying an older car is that I'll have to start shelling out for repairs soon after buying.

In fairness you could be shelling out for repairs on any car, not just an old one. Ive had very minimal problems with my 17 year old volvo estate this year.

greengiant · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:33

A fair point, James.

I'd imagine a 5 year old better make of car (e.g. Ford mondeo, Volvo, or VW Passat) would be a better deal than a 2-3 year old cheaper make (eg Peugot, Fiat or similar)

Looking to buy a car which will last a long time as intend to run the next car into the ground.

greengiant · 20 Jan 2007 at 16:34

Well, I managed to find an estate - a Peugot 307 Estate, 02 plate, 26k on the clock. 2K trade in for the Scenic, so grand total of 3.5K

I know I said I wasn't wanting to buy another French car, but I did find the Pug 307 estate a lot more comfortable (fits my 6'2" better) than the Focus + Mondeo estates I had tried. Found it nice to drive when I took it for a test drive (Certainly a lot smoother than my 1.4 Scenic!)

Pretty pleased with the car, look forward to picking it up next Friday.

and

to those people who say I should have bought ford / volvo / vauxhall

MuvverRussia · 20 Jan 2007 at 17:35

out of the frying pan and into the fire anybody?

The 307 really, really isn't noted for being a good car

James_N · 20 Jan 2007 at 20:44

greengiant said:
and to those people who say I should have bought ford / volvo / vauxhall

I'll be saying "

" when it breaks and my volvo still going

But as long as you like it, then fair play. Whats the load space like in the 307 estate? cant say as ive seen one to really know.

greengiant · 20 Jan 2007 at 20:47

greengiant said:
Well, I managed to find an estate - a Peugot 307 Estate, 02 plate, 26k on the clock. 2K trade in for the Scenic, so grand total of 3.5K

Well, on further reflection I'm not happy with the choice of 307 Estate. Luckily I haven't signed anything with the dealer, so I'm going to phone and cancel first thing monday morning.

:rolleyes:

@ me for rushing in with both feet.

-- Edit -- car cancelled, so a lucky escape I think!