Little help with estates

lordrobs

lordrobs

lordrobs

Soldato
Joined
30 Sep 2003
Posts
16,634
Location
Norwich
Right firstly this isn't really a spec me a car thread as I'm not looking to replace my car at this time, I'm just trying to get my head around what I might be wanting in 3,6,12 months time when the 306 gets binned (its got issues which so far we can't diagnose). Also my gf's dad gets first dibs on ex lease cars so it might be worth me getting him to keep an eye open.

As much as I hate the idea an estate would make my job much easier, I had hoped that a big hatch would cut it but I'm sick of struggling to cram everything in and having to find somewhere to store the parcel shelf etc. I'd be looking for a Mondeo sized car as decent load space is what I'm after. Say I had a budget of 5 to 6k what are my options and what should I be sure to avoid?

My criteria would be as follows-

-up to 4 years old
-No big mileage cars. 80k tops (as much as this may not make sense to everyone can we run with it for now)
-Performance not to much of an issue say up to 11 seconds 0-60, handling IS important to me though, I realise that an estate may cripple this.
-Toys- Alloys, aircon (pref. climate) anything else would be a nice bonus. More toys > less toys :p
-Petrol or Derv, I'm not fussed.
-35 MPG minimum

What do you guys think? The following spring to mind- Mondeo, 406, 156 er... need some help :o

Thanks :)
 
ouch. pig of a budget tbh. I was initially thinking 320d, 330d or 320i something like that. As a touring in SE trim they use the same suspension as the sport touring so the only difference would be body kit and maybe some interior differences but in the main the SE is the same as the Sport bar the kit so they'll handle well. Thing is, budget is tight.

Alternatively, I guess you have audi, fabia style things or even volvo.

There are a couple of 320i tourings on the bay.
 
3 series touring are tiny inside though.

If you need load space I'd be looking at a mondy estate, an old omega estate or a laguna estate (vast loadspace), V70s are huge inside as well (obviously) they do handle like barges though.

Paul
 
Faithless said:
pig of a budget tbh.
Click to expand...
Agreed, my requirement of up to 4 years old isn't helping either but I want to see if I can stick to it if at all possible. I think it pretty much drops me right in the middle of high depreciation ex fleet cars such as the Mondeo etc.

I'll have a look at 320 Tourings but I think they are going to be way over budget. [EDIT] missed the point about load space :( [/EDIT] It all depends on how long I'm looking but as I say it could be next week, or it could be next year. The more I can squeeze out of the 306 the better, even though its not really big enough.

I also forgot to add the Octavia to my current list of possibles.
 
Audi A6 Avant.

I'm looking at these too, or the Passat Equivalent. They seem pretty roomy, have some decent toys, are a bit older than you want but for 5-6k you can pick up one with sub 80k with alloys etc. It's just a case of which engine you want.
 
Mondeo - good choice, a MK3 is in budget too
156 - The estate actually has less load area than the saloon! Wouldn't bother tbh.
406 - Also good choice
V70 - Another good choice though quite pricey
BMW 5 touring - Not in budget at all.


406 estates are vast, handle reasonably well and have a nice ride. The petrols have also depreciated very nicely.

Unfortunately, the 2.0 litre petrol whilst having a 0-60 of 11 secs in estate form, doesn't feel that quick and will not return 35mpg on a daily basis. My saloon gets 32-33mpg with 25% town, 45% country roads and 30% motorway. The HPi engine may well *just* get 35 in estate form.

That leaves the HDI diesels which are excellent engines but haven't depreciated anywhere near as nicely. To get a 0-60 under 11 secs, you'll need to get the 2.2 HDI.

Your requirement of 80,000 miles and 52 plate + will make it difficult to get a true bargain. If you want to get a more upmarket machine, you'll need to shelve these requirements.

Still a Mondeo in Ghia X trim or 406 in executive trim, are both great cars. Both good handlers (considering) and very reliable.
 
Faithless said:
In which case, E39 touring, 520i on the bay atm, 2003, 70k at just over £4k.
Click to expand...

It will go for miles more than that even being a 520i.

This budget is virtually impossible, 03 plate onwards Estate with under 80k miles? It's going to be very hard to do, cars that new but that cheap with the practicality of an Estate are high milers.
 
[TW]Fox said:
It will go for miles more than that even being a 520i.

This budget is virtually impossible, 03 plate onwards Estate with under 80k miles? It's going to be very hard to do, cars that new but that cheap with the practicality of an Estate are high milers.
Click to expand...
I was considering 02 plate onwards so thats nearer 5 years isn't it, sorry.

Yeah I am asking quite a lot in terms of budget etc. I hadn't really expected there to be that much of a differance between hatchback and estate prices :o Having said that I have seen a few Mondeo's in range anything higher than a LX spec would do the job. Octavia's seem like a possibility although I would want an Elegance which whilst could be in budget makes them few and far between.

As for the load space of the 156, my boss has one and I'd say for my needs it would do.

I'll keep an eye out and have to consider my options a bit more. maybe something from the size below (Focus etc.) but in estate form would be acceptable? I'll have to pop into a couple of stealers and have a look and measure I think.

Thanks for the opinions.
 
I would compromise, either in terms of age, or mileage. This will give you far more choice. Remember a 500,000 mile Octavia will give you less trouble than a 10,000 mile Alfa...
 
my mums was given a T reg volvo estate for xmas from her husband.

I thought it was a T50 but looking on autotrader that doesnt seem to be a model. I know eff all about volvos. Its the same model that the police used.

Anyway, its seems a nice car, average mileage, excellent condition and seems to drive/handle well. It cost £5k.

As has been said, i think you will have to compromise somewhere.

[TW]Fox said:
Remember a 500,000 mile Octavia will give you less trouble than a 10,000 mile Alfa...
Click to expand...

:D so true
 
TBH until this week I wouldn't have considered an estate and as I said I was quite nieve in thinking that there wouldn't be much of a premium for an estate.

OK so lets throw it open- Ignore the mileage and age and considering that I do about 15k a year and have to use my car for work. No car = me stuffed so reliability is ultra high on my list (hence my 80k tops comment, please feel free to tell me this is silly) Also running costs are an issue so something cheap to run, service and fix is good. What should I be looking for?
 
lordrobs said:
......(hence my 80k tops comment, please feel free to tell me this is silly) Also running costs are an issue so something cheap to run, service and fix is good. What should I be looking for?
Click to expand...

This is silly :p

Fox as an example, from what he's told me his car couldnt be in better condition and anything that did have to be changed was still under (extended?) warranty.

IMO 15k a year is certainly no reason to go pro diesel. If anything it would cost you more than the equivalent petrol model so bear that in mind. Reliability between the two? Well, I have to say its going to be fairly negligable especially if the car is that new and a 1.8l or higher.
 
IIRC Fox's warrenty was an extended one, without which his stiff 5th gear could have ended up costing him for a new gearbox, probably not the best example to use. IMO Fox was very lucky with that one getting it fully sorted whilst the warrenty was still in place.

I don't have a problem with a high miler as a ca with say 150k on it I would imaging to be in decent enough working order, its when I've stuck another 60k on it (which could be 3 years if work picks up a touch) and its the wrong side of 200k that I start to wonder. I'm not really one for choping and changing cars so I'd be looking to keep it for 4 years or more.

Anyway, it looks like it is possible for my budget but my choices are very limited. A decent Mondeo looks like a possibility though.

Anyway haven't checked my lottery ticket yet... could be after a RS6 Avant instead ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom