Bangernomics - What car for a ski season?

[Gruffy]

I'm about to swap the MINI for something a bit more suited to a season in the Alps.

The requirements are:

1. Budget: up to £3,000. Intend to sell it again next spring and would prefer not to lose much/anything on it (probably adding 3,000 miles to the clock), but may end up keeping it, if it's presentable enough for a 'shopping car'.
2. Economical-ish at motorway mile-munching (2 return trips to the Alps)
3. Roomy enough for skis/snowboards plus four adults (fine to drop a single rear seat) and/or roof rails for a roof box.
4. Must have at least a little room under the arches to make it easy to fit snow chains
5. Reliable enough that we stand a good chance of not needing any work done over the winter and will start in cold conditions
6. 4WD isn't necessary. I'll fit winter tyres.

Nice to haves:

1. Heated seats
2. Heated mirrors
3. Not a stty colour

I've been looking at BMW 3- and 5-series estates, A4's, Renault Grand Scenics, Volvo T5/V70s etc. Any advice or anything I've overlooked?

Edited by Gruffy on Saturday 3rd August 23:48

Edited by slinky on Sunday 4th August 10:55

[The Moose]

Honda CR-V

The only place it loses slightly is on the economical on long runs to and from the alps...but even then, it's pretty good for what it is.

In fact, I'd suggest that this was the perfect car!

[davepoth]

CR-V is the sensible choice, but there are a number of Impreza WRX estates for the money...

[SebastienClement]

MG ZT / Rover 75 Tourer
Vectra C
Saab 9-5
Saab 9-3
Volvo V70
Merc C Class
Merc E Class
Skoda Octavia
VW Passat
Jaguar X Type
BMW 3 series
BMW 5 series
Audi A4
Mondeo
Scorpio / Granada
Ford Galaxy / Sharan / The other one that I can't remember off the top of my head

[S10GTA]

Scooby Wagon

[psychoR1]

Jeep 2.7crd grand cherry

[Jimbo.]

Utter bias here, but a Volvo estate of some description:
Big boot
Roof rails
Blast furnace for heaters
Many have heated seats
Comfy seats
So-so MPG, but tolerable

Generally good in cold/snowy climates, what with being designed and built in them

[Perd Hapley]

[loafer123]

Scooby, Volvo or Saab.

All comfy, some with 4wd, which I know you don't need, but would be nice to have.

[dm46]

Golf v6 4motion. Within budget even including 4 winter tyres and a roofbox.

Edited by dm46 on Sunday 4th August 07:46

[HaloGen8]

Gruffy said:

The requirements are:

1. Must have at least a little room under the arches to make it easy to fit snow chains

1. 4WD isn't necessary. I'll fit winter tyres.

Edited by Gruffy on Saturday 3rd August 23:48

Snow chains & winter tyres??

Has to be a Volvo 850 / V70 with good winter tyres.
Unstoppable and ticks all your boxes.
And for the ultimate go for the all wheel drive version.....
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/owners-revie...

Edited by HaloGen8 on Sunday 4th August 07:57

[Rawhide]

HaloGen8 said:

Snow chains & winter tyres??

Has to be a Volvo 850 / V70 with good winter tyres.
Unstoppable and ticks all your boxes.

+1, mega comfy, great stereo and with all that engine weight great traction in the snow

[Gruffy]

The V70 is probably my front-runner. Heated seats would score me lots of brownie points with SWMBO and I like the reliability.

[Burrito]

The V70 definitely ticks all the boxes. Nice example: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

I'd recommend taking a battery powered jump starter with you too. If you're not driving for a while and the car's left in the cold it might be a bit of a bh to start.

[eltax91]

Octavia estate, or maybe a scout. Available in frugal TDi form and as a 4x4 if you prefer

[HaloGen8]

Burrito said:

The V70 definitely ticks all the boxes. Nice example: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

I'd recommend taking a battery powered jump starter with you too. If you're not driving for a while and the car's left in the cold it might be a bit of a bh to start.

Nice find and lot of car for the money. Shame it's an auto but defo one to go for.

[Dog Star]

Gruffy said:

The V70 is probably my front-runner. Heated seats would score me lots of brownie points with SWMBO and I like the reliability.

We've just bought an immaculate 2004 v70 AWD 2.5 turbot - 80k, 12 months t&t, fvsh,, every extra complete with brand spanking new snowies. 2750. I can't think of a better car for the job. Very comfy motorway muncher.

[Oilchange]

If you want an Uber comfortable motorway cruise you will be hard pressed to find one that rides better than one of these for the price, they ride really well!
OK the image might not be all that but we have one and (aside from using a manual which isn't as relaxing) is a very comfy long distance machine and economical too (BMW 2.0 diesel power)
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

[radiodanno]

I can't think of a better excuse to buy a Subaru Forester.

If I had such an excuse, I'd have one bought tomorrow. Great image and a great motor.

[morgrp]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

And some cash left over for winter tyres, a lovely new pair of skis, boots and a pair of roof bars to stick them on.

Nice spec of 2.4 LPT and manual box too