A cheap to run pool car...

[matt21]

After trouble with my car, my mum moving jobs with an AWFUL carpark and my brother back for a few months, my dad wants to buy a cheap family pool car.

With currently 5 cars in the family fleet, all 200bhp+ something cheap is required.

However, when I am told he has visited a 2005 Suzuki Alto 1.0 I stepped in.

He said I can choose, but before I went leafing through ebay for what I would get (a BMW Touring) he reeled me back in.

So criteria:

- Must be cheap to run and maintain (wont do huge mileage but no sub 30mpg or 6cyl engines).
- Must be reliable.
- Preferably an estate so I can double it up as a van for summer tip trips.
- Going against the above criteria, it can't be too big.
- Budget £1000-£2000 - want to get majority of cash back in autumn, although bet he will keep it if its decent.

Any thought?

I'm thinking a Skoda Fabia Estate, maybe Mk3 Golf Estate, older Mondeo estate etc??

Edited by matt21 on Saturday 3rd July 17:38

[davel*]

Your suggestion of a Touring is probably still a good idea. Just try to either go for a 325tds (should be good for 32-35mpg) or one of the 4 pots (might not have the lovely noise but its still right wheel drive)

[GHW]

306 HDi or DTurbo estate? Should be easy enough to find one within budget and they aren't *actively* depressing to drive..

[dugt]

You won't get cheaper to run than that alto.

[matt21]

davel* said:

Your suggestion of a Touring is probably still a good idea. Just try to either go for a 325tds (should be good for 32-35mpg) or one of the 4 pots (might not have the lovely noise but its still right wheel drive)

Just missed a beautiful 328i Touring that even he conceded would make a good addition to the fleet. Will keep an eye out for more sensible engined version.

[matt21]

dugt said:

You won't get cheaper to run than that alto.

but the lack of ability to haul bikes and large paraphernalia around would almost make it redundant...to me anyway!

Pug 306 idea is good, I'm also tempted by a Honda Civic Aerodeck!

[eltax91]

Octavia Estate TDi. Even my hatch has a mahoosive boot

[shalmaneser]

GHW said:

306 HDi or DTurbo estate? Should be easy enough to find one within budget and they aren't *actively* depressing to drive..

Not a bad call, my Dturbo was good fun!

Failing that, old volvo?! Pretty damn cool and practical as well!

[Chris_w666]

Berlingo multispace would fit the bill perfectly. I have just accquired a 1.6 hdi with a whole 75 horse but it doesn't use much fuel, is capable of 70mph, carrys loads of stuff, and providing you don't forget you are driving a van it isn't a bad place to sit and drive.

ETA: The 1.6hdi would be out of budget but an older 1.9d, 2.0hdi or 1.4/6 petrol should be in budget.

Edited by Chris_w666 on Saturday 3rd July 18:32