£1,500 automatic estate

[JakesterUK]

I need an auto estate for the wife, I've looked at a Laguna and a couple of Saabs, but all three were definately worn out 'ex private taxis' being sold as '1 careful owner cars'..

I'm open to any suggestions of make & model, it MUST be an auto and preferably not something thats been to the moon twice.

Thanks

[davethebunny]

volvo v70?

Just bought a V reg 99 model 2.4 5 cyl petrol. 5 speed auto, £1k.

Full leather, heated seats, electric everything (All works).

Had to buy a new lambda sensor, thermostat and set of foglight bulbs.

Jobs a good un.

Why does she need an estate?

For load lugging the V70 is hard to beat. You can even take out the bench of the rear seat if you need more storage, and the passengers seat back fold flat forwards for even more space.

Edited by davethebunny on Monday 6th December 20:50

[plasticpig]

Vauxhall Omega. Tend to get more for your money than Volvo, Merc etc

[jimbobsimmonds]

definitely going to go with the obvious choice, the V70... they all go well but the T5 is a proper rocket on the motorways; not exactly a frugal drinker but if that isn't a problem go for it...

there are a few expensive problems with them but get yourself a decent one and it will serve you well...

[Fleckers]

rover 75 mg zt-t

[JakesterUK]

davethebunny said:

volvo v70?

Just bought a V reg 99 model 2.4 5 cyl petrol. 5 speed auto, £1k.

Full leather, heated seats, electric everything (All works).

Had to buy a new lambda sensor, thermostat and set of foglight bulbs.

Jobs a good un.

Why does she need an estate?

For load lugging the V70 is hard to beat. You can even take out the bench of the rear seat if you need more storage, and the passengers seat back fold flat forwards for even more space.

Edited by davethebunny on Monday 6th December 20:50

Thanks, she needs an estate due to 2 kids and a dog, plus she has a small farm 'cake business' so the extra load space is useful, we've doe the sallon and hatchback route in the past and it just doesn't work with what she needs.

[Ozzie Osmond]

With a budget of £1,500 that's tricky because you don't want something that's going to land you with big repair bills. Given an auto transmission failure is rarely cheap to fix you need something reasonably reliable, low mileage and cheap to maintain.

I'd be looking in the Ford or Vauxhall ranges.

[confused_buyer]

Ozzie Osmond said:

I'd be looking in the Ford or Vauxhall ranges.

But not anything using the CD4E autobox (which is many Mondeo's in this price range). It is a hopeless dog which always, always goes wrong.

[AC Motors]

MG ZT-T. This one has very low miles: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[JakesterUK]

AC Motors said:

MG ZT-T. This one has very low miles: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

I like that, bit odd that window sticker reads £2400, but ad says £1890, plus $1500 is a firm 'purchase budget' so if they've dropped 600 already dont see it dropping another 400

[Garlick]

See my profile pics (I'm like a stuck record about these cars)

Mine is pretty mint, 1994 and cost £1800 but cheaper are out there. Mileage? Mine is showing 138k, has no rattles or creaks, is whisper quiet, reliable and just sailed through the MOT needing nothing more than a headlight adjustment.

Won't lose any money either

[g3org3y]

My mate picked up a great W124 Merc (220) Estate for 1.5k on ebay. Very decent SH (keen previous owners) and very good overall condition. Runs perfectly and looks spot on.

He's taking it around Europe as we speak!

[Yodafone]

www.ewoodmotorcompany.co.uk/331231/used-cars.htm

It's 700 over budget, but it's such. a sleeper, and drives really well.

I had a test drive of this last week it felt really tight and togather from my short 10min drive, but you may want to check it over longer.

Only bad thing is the bike style exhaust on it my other half said it was loud when I pulled away but from the inside it was not really that loud.

Would have bought it but don't have space for it at the moment and a bit worried about my cash flow at present, would have snap it up other wise.

[tossbag]

Saab 95, I know this is slightly over budget, but they are definately out there, I am getting one in the new year:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-SAAB-9-5-95-HOT-AERO-ES...
Love them for some reason.

Edited by tossbag on Monday 6th December 23:15

Edited by tossbag on Monday 6th December 23:15

[rockandrollmark]

Yodafone said:

www.ewoodmotorcompany.co.uk/331231/used-cars.htm

It's 700 over budget, but it's such. a sleeper, and drives really well.

I had a test drive of this last week it felt really tight and togather from my short 10min drive, but you may want to check it over longer.

Only bad thing is the bike style exhaust on it my other half said it was loud when I pulled away but from the inside it was not really that loud.

Would have bought it but don't have space for it at the moment and a bit worried about my cash flow at present, would have snap it up other wise.

Classic PH response

OP: I need an estate car, £1,500 firm budget
PHer: Here's a really cool uber estate, only it's £700 over budget

Merc W124 all the way

[Dracoro]

My dad is selling his 2.2 auto Omega Estate CDX, 53plate with about 110k on the clock. Dent in corner of rear bumper but otherwise than that, reasonably tidy. £1,500 would be spot on.

[JakesterUK]

Dracoro said:

My dad is selling his 2.2 auto Omega Estate CDX, 53plate with about 110k on the clock. Dent in corner of rear bumper but otherwise than that, reasonably tidy. £1,500 would be spot on.

Hi, thanks for the offer, but have had an Omega in the past and although it was a good car really want something different.

[AC Motors]

JakesterUK said:

AC Motors said:

MG ZT-T. This one has very low miles: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

I like that, bit odd that window sticker reads £2400, but ad says £1890, plus $1500 is a firm 'purchase budget' so if they've dropped 600 already dont see it dropping another 400

They've probably had it a while, lets face it, these are not your every day purchase, that's why they had dropped it I expect. Worth a punt, you never know, might grab a bargain.

[KaraK]

Garlick said:

See my profile pics (I'm like a stuck record about these cars)

Mine is pretty mint, 1994 and cost £1800 but cheaper are out there. Mileage? Mine is showing 138k, has no rattles or creaks, is whisper quiet, reliable and just sailed through the MOT needing nothing more than a headlight adjustment.

Won't lose any money either

O/T but what sort of mpg do you get from yours on a run Garlick? I'm contemplating bargin-barging it next year.

[andy43]

My £1500 auto estates...
Full subaru historied Outback - high miles, but very likely indestructible. 4wd superiority complex included f.o.c
45,000 mile Accord Aerodeck here - completely imageless, 14 years old but quite possibly mint.