Estate car owners: ever go back to a saloon?
Discussion
Since being foolish enough to start a family a few years back, I have owned a couple of estate cars and really don't know how I would have coped without them. Even with only two kids, there's no way I'd get all our stuff in the boot of a saloon on holiday trips and so on.
I know a hatchback is a good halfway-house, but I think it will be a long time before I go back to a saloon as a daily driver. Maybe when the youngest has fled the roost? Funny really, I used to hate estate cars when I was younger.
I know a hatchback is a good halfway-house, but I think it will be a long time before I go back to a saloon as a daily driver. Maybe when the youngest has fled the roost? Funny really, I used to hate estate cars when I was younger.
I've never had an Estate but since Audi started making attractive ones and other manufacturers have followed suit, I'd not rule one out.
Most of my cars have been saloons and I can honestly say I've never once needed anything bigger. I on;y have one child but I've not been caught out at Ikea or going on holiday by having a smaller boot.
Interestingly, my brother went from Audi A6 estate to X Type estate and now has a 530D saloon. His girlriend has a young grandchild but it swallows all the young persons kit OK.
Oh and as for the auto box quote, unless I worked in London and spent most of my day parked up on the M25, I'd never consider one. I hate driving my fathers and brothers auto cars. Even my brother wishes he had gone for the manual.
Most of my cars have been saloons and I can honestly say I've never once needed anything bigger. I on;y have one child but I've not been caught out at Ikea or going on holiday by having a smaller boot.
Interestingly, my brother went from Audi A6 estate to X Type estate and now has a 530D saloon. His girlriend has a young grandchild but it swallows all the young persons kit OK.
Oh and as for the auto box quote, unless I worked in London and spent most of my day parked up on the M25, I'd never consider one. I hate driving my fathers and brothers auto cars. Even my brother wishes he had gone for the manual.
I'm probably going back to a hatchback from an estate. I now drive a Laguna 3 Estate as a company car and I'm thinking if getting a Golf VI GTD. More fun and enough space in the back for the occassional passengers.
Mostly I drive alone (to and from work) and the other times alone with the GF. The only time I really used the space was with DIY work... and I intend to that as little as possible!
An estate doesn't have any advantages over a hatchback for me now. And on the plus side, for the same money I get a car wich is a lot more fun
Mostly I drive alone (to and from work) and the other times alone with the GF. The only time I really used the space was with DIY work... and I intend to that as little as possible!
An estate doesn't have any advantages over a hatchback for me now. And on the plus side, for the same money I get a car wich is a lot more fun
I have two kids, a 9-5 estate and a e39 saloon. For 99.9% of all family duties we can use either car. We always try to avoid loading above the parcel shelf in the estate for security and rearward visibilty - that renders the useable boot space about the same.
Think about it - how often do you actually remove the parcel shelf of your estate?
The only time it really makes a difference is for occasionally moving furniture or other bulky items - but being able to fold the seats down is just as important then as having the extra height to the load area. And those journeys are so few and far between that a van hire would probably make more sense.
The reality is that it's nice to have that safety net, knowing that you're not going to get stuck somewhere physically unable to fit stuff into the car. Even if you never need it.
Think about it - how often do you actually remove the parcel shelf of your estate?
The only time it really makes a difference is for occasionally moving furniture or other bulky items - but being able to fold the seats down is just as important then as having the extra height to the load area. And those journeys are so few and far between that a van hire would probably make more sense.
The reality is that it's nice to have that safety net, knowing that you're not going to get stuck somewhere physically unable to fit stuff into the car. Even if you never need it.
Bill said:
I have to admit I don't see the point of saloons, they offer no advantages and have less load space. It's not even like they're better proportioned, as most estates are better looking than their saloon counterpart.
This.Edit: I've also never understood the dislike for estate cars amongst younger drivers. I learnt to drive at 17 in a Volvo 240 estate and when I passed was always chucking 4 mountain bikes in the back of it and going for muddy days in the Lake District. Estates are great
Edited by ewenm on Friday 4th November 13:44
When the kids were young I had Volvo V70's, now they are older 16 and 11 I have an Audi A6 saloon and its perfect. In fact I have had saloons for the last 6 years.
having said that MrsB now has a Subaru Outback, but that is mainly a school run car and truck for carrying sons gig equipment
having said that MrsB now has a Subaru Outback, but that is mainly a school run car and truck for carrying sons gig equipment
groomi said:
Think about it - how often do you actually remove the parcel shelf of your estate?
Have a 2006 SAAB 9-3 SS, and always thought it'd do the job..... With the acquisition of 9st of solid dog, that responds to the name of "Millie".... Came the time when snotter duties were needed, and an E36 tourer was bought.The SAAB barely sees use nowadays as the 36tourer is just sooo damned practical.
Seats fold flat, easy and quickly. Roller blind hatch cover comes out in seconds and can be stored easier than a hatch cover, tailgate opens wider and makes loading anything easy.
Just a well thought out, properly pracical bus.
Plus, there's no way in hell that the 9st ginger and black donkey is going on the leather seats in the SAAB, EVER... End of. no matter how "cute" the OH tells me it'd look
The 36 is my 2nd estate, and I always said I wouldn't have one, but christ, they're brilliant. Even better when they're worth less than 4tyres for the proper car.
groomi said:
The only time it really makes a difference is for occasionally moving furniture or other bulky items - but being able to fold the seats down is just as important then as having the extra height to the load area. And those journeys are so few and far between that a van hire would probably make more sense.
I would rather have an estate and not need it, than get a saloon and occasionally need extra space.I'm single and drive an estate - taking delivery of a new one next week.
Would never try to manage without it.
Don't need it for my job or specifically for any of my hobbies but I just like the certainty of never really running out of space. Works wonders for both going shooting with friends, golfing, trekking, moving the odd bunch of stuff around and carrying dogs. Or just good for shopping.
simples.
CK
Would never try to manage without it.
Don't need it for my job or specifically for any of my hobbies but I just like the certainty of never really running out of space. Works wonders for both going shooting with friends, golfing, trekking, moving the odd bunch of stuff around and carrying dogs. Or just good for shopping.
simples.
CK
had lots of estates and would never go back to a saloon for a daily workhorse ... no point as you cant get a washing machine in the beack of a saloon
that said, i now have my first SUV and I now wouldnt go back to an estate .... after being so high up, getting into the V70 now makes you feel so vunerable, unsafe and congested to the nines with everyone else with poor visibility
that said, i now have my first SUV and I now wouldnt go back to an estate .... after being so high up, getting into the V70 now makes you feel so vunerable, unsafe and congested to the nines with everyone else with poor visibility
jackal said:
had lots of estates and would never go back to a saloon for a daily workhorse ... no point as you cant get a washing machine in the beack of a saloon
that said, i now have my first SUV and I now wouldnt go back to an estate .... after being so high up, getting into the V70 now makes you feel so vunerable, unsafe and congested to the nines with everyone else with poor visibility
^^^ This is the problem. Everyone wants more room, more safety, more visabillity.that said, i now have my first SUV and I now wouldnt go back to an estate .... after being so high up, getting into the V70 now makes you feel so vunerable, unsafe and congested to the nines with everyone else with poor visibility
Soon we'll all be pootling about in FFRRs and landcruisers
As my kids are 5 and 7 I'll be in an estate for at least the next decade.
Massively handy for carting loads of clobber around for weekends away, camping trips, runs to south of France, etc
Used it only last weekend to bring a load of stuff out of my mum's garage in Scotland back down to London.
Then when it's back home it's a seven seater again.
E class estate; the most versatile vehicle I've ever owned
Massively handy for carting loads of clobber around for weekends away, camping trips, runs to south of France, etc
Used it only last weekend to bring a load of stuff out of my mum's garage in Scotland back down to London.
Then when it's back home it's a seven seater again.
E class estate; the most versatile vehicle I've ever owned
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