Best Estate For £2-3000
Discussion
Starting my own company and need something bigger then my MK4 golf, but not busy enough yet to run a van and a car 
So have been looking at getting an estate car...
Have had a look about and looks like the best car for the money is a B5.5 Passat? But just looking for a few more ideas really.
Will be doing 20,000+ miles a year, which will be about 70-80% motorway driving. And I want something that's going to be reliable, good MPG and not going to cost £££££ to fix when it goes wrong.
Have also been looking at e46 touring's but for my budget I don't think I'll be able to get a good diesel one, so would need to get a petrol that might be a bit much to run for me just now
Cheers for any advice
So have been looking at getting an estate car...Have had a look about and looks like the best car for the money is a B5.5 Passat? But just looking for a few more ideas really.
Will be doing 20,000+ miles a year, which will be about 70-80% motorway driving. And I want something that's going to be reliable, good MPG and not going to cost £££££ to fix when it goes wrong.
Have also been looking at e46 touring's but for my budget I don't think I'll be able to get a good diesel one, so would need to get a petrol that might be a bit much to run for me just now
Cheers for any advice
Mondeo.
I've had one for 2 years as a snotter. Bought it at 70k for £1500 (03 plate) and put another 40,000 on it since.
Masses of room, nice to drive, cheap as chips to run. Only problem I have had in 2 years is coil pack (£30) and rear bearings (£50 the pair)
Mine is the 1.8 petrol (Duratec) and although not as good as the diesel on MPG was a lot cheaper to buy up front, does 40MPG + on a run and is far less likely to leave you with expensive bills if things do go wrong engine wise.
All round excellent car TBH.
I've had one for 2 years as a snotter. Bought it at 70k for £1500 (03 plate) and put another 40,000 on it since.
Masses of room, nice to drive, cheap as chips to run. Only problem I have had in 2 years is coil pack (£30) and rear bearings (£50 the pair)
Mine is the 1.8 petrol (Duratec) and although not as good as the diesel on MPG was a lot cheaper to buy up front, does 40MPG + on a run and is far less likely to leave you with expensive bills if things do go wrong engine wise.
All round excellent car TBH.
NotDave said:
if you want involving: E36
if you want relaxing: a big old merc.
Seen plenty of old derv mercs rocking 200k miles and still look shiny new. Tin-worm is the biggest evil in them
No way would I recommend an E36 for 20k+ most of it on the motorway. Saab is a good shout, as is an E39 or as you say, a Merc. Compromise on engine choice based on his own criteria and away he goes.if you want relaxing: a big old merc.
Seen plenty of old derv mercs rocking 200k miles and still look shiny new. Tin-worm is the biggest evil in them
hornetrider said:
No way would I recommend an E36 for 20k+ most of it on the motorway. Saab is a good shout, as is an E39 or as you say, a Merc. Compromise on engine choice based on his own criteria and away he goes.
Sorry, missed 20k motorway. My 36 estate was great on motorways, a 2.5td one, with Cruise would do it nicely
IMHO though, SAAB for luxury, old merc, and I mean late 80s early 90s, for practicallity and cheap costs.
£2k will get a solid one. Wack a lot of miles on it. Oil and filter every 5k, and it'll be fine.
Was talking to a chap at a classsic show, on the merc stand, who had some fancy classic, his daily was a w124 (iirc) estate derv with over 250k on the clock.
Cheers for the replies thought about getting a saab 1.9tdi but from what I have heard/read about them they are not the most reliable 
Would the 2.2 be better to go for?
Have also been looking at B6 A4's there is quite a lot coming into this price range now, with high miles. But that doesn't put me off, my golf is on 122k now and still going strong
But more worried about the overall condition of the car... Will just need to go and see a few and make up my own mind a guess
Would the 2.2 be better to go for? Have also been looking at B6 A4's there is quite a lot coming into this price range now, with high miles. But that doesn't put me off, my golf is on 122k now and still going strong
But more worried about the overall condition of the car... Will just need to go and see a few and make up my own mind a guess Wise said:
Cheers for the replies thought about getting a saab 1.9tdi but from what I have heard/read about them they are not the most reliable Would the 2.2 be better to go for?
Have also been looking at B6 A4's there is quite a lot coming into this price range now, with high miles. But that doesn't put me off, my golf is on 122k now and still going strong But more worried about the overall condition of the car... Will just need to go and see a few and make up my own mind a guess
Be aware that whilst the 2.2 has a reputation for longevity, it is offset by a certain lack of refinement and a complete absence of performance! 1.9's better. Would the 2.2 be better to go for? Have also been looking at B6 A4's there is quite a lot coming into this price range now, with high miles. But that doesn't put me off, my golf is on 122k now and still going strong
But more worried about the overall condition of the car... Will just need to go and see a few and make up my own mind a guess How about: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
...albeit that one's a bit toppy for miles and price, IMHO - we got our LPG'd Aero for only a little more
Edited by Bonefish Blues on Saturday 18th February 09:53
A lex said:
Wise said:
Forgot to say am just coming up for 22 and couldn't really see myself in a Volvo just yet 
But am still going to have a look and go and test drive one and see what I think.
Cheeky beggar But am still going to have a look and go and test drive one and see what I think.
At the end of the day it depends on what you are buying it for - if its as a business tool that image really shouldnt matter IMO.
Surprised nobody has suggested a Skoda Octavia. I've had one for a few years and run it up to 170,000 miles. Comfortable, very economical (average over last 100,000 miles 61.3 mpg) and supremely reliable. Apart from tyres and routine servicing the only thing that has every failed is one front wheel bearing! Cheapest car to run I've ever owned and the most reliable.
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