Searching for an Estate Car
Discussion
Hi All
My other half is currently looking for a large estate car. The budget is up to £7000 but that doesn't mean we have to spend that much. She currently has a 1.6 Focus Estate but we could do with just a little more space in the back now.
The problem we're finding is that once you are looking at larger estate cars you really need to be thinking diesel to keep the fuel costs reasonable. The problem that then introduces though are the issue regarding dual mass flywheels and diesel particulate filters. Possibly other problems too. The last thing she wants is to spend up to £7k and then have a big bill down the line to repair the car.
The cars that she likes are the Accord, the Mondeo and possibly the Peugeot 407.
We'd appreciate some advice regarding the reliability of these, particularly the diesel models, however we haven't ruled out the petrol versions if in the end they make more sense.
Any advice very gratefully received.
Dave and Jayne
My other half is currently looking for a large estate car. The budget is up to £7000 but that doesn't mean we have to spend that much. She currently has a 1.6 Focus Estate but we could do with just a little more space in the back now.
The problem we're finding is that once you are looking at larger estate cars you really need to be thinking diesel to keep the fuel costs reasonable. The problem that then introduces though are the issue regarding dual mass flywheels and diesel particulate filters. Possibly other problems too. The last thing she wants is to spend up to £7k and then have a big bill down the line to repair the car.
The cars that she likes are the Accord, the Mondeo and possibly the Peugeot 407.
We'd appreciate some advice regarding the reliability of these, particularly the diesel models, however we haven't ruled out the petrol versions if in the end they make more sense.
Any advice very gratefully received.
Dave and Jayne
407SW isn't that huge in the boot. Better go for a Citroen C5 estate.
Accord was a decent motor when I was looking for a taxi, went with the 407 in the end because it had 20k service intervals against the Accord's 12k (?)
Citroen C5 2.0Hdi is a cracking engine (why I went for the 407) but couldn't get one in the colour/spec I wanted at the time.
Another option to look at is the Skoda Octavia estate - acres of room, VW/German build quality and decent diesel engine.
Accord was a decent motor when I was looking for a taxi, went with the 407 in the end because it had 20k service intervals against the Accord's 12k (?)
Citroen C5 2.0Hdi is a cracking engine (why I went for the 407) but couldn't get one in the colour/spec I wanted at the time.
Another option to look at is the Skoda Octavia estate - acres of room, VW/German build quality and decent diesel engine.
Have a 11 year old diesel mondeo and I have had it for 6 years.
It does nothing wrong. It is reasonably fuel efficient, nice to drive, cavernous, enough toys and it just does everything I ask of it. Can fix it with stick back plastic and an empty washing up bottle.
Would like a newer car but not exactly sure why (we have 3 cars and this is the faithful workhorse).
Cheap as chips
It does nothing wrong. It is reasonably fuel efficient, nice to drive, cavernous, enough toys and it just does everything I ask of it. Can fix it with stick back plastic and an empty washing up bottle.
Would like a newer car but not exactly sure why (we have 3 cars and this is the faithful workhorse).
Cheap as chips
Watchman said:
Legacy. Horribly fuel inefficient and petrol-only at that price but won't break down, will take you anywhere you point it in any weather, and is bid enough for most.
Go on. You'll thank me in 5 years.
...especially if you LPG and auto-lube it, perhaps?Go on. You'll thank me in 5 years.
In fact, save yourself the trouble and get this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
How about on of these?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4025200.htm
Nice interior if you get one with the Alcantara trim, some have a really decent spec level.
Fairly big boot space
BMW developed with lots of common parts (engine, etc) so pretty reliable, can have a tendency to chew through front tyres though.
Easily re-mapped to 160bhp, but not found wanting with the standard tune.
Should be good for another 100k easily and leaves 4 grand for C&Hs.
I ended up with one of these few years back when I had been looking for a V70. In my opinion 90% of the V70 at 60% of the price.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4025200.htm
Nice interior if you get one with the Alcantara trim, some have a really decent spec level.
Fairly big boot space
BMW developed with lots of common parts (engine, etc) so pretty reliable, can have a tendency to chew through front tyres though.
Easily re-mapped to 160bhp, but not found wanting with the standard tune.
Should be good for another 100k easily and leaves 4 grand for C&Hs.
I ended up with one of these few years back when I had been looking for a V70. In my opinion 90% of the V70 at 60% of the price.
There's a lot of tosh spoken about the unreliability of diesels. According to the internet, they'll all fall apart within 15 minutes, and you will quite literally die to death because the car will probably explode.
None of my diesel cars (and that's the last decade) have ever had the so-called diesel issues; wheel bearings, exhausts, brakes etc...certainly had those. But the other issues? Nope. This, I would add, is a sample across 5 cars and 250k miles, so not even slightly scientific.
The reason that you don't get large petrol-engined cars is because there's little demand for them. I suppose every diesel purchaser could be wrong, and a ball of flame will engulf them this very afternoon but you know what, it's not that likely.
My Passat TDI has been a paragon of reliability, other than the annoying electric parking brake, which needs the switch replaced every 50k miles or so. It's duller than a matt-black knife, but it's pretty spacious and ours is just as good/boring to drive at 150k as it was at 70k, when we got it. It's also usefully large without being overwhelming. Get one with parking sensors front and rear and it's easy to park as well.
None of my diesel cars (and that's the last decade) have ever had the so-called diesel issues; wheel bearings, exhausts, brakes etc...certainly had those. But the other issues? Nope. This, I would add, is a sample across 5 cars and 250k miles, so not even slightly scientific.
The reason that you don't get large petrol-engined cars is because there's little demand for them. I suppose every diesel purchaser could be wrong, and a ball of flame will engulf them this very afternoon but you know what, it's not that likely.
My Passat TDI has been a paragon of reliability, other than the annoying electric parking brake, which needs the switch replaced every 50k miles or so. It's duller than a matt-black knife, but it's pretty spacious and ours is just as good/boring to drive at 150k as it was at 70k, when we got it. It's also usefully large without being overwhelming. Get one with parking sensors front and rear and it's easy to park as well.
Edited by longblackcoat on Friday 13th July 14:31
Edited by longblackcoat on Friday 13th July 14:35
longblackcoat said:
None of my diesel cars (and that's the last decade) have ever had the so-called diesel issues; wheel bearings, exhausts, brakes etc...certainly had those. But the other issues? Nope.
But did they even have DPFs? Were they common rail? Mechanical injectors, piezo or solenoid? These are all relatively new additions. Not arguing, just pointing out, I'm inclined to agree with you.Company cars tend to be diesels, they tend to do massive mileages in short amounts of time and they don't seem to fall apart all the time, at least other components go before
I'm not sure the Accord is big enough, although it's pointy lines may be fooling me. I drove one for a couple of days, 2.2 CDTI in the.. executive? trim level. Lovely place to be. Best feature ever, wing mirrors tip down when in reverse. Not much feel but probably better than the V50 I recently drove. You might pick one up for around £7k but high milage (80k+).
plus they're cheap and neither of mine let me down in 3 years of abuse!Skirmisheer said:
The V70 is an option too although they seem to be on the pricey side for a nice manual.
Out of interest why Manual? Less flywheel problems with an Auto AFAIK. A random selection:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
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