A "what car" query for a friend - as I'm useless!

[Notshortnottall]

No problem I said to my friend, I'll find a car for you.

What I've done however, is enjoy looking for cars too much and ended up buying two for myself which are wholly unsuited to his requirements - so I thought I'd open up the challenge to you guys so that I can send him links to suitable vehicles, rather than get carried away on my own and adding to my overcrowded driveway.

Criteria is as follows:

• Sub 1k value;
• Capable of transporting his family of four (him, wifey and two kids);
• Sub 120k mileage;
• The more modern - the better;
• Relative ease of replacement parts - so obscure makes / models are out.

I was thinking along the lines of some elder Volvo / Audi, as he's mainly going to be using it for transport to / from the train station.

Over to you.................

[big_boz]

Does it need to be an estate?

Is he bothered about fuel economy?

Any other criteria to note?

[Cemesis]

Last of the old shape Avensis

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Nice Mondeo

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[big_boz]

I was going to say Avensis or Octavia, Toyota will last longer i would think

[PaperCut]

He needs a SEAT Toledo (1999 onwards). Well specced, comfy, roomy, very reliable, big boot (although is a saloon), decent drive, and good range of engines (2.3 V5!) and as it's largely forgotten it's cheap should get a 10 year old one for 1k.

[Codswallop]

Same mechanicals as every other VAG product from that time period so parts are easy to come by. Good spec levels (especially on the V5), but saloon shape and obscurity have kept prices low.

My V5 170bhp has leccy adjust leather and suede seats, sat nav etc, and even the economy isn't too bad with a realistic 30mpg average from my mixed driving.

[ShawCrossShark]

Cemesis said:

Last of the old shape Avensis

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Nice Mondeo

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

I would agree with the Avensis. I had the same requirements and just bought a 2.0VVTI GLS. It drives like a new car even though it has 103k on the clock

Quite perky when you go over 3000rpm and the valves open up too

[Notshortnottall]

big_boz said:

Does it need to be an estate?

Is he bothered about fuel economy?

Any other criteria to note?

Doesn't need to be an estate. Fuel economy is not a big issue - although huge V8's are probably off the menu.

Thansk for the replies so far - the mondeo seems a decent buy, but I'd forgotten how ugly those old shape Avensis's were!

[big_boz]

Notshortnottall said:

big_boz said:

Does it need to be an estate?

Is he bothered about fuel economy?

Any other criteria to note?

Doesn't need to be an estate. Fuel economy is not a big issue - although huge V8's are probably off the menu.

Thansk for the replies so far - the mondeo seems a decent buy, but I'd forgotten how ugly those old shape Avensis's were!

Mondeo at that money could well suffer from the dreaded rear subframe issue which is a costly fix.

I had a similar situation as you just over a year ago where i was tasked with buying an estate big enough for 2 kids, 2 adults and a dog for my sister in law emigrating back from over seas.

Paid £1100 for an s reg Octavia 1.9TDI estate, FSH and 6m tax. Its got electric everything, and aircon and runs on veg oil straight from the bottle. had 104k on it when i got it and they have covered a further 20k, all its needed is a new central locking actuator in the drivers door (£30 from a scrapper) and a couple of tyres. Not sexy but a good motor none the less.

[Kaizer]

A Ford Focus is a bet.

[rob.e]

Passat?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

80k miles, £550 quid.

[Output Flange]

There's a Renault Safrane 2.5 in the PH classifieds for £595.

Get that.

[Notshortnottall]

rob.e said:

Passat?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

80k miles, £550 quid.

That's a lot of car for the money if it's a genuine example.