What budget, family friendly Euro Tourer?

[oobie38]

So, four week, four centre European trip planned, circa 3-3500 miles.
Just need a car now. Currently have a Bongo, and a woeful 58 mondeo 1.6 estate, bought in a hurry when the Bongo dropped its coolant a couple of days before a similar trip.

I'd like something that'll eat the miles reliably, quickly and comfortably, spacious for passengers and luggage, won't have the kids 7&9 complaining they can't see anything out of the windows, and comes in at about 8-10k Probably an estate to replace the Mondeo, or a good sized SUV. Wouldn't mind a decent driver, after a few lean years, but not at the cost of allday comfort.
Economy's not too big a worry- the Mondeo struggles to get much over low thirties when loaded, and as for the Bongo....

Thanks for any pointers.

[Ali_T]

Legacy Tourer. My stock answer to this question every time. Or a Mazda CX7. Both have been superb family cars for my other half, both faultlessly reliable and both very comfortable.

Something like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Edited by Ali_T on Tuesday 8th July 13:12

[Bonefish Blues]

Your pick of the very best 9-5 Aero Estate Ednas.

[Fastdruid]

I presume the Mondeo is a Mk3? The newer Mk4 ones are much larger and nicer to drive.

I get mid 30's from mine on a run and that's a 2.5T!

[oobie38]

Fastdruid said:

I presume the Mondeo is a Mk3? The newer Mk4 ones are much larger and nicer to drive.

I get mid 30's from mine on a run and that's a 2.5T!

No, it's a 4. Base spec. Engine is bearable with just me in it, load it up and the economy shows up the false economy of a small petrol in a big car. Easily drops into the high twenties.
All weather tyres don't help, mind.

[Vee]

E53 X5.
My brother in law bought a 2005 3.0d for just under your budget and it seems to fit all your criteria.

[austinsmirk]

my 2009 oil chugger 2.0 l mondeo does a happy 38-40 mpg on the school, work, shopping chug.

on motorway yr up to about 55 mpg, even thrashing the nuts off it.

I've had subaru's before and I must admit I'd rather like a legacy estate or forrester though if I were to change.

[Fastdruid]

oobie38 said:

Fastdruid said:

I presume the Mondeo is a Mk3? The newer Mk4 ones are much larger and nicer to drive.

I get mid 30's from mine on a run and that's a 2.5T!

No, it's a 4. Base spec. Engine is bearable with just me in it, load it up and economy is horrific. Easily drops into the high twenties.
All weather tyres don't help, mind.

Just goes to show that what happens if you run a too small engine. Mine will quite happily drop into the teens if giving it stick round town or 20's if doing silly mph but as an example on a fast run (>80 with peaks >120) I still averaged 29mpg and it's *massively* quicker than the 1.6!

[Dusty964]

bmw 730d.

[TinyCappo]

E38 728i. and then buy 8 more with the change.

[kambites]

Skoda Superb, maybe? They're meant to be very good.

Probably not as good as a 7-series, though, if you don't mind the age.

[valiant]

Skoda Octavia VRS estate.


You'll bag a nice one with that budget.

[anonymous-user]

I think it depends if you want something of a similar age/newer than the mondeo or are happy to get something older but a bit more 'premium'.

[mike-r]

Get a van. The kids will complain they can't see anything out of the windows, but you won't hear them.

[p1tse]

LCI 535d E61 can be had at around £10k at a push I think

have it remapped and the performance and economy is awesome
motorway miles 40+mpg

enough torque to pull you through and the bhp is no slouch and could have some fun against specialist sports cars

[mad4amanda]

if you want practical any of the galaxy/sharan /alhambra do it very well and are not as dire to drive as you would expect .
The problem is finding one that has not been used as a Taxi, kennel or builders van.
Im still looking.

[FFRR7]

Honda Accord Tourer i-cdti - just check for timing chain and exhaust fumes in cabin (bust exhaust manifold) apart from that, bags of space, comfy and nice to drive

[EskimoArapaho]

Lexus RX if the boot's big enough.

[lexusboy]

Landcruiser

[Bluebarge]

I'd say Mazda 5, but I don't know if your kids are tall enough to see out - most cars these days which aren't 4x4's have a high waistline for safety.

If that's an important criterion - buy a Fiat Multipla for your trip - low windows, lots of room, corner quite well - £3k will get you a decent late one with 60k miles, then spend the change on something fun for yourself.