What Car - Sub £2k AWD workhorse!
Discussion
Morning chaps,
Currently killing my Merc E320 CDI as I have inherited a 6 month old puppy who is getting mud all over the seats! Plus new girlfriend has two horses and a Fiesta so I'm doing food runs, etc and the rear wheel Merc is just not practical for this as the muddy lanes to her yard are shocking!.
I'm looking to sell the Merc and pick up something I don't mind letting get muddy etc and won't leave me stranded if we get a bit of crap weather.
Current options seem to be:
Volvo XC70 - would be looking at a 2000-2002 for the budget. 2.5t petrol engine seems useful, but AWD system is apparently a bit weak...I do like the interior and comfort would be appreciated as this car will still need to ferry me around the country for business meetings etc!
Audi Allroad - Again, would be a 2000-2002 really for the money. Engine options are the 2.5tdi or the 2.7t petrol. Both are apparently thirsty? AWD system is meant to be strong on these, but air suspension has been mentioned as problematic. Inside seems OK but unsure about long distance comfort?
Subaru Legacy Outback - 2002-2003 models. I've seen some great reviews for these. They are meant to be comfy and good to drive. I wouldnt be able to stretch to the 3.0 so would be looking at a 2.5 manual. Is this engine any good? AWD will no doubt be flawless as Subaru have a legacy of going anywhere. Only thing letting it down is the inside looking very 90's!
Do any of you have some real world experience of the above models?
Really appreciate any feedback. £2k is the budget, but I can realistically can get any of the above for between £1000-£1500 with some hunting around. I do all my own maintenance and repairs so don't mind buying with a few niggles and tidying. I have some money aside for a decent set of all weather tyres as well when needed.
Currently killing my Merc E320 CDI as I have inherited a 6 month old puppy who is getting mud all over the seats! Plus new girlfriend has two horses and a Fiesta so I'm doing food runs, etc and the rear wheel Merc is just not practical for this as the muddy lanes to her yard are shocking!.
I'm looking to sell the Merc and pick up something I don't mind letting get muddy etc and won't leave me stranded if we get a bit of crap weather.
Current options seem to be:
Volvo XC70 - would be looking at a 2000-2002 for the budget. 2.5t petrol engine seems useful, but AWD system is apparently a bit weak...I do like the interior and comfort would be appreciated as this car will still need to ferry me around the country for business meetings etc!
Audi Allroad - Again, would be a 2000-2002 really for the money. Engine options are the 2.5tdi or the 2.7t petrol. Both are apparently thirsty? AWD system is meant to be strong on these, but air suspension has been mentioned as problematic. Inside seems OK but unsure about long distance comfort?
Subaru Legacy Outback - 2002-2003 models. I've seen some great reviews for these. They are meant to be comfy and good to drive. I wouldnt be able to stretch to the 3.0 so would be looking at a 2.5 manual. Is this engine any good? AWD will no doubt be flawless as Subaru have a legacy of going anywhere. Only thing letting it down is the inside looking very 90's!
Do any of you have some real world experience of the above models?
Really appreciate any feedback. £2k is the budget, but I can realistically can get any of the above for between £1000-£1500 with some hunting around. I do all my own maintenance and repairs so don't mind buying with a few niggles and tidying. I have some money aside for a decent set of all weather tyres as well when needed.
Jimmyarm said:
At this price point, buy on condition over everything else.
Personally I'd be looking at Grand Cherokees and 300tdi discos as £2k seems to be the price point for a semi decent example.
Thanks for the reply - I have considered full blown 4x4 but I have to do the occasional 600 mile round trip for work and was hoping to keep some car comfort! Personally I'd be looking at Grand Cherokees and 300tdi discos as £2k seems to be the price point for a semi decent example.
The petrol Volvos are a killer on fuel and you have already pointed out the Audis suspension problems.
I have no first hand experience with the Subaru, but they are suppose to be good.
But if you want something good on fuel, what about a Passat Estate 1.9 TDI 4motion, less complicated than the Audi, built on the same chassis, and the 1.9 TDI is better than the 2.5 V6 and does 50+ MPG. often overlooked as they are are not common car, but but 2k will buy you a nice one
Or if fuel is not the issue then look a proper 4x4
I have no first hand experience with the Subaru, but they are suppose to be good.
But if you want something good on fuel, what about a Passat Estate 1.9 TDI 4motion, less complicated than the Audi, built on the same chassis, and the 1.9 TDI is better than the 2.5 V6 and does 50+ MPG. often overlooked as they are are not common car, but but 2k will buy you a nice one
Or if fuel is not the issue then look a proper 4x4
Edited by The Transplanter on Monday 3rd November 10:45
I needed a workhorse a couple of years ago and bought a 2001 2.5 subaru legacy outback. Fantastic car! Had it through a snowy winter and it was a tank. Very smooth and a great cruiser. Not the quickest thing, but it shifted ok, especially from a standstill. The only downside was the amount of fuel it used, but the one I got was LPG'd.
Really hard to fault. It never skipped a beat, soaked up the miles and was incredible in a muddy field or in the thickest of snow. The VDC traction control pulled it through anything.
Don't be put of by high milers either.
Really hard to fault. It never skipped a beat, soaked up the miles and was incredible in a muddy field or in the thickest of snow. The VDC traction control pulled it through anything.
Don't be put of by high milers either.
As an XC70 owner, at that price point, barring any major known issues(?), I'd probably go for the Legacy...
The Haldex system on the very first XC70s weren't so much weak, just susceptible to tyre circumference differences over extended driving - look after it and it'll be fine, plenty of people over on the Volvo forums running high mile XCs without issue
It was the air suspension issues that turned me away from the Audi Allroad option
I very nearly bought a Legacy myself, slightly cheaper than the equivalent XC70 when I was looking early this year, but in the end the comfort of the Volvo won it (~25k miles pa), coupled with the fact that on my car the Haldex system has moved on two generations since the early ones
The Haldex system on the very first XC70s weren't so much weak, just susceptible to tyre circumference differences over extended driving - look after it and it'll be fine, plenty of people over on the Volvo forums running high mile XCs without issue
It was the air suspension issues that turned me away from the Audi Allroad option
I very nearly bought a Legacy myself, slightly cheaper than the equivalent XC70 when I was looking early this year, but in the end the comfort of the Volvo won it (~25k miles pa), coupled with the fact that on my car the Haldex system has moved on two generations since the early ones
HonestIago said:
Do you need the size of the Legacy? If not look at naturally aspirated Impreza wagons. Will no doubt be very reliable as well as hugely capable in all weathers.
They Impreza GX'S are well worth a look. They're slow and relatively thirsty, but tough as nails and extremely useful in snow and inclement weather. That's why farmers use them as hacks!guitarcarfanatic said:
Audi Allroad - Again, would be a 2000-2002 really for the money. Engine options are the 2.5tdi or the 2.7t petrol. Both are apparently thirsty? AWD system is meant to be strong on these, but air suspension has been mentioned as problematic. Inside seems OK but unsure about long distance comfort?
Get yourself a standard 2.5tdi Quattro, when you wont have to worry about the air suspension.Beware they suffer from soft cams, my did and died. Never got more than 40mpg out of it either but cracking on a long drive, still miss it now
Nissan X Trail? Plenty around for this
Or this ?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
I had a 2002 Subaru Legacy Outback - superb machine, and went very well, it was the 3.0. Mechanically very sound, but the metal is flimsy (many car park dings!), and as you say the interior is a bit, well, japanese! I had the all-weather pack with a massive sunroof, heated seats etc and it was great to smoke about in. If anything does go wrong, you're into good money though - parts are expensive. It's very juicy too - got 23mpg out of mine.
I needed a new snotter so bought an XC70 just recently. It's having a £1,300 traction control fix before I pick it up though
main issues on the XC70 seem to be electronics and the auto gearboxes can go bang, again, big money to fix. Regular gearbox servicing seems to be critical.
For your budget i'd try to get a Legacy - they wear big mileages well and on balance I think a slightly smaller bork factor than the XC70. The XC70's make strong money - I paid £5k for a 2005 with 92k miles.
I needed a new snotter so bought an XC70 just recently. It's having a £1,300 traction control fix before I pick it up though
main issues on the XC70 seem to be electronics and the auto gearboxes can go bang, again, big money to fix. Regular gearbox servicing seems to be critical.For your budget i'd try to get a Legacy - they wear big mileages well and on balance I think a slightly smaller bork factor than the XC70. The XC70's make strong money - I paid £5k for a 2005 with 92k miles.
I would have suggested a Forester, instead of the Legacy as it shares even more incommon with the Impreza, so you pay peanuts for second hand spares - as there are loads of impreza's being broken for parts now.
However, the Legacy is heavier that the Forester and can therefore tow more, it that is a requirement.
Also, Subaru turbos are not known for great fuel economy, so the previous post about the Passat is definitely worth looking at.
Otherwise, there must be a few Audi A4/A6 Avant quattros out there in diesel or even small petrol engines for your budget? (I could be talking bobbins, as I cannot look at the moemnt).
However, the Legacy is heavier that the Forester and can therefore tow more, it that is a requirement.
Also, Subaru turbos are not known for great fuel economy, so the previous post about the Passat is definitely worth looking at.
Otherwise, there must be a few Audi A4/A6 Avant quattros out there in diesel or even small petrol engines for your budget? (I could be talking bobbins, as I cannot look at the moemnt).
I currently have an Allroad (2.7T) and to answer your question about long distance commuter comfort, it's quite simply the most pleasant car I've ever been in. I have the Recaro interior but even with standard trim it wafts along with unbelievable ease. They are thirsty though - I achieve 21.4mpg and I know diesel equivalents to reach 35-40mpg on a run, although realistically this figure is probably around 27-30.
As stated previously, you could look at a C5 A6 with quattro for the best of both worlds. I haven't had issues with the air suspension but I think it's a case of when rather than if..! Lots of sub £2k Avants out there, just be wary of mileage and history (or lack thereof). I've always loved Audi estates so my vote is to find an A6 or A4 that suits your needs!
As stated previously, you could look at a C5 A6 with quattro for the best of both worlds. I haven't had issues with the air suspension but I think it's a case of when rather than if..! Lots of sub £2k Avants out there, just be wary of mileage and history (or lack thereof). I've always loved Audi estates so my vote is to find an A6 or A4 that suits your needs!
Autotrader search within the distance you're willing to travel, LPG, see what comes up and if you fancy it. If you can get a full size 4x4 even better. Is ground clearance an issue up any of those lanes? From offroading in a Jeep GC it's clearance that'll get you stuck first if you've got a decent 4x4 drivetrain.
Or set the criteria to body type 4x4 and see what that offers. Some of the soft-roaders are pretty good, early Rav4s for instance.
But like (almost) everyone else I'd say Subaru! Forester with a turbo is a hoot. The type of driving you mention is what it's built for.
Or set the criteria to body type 4x4 and see what that offers. Some of the soft-roaders are pretty good, early Rav4s for instance.
But like (almost) everyone else I'd say Subaru! Forester with a turbo is a hoot. The type of driving you mention is what it's built for.
look for a 53 onwards legacy or outback, the 2.5 will easily do 35 mpg combined, and more on a long run, the 2.0 a wee bit less, fantastic long living machines. or a forester impreza, you do get more car for your money with legacy/outback though, but not that many to be too choosy with subarus. 
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff