What big estate for up to 5K?

[mr_spock]

Hi all,

as my weekly mileage is about to go up, I'm thinking about selling my LPG'd Range Rover L322 and getting a more economical large estate. I get the equivalent of about 30mpg on LPG (maybe up to 35 on a run or if I get cheaper LPG!).

I'd like something comfortable, large, some nice toys (leather, leccy seats with lots of adjustment, decent audio) and that won't empty my wallet every time I look at it a bit funny. Prefer an auto box.

Thinking about an E-class, Volvo V70 perhaps? I want to avoid scary gearboxes and other known issues. Budget about 5K. I don't mind high mileage on the right car.

thanks!

[jamoor]

Octavia?

[ChocolateFrog]

I was looking at Allroad's recently. If you're patient £5k will get you a nice 3.0tdi QUATTRO auto with plenty of toys.

[JasperT]

Got to be a Subaru Legacy!
A nice Gen 4 (2004-2009) 2.5 SE would be my pick for your requirements!

[Speed addicted]

JasperT said:

Got to be a Subaru Legacy!
A nice Gen 4 (2004-2009) 2.5 SE would be my pick for your requirements!

I recently bought a 2005 2.5 Legacy as a utility car.
I went for it because at the cheap end of the spectrum (about £2k) most of the other cars seem to have some very large bills waiting.

I'm getting to like my leggy legacy. It's a nice thing to drive about in with decent handling and 4x4, fuel consumption so far is high 20s (I do have a lead foot and use it on short runs) and it feels pretty tough.
It's comfortable but I'd say the interior feels a step down from the Audi end of things, however mine has almost 130k on it and is still in good condition.

Overall I like it a lot.

[mr_spock]

ChocolateFrog said:

I was looking at Allroad's recently. If you're patient £5k will get you a nice 3.0tdi QUATTRO auto with plenty of toys.

I can see 2006-on Allroads with 120K + miles at 6K, so I guess that's about within budget after a haggle. But I can't see the fuel consumption being much better than the 30-35 equivalent I get now, and it still has the same air suspension issues as the L322. I assume I need to avoid the Multitronic 'box?

The Legacy's fuel consumption seems to be 32-35 mpg again, although spec and reliability should put it on the list.

I can see 2005 E320 CDi estates with under 100K on them for the money. I should be getting 40+ mpg out of one I think.

How about Volvos? I always liked the seats in those, which I'm pretty fussy about.

[mr_spock]

How about that? There's a car buying forum! Who knew?

[Speed addicted]

I looked at Volvos, but ideally I wanted a 4x4 and a lot of the volvos have issues in that department on the older ones. Essentially they end up front wheel drive.
I was put off the allroad due to air suspension and 2.5tdi issues.

The Subaru is comfortable. For your budget you could get an Outback, they seem to be generally quite well specced.

I found the biggest eye opener was looking at MOT history for cars I was interested in. Typically the Subarus had less scary issues.

[braddo]

There's a nice looking 2007 E280 E-class estate on auto trader for just under £5k. Petrol, so won't get the diesel mpg but less likely to throw up a big bill too.

[mr_spock]

What big bills does the diesel get that the petrol doesn't?

[Jazzer77]

Speed addicted said:

I looked at Volvos, but ideally I wanted a 4x4 and a lot of the volvos have issues in that department on the older ones. Essentially they end up front wheel drive.
I was put off the allroad due to air suspension and 2.5tdi issues.

OP hasn't listed 4x4 as requirement. £5k is enough to get a D5 which is a superb engine.
V70 manual D5 is your answer - in these threads it always is....

..or well maybe a really nice E320Cdi with history.

[mr_spock]

Thanks - don't want a manual as part of my regular drive is in heavy traffic and comfort is the thing. I don't need a 4x4, the Range Rover is, to me, a Jag XJ with more load space!

I thought that Volvo was the Euro 4 engine, and not so economical?

[sawman]

Speed addicted said:

The Subaru is comfortable. For your budget you could get an Outback, they seem to be generally quite well specced.

I found the biggest eye opener was looking at MOT history for cars I was interested in. Typically the Subarus had less scary issues.

I have run my 2007 outback for 3.5 years and 60k miles. It's just needed tyres and suspension bushes and last year a new cat back exhaust. Mine is the 3.0 flat six and has a averaged 26mpg in my time with it. Would definitely recommend one should find a decent one easily in budget

[ZX10R NIN]

The E Class will suit your needs to a tee & if you go for the straight 5/6 they are very robust, you can clean the EGR outside your home they don't have a DPF so that's one less issue to worry about the 5 speed auto has nicely spaced ratios, the later V6's benefit from the 7 speed box which gives you brisker acceleration the economy for both types are very similar.

2004 E320 Avantgarde 70k FMBSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2003 E270 Elegance 68k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2005 E320 V6 Elegance 90k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...