£1k, reliable, big, hit me!

[Henrico]

Hi,

I haven't had a car for years and years and am now in search of one to carry my cello around London in (so a big boot would be nice). Can be any size, any engine size, only stipulation is that it is big enough, reliable (doesn't break down and if it does it isn't expensive) and cheap!

Shortlist is Toyota Camry (don't ask why, I think I have a Camry fetish!) and Mitsubishi Lancer, both ~2000 models.

Any other ideas?

Cheers.

[ZX10R NIN]

Honda Legend

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-LEGEND-3-5-V6-AUTO...

Camry

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Camry-3-0-LEATHER...

[steve-5snwi]

Lexus LS ?

[SCEtoAUX]

How about a big old bear of a Volvo:

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

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

[Efbe]

for £1k, ignore reliability. condition is what matters. In reality a merc e class will be no more reliable than a lada at this price. In addition the cars known as being more reliable wuch as your big german cars will cost more to repair

having said that, you might find somethng fun and jap for a grand that woudl work

[Stickyfinger]

Mk1 Citroen c5 Estate

[bearman68]

Efbe said:

for £1k, ignore reliability. condition is what matters. In reality a merc e class will be no more reliable than a lada at this price. In addition the cars known as being more reliable wuch as your big german cars will cost more to repair

having said that, you might find somethng fun and jap for a grand that woudl work

Something petrol and Jap will prob be OK. Something old and German might just possibly be, but age will tell against it. Something 2004 ish on and German will be a money pit waiting to happen.
C5 estate could be a good bet. Oooooh I hate to suggest it, but just possibly a late model Scenic 2..... maybe. Will prob keep the wheels turning even if the rest of it doesn't work.

[Henrico]

Thanks all.

Wow that Legend though!! How are they for running costs though?

[nobrakes]

Ok, it's on for 1500, but you might be able to haggle a bit off;

A basic petrol vectora.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

An old petrol will be cheaper to service than an old diesel. Acres of space.

[designforlife]

big old Lexus would be top of my list, personally.

[Rick101]

Volvo. Had a couple now. One at £530 and my current at £1700. Big premium on the 2nd as an XC AWD model but 2WD are much cheaper.
Both cost me nothing but oil changes and some very minor maintenance.

[Henrico]

French cars I'm never sure about, probably the reliability issues. Which model was the cheap Volvo? That's pretty cheap!

[shtu]

Lexus LS400.

Honda Legend.

2nd (maybe 3rd) gen BMW 7 Series.

Vauxhall Omega.

[Rick101]

Henrico said:

French cars I'm never sure about, probably the reliability issues. Which model was the cheap Volvo? That's pretty cheap!

V70's. 1st an 98 I think, 160K latest a 2001 car 115K.

[Ahbefive]

Volvo V70 is the correct answer. The older ones are about as dependable as a car can get.

[MorganP104]

Ahbefive said:

Volvo V70 is the correct answer. The older ones are about as dependable as a car can get.

I'd be inclined to agree with this, though other options are available.

A bag of sand will buy you a half-decent E39 5-Series Touring, if you are careful (LOTS of dogs out there), and the Saab wagons shouldn't be overlooked (9-3 and 9-5 estates are conspicuously good value these days).

As others have said, go for a petrol model, of whatever you buy. At sub-shed money, not only are petrol-engined cars cheaper to buy, they are far less complex than their DERV brothers and sisters. I'm not saying a petrol engine will never let you down, but for a grand, a diesel car could throw up some big bills.

[Stickyfinger]

Henrico said:

French cars I'm never sure about, probably the reliability issues. Which model was the cheap Volvo? That's pretty cheap!

No problems with an early Mk1 C5.....a few standard things no worse than any other car that age.
The suspension is very reliable
Electrics are basic
Parts are low cost and mostly the same as Pug 406's
2-ltr engine is bomb proof and good for 250K plus (avoid the 2.2 ltr due to EGR type) and lower fuel consumption.

Like any estate from any maker, good checks on rear suspension bearings is required.

[redandwhite]

Another vote for the Volvo - i have a V50 which although isnt in your budget (and smaller than a v70) - i cant fault it - it also handles very well for an estate.

Accord estates are worth a look - like a fridge freezer on wheels - like the v70's loads of boot space

[LordHaveMurci]

My OH recently bought a Honda CRV for not much more than that, there are plenty for £1k or less & they are huge with a really good reputation for reliability.

[ZX10R NIN]

Henrico said:

Thanks all.

Wow that Legend though!! How are they for running costs though?

The big job on the Legend is the cambelt which the advert said had been done apart from that it's a Honda they don't really go wrong.