Family Wagon for under £3k

[Jammiedodger]

So with a 2nd child nearly here and a potential house move on the cards (great timing ), I need to get rid of my trusty Puma and buy something that's able to lug a lot of stuff around in.

I've always had a thing for SUVs (but no need for one), so have been looking at:

Freelander mk1 facelift TD4
Nissan X Trail
Jeep Cherokee

But have also been tempted by a nice estate:

e46 Touring
A4 Avant
C Class Estate

Max budget = £3k

Have I missed anything obvious?

I'm not too concerned about age... is mileage something I should be worried about for any of these?

Thanks!

[road_rager]

Avoid E46 at all costs. Rust a big enemy of these, my one went very rusty despite being well looked after!

[DKL]

saab 9-3?

[Barkychoc]

Subaru Legacy 'Sports Tourer' (Estate) petrol.

I've had 2. As far from the bad boy impreza as you can get.
Smooth, quiet, not even that bad on fuel, and both mine were auto. 2.5 most economical engine.
Very very reliable offsetting the increased fuel consumption.

If you want additional ground clearance look at the outlook (which is a pumped up legacy) or forester (small 4x4 similar to freelander).

Go for leather interior which comes with heated seats, enormous sunroof, etc.

[GIYess]

Have a look at Honda Crv. Very practical and very reliable. Not the most exciting granted. Some older Mondeo estates also can be had with low miles at this price. (Currently perusing the market myself) I like the look of the Subaru outback (around 2010) But not seen any decent ones for 3k.

[Donbot]

Volvo

[GreatGranny]

Can get a decent E90 for £3k so hopefully no rust issues.

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

[Jammiedodger]

Have seen a few e90s under £3k... But always worried they're potentially 'too cheap'!

GreatGranny said:

Can get a decent E90 for £3k so hopefully no rust issues.

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

Could definitely check out a Volvo (V50?) and a Legacy though as well... Always liked the look of the Legacy.

[GreatGranny]

Jammiedodger said:

Could definitely check out a Volvo (V50?) and a Legacy though as well... Always liked the look of the Legacy.

Just be careful with the 1.6d engine in the V50, DPF issues, sorted 2010 onwards.

I had a 59reg and had to get rid because of DPF issues which kept putting it in limp mode.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mileage is an issue in regards of worn components like suspension which will be more likely to need doing than on something with less than 100k on the clock.

It's hard to ignore the Mondeo at this price point:

Titanium X

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

Mercedes C200 Elegance nice smooth drive

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

C200 Avantgarde SE just over budget but I'd expect you can haggle them down

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

Vectra SRI 2.0T (same engine as the Saab but for half of your budget)

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

Subaru 2.0 RE

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

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

Honda Accord 2.4 EX

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

From the above I'd be looking at the Accord & Avantgarde SE first.

[jmsgld]

I'd go Honda CRV. I bought a 53 plate for £2k as a stopgap when I returned to the UK broke a few years ago with the intention of using it for a couple of months. My girlfriend ended up adopting it, used it as a daily for 4 years. Sold it earlier this year for £50 less than we paid for it. The only things it cost us in 4 years were tyres and brake pads... the engine bay still looked cleaner than any car I have ever owned.

[Jammiedodger]

Cheers guys.

Hadn't thought about a Murano before... Will look into them!

The CRV is definitely an option, but I'll just have to forget that my Nan currently drives one!

[SCEtoAUX]

Jammiedodger said:

Cheers guys.

Hadn't thought about a Murano before... Will look into them!

The CRV is definitely an option, but I'll just have to forget that my Nan currently drives one!

If she's anything like my Nan she'll have forgotten as well.

[VAGLover]

Golf estate -so many practical cheap ones out there
Boring, but it’s still a Golf

Edited by VAGLover on Sunday 8th October 10:12

[Jammiedodger]

Seeing as no one ever updates these threads... I ended up with a 2004 Freelander with 57k miles, FSH and great spec.

Touch wood, everything seems good so far and cost was £2.2k.

Fingers crossed it's a good'un!

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

[steve-5snwi]

Does it still have the propshaft ?