Which Used Petrol Auto Estate/SUV?

[grant8064]

Hi everyone,

So I need a car but am hitting a few brick walls. I just want a few suggestions in case i'm missing anything.

I need;

Petrol

Auto

A mid sized or larger estate. I'd consider a SUV but I find them a bit of a crass 'look at me' social statement

Not badge fussy

Budget up to 10k

Newer than 09

I should also come clean and admit that I co own a fairly large used car forecourt so should know better but I mostly stick to the paperwork side as I have no boyhood interest in cars or dealing with Joe public.

My problem is petrol auto estates are pretty rare and i'm running out of options.

No Volvos...everyone we get is plagued with electrical gremlins.

I find VAG stuff generally very unreliable also.

BMW & Merc like wise can be hit or miss.

Now the above issues really apply to diesels as that's where my experience lies so I don't know how good the petrol models are?

I dislike Honda, Toyota cabin spaces/switches. Not averse to French stuff but they don't really do any big stuff in the UK now unless it's a fake 4x4.

Any help?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[Dapster]

Aim for a late model 2.0 Ecoboost petrol Mondeo with the 236 bhp engine. A fine, robust and unpretentious car which happens to be a terrific drive.





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

[grant8064]

Dapster said:

Aim for a late model 2.0 Ecoboost petrol Mondeo with the 236 bhp engine. A fine, robust and unpretentious car which happens to be a terrific drive.





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

That's a very good shout! My only question would be are the 2.0 Ecoboosts robust? The 1.0 Ecos are a bit of a running joke around 60k

[ZX10R NIN]

+1 to the above yes they're very reliable, they're also the best FWD steer in their class & generally the whole car is well built packed with kit & will last you well.

[grant8064]

Yes, I have to confess that all the Mondeos we've had in have been good behind the wheel.

Well I think that's my mind made up then, my only real concern was the reliability of the Ecoboost units.

Shame Saab aren't about anymore...i'm as bad as a retail customer, always want what doesn't exist!

[blueg33]

Subaru Outback

[Stig]

blueg33 said:

Subaru Outback

This x 1,000,000,000,000

[Toed64]

Stig said:

blueg33 said:

Subaru Outback

This x 1,000,000,000,000

Not sure if I'd go that far...but our 3 litre Outbacks have been excellent - 2 cars, >100,000 miles, 10 years - no breakdowns and no repairs other than service items. (Actually, I lie - I CV boot and 2 drop links).

The Subaru is superbly comfortable, lovely to drive and quite fast, but it's a constant 4x4 flat 6 and it's thirstier than the 2 litre Ford. Very different cars.

The Ford would not do for us - it would not tow a large horse trailer out of a muddy field!

Edited by Toed64 on Friday 2nd March 18:23

[grant8064]

blueg33 said:

Subaru Outback

I did consider this after taking one in part ex before but I really dislike Japanese cabins and switch gear.

Can't deny though the thing was an absolute beast to drive though and felt better built than a Sherman

[Frankthered]

For somebody who describes themselves as "not badge fussy" you seem to have a long list of badges that you don't want!

How about an Insignia? Mondeo is probably a better drive, but Insignia might be cheaper?

Other than that, how about Mazda? Reasonable amount of 6s around or you could maybe consider a 5?

How about Hyundai/Kia? Might be more difficult to find?

[steve-5snwi]

Hopefully diesel becoming less popular will mean some half decent mid size petrol cars will be built again

Mondeo would be my choice followed by Honda CR-V although you would rule it out on cabin plastics. How about a focus or is that too small ?

Also interested in what falls apart on 1.0 ecoboosts as I had been considering one.

[grant8064]

Frankthered said:

For somebody who describes themselves as "not badge fussy" you seem to have a long list of badges that you don't want!

How about an Insignia? Mondeo is probably a better drive, but Insignia might be cheaper?

Other than that, how about Mazda? Reasonable amount of 6s around or you could maybe consider a 5?

How about Hyundai/Kia? Might be more difficult to find?

What I meant by not being badge fussy is no badge snobbery...my list of avoids is only based on experience as a dealer of them being hassle in terms of reliability.

I'm not considering an Insignia...unfortunately Vauxhall stuff is probably the poorest build quality out there now IMO.

A Hyundai i40 would be a good idea that hadn't occurred to me...thanks!

[grant8064]

steve-5snwi said:

Also interested in what falls apart on 1.0 ecoboosts as I had been considering one.

Coolant pipes are faulty resulting in the engine sometimes dumping it's coolant in one go...most of the engines that do go pop happen around 60k but some at 40k. It doesn't affect all of them apparently but when you're buying a used car I can't be bothered to check engine codes etc.

I think on the new engines they have it all sorted and fixed so don't be too put off but for used ones it's something to consider.

Our local main dealer has a continual stream of B Maxs with 10,000 mile blown gearboxes and 1.0 blown ecoboost engines coming in...nightmare for sales but his service guys are getting plenty of work!

[steve-5snwi]

Thanks, I had heard the b max with powershift was one to avoid from our local Ford parts guy.

As for the i40, I had one as a hire car, the gearbox really didn’t know which gear to be in. It wasn’ Particularly comfy either.

[grant8064]

steve-5snwi said:

Thanks, I had heard the b max with powershift was one to avoid from our local Ford parts guy.

As for the i40, I had one as a hire car, the gearbox really didn’t know which gear to be in. It wasn’ Particularly comfy either.

Ah OK thanks for that about the i40...Mondeos looking like the prime candidate then.

Yer those B Max autos are so funny. There's one around our local town on its fourth complete gearbox...it's only done 11k!!!!

[valiant]

grant8064 said:

steve-5snwi said:

Also interested in what falls apart on 1.0 ecoboosts as I had been considering one.

Coolant pipes are faulty resulting in the engine sometimes dumping it's coolant in one go...most of the engines that do go pop happen around 60k but some at 40k. It doesn't affect all of them apparently but when you're buying a used car I can't be bothered to check engine codes etc.

I think on the new engines they have it all sorted and fixed so don't be too put off but for used ones it's something to consider.

Our local main dealer has a continual stream of B Maxs with 10,000 mile blown gearboxes and 1.0 blown ecoboost engines coming in...nightmare for sales but his service guys are getting plenty of work!

Degas hose was originally made of cheese and consequently melted dumping all its coolant, cooking the engine. Recall was done to correct this and most should have changed by now (so long as everyone bothered to get it done...). Heard that it can also weep from the waterpump but there is *i think* an ungraded gasket to correct this.

These engines run hot and will expire quite quickly if you don't react to your coolant levels dropping. Unfortunately, the temp gauge is one of those that will sit solid in the middle until it falls out of range then it shoots straight into the red. You MUST immediately switch off the engine to save it if this happens. Again, I think Ford may have changed to ECU software to give you more warning but I'm not sure.

Dunno about the gearbox problems.

Eta - Legacy/Outback all day long.