What Estate? (or SUV) c.£6k or less

[Haddock82]

Hey all,

Looking at getting an estate (Or SUV) as we are getting a canine companion in the next few weeks and I've been hankering after a nice comfy estate for a while! Plus always love a car change! :-)

Budget: Circa £6k - Ideally lower but also can be pushed to maybe £7k if the right car was available
Age: 2009 or newer - I want something fairly modern
Fuel: Diesel
Body: Estate or SUV to fit the dog (Labrador) in the back nicely
Cars Mileage: Sub 90k
My usage Mileage: Circa 15,000 p/a (is this too low for a diesel? thought it's just about worthwhile)
Driving Daily: Daily commute of 25 miles 3 days a week then 60-70 miles 2 days a week
Driving Trips: 2/3 overseas trips p/a to France/Holland/Germany
Location: Up to 100 miles from PE27

So far been looking at:

Volvo's with D5 engine, however struggling to get anything post 2008 and sensible miles (yes i know these will do moon miles! but i'd like one on the lower end of those moon miles!)
Accord - Again struggling to find post 2008 without moon miles
C5 - 2.0 HDi engine, any good? Don't know a lot about them apart from they seem cheap and plentiful in price range
Mondeo - Already have a MK3 and it's an OK car, does it's job well. Not overly enamoured to get another though but if needs must.
CR-V - SUV but pretty good boot etc? FIL had one and loved it


Personally the front runner is the D5 Volvo (V50/V70) just need to find one in budget, but would like other suggestions and experiences from you wonderful PH'ers

Any help greatly appreciated

[northwest monkey]

I've got a Citroen C-Crosser which also comes in Peugeot (4007) or Mitsubishi (Outlander) flavours. Mine is the 2.2 diesel & ticks a lot of boxes. The boot has 2 openings which makes getting a dog in & out a lot easier. I've had mine for over 2 years now & would certainly have another. Plenty around for your budget - especially if you look at the French ones. I was originally looking for an Outlander, but got a newer car by buying the Citroen equivalent.

[phil y]

Look at the SEAT Exeo, should get a good spec 2013 model for that price.
Based on the B7 A4, with the Euro 5 common rail TDI engines, the dodgy emissions ones.
Aside from that and terrible depreciation, they’re great cars.

[ZX10R NIN]

The C5/508SW/Mondeo all use the same drivetrain, so reliability wise you'll have no issues.

The 508SW in GT spec is a great car finding one in budget is hard but they're worth seeking out:

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

Or the more common lower powered Allure spec:

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

The C5 in VTR+ form is another worthy option but I'd take the more spec'd & powerful 508

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

V70's are out there but not in D5 spec:

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

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

Personally it would be the 508 GT for me.

If it has to be an SUV I'd try to get a Grand Cherokee

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

[Demented]

Not sure if this is of any use, its an XC70 rather than a V70 and also a bit above budget, however should come in with a little haggling.

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

[Mr Tidy]

Back when I got a car allowance and did business miles I used to do about 14K miles a year, so had a diesel.

But now I only do about 7K miles a year I have a BMW E91 325i. I got mine in March with 132K miles for half your budget.

Maybe a 330d would suit your needs.

[Haddock82]

Thanks for the replies,

I'd not considered the 508 or the Exeo.

Not a huge fan of the looks on the Peugeot to be honest but if it is a better car might be worth a look

Think the C5 VTR+ looks nice, but was worried about it being a Citroen! I guess with platform sharing across so many cars these day it is becoming less of a problem.

[S9JTO]

3x0d Touring
5x0d Touring

[Haddock82]

S9JTO said:

3x0d Touring
5x0d Touring

I've never owned a BMW.... perhaps it is time...!

[Haddock82]

What is the 1.6 diesel like in the V50?

Seems a lot of choice in them if I drop down to the 1.6?

[ZX10R NIN]

Do not touch the 1.6d engine it's very troublesome, it's a Peugeot engine found in the Focus Mazda Volvo Citroen & obviously Peugeot.

They're just aggravation go for the 2.0d instead.

[Haddock82]

ZX10R NIN said:

Do not touch the 1.6d engine it's very troublesome, it's a Peugeot engine found in the Focus Mazda Volvo Citroen & obviously Peugeot.

They're just aggravation go for the 2.0d instead.

Brilliant thank you for the heads up, I had a feeling it was "that" engine, but good to check. Will steer clear.

Currently swaying towards looking at:
C220
C5 VTR+ (because i can get a newer one in budget)
V50 2.0 or 2.4 (if I can find one)
320d

[ZX10R NIN]

I like a Mercedes they're solid & super reliable, I'd buy the 508 over the Citroen & as for the V50 it's a Focus but not as good from behind the wheel.

So I'd say take a look at the Focus:

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

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

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

V50 D5

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

Leftfield

Astra Elite

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

[ninjag]

Could be worth mentioning that as nice as the CRV is the rear boot is quite high from the ground.