Need some advice!

[Jakc]

Morning all,

I'm looking at estate cars (primarily) that I will use for work and personal use.

Things to note:

• Daily driving will be 50-100 miles, city and countryside. Possibly some motorway.

• I'd prefer an estate in case I take it on a road trip or camping. And moving stuff.

• It needs to be be able to transport a larger gentleman during the week, who sits behind the passenger seat. He's 30ish stone. Head room for 5'8, too.

• Something sporty looking that is fun to drive when I'm not working.

• Bluetooth/AUX connectivity or DAB is essential. Satnav a bonus.

I currently rent a 2019 Corolla Estate Hybrid which has just enough rear headroom and plenty of legroom if the seat is forward, so something similar in size to that?

I've looked at SUV's and MPV's, but I don't particularly enjoy the drive. Something local to Derby or somewhere that can deliver (and won't charge £1.50 a mile!).

Budget is preferably around £3k. I could stretch to £4k, and if there's something really nice, maybe up to £5k. I'm sorry if this is a really convoluted list of requirements!

I've looked at this originally: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019... - but getting there is difficult due to work commitments and price.

This one also seems great, but I don't know enough about these cars to pass judgement (I already own a Fiesta ecoboost so can vouch for those engines, hence my first pick being a Ford): http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction cos I need to resolve this issue sooner rather than later!

Thanks in advance chaps.

[HustleRussell]

I was reading this and thinking Mondeo. Left field option- 159 sportwagon?

[Jakc]

That's a nice looking car!

What should I expect in terms of price/milage? I should have mentioned that I don't mind a high milage vehicle; full service history and minimal owners is preferred, or am I being old fashioned?!

[blue_haddock]

I'd be looking at a Saab 9-5 Aero Estate with an aftermarket head unit for bluetooth/DAB/NAV

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

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

[Jakc]

I did consider one of those! The first one you linked certainly has presence

[Spanglepants]

If the passenger is 30 stone wouldn't something like an S Max be better. I don't know but can the rear seats on an S Max be moved back ?

[HustleRussell]

Jakc said:

That's a nice looking car!

What should I expect in terms of price/milage? I should have mentioned that I don't mind a high milage vehicle; full service history and minimal owners is preferred, or am I being old fashioned?!

Your approach is correct however mileage obviously has an impact and it affects some cars differently to others... some cars will need a timing belt and some won't, some have known issues which crop up around a certain time in the cars life etc etc... so you'll need to research all of this.

With your brief its hard to look past the Mondeo, however you are going to have to find out what maintenance and repairs you can expect to need on the Ecoboost in particular as you get into high mileage...

50 miles every weekday is 13,000 miles.... 100 miles a day is double that- and weekends? What is your average annual mileage?

I ask because maybe the Diesel will be a better choice for economy and longevity, depending on your findings from the Ecoboost research?

[Jakc]

Spanglepants said:

If the passenger is 30 stone wouldn't something like an S Max be better. I don't know but can the rear seats on an S Max be moved back ?

That's a fair point. I suppose one of the other reasons why I'm looking at estates over others is the support for added weight, or this something I've made up?!

I'll have a look though, anyway. Thanks.

[Jakc]

HustleRussell said:

Your approach is correct however mileage obviously has an impact and it affects some cars differently to others... some cars will need a timing belt and some won't, some have known issues which crop up around a certain time in the cars life etc etc... so you'll need to research all of this.

With your brief its hard to look past the Mondeo, however you are going to have to find out what maintenance and repairs you can expect to need on the Ecoboost in particular as you get into high mileage...

50 miles every weekday is 13,000 miles.... 100 miles a day is double that- and weekends? What is your average annual mileage?

I ask because maybe the Diesel will be a better choice for economy and longevity, depending on your findings from the Ecoboost research?

So I've just done a quick round up of the miles and it would appear that I'll be doing in excess of 20k. Totally overlooked that point and thought it would be a lot less!

As far as timing belts, pumps etc, I am aware of these things at certain miles...but it's just finding the right car first and then addressing those matters after, i guess!

[Jakc]

Currently looking at mk4 Titanium Mondeo's. Seems there's a few Los mileage ones about!

[HustleRussell]

Jakc said:

HustleRussell said:

Your approach is correct however mileage obviously has an impact and it affects some cars differently to others... some cars will need a timing belt and some won't, some have known issues which crop up around a certain time in the cars life etc etc... so you'll need to research all of this.

With your brief its hard to look past the Mondeo, however you are going to have to find out what maintenance and repairs you can expect to need on the Ecoboost in particular as you get into high mileage...

50 miles every weekday is 13,000 miles.... 100 miles a day is double that- and weekends? What is your average annual mileage?

I ask because maybe the Diesel will be a better choice for economy and longevity, depending on your findings from the Ecoboost research?

So I've just done a quick round up of the miles and it would appear that I'll be doing in excess of 20k. Totally overlooked that point and thought it would be a lot less!

As far as timing belts, pumps etc, I am aware of these things at certain miles...but it's just finding the right car first and then addressing those matters after, i guess!

In my opinion high mileage car plus high annual mileage puts you in Diesel territory, so the name of the game is selecting a model which has a good reliable diesel engine. I think some of the engines used in Fords are actually PSA units.

Years ago I had a mk3 Mondeo TDCI which was brilliant and had a timing chain not a belt so maintenance was cheap. They tended to experience costly injector problems at ~150k miles though, so I got rid. Great car though.

[Jakc]

Diesel it is, then.

That was an interesting dip into the rabbit hole of engines and who makes what for which brand. I never realised there was so, so many variations available.

I also owned the same car! It was great until it needed a new gear box.

Do you have any thoughts on 3 series touring? I've always had a love for the E46 and there's this one available: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019... - it would need an aftermarket stereo mind.

There's a few fifth gen ones about - anything in particular to be aware of?!

Sorry for the sttonne of questions my dude! Appreciate everything you've done so far.

[Roboticarm]

That's alot of money for an E46 320d and I'd guess they are pricing for the low mileage, I'd take a higher miler with fully history and save some money.

I had one a few years back, decent car if a little dull to drive. A remap makes a big difference, watch out for rusty rear arches

[ZX10R NIN]

Normally I'd say the Mondeo but where you're doing 20k a year & you have a smallish budget I suggest you look at the Laguna2 as it represents good value for money, you'll get low mileage examples & they're reliable too.

Laguna GT 180

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

Dynamique S 150

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

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

Mondeo Titanium

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

Accord ES

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

Mercedes C220 Sport Edition

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

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

Insignia SRI

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

Elite

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

Leftfield:

407 GT

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

[Jakc]

Roboticarm said:

That's alot of money for an E46 320d and I'd guess they are pricing for the low mileage, I'd take a higher miler with fully history and save some money.

I had one a few years back, decent car if a little dull to drive. A remap makes a big difference, watch out for rusty rear arches

Good to know. Thanks.

[Jakc]

ZX10R NIN said:

Normally I'd say the Mondeo but where you're doing 20k a year & you have a smallish budget I suggest you look at the Laguna2 as it represents good value for money, you'll get low mileage examples & they're reliable too.

Laguna GT 180

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

Dynamique S 150

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

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

Mondeo Titanium

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

Accord ES

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

Mercedes C220 Sport Edition

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

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

Insignia SRI

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

Elite

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

Leftfield:

407 GT

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

Fantastic list! Some good cars. I was actually considering a Laguna, so thanks for this! Top lad.

[HustleRussell]

Is this generation of Laguna a reliable car? The previous shape was a horror show.

[ZX10R NIN]

HustleRussell said:

Is this generation of Laguna a reliable car? The previous shape was a horror show.

The gen2 is much improved & reliable too.

[Jakc]

As much as I would like this car: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

I'm leaning more towards the Laguna after reading the good and bad points, from another owner of the Mondeo off this forum.

Well, read up some more about Laguna's and it's not looking great. I've checked reliabilityindex and it seems the Accord is now winning.

Edited by Jakc on Saturday 16th November 18:11

[tomsugden]

A Skoda Superb would be my choice, they've got a huge amount of rear legroom and are a nice place to be. Something like this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...