Estate car for carrying tools for £6k - Page 1 - Car Buying

Original Poster

83 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

I’m looking to change my saloon car for an estate as I am carrying tools for work and need the space. It would also be nice to carry a fibre glass ladder on the roof as they are around 1.8m long. I did think about a van but the car would be more practical and less likely a target for thieves.

Any suggestions would be great. I would prefer an Auto and not too fussed on Petrol or Diesel.

stevemcs

10,277 posts

122 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

Legacy, Mondeo or V70 ... possibly an E Class.

Original Poster

83 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

stevemcs said:

Legacy, Mondeo or V70 ... possibly an E Class.

Legacy is a good choice as I assume it would be reliable. Also the V70.

smn159

15,932 posts

246 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

Surely the benefits of a van are that your tools aren't visible and, assuming that there is a bulkhead, that the rear can be more easily secured?

stevemcs

10,277 posts

122 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

They can be ... but won't be the cheapest on fuel and when they go wrong they can cost more to fix as you very often have to go to the main dealer.

Original Poster

83 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

smn159 said:

Surely the benefits of a van are that your tools aren't visible and, assuming that there is a bulkhead, that the rear can be more easily secured?

I don’t need a van as the items are not big and bulky. So the added bulk head would not be needed. Also most estates have a cover so that the items are not visible. As I don’t carry a lot of equipment. Also a car is more practical in my situation.

Original Poster

83 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

stevemcs said:

They can be ... but won't be the cheapest on fuel and when they go wrong they can cost more to fix as you very often have to go to the main dealer.

That’s a good point to bear in mind. Volvo would make a little more sense.

hyphen

26,262 posts

119 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

rdb85 said:

As soon as you stick a ladder on, surely it will attract the same attention as a van to a thief?

smn159

15,932 posts

246 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

stevemcs said:

They can be ... but won't be the cheapest on fuel and when they go wrong they can cost more to fix as you very often have to go to the main dealer.

So something like a Transit Connect (TDCi 60mpg + apparently) can't be serviced at home or by an independent?

Edited by smn159 on Sunday 22 December 21:42

Tony427

2,873 posts

262 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

Having had a number of Volvo both S 80's and XC70's, I now have an 07 plate snotter Merc E class 280 CDI estate and have put almost 30k on it in 15 months, many whilst towing a 1600kg trailer. Its our delivery vehicle, road trip car, car wash test car and trade visit car. Generally abused and treated not unlike a firms van.

It has been faultless. A brilliant car.

My next car will be another one.

Cheers,

Tony

stevemcs

10,277 posts

122 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

smn159 said:

So something like a Transit Connect (TDCi 60mpg + apparently) can't be serviced at home or by an independent?

Edited by smn159 on Sunday 22 December 21:42

It can ... I was referring to Legacy's and parts

ZX10R NIN

30,523 posts

154 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019

flatso

1,364 posts

158 months

Monday 23rd December 2019

I have a good friend who also used an estate for years to carry his tools, worked fine for him,. He is now looking for a van as he sais that he would like to slightly modify it to be able to lie down in it, have the possibility to take a short nap inside on his break. I have to agree, the possibility to take a short power nap after your lunch is a massive luxury in terms of quality of life and health. If I were doing physical labour this argument would put me into a van.

Belle427

11,835 posts

262 months