Looking for a cheap estate (sub £2000) Thoughts?

[anonymous-user]

Hello fellow PHers,

After spending the last few days perusing the classifieds I've found myself at a bit of a loss in that I've no idea what to get.

I'm after a cheap sub £2000 estate car that gets good mpg, should be simple right? Well I've owned about 5 cars total in my life and really no idea what to go for that hopefully satisfies a bit of my inner petrolhead whilst also trying to balance being a sensible 25 year old...

As there may be a few longer journeys to come, I do currently about 7000 miles a year so not sure if I would just ruin a diesel with more short trips than long. Is that how it works?

I recently stepped out of a 2010 Fabia which served me well the last five years and stepped into a 2009 Lexus IS250 which I'll be honest whilst nice I just don't really love it so I've decided to sell it, and with that now going up for sale, I need something to replace it with.

TLDR: After an estate car (Less than £2000 or even cheaper if there's anything like that about) ideally gets 50+mpg, comfortable and petrol although I'm not ruling out a diesel.

Hope you can help, thank you.

[Ian Geary]

Hi there

I'm not sure many sub £2k petrols will achieve over 50mpg tbh.

That price implies an age of between 10-20 years, and I don't think petrol tech was that good in the early 00s.

Eg my Dad has a 2006 mondeo with the 2.0 petrol and will never make 40mpg, whereas my 1.8tdci focus of the same era will get 50mpg easy on a run (weight advantage cancelled out by my Dad's miserly driving)

And if you're wanting a bit of poke (saab turbo seems default choice) then even mid 30s is optimistic.

Personally I struggle with trying to choose a fun estate, as the size and design if it fundamentally comprises handling vs smaller cars (plus of course I'd be driving the family round in it, and enthusiastic driving is not exactly going to be appreciated).

Older shape C5s seem incredibly cheap, as does anything with a vauxhall badge. The mondeo is also good too at that price point.

Ps: 25? Sensible car? Plenty of time for that later mate. I think you've already hit peak sensible with the fabia.

Ian

[sbk1972]

So been here myself

Saab 95
Lancer 1.6
Avensis
Subarau Forester
BMW 3 series

Shogun / Pajeros LWB
Mercedes ML

Lots to think about. Okay some wont make 50mpg but if you do the maths the difference between 35mpg and 50mpg isnt that much on a yearly spend

Yes there are lots of mondeo estates but it's a Ford.....

[tin duck dave]

sbk1972 said:

So been here myself

Saab 95
Lancer 1.6
Avensis
Subarau Forester
BMW 3 series

Shogun / Pajeros LWB
Mercedes ML

Lots to think about. Okay some wont make 50mpg but if you do the maths the difference between 35mpg and 50mpg isnt that much on a yearly spend

Yes there are lots of mondeo estates but it's a Ford.....

Don't be hung up on its a ford, mark 3 mondeo estate is a great drive, loads of space, well equipped and superb value for money.

[Thebaggers]

Mondeo is a good shout and when I was in a similar need I ran an a6 avant 1.9tdi up to 200k miles before a trade in, an excellent car and a realistic 50mpg is achievable.

A saab 93 or 95 would tick the box. I cant really think of any petrol that will fit the mpg requirement though with the budget.

[ZX10R NIN]

You won't see 50mpg from any petrol estate in your price range you only do 7k a year.

3.2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008293...

2.2 Signum Elite

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008313...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009013...

2.5 Ghia X brave choice of Alloys

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008262...

[thepawbroon]

I’ve just bought a Mk4 Mondeo Estate 2.0 Tdci for that kind of money. Ok it’s done a lot of miles but it has FSH and is in good condition. Should do 50mpg.

I did a lot of research as I think my requirements were similar to yours.

Another car I considered was a Citroen C5 1.6 diesel. Maybe a few hundred above your budget.