Advice re tourer/estate cars

[whatsthenews]

We're looking for a tourer.
Max budget (cash purchase) £12.5k
Max age 5 yrs?
on the fence re petrol/diesel
performance 0-60 < 9.5 secs and something that's decent in mid range

Good spec, but not too bothered about Nav'
Looks are important (subjective I know) especially wheels (no 16" alloys)

We're a one vehicle couple looking to set up a small handy person/gardening (not mowing) service. We're hoping to attract older people who value pruning.digging over, weeding etc as opposed to pressure washing and taking a hedge trimmer to everything. It won't be a full time effort and will be within a 6 mile radius.
We do about 7k miles a year, but that might increase due to caring responsibilities for parents 6 miles away, and (not to sound harsh) if we end up with more freedom over the next few years, we might have the chance for weekends away and driving trips abroad.
We aren't badge snobs. Current car is a GTC.

Our current car is a petrol but previously we've had 2l turbo diesels that we appreciated the extra torque.
2nd diesel was an 07 Mazda 5. 6 years old with 70k miles on when we got it and the turbo went and buggered the DPF . Kind of put us off diesels a bit but it was an older Mazda.

Cars we've considered
68 plate Astras. 1.4t 150 bhp petrol. Either Sri Nav or Elite Nav with less than 30k on (but wouldn't pay any more than £9k for an Astra )
67 plate insignia SRi Nav Vx line 2l diesel 165bhp. 50k miles. FSH. 2 owners. Asking £12k. We've actually seen and driven this and like it
https://m.atcdn.co.uk/a/media/w1024/e8fc38daa20b4f...
68 plate as above but 1.5l turbo petrol with same bhp. 17k miles. 1 owner. £12200. Not seen as in Chesterfield.
65 plate BMW 520d SE touring. 34k miles. FSH .1 owner. Asking £13k. BUT it's 180bhp and insurance group 34E so imagine the insurance will be high, and we don't really need that much power. Not seen, but it is fairly local and would be able to drive it.
https://m.atcdn.co.uk/a/media/w720h540/77c7d40109a...


We've ruled out Octavia and Peugeot 308 but happy to listen to arguments that are constructive and any other thoughts/ideas.
Running costs are fairly important to us.

[ZX10R NIN]

Hi, firstly if you're doing short journeys you will hurt a modern diesels DPF so with an annual mileage of 7k I'd stick with petrol.

Mondeo Titanium Edition 160 these are very good cars, also if your business grows then you'll appreciate the extra space, the 1.5T is a good engine but the 2.0T's extra torque makes it a more relaxing drive.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...

Should you go for the 2.0t it means you'll be looking at 2015 Titanium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102169...

The Insignia's are great value I'd say lookout for the better spec'd Elite Nav models:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010255...

2019 SRI Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201905238...

If you want a smaller estate then the Megane Signature Nav is a very good place to start:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

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

Or the 308 Allure

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003138...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101188...

Focus Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...

[whatsthenews]

ZX10R NIN said:

Hi, firstly if you're doing short journeys you will hurt a modern diesels DPF so with an annual mileage of 7k I'd stick with petrol.

Mondeo Titanium Edition 160 these are very good cars, also if your business grows then you'll appreciate the extra space, the 1.5T is a good engine but the 2.0T's extra torque makes it a more relaxing drive.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...

Should you go for the 2.0t it means you'll be looking at 2015 Titanium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102169...

The Insignia's are great value I'd say lookout for the better spec'd Elite Nav models:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010255...

2019 SRI Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201905238...

If you want a smaller estate then the Megane Signature Nav is a very good place to start:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

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

Or the 308 Allure

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003138...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101188...

Focus Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...

Cheers for this.
I understand what you're saying about diesel to a point. I'm somewhat confused as I know a lot of people who have diesels who do almost all short (less than 10 mile) trips and they don't seem to have any issues. Yes, I get that bought as new they would have paid more for them, and diesel is more expensive than petrol, but what are the downfalls of a used one? If it means taking it for a 50 mile trip once a week then that's not an issue. I'd rather have the torque a diesel brings
Maybe just me, but I couldn't bring myself to pay that money for a Ford Mondeo, or rather, that Ford Mondeo with those miles on it . It looks "blah" , plus the reviews aren't that good and the 1.5 just doesn't seem like it'll have enough torque for a big heavy car. Our current GTC has 140 bhp and 150 lbs/ft torque. It's great if you keep the rev's up, but hard er work otherwise. I'd rather pay £9.5k for a 18 plate Astra tourer with less than 20k miles on.
I'd have to drive it and that's the issue at the moment!
We're also wary about the 1.5t Insignia.

We did consider the Peugeot 308 but then read about the wet timing belt, and that somewhat put us off.

I think we've decided that we're going to hang fire for the moment until it becomes easier to actually drive something. I know they're all offering 7 day money back guarantees etc ATM, but can't really go round buying cars and taking them back! Might see if we can spot some locally at the smaller garages that might let you drive something, like we did with the Insignia 2l diesel.

[loskie]

if it's for your line of work something like a Kangoo or Berlingo.

I know it doesn't fit your brief but I'm not sure the cars you list will suit your needs.

If it's not for work please ignore what I am saying!

[ZX10R NIN]

whatsthenews said:

Cheers for this.
I understand what you're saying about diesel to a point. I'm somewhat confused as I know a lot of people who have diesels who do almost all short (less than 10 mile) trips and they don't seem to have any issues. Yes, I get that bought as new they would have paid more for them, and diesel is more expensive than petrol, but what are the downfalls of a used one? If it means taking it for a 50 mile trip once a week then that's not an issue. I'd rather have the torque a diesel brings
Maybe just me, but I couldn't bring myself to pay that money for a Ford Mondeo, or rather, that Ford Mondeo with those miles on it . It looks "blah" , plus the reviews aren't that good and the 1.5 just doesn't seem like it'll have enough torque for a big heavy car. Our current GTC has 140 bhp and 150 lbs/ft torque. It's great if you keep the rev's up, but hard er work otherwise. I'd rather pay £9.5k for a 18 plate Astra tourer with less than 20k miles on.
I'd have to drive it and that's the issue at the moment!
We're also wary about the 1.5t Insignia.

We did consider the Peugeot 308 but then read about the wet timing belt, and that somewhat put us off.

I think we've decided that we're going to hang fire for the moment until it becomes easier to actually drive something. I know they're all offering 7 day money back guarantees etc ATM, but can't really go round buying cars and taking them back! Might see if we can spot some locally at the smaller garages that might let you drive something, like we did with the Insignia 2l diesel.

If you're happy to give the diesel a run then yes get one, you're right about the torque on the 1.4/5T's you do have to work them a bit especially on Insignia/Mondeo sized cars.

Out of the two the Insignia is the pick as they're the best value when it comes to age & spec.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103260...

[clockworks]

I can see why people say that a petrol engine might be more suited if you do ONLY short journeys, but regular, longer, journeys get around the DPF issues.

I've had a few diesel cars over the past 10 years, only doing 5 or 6k a year. Ford Galaxy 2 litre, a couple of Fiats with the 1.3 diesel, a 5 series 6 cylinder, a VW Touareg V6, and now a Kia Sportage 2 litre. The majority of my journeys are between 10 and 20 mile round trips, but I do a longer 50 mile journey every couple of weeks, and the odd 80 mile journey every couple of months. Not had any problems.

Sometimes buying a diesel makes more sense once you have decided what make and model you want - more torque, more choice (availability) on the secondhand market, better fuel economy, etc.
I don't think I'd pay the price premium for a brand new diesel though.

With newer petrol cars now coming with similar particulate filters, as well as the added complexity of turbos, it's quite possible that they will suffer the same "short journey" problems.

[Jasandjules]

C Class?

[whatsthenews]

loskie said:

if it's for your line of work something like a Kangoo or Berlingo.

I know it doesn't fit your brief but I'm not sure the cars you list will suit your needs.

If it's not for work please ignore what I am saying!

You've definitely got a point and we did think about getting a cheap van, but we'd have to have 2 cars, and we really don't want that. Maybe a trailer's the answer, but you know what us ladies are like at reversing

[whatsthenews]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you're happy to give the diesel a run then yes get one, you're right about the torque on the 1.4/5T's you do have to work them a bit especially on Insignia/Mondeo sized cars.

Out of the two the Insignia is the pick as they're the best value when it comes to age & spec.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103260...

Sigh of relief. There's so few, petrol, manual tourers around, especially up here. The Mazda 5 2l we had was older and had it's problems, but it was very flexible. Same with the 2l TDi Leon we had back in 2007.
This is the Insignia we drove
https://www.parkers.co.uk/vauxhall/insignia/sports...

Edited by whatsthenews on Sunday 4th April 21:24

[whatsthenews]

clockworks said:

I can see why people say that a petrol engine might be more suited if you do ONLY short journeys, but regular, longer, journeys get around the DPF issues.

I've had a few diesel cars over the past 10 years, only doing 5 or 6k a year. Ford Galaxy 2 litre, a couple of Fiats with the 1.3 diesel, a 5 series 6 cylinder, a VW Touareg V6, and now a Kia Sportage 2 litre. The majority of my journeys are between 10 and 20 mile round trips, but I do a longer 50 mile journey every couple of weeks, and the odd 80 mile journey every couple of months. Not had any problems.

Sometimes buying a diesel makes more sense once you have decided what make and model you want - more torque, more choice (availability) on the secondhand market, better fuel economy, etc.
I don't think I'd pay the price premium for a brand new diesel though.

With newer petrol cars now coming with similar particulate filters, as well as the added complexity of turbos, it's quite possible that they will suffer the same "short journey" problems.

really helpful, and you're so right about availability, especially up here

[ZX10R NIN]

whatsthenews said:

Sigh of relief. There's so few, petrol, manual tourers around, especially up here. The Mazda 5 2l we had was older and had it's problems, but it was very flexible. Same with the 2l TDi Leon we had back in 2007.
This is the Insignia we drove
https://www.parkers.co.uk/vauxhall/insignia/sports-tourer/sri-vx-line-nav-20-(170ps)-turbo-d-blueinjection-5d/for-sale/usedcfs-867774559129334/|

It won't link to your advert for some reason.

[whatsthenews]

ZX10R NIN said:

It won't link to your advert for some reason.

Sorry.This should work
https://www.parkers.co.uk/vauxhall/insignia/sports...

[ZX10R NIN]

whatsthenews said:

Sorry.This should work
https://www.parkers.co.uk/vauxhall/insignia/sports...

It looks nice it has the bigger alloys which make it look nicer, the one I linked to is 6 months newer & an auto with a little less miles, personally I'd go for an auto as it's well suited to the diesel powertrain, but either is a good pick.