£4-6k estate / SUV - thoughts and recommendations!
Discussion
Hi All,
Looking to buy in a few months. Need something either estate or SUV size due to the 2yr old and 1 more potentially to come.
The car’s going to do no more than 5k miles a year realistically and will be street parked so liable to a few dings.
Ideally looking below 70k on the clock, and Autotrader is throwing up Range Rover, X5, XC90 but all thirsty V8’s. Also quite interested in a Forester or Outback which seem in range and are apparently good cars.
Any recommendations in this bracket or experience with the above cars?
Thanks!
Looking to buy in a few months. Need something either estate or SUV size due to the 2yr old and 1 more potentially to come.
The car’s going to do no more than 5k miles a year realistically and will be street parked so liable to a few dings.
Ideally looking below 70k on the clock, and Autotrader is throwing up Range Rover, X5, XC90 but all thirsty V8’s. Also quite interested in a Forester or Outback which seem in range and are apparently good cars.
Any recommendations in this bracket or experience with the above cars?
Thanks!
For thst mileage a petrol is the obvious choice as you will choke and kill a diesel unless its all long motorway drives and not little trips to the shops etc.
Petrol prices will not be a massive factor with the limited mileage.
I would be more concered about finding something that will meet the LEZ targets that most cities seem to be heading towards in the next couple of years.
Petrol prices will not be a massive factor with the limited mileage.
I would be more concered about finding something that will meet the LEZ targets that most cities seem to be heading towards in the next couple of years.
jimboroso said:
Hi All,
Looking to buy in a few months. Need something either estate or SUV size due to the 2yr old and 1 more potentially to come.
The car’s going to do no more than 5k miles a year realistically and will be street parked so liable to a few dings.
Ideally looking below 70k on the clock, and Autotrader is throwing up Range Rover, X5, XC90 but all thirsty V8’s. Also quite interested in a Forester or Outback which seem in range and are apparently good cars.
Any recommendations in this bracket or experience with the above cars?
Thanks!
I'd say take a look at the Subaru Tribeca in SE5/7 spec they're not the best looking but they're a good practical SUV:Looking to buy in a few months. Need something either estate or SUV size due to the 2yr old and 1 more potentially to come.
The car’s going to do no more than 5k miles a year realistically and will be street parked so liable to a few dings.
Ideally looking below 70k on the clock, and Autotrader is throwing up Range Rover, X5, XC90 but all thirsty V8’s. Also quite interested in a Forester or Outback which seem in range and are apparently good cars.
Any recommendations in this bracket or experience with the above cars?
Thanks!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109257...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...
2.3T CX-7 with these make sure the oil has been changed regularly these are the same engine in the MPS Mazda3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111179...
2.0i CR-V
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111019...
X3 2.5i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...
1.4T Tiguan
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109307...
If you don't mind a Cat N then this look like a nice buy but there's a bit more to come off thatprice.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109267...
Estate wise for me these are the picks.
2.0T Mondeo Titanium 200
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...
1.8T Passat Highline
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112020...
C230 Avantgarde I'd want to haggle more off because of the high tax:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111179...
With that budget I would not be looking at ancient Range Rovers, X5's, XC90s etc. The Subaru's you mentioned I feel are 'slight' brave pills. High tax if you go for the auto I think and the 3.0H6 will probably give you sub 20mpg bimbling around town.
For 5k per annum and because of ULEZ it has to be petrol, so consider an NA engine'd estate like a Honda Accord Mk7, or perhaps a CRV.
Slightly smaller then you might find a Focus Mk3 with the 1.6T engine at the top end of budget.
Skoda VRS estate?
Insignia 1.8.
Might find a Unicorn Mondeo 2.5T, but they are really big cars (we have one) so if parking is a hassle beware!
For 5k per annum and because of ULEZ it has to be petrol, so consider an NA engine'd estate like a Honda Accord Mk7, or perhaps a CRV.
Slightly smaller then you might find a Focus Mk3 with the 1.6T engine at the top end of budget.
Skoda VRS estate?
Insignia 1.8.
Might find a Unicorn Mondeo 2.5T, but they are really big cars (we have one) so if parking is a hassle beware!
jimboroso said:
Hi All,
Looking to buy in a few months. Need something either estate or SUV size due to the 2yr old and 1 more potentially to come.
The car’s going to do no more than 5k miles a year realistically and will be street parked so liable to a few dings.
Ideally looking below 70k on the clock, and Autotrader is throwing up Range Rover, X5, XC90 but all thirsty V8’s. Also quite interested in a Forester or Outback which seem in range and are apparently good cars.
Any recommendations in this bracket or experience with the above cars?
Thanks!
I bought a 2006 A6 Avant 4.2 V8 with 88k miles on the clock a few months back towards the top of that budget. It’s a thirsty V8 and the model has its issues - though mine’s been perfect so far - but probably is notably more reliable than the SUVs you mentioned.Looking to buy in a few months. Need something either estate or SUV size due to the 2yr old and 1 more potentially to come.
The car’s going to do no more than 5k miles a year realistically and will be street parked so liable to a few dings.
Ideally looking below 70k on the clock, and Autotrader is throwing up Range Rover, X5, XC90 but all thirsty V8’s. Also quite interested in a Forester or Outback which seem in range and are apparently good cars.
Any recommendations in this bracket or experience with the above cars?
Thanks!
I also used to have a manual 2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0R Spec B, which I bought in December 2019 for £2,750 on 85k miles.
The Audi has a far more upmarket cabin, is nice for bumbling around in and has loads of kit (though much of the valuable stuff is optional). It’s also notably quicker and more torquey than the Legacy.
The Subaru meanwhile felt impressively light and agile, had a beautifully smooth engine and was very much a driver’s car; surprisingly so for a 2005 estate. I imagine the Outback is much less sporty and slower, with the standard-fit auto, which probably doesn’t get the most from the engine, as the close-ratio six-speed ‘box in the Spec B does.
Boot-wise, the Legacy had less volume with the seats up, and a shallower boot but the seats folded completely flat, while the Audi has more room under the load cover and greater boot length, with a similar overall volume. The Forester in comparison has a tiny boot…
Here are some options if you don't fancy bankrupting yourself with a V8 SUV
Honda Accord 2.4 VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111159...
Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...
Saab 9-3 Aero
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108126...
Mazda 6 2.0 TS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111279...
Renault Megane 1.6 16v
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...
Honda Accord 2.4 VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111159...
Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...
Saab 9-3 Aero
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108126...
Mazda 6 2.0 TS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111279...
Renault Megane 1.6 16v
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...
We were in need of the same thing, for different reasons.
3 years ago we settled on a Lexus RX350 (non-hybrid) for £3200. It has been hopelessly reliable, filled with great gadget, comfy to drive and honestly the best car purchase I've ever made. We also do around 5k / year. You can go for the hybrid if you want better fuel economy.
3 years ago we settled on a Lexus RX350 (non-hybrid) for £3200. It has been hopelessly reliable, filled with great gadget, comfy to drive and honestly the best car purchase I've ever made. We also do around 5k / year. You can go for the hybrid if you want better fuel economy.
I spent £900 on a 2002 Saab 9-5 2.3 T petrol Auto estate.
My wife has a 1999 one that was £25 cheaper back in 2015.
Both around 80,000 miles at time of purchase.
Very few problems, so the rest of your budget can be saved.
Not the Aero, and not the manual, and not the 2005 onwards Dame Edna model.
I find the 170 bhp 2.3 t felt no different to drive than the 260 bhp Aero, because you had to rev the nuts off the Aero to locate that 260 bhp - it is right at the top end of the rev range as it is the same engine, just a bigger turbo.
Great for kids and the inevitable dogs and luggage.
Well appointed and reliable, leather, aircon etc, and the tax is reasonable if you stay pre-2004.
Fuel not brilliant around town (20-25 mg) but will do 40 mpg on a motorway run if you use the cruise control.
And for those occasional nifty overtakes, the 30-70 acceleration is not at all bad thanks to the turbo.
My wife has a 1999 one that was £25 cheaper back in 2015.
Both around 80,000 miles at time of purchase.
Very few problems, so the rest of your budget can be saved.
Not the Aero, and not the manual, and not the 2005 onwards Dame Edna model.
I find the 170 bhp 2.3 t felt no different to drive than the 260 bhp Aero, because you had to rev the nuts off the Aero to locate that 260 bhp - it is right at the top end of the rev range as it is the same engine, just a bigger turbo.
Great for kids and the inevitable dogs and luggage.
Well appointed and reliable, leather, aircon etc, and the tax is reasonable if you stay pre-2004.
Fuel not brilliant around town (20-25 mg) but will do 40 mpg on a motorway run if you use the cruise control.
And for those occasional nifty overtakes, the 30-70 acceleration is not at all bad thanks to the turbo.
Over over under steer said:
We were in need of the same thing, for different reasons.
3 years ago we settled on a Lexus RX350 (non-hybrid) for £3200. It has been hopelessly reliable, filled with great gadget, comfy to drive and honestly the best car purchase I've ever made. We also do around 5k / year. You can go for the hybrid if you want better fuel economy.
Great shout.3 years ago we settled on a Lexus RX350 (non-hybrid) for £3200. It has been hopelessly reliable, filled with great gadget, comfy to drive and honestly the best car purchase I've ever made. We also do around 5k / year. You can go for the hybrid if you want better fuel economy.
We bought a 2007 Mk3 CRV (2.0 petrol auto) back in 2014 and put 70k on it over 7years and it never missed a beat. The only thing it lacked was grunt, and for that, I wish we'd got an RX. For the money, I genuinely don't think you could beat one for reliability and refinement....
It might not be very exciting but I absolutely loved my 61 plate Kia Sportage, only recently upgraded.
I honestly think that would be ideal for you. They are fairly reliable and is a great little work horse and I enjoyed driving it as well. Felt very save in it. It's obviously not a very sexy car but it's good value for money and cheap to keep on the road.
I had a diesel 1.7l but I would've preferred the 2l
I honestly think that would be ideal for you. They are fairly reliable and is a great little work horse and I enjoyed driving it as well. Felt very save in it. It's obviously not a very sexy car but it's good value for money and cheap to keep on the road.
I had a diesel 1.7l but I would've preferred the 2l
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