Estate help - sub £5k

[IAmTupperware]

Morning all, could anyone give some insight on my next car purchase. I'm looking for something different yet reliable and economical. Preference something that doesn't hit the £600 tax bracket and a petrol as my commute is only 20-30 mins. Here is my current shortlist:

Subaru Forester XT 2.0 - 2nd Gen
2.0 Turbo - lower tax
I like the look of these, especially with some light mods.
Are they comfy?
Mpg?
Reliable?

Subaru Legacy Outback 2.0 Spec B import
Might be just above my budget for a good one.
Lower tax?
Look great, and have much more performance.
Are they comfy?
Mpg?
Reliable?

Volvo XC70 2.5t - 2nd gen
Reliable Sheds
Look good with some mods
£600+ tax
Mpg not great
Mega comfy


Any thoughts? My budget can push to £7k. It's a shame they didn't do a 2.0 3rd gen XC70, because that is what I would go for!

[Pistonheader101]

can u do diesel?

[Bannock]

Reliable, you say, OP?

Mazda 6 would be a good bet:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208048...

Honda Accord:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...

Toyota Avensis:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208319...

Citroen C5 Exclusive (with the wafty suspension) for the comfort option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208158...

[IAmTupperware]

Pistonheader101 said:

can u do diesel?

Probably not really, my commute is only 20-30 mins and do it a couple of times a week. And I will do more little runs in the week. So petrol is probably better.

Bannock said:

Reliable, you say, OP?

Mazda 6 would be a good bet:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208048...

Honda Accord:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...

Toyota Avensis:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208319...

Citroen C5 Exclusive (with the wafty suspension) for the comfort option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208158...

I do like those, I just don't know if they are tickling me enough? I like the C5. What's the engine like in those?

[oobie38]

Bannock said:

Citroen C5 Exclusive (with the wafty suspension) for the comfort option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208158...

38 pictures of that C5 from every angle, but not one of the interior??

[ZX10R NIN]

Saab 9-5 Vector Sport 185:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110038...

Turbo Edition 255:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205306...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209129...

[IAmTupperware]

ZX10R NIN said:

Saab 9-5 Vector Sport 185:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110038...

Turbo Edition 255:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205306...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209129...

I'd somewhat forgotten about saabs. Good shout 👍🏻

[nobrakes]

These Turbo edition 255s should be in the fast estate thread!

[PurpleTurtle]

615 quid VED on that lovely SAAB though ….

[757]

Insignia

[SlowV6]

PurpleTurtle said:

615 quid VED on that lovely SAAB though ….

it's not on the two Aero's. The autos are in the highest VED band but those two are both the holy grail manuals!

[the-norseman]

You also have the SAAB 9-3 lineup either the V6 or 2.0T.

The pre-facelift V6's wont be in the top band unelss they are the crossover year (2006 56) like the one I had, recently sold my 56 V6 as it was £615 a year.

Other than that, loved the car actually. Really surprised me.

[DJFish]

IAmTupperware said:

Subaru Forester XT 2.0 - 2nd Gen
2.0 Turbo - lower tax
I like the look of these, especially with some light mods.
Are they comfy?
Mpg?
Reliable?


Volvo XC70 2.5t - 2nd gen
Reliable Sheds
Look good with some mods
£600+ tax
Mpg not great
Mega comfy

If it’s any help, I had a 2.5XT, it was very thirsty and had a reputation for head gaskets, mine never suffered but did lose all the coolant once due to a corroding coolant union.
Check for corrosion and sagging rear suspension.
They handle really well with a rear rollbar upgrade and are surprisingly quick.
Interiors are a bit rubbish.

I also have a P2 V70, although I have a D5 so can’t comment on the 2.5 but they’re supposed to be reliable.
Older Auto gearboxes have issues, electrics are notoriously unreliable (check all bulbs are illuminated) & are a Volvo/Ford mashup, piss poor turning circle but very comfy.
Handbrake is crap.
Try and get one with the premium sound (extended front door speaker covers) & boot mounted sub.

[PurpleTurtle]

SlowV6 said:

PurpleTurtle said:

615 quid VED on that lovely SAAB though ….

it's not on the two Aero's. The autos are in the highest VED band but those two are both the holy grail manuals!

Apologies - I only looked at the first one (which is), the other two are the lower VED. Splendid.

I'm always impressed at how the seats hold up on these. Some big mikes but they look almost new.

[maz8062]

I like the BMW E91 Touring. The 2.0 is not that reliable though, but they’re good cars and hold their value well. Timing chain glides are an issue, but if you can find one that’s been recently changed and you like the car, go for it. It’s a workhorse when it’s working and drives very well.

[Brassblaster]

IAmTupperware said:

Volvo XC70 2.5t - 2nd gen
Reliable Sheds
Look good with some mods
£600+ tax
Mpg not great
Mega comfy

Any particular reason for XC70 over V70?

Good few V70's available (mostly auto's though).


There's even a V70R (in budget ) comes in at less tax than that!!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204204...

Light on fuel seems somehow unlikely, however!

[IAmTupperware]

DJFish said:

If it’s any help, I had a 2.5XT, it was very thirsty and had a reputation for head gaskets, mine never suffered but did lose all the coolant once due to a corroding coolant union.
Check for corrosion and sagging rear suspension.
They handle really well with a rear rollbar upgrade and are surprisingly quick.
Interiors are a bit rubbish.

I also have a P2 V70, although I have a D5 so can’t comment on the 2.5 but they’re supposed to be reliable.
Older Auto gearboxes have issues, electrics are notoriously unreliable (check all bulbs are illuminated) & are a Volvo/Ford mashup, piss poor turning circle but very comfy.
Handbrake is crap.
Try and get one with the premium sound (extended front door speaker covers) & boot mounted sub.

Top response, thanks. I can't understand why I like some foresters and not others ha! I think I prefer the pre-face-lift, those of which I assume will be less than £360 tax if before 56.

I had a P1 V70 2.5 whicg I loved. A turbo would be awesome, and I like the look of the xc70. I wonder the difference in fuel economy between the 2.0xt and the volvo 2.5.

[IAmTupperware]

Brassblaster said:

IAmTupperware said:

Volvo XC70 2.5t - 2nd gen
Reliable Sheds
Look good with some mods
£600+ tax
Mpg not great
Mega comfy

Any particular reason for XC70 over V70?

Good few V70's available (mostly auto's though).


There's even a V70R (in budget ) comes in at less tax than that!!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204204...

Light on fuel seems somehow unlikely, however!

I like the look of a lightly modded XC over the standard. I didn't think an R would be in budget! I will have to think about running costs though. And I'm not allowed full black as its too 'hurse-like'. Otherwise lovely looking motor!

[FourGears]

Sub £2.5k gets you this. Quick, roomy, well specced even if the dash is a little grey

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208309...

[ant427]

Had a E91, did not get on with it, no spare, no recess to put one in, no Bluetooth etc. In the end the Chain stretched so away it went.
Now have this Avensis. It just does the job, never goes wrong and has no load limit when the rear seats are down. It's not perfect but is the only car in our family that can enter the ULEZ with impunity!