Advice on family estate budget 10-13k

[robbo1983]

Hi,

I'm after some advice on a car for family use (me, wife & a 4 year old) as ours was involved in an accident (non-fault) and declared a write off. We had a Nissan Pulsar N-Tec 1.6L previously and were happy with it but found we could do with a bit more boot space for the longer trips so was thinking of an estate (petrol) this time but open to any larger hatchbacks. The missus would actually prefer another hatchback as doesn't like driving big cars but also wants more boot space .

Will be used for the following:

- 40 mile round trip to work twice a week
- roughly 6 x 450 mile trips per year (visit wife's family)
- other occasional use e.g. supermarket etc.

Last year we did around 10k miles.

Two things that are must have for us are a DAB radio and a reverse parking camera. Android Auto would be handy but not essential.

Was hoping to spend around 10k but could go up to 13k for the right car.

I've been reading through other posts on the forum for inspiration and so far these have caught my attention.

Kia ProCeed 1.6 T-GDi GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502279...

I really like this one below which is newer but has a lot of miles for it's age. Would that be a red flag or does it being newer compensate vs the above one?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505292...


Mazda6 2.5 GT Sport

There isn't many of these around within budget. This one seems ok but not too keen in interior colour.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502259...


Mercedes E250 2.0 AMG Line G-Tronic+

I have a soft spot for Mercedes as my Dad had a couple as company cars when I was young. Older than the ones above but still have the features I need.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505142...


Wife likes the ProCeed the best as it looks in between a hatchback and estate.


Any comments on the above would be appreciated or would be grateful to hear any other suggestions.

Cheers,
Robbo

[loskie]

Doesn't like big cars and you suggest an E class. Are you asking for grief?
Golf or focus estate will fit your needs but an octavia vrs may meet both of your needs.

Tbh a fabia estate or Duster would be just fine

[ZX10R NIN]

1.6T Astra, pretty much has everything you're looking for:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407111...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507014...

Megane eTech:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507214...

508h Allure:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504231...

Mondeo Hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505302...

Focus ST 2:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505302...

Optima h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506023...

ProCeed GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507084...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505192...

GT Line Lunar Editiom:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506093...

I have to say something like a 1.6T Insignia hits your (they're a hatchback but boot space will be similar to the ProCeed sized estates above) brief with ease & they're a good car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505011...

2.0T but they're hard to find:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506043...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 28th July 05:52

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 28th July 20:42

[robbo1983]

Thanks both for the suggestions. I've added Octavia vRS, 508, Megane eTech and Insignia to the list of possibilities. Will drop the E-Class as think you're right a bit big.

[robbo1983]

I am quite interested in this Insignia but the Autotrader price guide feature says that it is '£1,336 above market average'. Any idea how reliable that is?


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507154...

[Pickle_Rick]

Dacia jogger

Eg

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025062739...

22 plate, 7 year warranty if serviced at dacia. Huge boot with the 2 rear seats removed, and a lot nicer than the insignia.

Dacia also score well in reliability charts,

https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-mo...

Vauxhall one of the worst, as are most stellantis brands unsurprisingly

Edited by Pickle_Rick on Friday 1st August 13:20

[Kenty in Weardale]

This will sound a bit left field/boring but why not a Hyundai i30 Tourer?

I've had a 67 plate one for the last 5 years/61,000 miles. 1lt engine and 108 bhp approx sounds awful but I do a 700 mile round trip in a day 6-8 times a year as well as the normal running around and get between 50-61mpg per tankful.

It's got a DAB radio and reversing camera and is basically 12ft of white goods but a very effective 12ft and nothing has gone wrong at all.
On Autotrader (sorry but don't know how to do a link) there is a 21 plate 31k mile one in black for £12,295