Recommended an estate £5k

[Undecided_buyer]

Afternoon all,

I'm looking to replace my X Trail with an estate (or maybe even MPV/ SUV, open to suggestions!) I do 5-10k a year.

I currently have a 2005 Xtrail 2.5 petrol auto, I get 20MPG out of it on short runs ( which is most of the time). Is this going to always be the case on a petrol estate?
I'm fine with a diesel, as long as I don't get constant DPF issues with short runs.

Needs to be a decent size for a family of 4 and a dog in the boot, not stupidly high miles on the clock (hoping sub 90k), and if can have a bit of power when needed then that's be great too! Around £5K budget but may be able to stretch a couple of hundred for the right car

Any suggestions?

Been looking at the Exeo 2.0TDi 170, but I need to see one in person to see if it's big enough inside.
Considered an Insignia, Passat, A4 etc, all set to have some negatives (maybe all cars do!)

Thanks in advance!

Edited by Undecided_buyer on Monday 8th October 14:32

[ZX10R NIN]

With your budget most diesel options will be non DPF models so that won't be an issue but if the majority of your journeys are short ones then you're better off with a petrol.

The Exeo is a 2007 style Audi A4 with difference being the sheet metal front & rear so if you can fit in that era A4 then you'll be fine space wise., I'd be cautious of the 170 from this era they were a bit more troublesome than the 140's.

I'd recommend the 2.5T Mondeo, they're very hard to find but worth seeking out you'll see mid to high 20's depending on how short your journeys are but they're a solid reliable unit & the place I'd be spending my hard earned,

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the 2.0T

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Undecided_buyer]

ZX10R NIN said:

With your budget most diesel options will be non DPF models so that won't be an issue but if the majority of your journeys are short ones then you're better off with a petrol.

Thanks for your reply, appreciated.

Did DPF's not come in around 2007 ish? I'm not sure at all though, but most cars I've seen will be later than or around this time.

I probably should have said that the reasons for changing vehicle are:
to try and imporve fuel economy (& lower tax if possible!)
to get a slightly newer/more up to date car
to have something a little more 'refined' than the slightly rattly 'box' that the Xtrail is!

Unfortunately getting another 2.5 petrol doing 20mpg probably isn't going to make sense for me.

I'll take a look at your suggestions, cheers

[Summit_Detailing]

A skoda octavia estate with the 1.8tsi petrol engine was my first thought given the circumstances you've outlined. £5k should get you in a sub 100k mile car around 2010 vintage.

cheers

Chris

[ninjag]

2010 Toyota Avensis 1.8 V-Matic TR @ £4,390 plus whatever antidepressants cost
64k miles on the clock, petrol, 43mpg combined

[Undecided_buyer]

ninjag said:

2010 Toyota Avensis 1.8 V-Matic TR @ £4,390 plus whatever antidepressants cost
64k miles on the clock, petrol, 43mpg combined

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Seen that particular one somewhere?!

Hope it's not too boring.....

[Undecided_buyer]

Summit_Detailing said:

A skoda octavia estate with the 1.8tsi petrol engine was my first thought given the circumstances you've outlined. £5k should get you in a sub 100k mile car around 2010 vintage.

cheers

Chris

Thankyou, I'll have a look at that one too

[Undecided_buyer]

Being honest, the Skoda looks like a good bet, but something inside me keeps saying "for god's sake, you are only in your 30's, not a Grandad yet!..."

Really not sure I'm too keen on the Octavia shape...maybe I'll get past that if I go have a drive of one

[Nickp82]

Mazda 6 2.0 sport ?

[Undecided_buyer]

Nickp82 said:

Mazda 6 2.0 sport ?

Cheers, I'll look into that

My previous car was a '03 Mazda 6 2L estate. Gave me very little trouble, apart from rusted rear arches, and low 20's MPG again. Loved the big boot

[Fermit and Sarah]

If I were you I would look at a Volvo V70.

Superbly screwed together.
Big.
Very safe.
Nice to drive, not sporty, but a great wafter.
48mpg Ave according to the ad stats.

An EG -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Undecided_buyer]

Fermit and Sarah said:

If I were you I would look at a Volvo V70.

Superbly screwed together.
Big.
Very safe.
Nice to drive, not sporty, but a great wafter.
48mpg Ave according to the ad stats.

An EG -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I have been looking at them too.
Wasn't sure about when DPF's were introduced on these, or if they cause any issues.

Love the size, safety, and comfort. Is the D5 the one to look out for or all good engines?

Cheers

[Fermit and Sarah]

Undecided_buyer said:

Fermit and Sarah said:

If I were you I would look at a Volvo V70.

Superbly screwed together.
Big.
Very safe.
Nice to drive, not sporty, but a great wafter.
48mpg Ave according to the ad stats.

An EG -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I have been looking at them too.
Wasn't sure about when DPF's were introduced on these, or if they cause any issues.

Love the size, safety, and comfort. Is the D5 the one to look out for or all good engines?

Cheers

The D5 is more powerful, but thirstier. It depends on what balance between power/MPG you're happy with. I linked the 2.0d as I considered your economy angle. I can't speak for known issues and the like on these, but I'd imagine someone shall pop along with a bit more knowledge!

Also, what breed is the pooch? If he's a Jack Russell the boot size isn't a concern, if he's a GSD then this is the class of car you want.....

[eggchaser1987]

I have a Mondeo and I was thinking about trading it in but I could t find anything that did the same job but better, so I suppose I would have to recommend one of those.

Mine is a 2.2 titanium x sport, I don't do huge mileage in it but when I do go out it gets used for about 400 odd miles a time. Does all that in comfort and I can walk after without back ache.

[soad]

Honda Accord? Mostly diesels and autos, I believe?

[Undecided_buyer]

Fermit and Sarah said:

The D5 is more powerful, but thirstier. It depends on what balance between power/MPG you're happy with. I linked the 2.0d as I considered your economy angle. I can't speak for known issues and the like on these, but I'd imagine someone shall pop along with a bit more knowledge!

Also, what breed is the pooch? If he's a Jack Russell the boot size isn't a concern, if he's a GSD then this is the class of car you want.....

Haha, dog is on the large side, I have a dog cage for the boot which would be good to keep, although not absolutely essential. But 2 young kids too, bikes etc so a big boot is definitely a big plus.

[Undecided_buyer]

eggchaser1987 said:

I have a Mondeo and I was thinking about trading it in but I could t find anything that did the same job but better, so I suppose I would have to recommend one of those.

Mine is a 2.2 titanium x sport, I don't do huge mileage in it but when I do go out it gets used for about 400 odd miles a time. Does all that in comfort and I can walk after without back ache.

Thanks, it's another I have considered. Just not seen one with the right spec/service history combo yet!

Should have said earlier but full leather is on the wish list too, so much easier with kids and animals to just wipe them clean if needed

[Undecided_buyer]

soad said:

Honda Accord? Mostly diesels and autos, I believe?

Yep, also on the watch list! Thanks

Was looking at the older pre-dpf diesels, huge boots but still trying to decide if they are ugly auto/manual not important to me.

[Fermit and Sarah]

On the subject of leather (and I fully get that, I restore leather for a living) the Volvo I linked has, if I'm not mistaken, a seat material which I think is called neoprene. The nearest thing to compare it to is wetsuit material. Very tough, and great for cleaning up easily.

On the subject of dogs, one thing to try and look for is a model with air/aircon vents in the boot. We have three dogs, and annoyingly our car (2015 Insignia estate) doesn't have them, on a hot day travelling we find ourselves having to open the rear windows to keep them cool. I can't say if Volvo have them though.

[Undecided_buyer]

Fermit and Sarah said:

On the subject of leather (and I fully get that, I restore leather for a living) the Volvo I linked has, if I'm not mistaken, a seat material which I think is called neoprene. The nearest thing to compare it to is wetsuit material. Very tough, and great for cleaning up easily.

On the subject of dogs, one thing to try and look for is a model with air/aircon vents in the boot. We have three dogs, and annoyingly our car (2015 Insignia estate) doesn't have them, on a hot day travelling we find ourselves having to open the rear windows to keep them cool. I can't say if Volvo have them though.

Thanks for the further info, appreciated