What interesting £10k diesel estate?
Discussion
As my wife and I are soon to become three, I'm still pondering on a suitable replacement for my 2004 Impreza WRX Estate. My wife will be the main driver, so we want something that's a bit lighter to drive, more comfort-orientated, more economical (40mpg+) and has a bigger boot. A few more toys like parking sensors, leather, heated seats, CD changer and automatic would also be desirable. However, although I'm sure they're great cars, the thought of a 4-pot Passat/Mondeo diesel estate bores me! I could probably stretch to £10k (I wouldn't have thought my Impreza was worth more than about £4k). For the models that I have considered so far, this would seem to get me a 3 year old car with about 70k. My Impreza has only done 72k, so this doesn't seem like amazing value to me but I guess diesel engines last longer? Things like DPF and dual mass flywheel failures do concern me though.
A BMW 330d/530d Touring or Mercedes estate would seem like a good choice but as we live on top of a steep hill, these types of car were grounded for about a week last winter whereas, my Subaru and my wife's FWD Fiat had no such problems. I would prefer 4WD or FWD for this reason but don't want the compromises that come with a proper 4x4.
These are the cars that I am currently considering:
Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTD Sportwagon (the Ti looks fantastic but not sure about the ride on those 19" wheels)
Subaru Legacy diesel estate (the boxer engine and 4WD make it interesting and the pre-facelift model is quite handsome)
Volvo V50 D5 (nice looking car and available with auto)
Volvo V70 D5 (as above but with more space - it would have to be the latest model)
Any thoughts on the cars above (as I know very little about any of them) or any other suggestions would be gratefully received.
A BMW 330d/530d Touring or Mercedes estate would seem like a good choice but as we live on top of a steep hill, these types of car were grounded for about a week last winter whereas, my Subaru and my wife's FWD Fiat had no such problems. I would prefer 4WD or FWD for this reason but don't want the compromises that come with a proper 4x4.
These are the cars that I am currently considering:
Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTD Sportwagon (the Ti looks fantastic but not sure about the ride on those 19" wheels)
Subaru Legacy diesel estate (the boxer engine and 4WD make it interesting and the pre-facelift model is quite handsome)
Volvo V50 D5 (nice looking car and available with auto)
Volvo V70 D5 (as above but with more space - it would have to be the latest model)
Any thoughts on the cars above (as I know very little about any of them) or any other suggestions would be gratefully received.
Congratulations 
I keep looking at the Volvo as a motorway cruiser, supposedly great for comfort and toys. I'm not sure I'd have a diesel unless there was a good reason to go for it, repair bills on cars approaching 3 figure mileages based on past experiences haven't been good. They were Fords mainly though
I keep looking at the Volvo as a motorway cruiser, supposedly great for comfort and toys. I'm not sure I'd have a diesel unless there was a good reason to go for it, repair bills on cars approaching 3 figure mileages based on past experiences haven't been good. They were Fords mainly though
Hi,
I went from a 2007 impreza WRX estate into an alfa 159 ti 2.4 diesel estate.
After 2 years, i just swapped the alfa for new 159 ti estate but with the 1750 petrol.
Firstly, you'll really struggle to get 40mpg with the 2.4jtdm. I bought a 159 saloon lusso 1.9jtdm for a manager and over 2 years he's struggled to get 40mpg in that! Neither of us did massive motorway miles, but 40mpg in mixed driving is impossible in the 2.4, and the absolute 'driving like miss Daisy' limit for the 1.9.
Don't worry about the ride on the 19's. Sure it's better on the 17's fitted to Lussos but they don't look half as good and if you buy an 159 it's because of the way it looks!
Be aware of the following though on the Ti's with 19's: They run out front tyres in 10k miles due to the weight and geometry. And with that weight and fat tyres FWD won't really help much in the snow.
I'd say £10k would get you a lovely V50 which will do the things you want better - (comfort/size/mpg)
It really is head or heart with that choice....
Or Octavia VRS diesel?
good luck.
I went from a 2007 impreza WRX estate into an alfa 159 ti 2.4 diesel estate.
After 2 years, i just swapped the alfa for new 159 ti estate but with the 1750 petrol.
Firstly, you'll really struggle to get 40mpg with the 2.4jtdm. I bought a 159 saloon lusso 1.9jtdm for a manager and over 2 years he's struggled to get 40mpg in that! Neither of us did massive motorway miles, but 40mpg in mixed driving is impossible in the 2.4, and the absolute 'driving like miss Daisy' limit for the 1.9.
Don't worry about the ride on the 19's. Sure it's better on the 17's fitted to Lussos but they don't look half as good and if you buy an 159 it's because of the way it looks!
Be aware of the following though on the Ti's with 19's: They run out front tyres in 10k miles due to the weight and geometry. And with that weight and fat tyres FWD won't really help much in the snow.
I'd say £10k would get you a lovely V50 which will do the things you want better - (comfort/size/mpg)
It really is head or heart with that choice....
Or Octavia VRS diesel?
good luck.
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3429997.htm
Or petrol if you prefer. Quick and reliable, what's not to like.
(Sorry if they're a bit 4-pot)
Or petrol if you prefer. Quick and reliable, what's not to like.
(Sorry if they're a bit 4-pot)
white_goodman said:
A BMW 330d/530d Touring or Mercedes estate would seem like a good choice but as we live on top of a steep hill, these types of car were grounded for about a week last winter whereas, my Subaru and my wife's FWD Fiat had no such problems. I would prefer 4WD or FWD for this reason but don't want the compromises that come with a proper 4x4.
Would a set of good winter tyres make the BMWs/Mercedes viable options?muppets_mate said:
Would a set of good winter tyres make the BMWs/Mercedes viable options?
I guess so. I haven't really experienced a car with winter tyres and I haven't really got space to store 2 sets of wheels and tyres. Not sure how comfortable my wife would be with RWD handling characteristics!white_goodman said:
I guess so. I haven't really experienced a car with winter tyres and I haven't really got space to store 2 sets of wheels and tyres. Not sure how comfortable my wife would be with RWD handling characteristics!
We live at the top of a very steep (1 in 3) 120 yard long driveway and run a BM 335d. When it snows (not often in Cornwall) I just leave it on the driveway and use our Defender. BMs are fundamentally cr4p in the snow. Winter tyres help a lot but I'd still not take the risk. They are great everywhere else but snow is a real achilles heel, especially in colder areas.
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