What estate?

[mcdjl]

I'm after suggestions to add to the list of cars I should look at. I want an estate as i need the carrying ability and I'm tempted by an Audi 4/6, Mitsubishi Galant/Legnum, Subaru Legacy, Mondeo, Volvo. I prefer the idea of fast but 4wd would be nice (only the Mondeo falls on that one) but any other suggestions that i'm overlooking? Low miles is preferable but around £2000 would be good.

[TTwiggy]

Probably not much help to you, but I was looking at similar myself recently (though budget a bit higher) and I just missed out on a B6 A4 3.0 Quattro Avant.

It was on AT for £3995, and then dropped to £2995. It had only done 68k miles, and, while the 3.0 is a bit thirsty, it's bomb-proof and will hit 60 in around 7secs. The only downside to this particular car was its olive green finish. Still a bargain though.

[TORQ]

My preference would be with the A6, the interior's are superb and they should be reliable. Others will be more fun to drive but aren't as reliable.

I recently bought an E39 530 Manual Touring, good car but I think the Audi's wear better, still worth considering them too?

[Mr E]

Have just bought a whacking great Saab Aero to fulfil similar criteria.

Cheap, lots of it, fast. Doesn't handle.

[mcdjl]

doogz said:

Nissan Stagea is another possibility:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3299832.htm

Personally, i think they're pretty fugly, and most (all?) are automatic, but you can't argue with the RB 2.5 turbo 6.

Its local, but its is, ummm yes fugly will do.
The Audi's are tempting as my 80 is nearing its life after almost 70k miles of abuse (after the previous 90k of love...).
Saab 95s are also tempting as are Alfa 156s (though i suspect they may be small/ill for the price)

[Mr E]

Half decent 156 should be well in budget. They're not big however...

[Caruso]

BMW E39 5 Series Touring is the obvious candidate missing from that list. They did a 4WD version of the E34, but finding a nice 525iX Touring is going to be tricky.

[mcdjl]

Caruso said:

BMW E39 5 Series Touring is the obvious candidate missing from that list. They did a 4WD version of the E34, but finding a nice 525iX Touring is going to be tricky.

They do seem to have higher mileages than the others. V70s have very mixed milages for similar prices. The Alfas are very low.
I know i should buy by condition though....

[TORQ]

mcdjl said:

Caruso said:

BMW E39 5 Series Touring is the obvious candidate missing from that list. They did a 4WD version of the E34, but finding a nice 525iX Touring is going to be tricky.

They do seem to have higher mileages than the others. V70s have very mixed milages for similar prices. The Alfas are very low.
I know i should buy by condition though....

Yes, my 530 (in previous post) is at 223k. Still shifts. The split rear hatch is a bonus which the others don't have.

[Liquid Knight]

doogz said:

Nissan Stagea is another possibility:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3299832.htm

Personally, i think they're pretty fugly, and most (all?) are automatic, but you can't argue with the RB 2.5 turbo 6.

+1

Or if you can find one a BMW 525 iX would be ideal.

[mcdjl]

Am i mad for considering Renault Lagunas? They seem like lot of car for the money but there has to be a reason...right?

[300bhp/ton]

mcdjl said:

I'm after suggestions to add to the list of cars I should look at. I want an estate as i need the carrying ability and I'm tempted by an Audi 4/6, Mitsubishi Galant/Legnum, Subaru Legacy, Mondeo, Volvo. I prefer the idea of fast but 4wd would be nice (only the Mondeo falls on that one) but any other suggestions that i'm overlooking? Low miles is preferable but around £2000 would be good.

If you like the Mondeo why not consider a Jag X-Type? Less in common with the Mondeo than most would believe, but offers up a 3.0 V6, good handling, style and AWD.

[mcdjl]

300bhp/ton said:

If you like the Mondeo why not consider a Jag X-Type? Less in common with the Mondeo than most would believe, but offers up a 3.0 V6, good handling, style and AWD.

Higher miles for the price than I'd like. 3l V6 does look good though

[simer553]

mcdjl said:

Am i mad for considering Renault Lagunas? They seem like lot of car for the money but there has to be a reason...right?

Yes - mad as a box of frogs!

st build quality, st ride, st handling, st residuals and VERY st electricals.

Scooby Legacy all the way. Had two now, both excellent.

[dave stew]

Volvo V70 T5. Cheap because they are a bit of a gas guzzler, but loads of space, well built and loads around (inc spares etc). My view is that if they are good enough as a plod pursuit car (for the last 15 years at least) they can't be all bad.

[hungry horace]

mcdjl said:

Am i mad for considering Renault Lagunas? They seem like lot of car for the money but there has to be a reason...right?

for a "fast one" you'd be looking at the GT spec, and either the 2.2dCi 16v diesel / 170bhp blown petrol. even they're not particularly quick compared to what else you've listed.

at the £2k laguna level, yes you are mad...

there are loads and loads of justifiable horror stories so proceed with caution!!! they are cheap for a reason!

you'd have to look at 2005 onwards - facelifted engine / trim models - as the best proposition, and i don't think you'd find one for £2k. A GT has either a 175bhp diesel or a 205bhp petrol, plenty of power and spec - but you'd be looking at £3k upwards.

as a plus story, i've a 2006 laguna now on 206k miles wihtout any trouble. the "friday cars" where they forgot to put defects in do exist!

Howabout a HOT saab / V70 / 2.4d Alfa???

EDIT for speeling :-)

Edited by hungry horace on Thursday 15th March 11:41

[mcdjl]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-RENAULT-LAGUNA-3-0-...

Keeps me interested, if only it was manual. V70 T5s are just a touch too much/none local. Alfas are still tempting but do look on the small side.

[hungry horace]

mcdjl said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-RENAULT-LAGUNA-3-0-...

Keeps me interested, if only it was manual. V70 T5s are just a touch too much/none local. Alfas are still tempting but do look on the small side.

i've had one of those (pre-54 laguna), and a post-54 one. the differences externally are subtle, but the interior and engines are chalk and cheese. you really need to think, inspect and buy very carefully, if you are keen on the V6 for under £2k, why not the "initiale" (top) spec so the multitude of toys went some way to complimenting the wafty nature.

but as above, for £2k i would look elsewhere.

[mcdjl]

hungry horace said:

but as above, for 2k i would look elsewhere.

Cheers, I keep thinking they must be cheap for a reason! Saab or the galant options are looking probable.

[schmalex]

I recently picked up a 2004 Passat 2.0 estate with 35k miles for 3,100 for my Mother.

It might not set the world alight, or be the ultimate driving machine, but it is immaculate, has a reasonable level of kit and with such a simple engine, is pretty bullet-proof.

She is chuffed to bits with it.