Big booty for 12k

[MrGB]

Currently running a free 2004 Skoda Octavia into the ground and as a couple of expensive repairs are on the horizon it's time to find a replacement.

With a maximum of 12k I need a replacement that will be safe and sizable for family with a big boot.

Wife loves the size of the Octavia's boot and won't consider anything less.

I've done some research and it appears as though estates are the most likely option (Volvo, E-class, Superb) but are they any good and are there any alternatives?

Would really appreciate some advice from you wise lot!

Cheers

[DKL]

E class from s211 on are superb family load carriers. £12k gets you loads of choice from later e350tdi to an e55 or a leggy e63 if you so desire. You might get an s212 e500 for that but they are rare. We went for the sensible e55 and it's superb.

[Ructions]

XF Sportbrake https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-JAGUAR-XF-D-LUXURY...

[Toed64]

This is exceptional value:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-Ford-Mondeo-2-0TDC...

[MrGB]

Ructions said:

XF Sportbrake https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-JAGUAR-XF-D-LUXURY...

Very interesting, didn't even know about this one.

[MrGB]

DKL said:

E class from s211 on are superb family load carriers. £12k gets you loads of choice from later e350tdi to an e55 or a leggy e63 if you so desire. You might get an s212 e500 for that but they are rare. We went for the sensible e55 and it's superb.

How are you finding the bills on the e55? We don't rack up a lot of miles so wonder if the shorter journeys will punish us.

[Ructions]

Toed64 said:

This is exceptional value:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-Ford-Mondeo-2-0TDC...

But look at it.

[Mo28]

What about a Skoda Octavia VRs estate in petrol guise?

[MrGB]

First band new car I ever bought was the original Fabia vRS which was great.

Little bit unsure about just replacing Octavia with Octavia, seems like an opportunity for a something different.

Any thoughts on any SUV types that might work?

Everything just seems a bit too old within the budget but am I missing out on some good buys?

[DKL]

MrGB said:

How are you finding the bills on the e55? We don't rack up a lot of miles so wonder if the shorter journeys will punish us.

We've been lucky in the 2+ years we've had it. 15k miles and only a secondary air injection pump failed. Usual services/tyres etc.

For short journeys look elsewhere as you'll be getting 17mpg or so and frankly you get no advantage from that engine. Most of ours are long runs and for that it is quite superb. It cruises at whatever speed you choose but plant your R foot and the world whizzes by. Its slower than my 996t was but not by much and now we can take 4 of us and lots of stuff.
On a long run we get up to 24mpg. Its getting a bit old now but really there is nothing I'd change which makes it hard to justify spending 3 times its value to do basically the same thing, although there is a lovely cls 63 estate for sale...

[ZX10R NIN]

Your biggest problem will be finding an E500/55 but there are a few alternatives but no bombastic V8's:

Insignia VXR (these are underrated but there performance can't be ignored but they really respond to a map as they're choked to meet emission targets)

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

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

Alfa 158 1.8TBI (Same engine as the Giulietta QV)

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

Mondeo Titanium X Sport (very good car & good steer with a decent amount of power whilst still giving decent fuel figures)

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

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

Passat R36

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

V10 Audi S6

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

S4

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

[MrGB]

Thanks ZX10R NIN for such a great list. Lots to consider.

Just out of curiosity I saw this in a garage a stones throw from my house. It's a third of the original budget but might do a job short term. Any thoughts?

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

[Dapster]

Experience tells me that your best bet here if you want a conventional estate would be the previous shape Mondeo Titanium X Sport with the 240bhp ecoboost petrol and powershift DSG box. A fantastic handling things for such an enormous bus, and the lack of a glamorous badge would ensure you get something half the age and mileage than the premium badges for your budget.

For absolute maximum volume though, you could consider the Galaxy although despite still being a reasonable steer, will make you feel like an Addison Lee airport driver and your self respect will slowly ebb away.

The best compromise in my view is the S-Max - a superb family car, can occasionally seat 7, and is great steer. Same engine recommendation as above.



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=price...

I had one of these and it was a great family car. Replaced it last year with the new shape and in some ways the old one is better - crisper handling and keener engine.

[ZX10R NIN]

MrGB said:

Thanks ZX10R NIN for such a great list. Lots to consider.

Just out of curiosity I saw this in a garage a stones throw from my house. It's a third of the original budget but might do a job short term. Any thoughts?

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

I wouldn't the mileage alone would mean I walk away I'd rather travel & get a car with less miles on:

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

Also bear in mind this engine suffered timing chain issues.

To be honest if you want a good diesel estate for the short term I'd buy this over the BMW very good engine & still a sweet steer:

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

But if you're prepared to travel you could bag yourself a bargain sleeper estate that will serve you for a good few years, loaded with kit & has a very capable charismatic engine that responds well to a change of intercooler & a bit of exhaust work to help release the engine note, but the best part is you could carry out the above upgrades & still have change from the Purchase price of the 5 series above.

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

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

The only thing that comes close is this:

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

But this isn't as sweet a steer but is a lot newer:

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

The other option is this:

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

Or it's smaller brother but you do sacrifice boot space:

this one benefits from lower road tax
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

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


As good as these are I'd still pick the Mondeo especially at this price point.