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£4k for a reliable estate

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chris-s3

Original Poster

4 posts

96 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

Hi All,

I'm looking for a cheap estate car for general family duties, ideally something that is reliable, (preferably)auto and does around 40mpg. I'm open to all makes and happy for it to be more about comfort than performance. The current family wagon is a two year old Passat, but i'm looking to get something that I can be little less precious about, so that I'm not constantly pointing out curbs to the other half, nor finding parking spaces so far from civilisation that I might as well of just walked to the shops in the first place....

I have always like the look of the Audi A4 B6 avant sports from around 2004, but now it is getting hard to find a 1.9tdi one with a lower (100k) mileage, and would have to be manual due to the auto box these have.

More Passat's and Octavia's seem to have had the 1.9 tdi fitted up until 2008ish, but it seems that they are so well rated for reliability. I'm generally scared of the later 2ltr vag diesels.

Next on the list is a Legacy or Outback as a 2.5 petrol, less mpg, but auto and more reliable? however I'm struggling to find any within 60 miles of me.

I would interested in any other suggestions or pointers people have?

Thanks!

aaron_2000

5,407 posts

83 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

330d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

320d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

520i (my pick)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

530d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

520d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

imck

781 posts

107 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

First Gen of Kia Ceed seem reliable
The 115bhp is pretty capable
Auto is conventional TC
Decent Rear Passenger space
I believe the Estate Boot is size is good.
No DPF or DMF on pre 2010 I believe

I had a Manual Hatch for around 6 Years/100k for commuting.
Indy Mechanic I used was impressed with condition at 130K.

Sold to a Colleague. Now on 150K. No major Parts replaced yet.

It is no Avant in the looks department !!

vetrof

2,485 posts

173 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

Onto my second Mondeo, Mk4 now. Our Mk3 served us well for 8 years and over 200,000 miles.

All the gadgets you need. GPS, heated seats, heated screen, cruise, bluetooth.

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

Edited by vetrof on Saturday 26th May 11:22

ZX10R NIN

27,594 posts

125 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

Jag_NE

2,975 posts

100 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

in your situation i wouldnt spend 4k as you have no guarantees of decent reliability and its too much car to scrap if you buy someone elses lemon. id buy something for 1k with a good history then if you get a good run out of it, winner. if its a scrapper 3 months down the line it isnt the end of the world.

Burgerbob

485 posts

77 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

You'll struggle to beat an Astra or Insignia for value for money. I've had 2.0 diesel versions of both (2011 Astra and 2013 Insignia) and actually prefer the Astra. With the seats down it is bigger than the Insignia and with the seats up, the boot is more squared and useable. Both were totally reliable.

Shiv_P

2,746 posts

105 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

aaron_2000 said:

I can say probably none of them will be reliable tongue out

Personally I would maybe look at SEAT Exeo estate - basically a B7 A4 but newer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Heaveho

5,286 posts

174 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

If you're looking at cars as old as 2004, think about a Lexus IS300 Sportcross. Very reliable car. Thirsty though. When I replace ours, I'll be looking for another. They do a 2 litre version, never driven one, I imagine it'll be more economical, but probably pretty gutless if the saloon's anything to go by.

Edited by Heaveho on Saturday 26th May 22:28

aaron_2000

5,407 posts

83 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

Shiv_P said:

aaron_2000 said:

I can say probably none of them will be reliable tongue out

Personally I would maybe look at SEAT Exeo estate - basically a B7 A4 but newer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

In what universe is a 320d not gonna be reliable? They do more than triple the mileage regularly

Shiv_P

2,746 posts

105 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

aaron_2000 said:

In what universe is a 320d not gonna be reliable? They do more than triple the mileage regularly

It's a 14 year old car and will be becoming tired in suspension, probably will be rusting etc. For the given budget there are much more applicable cars. The engine is strong no doubt but it is almost guaranteed that wear and tear parts will constantly need replacing at this age

steve-5snwi

8,664 posts

93 months

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Saturday 26th May 2018

I would be very wary of any 2.0 cdti Insgnia, the engines have a few issues with oil pressure.

ZX10R NIN

27,594 posts

125 months

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Sunday 27th May 2018

aaron_2000 said:

In what universe is a 320d not gonna be reliable? They do more than triple the mileage regularly

In the universe where this era of BMW's 2.0d engine suffers with timing chain failures with a regularity that makes buying one to much of a lottery to recommend one.

G13NVL

2,755 posts

84 months

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Sunday 27th May 2018

I’m looking for a similar estate shed/dog carrier/ shop work horse and always liked the 2006 shape mondeo st 150 seen one looks decent nick from pictures with 120,000k for £2k but don’t know anything about them is it likely to self destruct within weeks? Even if it lasts a year till it’s next mot I’d be happy then just buy another.

ZX10R NIN

27,594 posts

125 months

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Sunday 27th May 2018

There is no Mondeo ST150.

aaron_2000

5,407 posts

83 months

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