Reliable Estate 2k, Suggestions...

[Alan16ac]

Looking for a reliable used estate car. Only want to spend 2k max. Less is even better. It will be used and abused. I don't want to worry about scrapes and dirt with my 4 dogs, skip runs, garden waste and car park dings...
It will just be a work horse.

So far I'm looking at VW Passat and Skoda Octavia Estates with the 1.9 PD. I've had this engine in a Superb and VRS Fabia and I loved it, and know it's reliable.

Volvo V70 with the 2.4D?

Open to petrol options as well, fuel economy isn't really an issue...

Must be at least a little reliable. Obviously I expect maintenance and the odd issue in this price range.

[LordHaveMurci]

Honda Accord, Toyota Avensis, Mazda, Mondeo.

[jay85]

Subaru Legacy?

[Heaveho]

Leggy Lexus IS300 Sportcross ( or 200 if you don't mind it being tortoise ). Dead reliable.

[Matt UK]

I bought a 2007 merc c class for less than your budget. Now on 220k miles and no issues. Inside looks like new.

[GTIAlex]

Heaveho said:

Leggy Lexus IS300 Sportcross ( or 200 if you don't mind it being tortoise ). Dead reliable.

Looking in the boot doesn't seem to lend itself to hauling big loads though.

[Heaveho]

GTIAlex said:

Looking in the boot doesn't seem to lend itself to hauling big loads though.

Fair comment, although obviously the seats drop to take a bit more. Ours is used as a cross between a dog kennel and landfill, copes very well.

[GreatGranny]

IMO stick to Japanese and petrol.

This:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

or this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[downstairs]

jay85 said:

Subaru Legacy?

This. This. And then this.

[Alan16ac]

LordHaveMurci said:

Honda Accord, Toyota Avensis, Mazda, Mondeo.

Accord definitely an option. Seems to have a massive boot too! Never like the Avensis, and don't do Ford (n)

jay85 said:

Subaru Legacy?

Yeah could be an option. I imagine them to be rather thirsty. I was hoping for something at least in the mid 30s. Any experience with them?

Heaveho said:

Leggy Lexus IS300 Sportcross ( or 200 if you don't mind it being tortoise ). Dead reliable.

I have always loved the mk1 IS. I think it's a great looking car. Always wanted to own one, but it would be for modifying. I'd imagine if I bought one I wouldn't be able to resist. The boot isn't too big on these unfortunately.

Matt UK said:

I bought a 2007 merc c class for less than your budget. Now on 220k miles and no issues. Inside looks like new.

Some reliability issues have put me off Merc a little. You had none at all?

GreatGranny said:

IMO stick to Japanese and petrol.

This:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

or this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Why do you say stick to petrol?
I'd definitely stick Jap or German.

[Heaveho]

If it ends up being Jap, I'd deffo stick to petrol, most Jap diesels are pretty crap. Can't vouch for German, I tend to avoid their products full stop! Temporarily a hypocritical statement due to having a Boxster in the garage! For experimental purposes only, you understand!

[Alan16ac]

Heaveho said:

If it ends up being Jap, I'd deffo stick to petrol, most Jap diesels are pretty crap. Can't vouch for German, I tend to avoid their products full stop! Temporarily a hypocritical statement due to having a Boxster in the garage! For experimental purposes only, you understand!

I'd be more than happy running an old VAG 1.9 diesel. Had them in a few cars and they're great engines, and unbelievably economical.
I'm quite happy running a petrol though, less to go wrong and easier to fix when they do. But I do want half decent economy...
You've really got me thinking about an IS now though.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mercedes E320 Elegance

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

C320 Avantgarde SE

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

C270 Classic These are bulletproof

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mondeo ST200

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Mondeo Ghia X

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Vectra 2.8T Elite

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[HelenT]

Another vote for a Legacy, big flat loadspace.Ours is used for the dog, bikes etc Decent enough to drive (2.0L). Subaru reliability is great but spares are expensive.

[Heaveho]

Alan16ac said:

You've really got me thinking about an IS now though.

Sorry about that. Could do a lot worse though. They're better than most things for big miles. Knowledge gained from working for Lexus, plus long term ownership.

If you go for it, there are about 4 things that can be an issue.

The factory head unit will jam cd's. Not maybe, definately.

Bottom ball joints can start to creak and groan, and are best replaced asap. Not barmy money.

The very early ones had ignition switches that collapsed internally at about 50k miles. Very unlikely you would be affected by this as they'll all have been replaced with the later one by now.

Water pumps can drip. No big deal, pressure relief valve sticks, it's not a sign of imminent disaster.

Ours has done about 80k miles, 60k with us, and all but the ignition switch have reared their heads. I knew they would when we bought it, it's always a lot easier to accept when you know it's coming. Nothing's ever disabled it. It's been a great car for us. And sadly, probably worth about a tenner now!

[kurt535]

Heaveho said:

Leggy Lexus IS300 Sportcross ( or 200 if you don't mind it being tortoise ). Dead reliable.

Have a very low mile 2005 Sportcross I purchased a year ago with 26k on the clock. Love it to bits. I can confirm boot will take a Dobermann!

Only downside is fuel burn is @27mpg but hey, its a cheap car in the first place and, being Toyota, they rarely do breakdown!

Edited by kurt535 on Wednesday 26th April 23:15

[Heaveho]

kurt535 said:

Have a very low mile 2005 Sportcross I purchased a year ago with 26k on the clock.

Edited by kurt535 on Wednesday 26th April 23:15

Wow, 26k, well found. Let me know when you want rid.

[battered]

Overcome your prejudice of Ford and try one. Watch for corrosion on door bottoms, other than that they are OK. I bought one 2.5 years ago for loose change as a stopgap, 40k miles on it's still here and has handed me no untoward bills, just the usual MoT related service items. 38mpg average, 1.8 nat asp, everyone knows how to mend them. Mine is a hatch, they are big enough, the estate is a barn on wheels.

The main snag is that it's so bloody competent I can't get round to replacing it with something better. I've been doing 2k miles a month since November without a hitch. I took it across town earlier and it was just very pleasant to drive.

[kurt535]

Heaveho said:

kurt535 said:

Have a very low mile 2005 Sportcross I purchased a year ago with 26k on the clock.

Edited by kurt535 on Wednesday 26th April 23:15

Wow, 26k, well found. Let me know when you want rid.

Heave - love the car to bits. Except I did want to re-chip it but essentially don't bother as Toyota wrapped that one up and its not worth trying. I have considered putting a turbo on but think at 50 I need to reflect on my need for such things! Local ex-main Lexus dealer is dead against me doing anything to it other than getting wheels re-done due to the corrosion they suffer. As a compromise, he did say i could have yellow brake callipers

[Heaveho]

kurt535 said:

Heave - love the car to bits. Except I did want to re-chip it but essentially don't bother as Toyota wrapped that one up and its not worth trying. I have considered putting a turbo on but think at 50 I need to reflect on my need for such things! Local ex-main Lexus dealer is dead against me doing anything to it other than getting wheels re-done due to the corrosion they suffer. As a compromise, he did say i could have yellow brake callipers

Ours is my wife's main car, she's very taken with it. As is the dog! We'd had a couple of Galant V6 estates before it, very good cars in their own right, but only 170 bhp. If I could find another IS at sensible miles, I'd buy it, it's going to be a very difficult car to replace. We were both in the trade, and have preferences for Jap petrol cars generally, not many big engined, auto, Jap estates about that fit the bill.