Need to find a runabout vehicle this weekend

[funkyrobot]

As titled, I need to find a runabout vehicle this weekend. Budget is as close to £1000 as possible. It will be used for a mix of long trips and short jaunts. Ideally looking for something estate size as will be ferrying bicycles around.

I'm tall, so it can't be too small. Would also be a bonus if it was something I could learn to fix myself.

I've looked at K11 Micra's as they seem good to learn on. However, they are quite small.

Diesel would be ok due to the long runs I'm doing. Petrol probably better as the long runs will be a few times a week, not everyday.

Any ideas anyone? Would be really beneficial if I could find it by this weekend as I transport to take a look around.

[Croutons]

Why are you asking us rather than being on Gumtree looking at anything and everything close by?

If you're time limited do you really have the luxury of wasting it running after dreams? Well, probably nightmares at a grand, but what can you do?

ETA: you need an estate but are looking at Micra's?

Have you been drinking?

Edited by Croutons on Tuesday 8th January 19:10

[A500leroy]

get looking at the car versions of the partner/berlingo/kangoo/doblo if i were you.

dont know your location but,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-X-REG-CITROEN-BERL...f:0

Edited by A500leroy on Tuesday 8th January 19:21

[funkyrobot]

Croutons said:

Why are you asking us rather than being on Gumtree looking at anything and everything close by?

If you're time limited do you really have the luxury of wasting it running after dreams? Well, probably nightmares at a grand, but what can you do?

ETA: you need an estate but are looking at Micra's?

Have you been drinking?

Edited by Croutons on Tuesday 8th January 19:10

No. I haven't been drinking yet.

I looked at Micra's due to the ease of working on them. In that sense, they would be great. However, they are tiny.

Thanks for your help.

[funkyrobot]

A500leroy said:

get looking at the car versions of the partner/berlingo/kangoo/doblo if i were you.

dont know your location but,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-X-REG-CITROEN-BERL...f:0

Edited by A500leroy on Tuesday 8th January 19:21

Thanks. Never considered anything like that so good shout.

I'm based in Lincolnshire, but am not bothered about travelling.

[magpie215]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

Ramp for ease of loading :-)

[funkyrobot]

magpie215 said:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

Ramp for ease of loading :-)

That's a good shout.

[mikeyr]

You could get a well looked after 307 SW for that money. Just sold ours (53 plate) which was a decent enough drive and you could take out rear seats for loads of room.

Have bought a Berlingo Mpv to replace it, 09 plate for a grand but doubt you'll get anything like that age, think we got lucky.

Otherwise a tatty Honda Jazz would suit as you can use those clever magic seats.

[Pothole]

I'm on my second one of these as a winter snotter. Not huge in the back but you'll get a bike in with front wheel off. You can't kill them and they're easy as pie to work on.

[A500leroy]

or if you like fixing things

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-LANDROVER-FREELAND...f:0&LH_BIN=1

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say find yourself a Vauxhall Signum you can get a nice clean one for you budget:

2.0T Signum Elegance

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

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

Vectra SRI Estate

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

[funkyrobot]

Thanks all. Some good suggestions. Some I've not even considered.

Tomorrow will be spent looking at the ads above and seeing what other similar examples are around.

[GreatGranny]

Where abouts in Lincs are you?

Is Newark too far?

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

Saab

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Saab-9-3-1-8t-Line...

[Jamescrs]

Gumtree is your friend,

Stick your postcode in with say a 50 mile radius, filter to estate cars and private sellers and see what comes up in your area.

I'd be avoiding traders at your budget because they will have bought the cars for £5-600 and be adding their profit on.

[funkyrobot]

GreatGranny said:

Where abouts in Lincs are you?

Is Newark too far?

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

Saab

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Saab-9-3-1-8t-Line...

I'm only an hour from Newark. Bit dubious of traders at this price point though.

Thanks.

[GreatGranny]

funkyrobot said:

I'm only an hour from Newark. Bit dubious of traders at this price point though.

Thanks.

Yes see your point but they do seem a good buy (Mondeo)

I'm in Sleaford so I'll keep an eye out.

Sometimes there's the occasional bargain on Facebook hidden within the normal crap on there.

Ebay, Preloved and Gumtree are your best bet.

[funkyrobot]

GreatGranny said:

Yes see your point but they do seem a good buy (Mondeo)

I'm in Sleaford so I'll keep an eye out.

Sometimes there's the occasional bargain on Facebook hidden within the normal crap on there.

Ebay, Preloved and Gumtree are your best bet.

Thanks. Can't hurt taking a look. I'm only 25 miles from you and used to work in Sleaford.

[TeamBigfoot]

GreatGranny said:

Saab

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Saab-9-3-1-8t-Line...

A point to note - This Saab is priced up in the window as £795, yet advertised at £995.

[Fermit and Sexy Sarah]

funkyrobot said:

GreatGranny said:

Where abouts in Lincs are you?

Is Newark too far?

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

Saab

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Saab-9-3-1-8t-Line...

I'm only an hour from Newark. Bit dubious of traders at this price point though.

Thanks.

Falcoln Motors (the Mondeo) are a fair outfit. I've hired vans off them before, and they've always been on the level.

[SWoll]

I was in a very similar situation a few years ago and in desperation bought a Mondeo like the one above privately for about £1500.

Kept if for 12 months and 25k miles. Nice to drive, plenty of space (I'm 6.4), big hatchback boot with folding seats for the bikes and cheap as chips to run. Looked at assorted other cars from the same era and were all worse to drive, not as well built and more expensive to maintain.