Estate/workhorse for property refurb

[johnnyBv8]

We're about to embark on a fairly extensive property refurbishment, so I'm planning to sell my daily runaround (Mk7 Golf GTI) and replace it with a cheaper estate car up to around £8k, big enough for materials, trips to the tip, occasional stuff on the roof etc. Last time I did this I had an ex-police T5 (V70) which I really liked, followed by an E61 525i which was comfy but slow!

I'd like something that will be fairly easy to sell on when I'm done with it. Current thoughts:

S4 Avant (2003-)
A4 Allroad (2007-)
A6 Allroad
BMW 3 series touring (E91)
Volvo XC70 (2007-)
Discovery 4 (3.0TDV6...I think the earlier 2.7 would be too slow and wallowy)

No really need for the Allroad/XC versions - I just like the look of them (!), though they do generally have roof rails which can be useful. Wondering if the A4 and 3 series might be a bit too limited space-wise.

Not too concerned about full economy, and I'm not a Vauxhall or Ford fan. Any other obvious cars to look at?

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Sunday 4th October 09:49

[Mr Pointy]

What about a Skoda Superb? Plenty of room in the back, although at that price quite a few will be ex-taxis so you would need to choose carefully.

[defblade]

Loved my A6 Avant through our house renovation - a couple of years of swapping between rubble van and tidy family car just by putting the back seats up and down (and the occasional hoover). Big enough to just run down to B&Q and buy a tall radiator and just throw it in the back

[CrgT16]

Wouldn’t make more sense to either buy something shed like 1-2 k and keep the Golf? For building materials/stuff you want something you don’t care much about, the sell if probably not loosing any money?

[Pica-Pica]

A van?

[alphahotelbravo]

Pica-Pica said:

A van?

Maybe check what your local tip (sorry - "community recycling centre") allows - some assume you're a tradesman if you turn up in a van and won't let you in.

[imck]

If you are using it as a Mobile Skip, something cheaper that you don't mind dents/scratches/spills might be better?
MPV? Some have removable Seats to make for a good load area.
Ford Galaxy, Mazda 5, Honda FRV, etc.

If you intend selling it when the Refurb is complete not worth getting hung up on Makes and Models.

If you want something semi decent for Daily Duties and suitable for occasional Tip and Builders Merchant Trips, ignore me !

[elanfan]

XC70 and buy a load liner so it’ll still be looking good after you’re done. Load liner can be popped out and pressure washed if necessary.

[ZX10R NIN]

Using an MPV gets you around the van at a tip issue & also gives you more practical space.

What's wrong with Ford/Vauxhall I'd say half the budget & buy a Galaxy/S Max prefect for a house renovation tool

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008152...

2.5T S Max

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007221...

Nissan Elgrand

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009294...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

[johnnyBv8]

ZX10R NIN said:

Using an MPV gets you around the van at a tip issue & also gives you more practical space.

What's wrong with Ford/Vauxhall I'd say half the budget & buy a Galaxy/S Max prefect for a house renovation tool

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008152...

2.5T S Max

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007221...

Nissan Elgrand

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009294...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

I just see MPVs might have to be on the timeline if/when we have a family, and I'd rather not have one before I need one!

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Sunday 4th October 13:18

[johnnyBv8]

CrgT16 said:

Wouldn’t make more sense to either buy something shed like 1-2 k and keep the Golf? For building materials/stuff you want something you don’t care much about, the sell if probably not loosing any money?

I think that'd be a car too many - we've already got 4 between us (ok, 3 mine!), but none of the others are suitable, so I think the Golf would be replaced.

Thanks to others for their suggestions so far too.

[alfabeat]

I use a Skoda Octavia Estate (with roof rails/bars for ladders) for house maintenance. Really quite roomy inside with the rear seats down. 2.0 diesel (remapped to 195bhp), and it's certainly quick enough and still returns 55mpg on the motorway.

The big thing for me is being able to go to my local tip to get rid of rubbish.

Loads around for your budget. Mine was £6k (2012 plate Scout, 4x4) on 60k miles.

[E36Ross]

Mid 90s Pajero / Shogun for £1500 or so.

Why spend £8k on something your going to somewhat abuse and then sell on?

[bearman68]

Mmm, I can see a 2.7 disco being too slow and wallowy to go to the tip, and buying building materials.
Must be a first world problem on how to spend £8k for a car to go to the tip. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/8.gif

You could always think of a trailer. - 8x4 boards will never fit in anything that's been suggested anyway. That's proper van territory that.

So, my suggestion would be a Grand scenic 1.9 dci auto, and a 8x4 1.5t trailer. 3k tops, and the trailer would sell for almost the same you paid for it.

Just can't understand why anyone would spend 8k for a car to carry dirty stuff short distances.

[johnnyBv8]

bearman68 said:

Mmm, I can see a 2.7 disco being too slow and wallowy to go to the tip, and buying building materials.
Must be a first world problem on how to spend £8k for a car to go to the tip. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/8.gif

You could always think of a trailer. - 8x4 boards will never fit in anything that's been suggested anyway. That's proper van territory that.

So, my suggestion would be a Grand scenic 1.9 dci auto, and a 8x4 1.5t trailer. 3k tops, and the trailer would sell for almost the same you paid for it.

Just can't understand why anyone would spend 8k for a car to carry dirty stuff short distances.

As per my original post, the Mk7 Golf is my daily driver. The plan is to replace it with a daily driver that I can also cart stuff around in. I want to enjoy driving the car too, or at least not hate it, hence comment re not wanting something too slow and wallowy. I managed not to ruin the T5 or the BMW, so I'm sure I can do the same again.

The last place had a builder's merchants about a mile away through 20mph limits, and the T5 took 4x8 sheets on the roof rack.

A trailer is a good shout though - I hadn't even thought of that!

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Sunday 4th October 14:15

[elanfan]

Do they allow trailers at your local tip?

XC70 D5 goes when you want it to.

[ZX10R NIN]

fair enough E350 Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

E320cdi Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008272...

Infiniti FX

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009123...

EX

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009213...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009224...

[psychoR1]

Jeep Grand Cherokee if you must have an SUV

Tbh a galaxy/Alhambra/Sharan will do a better job.....

[Roger Irrelevant]

I've been undertaking a sizeable house renovation for a while and am very familar with both my local recycling centre and various farmers who let me dump rubble on their patch. Until recently I had an Outback, and now have a D5 XC70. I think that sort of car - slightly more rugged estate - is very well suited to the job. I wouldn't bother with anything A4 sized; if you're getting a car to lug stuff about you may as well get a big one. I did consider a 'proper' 4x4 but for the same amount of space inside and the same price you invariably end up with something older, slower and more expensive to run that isn't really any better at the job. So an XC70 gets the thumbs up from me but an A6 Allroad would be good too.

Edit: I'd also say that just because you are using it as a utility vehicle now and again doesn't necessarily mean you're going to wreck it. I've carted god knows how many tons of rubble, tiles, timber and assorted ste in my Volvo and it still scrubs up just fine. Get a boot liner, keep a few sheets handy in the boot and so long as you don't literally throw the stuff in you'll have nothing to worry about.

Edited by Roger Irrelevant on Sunday 4th October 18:29

[johnnyBv8]

How do you find the XC70 to drive? Was looking at reviews today and it seems it didnt get great reviews when launched - mainly due to handling/bodyroll compared to a V70, but ownership reviews are generally much more positive.