Reliable estate car

[MaggieWelly]

Hello!

I’ll start this by saying I’m not a car person so all advice is very welcome!

I’m expecting a baby in a couple of months so am therefore looking for an estate car to fit 2 car seats and a pushchair and largeish dog in the boot!

What’s most important to us is reliability, as well as economy. And the bigger the better! Our budget is 12k but would rather pay 10ish. We’d like a car that’s going to last us a number of years.

I’ve had a trawl through autotrader and there’s so many options… not sure whether to go for a lower spec but younger and lower mileage model like an Astra or a slightly older, higher mileage model like a Scoda Superb.

Completely open to suggestions!

Also, do you think it’s worth holding off at all for second hand car prices to fall and if so are there any thoughts on when that might be?

Thanks 😊

[MaggieWelly]

And what’s most important when looking at specific cars? Age, mileage, service history? And is there anything specific that needs to be checked with specific models / e.g xyz should be changed at 40k miles in an Astra

[stevemcs]

If you want reliability then Toyota is your friend.

[ZX10R NIN]

MaggieWelly said:

Hello!

I’ll start this by saying I’m not a car person so all advice is very welcome!

I’m expecting a baby in a couple of months so am therefore looking for an estate car to fit 2 car seats and a pushchair and largeish dog in the boot!

What’s most important to us is reliability, as well as economy. And the bigger the better! Our budget is 12k but would rather pay 10ish. We’d like a car that’s going to last us a number of years.

I’ve had a trawl through autotrader and there’s so many options… not sure whether to go for a lower spec but younger and lower mileage model like an Astra or a slightly older, higher mileage model like a Scoda Superb.

Completely open to suggestions!

Also, do you think it’s worth holding off at all for second hand car prices to fall and if so are there any thoughts on when that might be?

Thanks ??

Firstly how many miles will you be doing per year? What will be you main journey type? I will say that most modern cars are reliable.

You say you're not a car person so I will say this, in terms of maintenance make sure you change the oil every 10k the actual service interval longer but on engines with a turbo it's better to not let the oil breakdown to much.

[biggbn]

MaggieWelly said:

Hello!

I’ll start this by saying I’m not a car person so all advice is very welcome!

I’m expecting a baby in a couple of months so am therefore looking for an estate car to fit 2 car seats and a pushchair and largeish dog in the boot!

What’s most important to us is reliability, as well as economy. And the bigger the better! Our budget is 12k but would rather pay 10ish. We’d like a car that’s going to last us a number of years.

I’ve had a trawl through autotrader and there’s so many options… not sure whether to go for a lower spec but younger and lower mileage model like an Astra or a slightly older, higher mileage model like a Scoda Superb.

Completely open to suggestions!

Also, do you think it’s worth holding off at all for second hand car prices to fall and if so are there any thoughts on when that might be?

Thanks ??

My dad had a Kia C'eed 1.6 Diesel Estate, think it was a 65/66 plate if memory serves. Well specced, comfy, reliable, find a good one with a fsh and you will still have the balance of Kia's warranty. Not an exciting car, but a great car for someone who is not a car person!!

[Davie]

Funnily, a friend of a friend asked me similar the other night before sending a link to a Volvo V70 which they felt would be bomb proof as they wanted reliability.

No car is guaranteed to be reliable regardless of what is it and so I've also said if you go in expecting that, one day you're going to be disappointed. Instead better to consider common issue of certain models, average running costs etc and pray you pick a good one and luck is on your side.

I've yet to be let down or left stranded by a Volvo. But reliable? Bomb proof? Nope... plenty niggles, lots of preventative maintenance and some luck too. I'm pretty sure the same could be applied to any car, even a Toyota. Be realistic in your goals and be very honest with what you need - a diesel? Power? High spec? Something you don't care about cosmetically? An SUV?

Make a wish list of what you want as far as size, spec, running costs and such like go and a list of things you don't want... that should filter out a lot of cars that could be suggested but may not actually suit your needs.

Two baby seats, a buggy and a dog take up a lot of room... I have all bar the dog and regularly max out a large Volvo. Don't underestimate how much crap kids need - changing bags, spare clothes, wellies, the scooter... then add a coupe of bags of shopping or a trip to IKEA or the beach...

[ZX10R NIN]

The Insignia Estate is the pick at this price point with reliability mileage spec running costs & age being your concerns here's the cars I'd consider.

2.0d Insignia SRI Nav 160

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111300...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112020...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...

Elite Nav 160

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112170...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112130...

If you don't mind haggling & stretching the budget then the 508SW in GT spec is a very good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112170...

Petrol Options.

2.0T SRI VX Line Nav 250 this one comes with a years Network Q warranty:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112300...

2.0i Mazda6 Sport Nav 160:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111249...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...

All the above fir your criteria & have around 60k on the clock so have plenty of life left in them

[georgeyboy12345]

Firstly, well done for deciding to go with an estate and not one of those stupid SUVs that are popular at the moment.

If you need a car right now, you won't be able to hold off on buying one.

Personally, I'd value a newer car with a higher mileage over something old and low miles. Higher mileages are more likely to be accrued on the motorway, which is a lower stress environment for a car, as opposed to short city journeys with lots of stopping/starting and not getting warm which puts high stress on motors. A car with a higher mileage on it is more likely to be honest, i.e. less likely to have been clocked. Get the car serviced at least once a year, and get it done at a brand independent specialist, not a main dealer who'll rip you off. Full service history definitely has value, I'd avoid anything that doesn't have one if you want maximum reliability.


Here's some suggestions, starting with what I think will be most reliable

Mazda 6 2.0 Skyactiv Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...


Mercedes C220 CDI Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112140...


VW Passat 2.0 TDI Variant
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112290...


Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110319...


BMW 518d SE Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201061...

[trevalvole]

If you mostly do short (less than 20 minutes) or stop/start or low average speed journeys, then don't get a diesel as the exhaust won't get hot enough to stop the particulate filter from filling up which will end up costing you far more than the fuel costs you've saved. There's also generally considered to be an annual mileage figure below which it is not worth getting a diesel, which is probably of the order of 10,000 miles a year.

I don't know if ULEZ compliance is important to you - if it is, then check any diesels registered before Euro6 came into force in 2015 are compliant.

[PH User]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Firstly, well done for deciding to go with an estate and not one of those stupid SUVs that are popular at the moment.

If you need a car right now, you won't be able to hold off on buying one.

Personally, I'd value a newer car with a higher mileage over something old and low miles. Higher mileages are more likely to be accrued on the motorway, which is a lower stress environment for a car, as opposed to short city journeys with lots of stopping/starting and not getting warm which puts high stress on motors. A car with a higher mileage on it is more likely to be honest, i.e. less likely to have been clocked. Get the car serviced at least once a year, and get it done at a brand independent specialist, not a main dealer who'll rip you off. Full service history definitely has value, I'd avoid anything that doesn't have one if you want maximum reliability.


Here's some suggestions, starting with what I think will be most reliable

Mazda 6 2.0 Skyactiv Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...


Mercedes C220 CDI Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112140...


VW Passat 2.0 TDI Variant
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112290...


Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110319...


BMW 518d SE Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201061...

What's stupid about an SUV?

[oceanview]

PH User said:

What's stupid about an SUV?

Usually drives worse than the estate, less economical, slower, quite often less load area and, you're being a bit of a sheep.

[Johnnytheboy]

oceanview said:

PH User said:

What's stupid about an SUV?

Usually drives worse than the estate, less economical, slower, quite often less load area and, you're being a bit of a sheep.

...add in lower boot floor height, great if your dog isn't super athletic!

[PH User]

oceanview said:

PH User said:

What's stupid about an SUV?

Usually drives worse than the estate, less economical, slower, quite often less load area and, you're being a bit of a sheep.

The sheep thing is a bit of a sad old tired thing to say, just because something is popular doesn't make people sheep like. Were people sheep like when they used to choose estates?

I notice you've only gone for the bad points and none of the good points.

Oh and I don't own and never have owned an SUV and I don't even want one.

[stevemcs]

The world does need more estates and less SUV's to be fair.

[Davie]

Obviously the anti-SUV gang are negating the perceived increased safety aspect that an SUV brings given it's size and elevated driving position, which along with an increased ground clearance can be quite reassuring and useful if your intended usage deems so. But given the OP is expecting a baby, arguably the prime demographic for an SUV - plus it is a bit easier loading babies in carriers or fighty toddlers in to a car that is higher. Granted, the blingy SUV stuff is a bit "lifestyle" but one that leans towards more utilitarian / urban / child proof is no bad thing and something I'd consider, but again very much depends on personal choice and usage. They're not all stupid.

MaggieWelly said:

What’s most important to us.. ...the bigger the better!

So based on that, I wouldn't rule out an SUV however also based on having two kids under 5 and their associated crap then I'd be looking at bigger than an Astra / Golf / Focus class of car as they do start to struggle when you start to throw in a rather big buggy and such like. If you're the sort of people who go away regularly, be it big days out or over nighters to relatives then something of that size will likely be rather compromised.

I think with many "What car..?" threads, there's rarely anybody who has a complete blank sheet - even my wife who cares not for cars, isn't interested in driving dynamics or badge kudos, still managed to voice her opinion when it came to changing cars the last times citing "I don't like X, Y or Z" and also "Oh, Karen has one of those Ford taxi things - I like that" (It was an S-Max) so even non car people will have a rough idea of what they want / don't want. So on that basis, anything out there caught your eye OP? Might help zero in the guns on something.

Edited by Davie on Sunday 9th January 20:47

[irish boy]

I was in the same boat, being a Toyota fan I went for this avensis.

2015, 21k miles, full heated leather, pano roof etc etc. 62 mpg combined, £30 tax and Toyota reliability. It was £8k.

Also has another 4 years warranty with Toyotas 10 year scheme.

[ZX10R NIN]

irish boy said:

I was in the same boat, being a Toyota fan I went for this avensis.

2015, 21k miles, full heated leather, pano roof etc etc. 62 mpg combined, £30 tax and Toyota reliability. It was £8k.

Also has another 4 years warranty with Toyotas 10 year scheme.

Toyota are not known for their diesel engines being reliable, that's not to say yours won't be but with another 4 years of warranty left I can understand why you wouldn't worry.

[MiniMan64]

irish boy said:

I was in the same boat, being a Toyota fan I went for this avensis.

2015, 21k miles, full heated leather, pano roof etc etc. 62 mpg combined, £30 tax and Toyota reliability. It was £8k.

Also has another 4 years warranty with Toyotas 10 year scheme.

To be fair if you're after a 'white-goods' vehicle (in black) to get you from A-B then that seems like decent value

[irish boy]

ZX10R NIN said:

Toyota are not known for their diesel engines being reliable, that's not to say yours won't be but with another 4 years of warranty left I can understand why you wouldn't worry.

You just need to know what your buying. The 2.2 isn’t the best (same engine in the is220d) and the 2.0 2ADhad a head gasket issue when launched but by the time this shape came out they were bullet proof. Don’t even seem to give dpf issues for those who don’t use them correctly. For the 2016 model year they changed to bmw engines as the 2AD wasn’t euro6, and they didn’t want to invest money to get it through. These do give some problems usual timing chain/egr etc.

The 2012 facelift also introduced some suspension changes which apparently the gt86 team were involved with. It actually drives really well compared to my previous one. It’s in a different league of feel/quality/driving etc to a friends similar priced Vauxhall estate.

Incidentally the older 1cd-ftv d4d and previous td are also bomb proof, wouldn’t even like to tell you how many miles I piled on those.

Anyway here’s a 2AD posted recently, guy came on to say he’s at 430k now.

Edited by irish boy on Monday 10th January 08:23

[trevalvole]

MaggieWelly said:

And what’s most important when looking at specific cars? Age, mileage, service history? And is there anything specific that needs to be checked with specific models / e.g xyz should be changed at 40k miles in an Astra

One thing to watch out for is whether the engine has a cam chain or cam belt, and if it has a belt whether it has been changed on schedule. Both cam chains and belts do the same job of stopping the pistons hitting the valves and breaking the engine, but properly designed chains should last the life of the car, whereas some belts can need changing every four years at around £500 a time. I think the Skoda Superb and most recent Volkswagen Group cars will have timing belts, but I recall they are long-life ones that will last for around 100,000 miles. The best way to find out whether a car has a belt or a chain is to google something like "2017 Vauxhall Astra 2.0 diesel cam chain or belt?". If a car has a cam belt which should have been changed, then you need as much proof as possible that it has been changed - at a minimum on the service record and ideally also an invoice. If you aren't sure that the belt has been changed, then the seller should further reduce the price by around £500 (or whatever a garage quotes for the work) and you should get the belt changed as soon as possible.

Edited by trevalvole on Monday 10th January 10:09