MPV or Estate for £2000

[Mr.Nobody]

the griffin said:

I run a Signum 1.9CDTi, had it 9 years and it’s been a good reliable family car.
The 1.9 does have a dpf, otherwise same as the Vectra. Check flywheel for rattles and vibration through the clutch, mine has started to rattle.

Thanks for that. Any horror stories to report? Anything to look out for that’s an expensive fix? Are parts easy to come by?

[robertfleckney]

robertfleckney said:

Speaking from experience, the P2 Volvo V70 would make a great work van. The front passenger seat folds down, so it’ll take 2.4m lengths of timber (did this myself with sixty 2.4m lengths of pine floorboard). Then, when finished, it’s back to family duties ferrying five of us round in comfort.

I have a D5 manual, and it’s on 183k. Very comfortable, and mine cost me 2k. It literally does everything and averages 45mpg

[Mr.Nobody]

Any other MPVs to consider? I did think of either Citroen or Renault? But I’ve never had one and they seem quite popular. We used to have a Galaxy but they seem to be fetching a bit more than my budget.

Signum so far looks very good. I’m just after some other choices I then do some research on them and then narrow some down to take a look at. Rather than one car. Thank you.

[the griffin]

Mr.Nobody said:

the griffin said:

I run a Signum 1.9CDTi, had it 9 years and it’s been a good reliable family car.
The 1.9 does have a dpf, otherwise same as the Vectra. Check flywheel for rattles and vibration through the clutch, mine has started to rattle.

Thanks for that. Any horror stories to report? Anything to look out for that’s an expensive fix? Are parts easy to come by?

It's basically a Vectra with more rear leg room. Week points with the 1.9 seem to be flywheel, mines done 100k in 9 years on its second and has now started to go again, the bar on top of the swirl flaps on the inlet manifold fall off but these can be repaired or blanked, DPFs seem fine if driven properly. EGR benifits from cleaning every couple of years.
Mine is on 145k, bought in 2013 on 36k it needed a new flywheel at 40k, swirl flaps/inlet manifold at 80k cambelt/waterpump at 100k. No real problems with it, its still solid underneath and I'm in the dilemma or replace the flywheel or get rid but I would miss it now.

Have a look on vectra-c.com for lots more info.

[Mr.Nobody]

the griffin said:

It's basically a Vectra with more rear leg room. Week points with the 1.9 seem to be flywheel, mines done 100k in 9 years on its second and has now started to go again, the bar on top of the swirl flaps on the inlet manifold fall off but these can be repaired or blanked, DPFs seem fine if driven properly. EGR benifits from cleaning every couple of years.
Mine is on 145k, bought in 2013 on 36k it needed a new flywheel at 40k, swirl flaps/inlet manifold at 80k cambelt/waterpump at 100k. No real problems with it, its still solid underneath and I'm in the dilemma or replace the flywheel or get rid but I would miss it now.

Have a look on vectra-c.com for lots more info.

Sounds okay. I’ve joined that forum too. Just waiting for the moderator to allow me to post. Can I ask what a rough cost was for some of the items that you have mentioned. It’s only so I can budget a car repair fund.

[Mr.Nobody]

I’ve also decided that I may use the car for trips and weekends away around the U.K.

Also a friend sent me this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Volvo-XC70-2-4-D5-...

It’s a little over my budget and I don’t know much about them but possibly worth a look?

Edited by Mr.Nobody on Monday 21st March 21:11

[Mr.Nobody]

Found a couple of Estates and MPVs I just need advice on them;

Renault Laguna

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202022...

Skoda Octavia:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

C Max:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

Berlingo Multispace:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111079...


C4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203183...

[ZX10R NIN]

Those Signum's listed earlier all look like better buys than those listed.

[Mr.Nobody]

ZX10R NIN said:

Those Signum's listed earlier all look like better buys than those listed.

Yeah. I did speak to some on the Vectra forum that was mentioned in a previous post. They said that I maybe better with an estate.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mr.Nobody said:

Yeah. I did speak to some on the Vectra forum that was mentioned in a previous post. They said that I maybe better with an estate.

Have you actually viewed one? The boots are (more boot space than a C Max etc) huge more than enough space for what you describe.

I suggest you actually go & view some of the suggestions you've received.

[Mr.Nobody]

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you actually viewed one? The boots are (more boot space than a C Max etc) huge more than enough space for what you describe.

I suggest you actually go & view some of the suggestions you've received.

I will go and have a look. I still need to convince my parents that’s it’s worthwhile. With my dad just saying that I can use his car as he works from home most of the time.

[Mr.Nobody]

I’ve found two cars which looks okay:

Ford Mondeo Ghia X 3.0:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...


Honda Accord Estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203294...

[Mr.Nobody]

I’ve managed to find this one online. Better spec and a bigger engine:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204094...

[Mr.Nobody]

I’ve been to view a couple of cars. The Signum was okay but some of the stories of the issues on many of the forums has put me off. I know it’s a cheap car but when you have to spend the amount of what the car is worth to fix some of the issues it’s not worth it. The Petrols are also hard to come by.

Also looked at a few MK1 Focus and they have rust issues which is a known problem so it’s a shame. I don’t like the MK2s. Looked a a Skoda Octavia but I think the petrol is not as good as the diesel models. Other suggestions were a Subaru Forester which was very high mileage and lacking SH despite being one owner who wasn’t very helpful with answering questions.

I’ve discounted German brands as they can be really expensive. I could possibly try another Honda, but I had a bad experience with a MK8 Civic and a Jazz.

[Ryyy]

I'd drop a message in the joy of running an old shed, there lots of knowledge there about sub 2k cars. Also I do understand the German notion but it can be swings and roundabouts.

What about at an Avensis,mazda 6,honda cr-v? Does it have to be an estate/mpv? Don't get me wrong it could be a pain in the arse but I used to get all my tools in the back of an astra. Or why not a van? I used to turn my nose up when my dad said why dont you get a van but its the best thing I've ever bought

[Mr.Nobody]

Ryyy said:

I'd drop a message in the joy of running an old shed, there lots of knowledge there about sub 2k cars. Also I do understand the German notion but it can be swings and roundabouts.

What about at an Avensis,mazda 6,honda cr-v? Does it have to be an estate/mpv? Don't get me wrong it could be a pain in the arse but I used to get all my tools in the back of an astra. Or why not a van? I used to turn my nose up when my dad said why dont you get a van but its the best thing I've ever bought

I will have a look at the thread. Avensis sounds very good. I will look at them. I’ve had a van for work and wouldn’t want to get my own as my boss would think I’m doing it for myself and would take offence.

[Ryyy]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... the thread. And if thats the case with your boss then I'd find another your boss can't stop you doing your own work unless you started poaching customers, if anything he/she should be happy youve bought something very practical for your job because they've taken the van off you.

[Challo]

Mr.Nobody said:

I will have a look at the thread. Avensis sounds very good. I will look at them. I’ve had a van for work and wouldn’t want to get my own as my boss would think I’m doing it for myself and would take offence.

Based on your other threads, get a car / van that works for you to carry your tools, ladders etc. if your boss lent your a van before I don’t think they will be bother either way. They just want you at work.

At 2k your always going to take a gamble on stuff breaking. Just look for something privately sold, petrol, manual and has a good history with it. Also check on the previous MOTs and see what’s it’s like for pass or fails etc.

Keep checking gumtree, Facebook and autotrader and something will come up. I would go for Mondeo, Vectra, Mazda6, Saab 9-5, Avenis, Accord. All can be had with non turbo petrol engines. Keep an eye out for the hatchback versions as the boots are huge and with the seats folded down with have loads of space.

[ChattingWham]

There aren't many around but you could have a look at a Seat Toledo (the big, upright MPV-looking one, 2004-2009). My brother had one when he was renovating a house. It was very cheap and massive inside. They ran it for 'dirty jobs' for almost two years. It got bashed about a fair bit but nothing major went wrong with it.

[Mr.Nobody]

I’ve found this on Gumtree:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/volvo/automatic-v70-esta...