Comfortable reliable auto petrol estate - £5k max

[littlecoffee]

Hi all! Long time lurker here. I haven't owned a car for a few years and I'm out of touch with the cost of cars these days, so appreciate any input

I'm after a N/A petrol estate for a mix of occasional 200 mile motorway trips, house renovations/tip runs, some mild offroading, and pottering around B roads year round (so something I can put some decent all-season/winter tyres on). I'll do about 8000 miles a year.

I live outsde a ULEZ but would drive in to the London one 6-8 times a year. Might be cheaper just to pay the fee each time??

Not a fan of cheap rattling interiors or Fords. Needs a bit of grunt as I live in a very hilly area (I don't mean loads, just like not a 1.0L petrol hah).

Auto would be great but not too fussed.

Cheap repairs and reliability a plus, happy to pay a bit more for this, as I don't have a trusted garage where I live currently.

Budget £5k max but less preferred.

Any suggestions?

Thank you all

Edited by littlecoffee on Wednesday 16th August 13:25

Edited by littlecoffee on Wednesday 16th August 14:27

[stevemcs]

Decide what you want because your not going to get everything, however your looking for a Toyota Auris.

[troika]

Has to be a Subaru Outback, surely?

[nobrakes]

E350CGI

2008. 129k miles 5grand

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308090...

It’s even ULEZ compliant so almost depreciation proof!

[Bannock]

Teensy budget squeeze for an ex-filth Skoda Superb 3.6 V6:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301283...

VW Passat 4 Motion:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304276...

And for a bit of a laugh, here you go, right on budget, can guarantee comfort if not reliability:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212032...

Edited by Bannock on Wednesday 16th August 14:59

[littlecoffee]

Thanks all for the suggestions so far. I know I had a lot of requirements/wants. One car to do everything might be a bit much... I guess 2 cars is the answer?

I think I gave the slight wrong impression r.e. power, but some of those engines are tempting!

Also love the nostalgic "out there" suggestion of the Granada! Hah!

[boyse7en]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308030...

I've got the diesel version, but for a reliable load-lugger these take some beating. Carrying capacity is huge, and they wear their miles well (although this one is very very low mileage). Not a bad steer either, though obviously they are no sports car.

[Bannock]

Accord is a good shout, could maybe squeak the later shape at your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307069...

[ZX10R NIN]

With you only going into ULEZ up to 8 times a year I'd just pay it.

Leftfield

300C:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307310...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307129...

Saab 9-5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303054...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302174...

In all honesty I'd struggle to look past an E350 Avantgarde:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308050...