What car for my retiring Dad - up to £5k.
Discussion
So, my Dad is retiring in June and is going to treat himself to a new car. He's old school, and has been driving an X-reg Mondeo Ghia estate for the last 6 years which has now covered 175k miles (Trigger's broom). I'm trying to convince him to get something a bit more exotic than what he naturally wants (a newer Mondeo diesel estate 
) and I think he's coming round.
So, his requirements:
Cheers
) and I think he's coming round.So, his requirements:
- Estate - he's obsessed with load-lugging ability even though he rarely lugs a load.
- Diesel - even though the Mondeo was probably only returning 35mpg he wants another diesel.
- Reliable - he's thrown thousands at the Mondeo over the years so I'd rather he got something a bit more reliable
- Budget - maximum £5k, preferably a bit less.
- He drives a manual now and is reasonably fit (touch wood) so probably won't need an automatic.
- E46 320d Tourer.
- Jaaaaag X-Type Estate - but at this price they all seem to be pov-spec 'Classic'
Cheers
Perhaps a Subaru Legacy would be within his budget. Excellent load lugging ability, nice interior and driving position and excellent reputation for reliability.
I would also forget a diesel car unless he is going to do 20,000 miles a year or more. Diesel now costs more than unleaded so if you do a calculation with your Dad about MPG and costs per litre he might see that a petrol car would be more beneficial to him.
I would also forget a diesel car unless he is going to do 20,000 miles a year or more. Diesel now costs more than unleaded so if you do a calculation with your Dad about MPG and costs per litre he might see that a petrol car would be more beneficial to him.
Most of the suggestions are a fair bit smaller than a Mondeo Estate (which is actually a very big Estate car) so if he is obsessed with lugging he might not like them.
Obvious choice would be a V70 D5 although it will have a few miles on it in your price bracket but it is more comfortable and more economical than the Mondeo and actually about the same size (assuming we're talking a Mk 3 Mondeo and 00-07 Volvo).
Obvious choice would be a V70 D5 although it will have a few miles on it in your price bracket but it is more comfortable and more economical than the Mondeo and actually about the same size (assuming we're talking a Mk 3 Mondeo and 00-07 Volvo).
PaperCut said:
I'm going to say VAG ;
Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDi PD 130 Estate - or even the newer model with the 2.0 TDi 140?
Seat Altea 2.0 TDi? Not an estate but a sort of MAV(?)
Audi A4/A6 Avants?
BMW E46s drive nice but i don't think he'd forgive you when it comes to servicing & replacing parts!
Good shouts with the VAG cars. I've just done a quick search and the Octavia doesn't half hold it's value well. It's difficult to find a decent one for £5k.Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDi PD 130 Estate - or even the newer model with the 2.0 TDi 140?
Seat Altea 2.0 TDi? Not an estate but a sort of MAV(?)
Audi A4/A6 Avants?
BMW E46s drive nice but i don't think he'd forgive you when it comes to servicing & replacing parts!
Grey Ghost said:
Perhaps a Subaru Legacy would be within his budget. Excellent load lugging ability, nice interior and driving position and excellent reputation for reliability.
I would also forget a diesel car unless he is going to do 20,000 miles a year or more. Diesel now costs more than unleaded so if you do a calculation with your Dad about MPG and costs per litre he might see that a petrol car would be more beneficial to him.
Whereas I can't believe how cheap you can get a petrol Legacy for, and even more so an Impreza non-turbo. 105bhp though...I would also forget a diesel car unless he is going to do 20,000 miles a year or more. Diesel now costs more than unleaded so if you do a calculation with your Dad about MPG and costs per litre he might see that a petrol car would be more beneficial to him.
I'll knock up a fuel cost spreadsheet and show him on Saturday. I imagine he'll be doing 10k absolute maximum a year.
confused_buyer said:
Most of the suggestions are a fair bit smaller than a Mondeo Estate (which is actually a very big Estate car) so if he is obsessed with lugging he might not like them.
Obvious choice would be a V70 D5 although it will have a few miles on it in your price bracket but it is more comfortable and more economical than the Mondeo and actually about the same size (assuming we're talking a Mk 3 Mondeo and 00-07 Volvo).
Cheers. I'll have a look at some V70's. Although his best friend has one so I don't think he'll be too keen unless it's 'better' than his. Obvious choice would be a V70 D5 although it will have a few miles on it in your price bracket but it is more comfortable and more economical than the Mondeo and actually about the same size (assuming we're talking a Mk 3 Mondeo and 00-07 Volvo).
NadiR said:
I'm surprised I didn't think of those as I'm a big fan, thanks. Shared engine with GM/Fiat too so parts shouldn't be an issue.BarnatosGhost said:
Often go pop at 100k. Be wary.
course they do... I'd best tell mine its 85K miles further than it should be and the lad on the forums on 238K clearly has a disobedient one then as well.......as with all modern diesels they have a DMF ( replacement clutch and DMF from 800 quid) but no DPF. they have a known extended warranty on exhaust manifolds of 7 years and 125K miles and early ones have warranty extension for rattly timing chains. Other than the above they seem to be well screwed together. I bought mine on 130K 2 years ago, its needed oil and filters since although the original clutch is now slipping in 3rd and 4th if I boot it but its been like that for 35K now...... drive normally in those and its fine.
entwisi said:
BarnatosGhost said:
Often go pop at 100k. Be wary.
course they do... I'd best tell mine its 85K miles further than it should be and the lad on the forums on 238K clearly has a disobedient one then as well.......Though, when you're there, don't get into a discussion about the relative meanings of the words 'often' and 'always'.
Vauxhall Signum http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I like this A4 though http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I like this A4 though http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Bumpety Bump!
So, he's taken his private plate off the Mondeo and is getting ready toscrap sell it.
I think I've managed to convince him that he doesn't need an estate, but he definitely wants to stick to diesel.
Budget is still £5k, and I'd like it to be something reasonably 'special' as he'll be keeping it for a while hopefully.
I quite like the look of the 2.7 V6TT diesel Jag S-Type, as does my Dad. What are they like generally? Reliable? It's the same engine as in the Discovery of the same vintage, right? Peugeot-developed? ZF auto-box should be ok?
This looks nice.
So, he's taken his private plate off the Mondeo and is getting ready to
I think I've managed to convince him that he doesn't need an estate, but he definitely wants to stick to diesel.
Budget is still £5k, and I'd like it to be something reasonably 'special' as he'll be keeping it for a while hopefully.
I quite like the look of the 2.7 V6TT diesel Jag S-Type, as does my Dad. What are they like generally? Reliable? It's the same engine as in the Discovery of the same vintage, right? Peugeot-developed? ZF auto-box should be ok?
This looks nice.
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