What Cheap Estate for the Mother-in-Law
Discussion
So here we go again...
Mother in Law, at 72, has finally decided her P-plate Escort estate is ready for scrap. She's got about £3250 to drop on a replacement. It must be an estate, either with a big boot, or a smaller vehicle with flat-folding rear seats, as she has to put in a huge cage that will accommodate her huge dog.
Somebody has suggested a cheap (£1750) 206SW, but it sounds tatty as hell. Bristol Peugeot reckon they can do 0% on a £5k 207SW and she's tempted, but would rather avoid taking on debt.
So - £5k 207SW on the never-never, or is there a better car for £3250 cash? Does reasonable miles visiting family, so good motorway manners preferred, reliability also vital.
Any suggestions? I'm looking for a non-starship mileage Focus 1.6TDCi Estate, but can't seem to find one in budget...
ETA: She also is put off by 'old' cars, so under 8 years I'd say, and probably under 80k miles ideally - not asking much!
Mother in Law, at 72, has finally decided her P-plate Escort estate is ready for scrap. She's got about £3250 to drop on a replacement. It must be an estate, either with a big boot, or a smaller vehicle with flat-folding rear seats, as she has to put in a huge cage that will accommodate her huge dog.
Somebody has suggested a cheap (£1750) 206SW, but it sounds tatty as hell. Bristol Peugeot reckon they can do 0% on a £5k 207SW and she's tempted, but would rather avoid taking on debt.
So - £5k 207SW on the never-never, or is there a better car for £3250 cash? Does reasonable miles visiting family, so good motorway manners preferred, reliability also vital.
Any suggestions? I'm looking for a non-starship mileage Focus 1.6TDCi Estate, but can't seem to find one in budget...
ETA: She also is put off by 'old' cars, so under 8 years I'd say, and probably under 80k miles ideally - not asking much!
Edited by Actus Reus on Friday 16th November 11:33
Hmm... putting all those criteria into autotrader makes for slim pickings
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/postc...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/postc...
s2sol said:
I've got a 407SW that just sneaks in under the age restriction, but blows the mileage limit. It's on 193k at the moment. It's going to be a lot less than her budget. It's been reliable for me, and is used principally to cart a dog about.
She won't go for something on those miles - it scares her, whether previously reliable or not - thanks anyway.Have just found a C-Max that's only slightly out of budget before haggling which might be an option.
EFA
Actus Reus said:
Both her and the dog are still living, just about.
And yes - it makes for very slim pickings. Something'll have to give I reckon, or she'll end up in a 207SW on HP - a five year old car that doesn't even have air-con...
How about a B5.5 Passat estate. You could get a decent one for that budget and they are very solid and comfortable cars in my experience. The ones with the PD TDi engines are economical and good for motorway use and all come with air con at least.And yes - it makes for very slim pickings. Something'll have to give I reckon, or she'll end up in a 207SW on HP - a five year old car that doesn't even have air-con...
If its just for a dog an exPolice dog handlers car would be perfect. Saw some ex-Met Passats in Witney auction last year and nobody wanted them,no backseats a vent in the roof and a bit whiffy. Some forces have Focuses or Astras too.
Failing that Berlingo/ Kango type things probably have space for a big dog with the rear seats in place and certainly in the case of the Peugeot are surprisingly refined and quite good fun to drive.
Failing that Berlingo/ Kango type things probably have space for a big dog with the rear seats in place and certainly in the case of the Peugeot are surprisingly refined and quite good fun to drive.
Vauxhall Signum, a rather unloved car hence you get them very cheap! With the seats folded down they seem to have a fair bit of room too. Something like this?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
There looks to be a few more local ones of the Mazda 6 though they're a year older - definitely seems worth considering.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
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