What costs £5k, does 35mpg+& carries a bike in the back ?

[Patrick1964]

You tell me please ! I do about 12000 miles a year, my daily commute is either ten miles on country lanes or fifteen on A roads & dual carriageway. I need to be able to carry a road bike in the back and a tow bar would be useful. I value comfort over performance but don't want a slug. Must not be too big so no 9-5's or big Volvo's please.

Current options include Saab 9-3 1.8t estate, MG ZT-Z Diesel, X-Type, V50

Any other ideas please ?

[Condi]

Pug 306 Hdi estate does 45+ to the gallon, costs £500 and carries the everything but the kitchen sink even while the back seats are still up.

For the bike - proper bike (brum brum) - I do use a trailer though.

[wolfie1978]

e46 or e39 diesel touring

[entwisi]

Honda Accord CDTI?

[zippyprorider]

Even car I can think of with folding rear seats (even a mini) will fit a bike in the back with wheels off or do you want to keep the wheels on?

[RobM77]

I think the latest Civic will take a bike across the back without putting the seats down! At least it's advertised as such.

I've got a tow bar carrier for my E90 320d, which is great. However, I've since upgraded to a much more expensive road bike, so if I don't need the rear seats then I pop the front wheel off and put the bike in the back of the car. I can therefore confirm that a 56cm road bike goes in the back of an E90 with the rear seats down and the front wheel off.

HTH in some small way.

[tomg88]

Must be able to find a decent A4 for that money as well. I'd be looking at the 9-3s and Volvos though I think.

[busta]

Anything Peugeot 106 size or bigger will take a bike in the back with the front wheel off and seats folded down.

[wheedler]

A vw passat with 170 bhp diesel engine. I'm a big fan if the latest Honda Acord, 5k can't buy you one if those unfortunately

[Patrick1964]

Sorry, I should add I don't mind taking the front wheel off but not both, and I don't want a French hatch. Once bitten etc...would be nice if the car had some style, hence the SAAB / Jag option

I don't trust the VAG options, am I mistaken ?

[wheedler]

There's nothing wrong with VAG stuff unless you pay 30k and expect to have Japanese reliability

[truck71]

A van.

[Nigel Worc's]

Patrick1964 said:

You tell me please ! I do about 12000 miles a year, my daily commute is either ten miles on country lanes or fifteen on A roads & dual carriageway. I need to be able to carry a road bike in the back and a tow bar would be useful. I value comfort over performance but don't want a slug. Must not be too big so no 9-5's or big Volvo's please.

Current options include Saab 9-3 1.8t estate, MG ZT-Z Diesel, X-Type, V50

Any other ideas please ?

To be honest with you, just about anything you can fit the bike in !

Do you prefer front wheel drive, or rear wheel drive ?

If rwd, have a peak at BMW estates, 5 series is my suggestion.

[Risotto]

Another vote for a Civic. Big boot, rear seats fold flat or seat bases can be locked upright instead.





Admittedly the wheels have been removed in the latter pic but if you only want one bike in there, there would be ample room to lie it down with the wheels on.

Edited by Risotto on Thursday 21st February 19:48

[fjord]

wolfie1978 said:

e46 or e39 diesel touring

I'd say the petrol.

I do the same mileage as the OP and get aobut 34mpg from mine, and i really have to treat it carefully for this.

Contrary to opinion, the E46 is NOT a reliable car.

[Nigel Worc's]

fjord said:

I'd say the petrol.

Quite, I'd avoid any modern diesel like the plauge !

I'd also avoid MG Rover, unless you like breakdown trucks.