have I Missed Anything? (What Car)

[GreatGranny]

As a result of my wife starting work which involves a 40 mile daliy commute the XC90 has gone and we are going for an estate with low running costs but which is also capable of towing a 1400kg caravan so 1.9 or above.
Want diesel as I will be using it as well on her days off for my 80mile daily commute and they are better for towing.
We have 3 kids (13,11 & 7) so it must be big enough to fit them in the back.
Prefer the look of estates so not chosen them just for the additional space.

We have really narrowed it down to the following 4:-

1. Avensis T4/TR 2.0 diesel
2. Passat Bluemotion TDi 140
3. Insignia 2.0 CDTi (160) ecoFLEX
4. Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140

We have strict £8k max budget so looking for highish mileage 2009/10 cars.
Don't really want anything older than 2008

My wife doesn't want an Octavia, doesn't like the looks.
Also towing limit of the VRS is too low, a pity.
Would love a V70 but running costs are a little high.
V50 too small, I have a S40 and its a little tight in the back
A4 ditto, A6 too expensive
5 series too old in our budget, 3 series too small
Mazda6 read there reliability issuesbut I'll gladly be corrected
C5 was a possibility but wife not sure re. reliabolity and depreciation
Golf too small

Sorry no MPV's or SUV's running costs are too high.

Have I missed any?

Cheers

[J8 SVG]

Not that many about but this is what I would go for. Absolutely vast, not too many miles, excellent spec, strong engine, what more could you want?


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[J8 SVG]

Just realised I linked you to a saloon but there are estates around as well

[TRUENOSAM]

Bmw 320d?
Merc c class?

[kiethton]

If you don't get on with the Octavia how about a Superb?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Could you also pick up a Saab 9-5 estate 1.9cdti with lower miles within budget?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Or how about this (yes high miles but I was offered one with 400k without issue) - E220?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Edited by kiethton on Wednesday 8th January 09:51

[anonymous-user]

What are the reliability issues of a Mazda 6 of that age? I know of issues with the previous generation but not for that one?

[GreatGranny]

TRUENOSAM said:

Bmw 320d?
Merc c class?

As my OP 3 series too small in the back for 3 kids ditto the C class and the year I would be able to afford they aren't that cheap to run.

Some estates I've looked at are wide enough but they have deeplt contoured seats so the middle seat is really small.

[GreatGranny]

kiethton said:

If you don't get on with the Octavia how about a Superb?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Could you also pick up a Saab 9-5 estate 1.9cdti with lower miles within budget?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Or how about this (yes high miles but I was offered one with 400k without issue) - E220?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Edited by kiethton on Wednesday 8th January 09:51

She doesn't like the looks of Skodas full stop.

Saab, not sure of buying a car from a manufacturer thats gone out of business.
Probably not logical but thats how I feel.

Merc E220, looked at these but found tham to be quite expensive to run.

[GreatGranny]

DR10 said:

What are the reliability issues of a Mazda 6 of that age? I know of issues with the previous generation but not for that one?

Thats why I'm happy to be corrected as they are good value and IMO nice looking.
I will do a further search.

[RobM77]

Regarding the C5, I'd say you'll be the one that benefits most from the steep depreciation. I don't know anything about reliability I'm afraid, but a former colleague of mine had one and it had loads of space for his camping trips, plus seemed to ride ok from the passenger seat. Worth a look?

[lewisf182]

Seat Exeo any good? I assume too small though.

[thismonkeyhere]

GreatGranny said:

1. Avensis T4/TR 2.0 diesel

Why not the 2.2? Fantastic engine. Chain cam n'all.

[schmalex]

How about a Chrysler 300C?

[GreatGranny]

J8 SVG said:

Not that many about but this is what I would go for. Absolutely vast, not too many miles, excellent spec, strong engine, what more could you want?


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Not really looked at these so thanks for the suggestion.

ETA nearest one in budget is obver 70 miles away!
Also my budget will only get a 08, possibly high mileage 09.
Thats been a problem as well as I live in Lincolnshire.
A few potentials have been too far really.

[GreatGranny]

thismonkeyhere said:

Why not the 2.2? Fantastic engine. Chain cam n'all.

2.0 cheaper to run and has enough grunt. Also far more available but I've not discounted it. If oa T4 with the 2.2 comes up at decent price I wouldn't discount it.

So is the 2.0 not chain cam?

RobM77 said:

Regarding the C5, I'd say you'll be the one that benefits most from the steep depreciation. I don't know anything about reliability I'm afraid, but a former colleague of mine had one and it had loads of space for his camping trips, plus seemed to ride ok from the passenger seat. Worth a look?

Read good things about them and there's one quite close so may have another look, thanks

lewisf182 said:

Seat Exeo any good? I assume too small though.

Thought about these and yes they aren't huge and also not many around

schmalex said:

How about a Chrysler 300C?

Sorry hate the look of these but thanks for the suggestion.

Edited by GreatGranny on Wednesday 8th January 11:02

[thismonkeyhere]

GreatGranny said:

thismonkeyhere said:

Why not the 2.2? Fantastic engine. Chain cam n'all.

2.0 cheaper to run and has enough grunt. Also far more available but I've not discounted it. If oa T4 with the 2.2 comes up at decent price I wouldn't discount it.

So is the 2.0 not chain cam?

-Why do you think the 2.0 is cheaper to run? Economy figures about the same I think.

-No, I don't think it is.

[GreatGranny]

thismonkeyhere said:

-Why do you think the 2.0 is cheaper to run? Economy figures about the same I think.

You're right not much in it.

52mpg compared to 50
insurance group 18 compared to 25
£125 tax compared to £140

My wife is an accountant and any saving is a saving to her :-)

But not as many around but as I said not discounting them.