Family Car for 3K
Discussion
Hello,
I'm looking at getting a family car, probably an estate, for 3 grand or under.
I'm considering the following (in no particular order):
Volvo V70 T5
Mondeo 2L Diesel
Accord Tourer
Subaru Legacy
E46 3 Series
Avensis
Not really bothered between petrol or diesel. Reliability, space and comfort are the main factors. Economy isn't too much of an issue either as the car won't be used for commuting.
I had a Volvo S60 D5 until the clutch slave went, meaning taking out gearbox and subframe to get to it, plus changing DMF, which wasn't worth the cost so i sold it as seen. The gearbox popped out of reverse all the time too, so am a little skeptical about Volvo's reliability now. It only had 100k on it and needed a new gearbox from about 95k onwards. Saying that, a petrol V70 in T5 might be an option if it's had the clutch done. I also read a lot about electronic throttle modules going, and oil core plugs spilling out all oil at once...
As for the rest of the above options, i don't know much about them. I know the E46 could suffer suspension and brake problems, the Avensis is a safe option but doesn't really arouse me.
Can anyone give some advice? I'd be open to other suggestions too....
Thanks.
I'm looking at getting a family car, probably an estate, for 3 grand or under.
I'm considering the following (in no particular order):
Volvo V70 T5
Mondeo 2L Diesel
Accord Tourer
Subaru Legacy
E46 3 Series
Avensis
Not really bothered between petrol or diesel. Reliability, space and comfort are the main factors. Economy isn't too much of an issue either as the car won't be used for commuting.
I had a Volvo S60 D5 until the clutch slave went, meaning taking out gearbox and subframe to get to it, plus changing DMF, which wasn't worth the cost so i sold it as seen. The gearbox popped out of reverse all the time too, so am a little skeptical about Volvo's reliability now. It only had 100k on it and needed a new gearbox from about 95k onwards. Saying that, a petrol V70 in T5 might be an option if it's had the clutch done. I also read a lot about electronic throttle modules going, and oil core plugs spilling out all oil at once...
As for the rest of the above options, i don't know much about them. I know the E46 could suffer suspension and brake problems, the Avensis is a safe option but doesn't really arouse me.
Can anyone give some advice? I'd be open to other suggestions too....
Thanks.
easy, fast, good looking, cheap to buy and maintain.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
used an aero saloon as our family car for 5 years and it has been perfect, the only problem i have is boot space, wish i had of got the estate.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
used an aero saloon as our family car for 5 years and it has been perfect, the only problem i have is boot space, wish i had of got the estate.
Mr SFJ said:
You can get a decent 320/325/330i/d in that bracket, if you're going for Diesel, check the swirl flaps on the 320.
C class estate?
Honestjohn.co.uk doesn't seem to think highly of the C classes that i could afford and to be honest, that, along with the 'What's Bad' section is enough to put me off.C class estate?
I've long been considering a 330d though, any problems with the diesel E46's? Have read about turbos going and subframes cracking. I do understand that any car's going to have it's bad points, but am mainly concerned with reliability.
Is a 5 Series worth a look at sub 3 grand?
The Accord Tourer gets a good review everywhere, again though, it hardly makes me erect...
We were in a similar position and bought an e46 330i sport touring. It does everything pretty well. Except smooth bumps. Seriously, the M Sport suspension is utterly terrible. Get an SE and forgo the fancy bumpers. And don't get an auto, they're rubbish on fuel.
Load space isn't that great either thanks to the intrusion of the strut towers.
Been very reliable though
Load space isn't that great either thanks to the intrusion of the strut towers.
Been very reliable though
Prawnboy said:
easy, fast, good looking, cheap to buy and maintain.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
used an aero saloon as our family car for 5 years and it has been perfect, the only problem i have is boot space, wish i had of got the estate.
475 Annual TAX!!!!!!!http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
used an aero saloon as our family car for 5 years and it has been perfect, the only problem i have is boot space, wish i had of got the estate.
don logan1 said:
....
Is a 5 Series worth a look at sub 3 grand?
......
Definately, great cars.Is a 5 Series worth a look at sub 3 grand?
......
Any car at this price point is going to have things go wrong or need tweaking though. And, if you look on the web and take all the horror stories to heart you would never buy anything, ever.
The E39/E60 both have their foibles - BMWLand.co.uk is a good place to look.
I'd probably try and find a late model/sensible miles E39 if possible.
Hmm, this could be me in 3 or 4 months!
Mondeo - supposed to be very good when they are working especially the 2.0 tdci 130. Enough grunt for every day use. Trouble is after a bit of research in this price range,I'm pretty sure that the DMF clutch and possibly starter will need changing 800 at some point circa 80-100K. Injector issues are not unknown - injectors are 150-200 a throw. Hard car to ignore because they are good motors its just difficult to determine from the internet wether the issues are real or just hard luck stories considering how many are made.
One thing I do know, a common rail diesels DMF should be considered a wearing part and budget accordingly.
Saab 9-3 Aero is a good shout - would be interested to know if the ride is harsh on it though.
BMW 330D is a good shout - I'd want manual only and I think they did a >200 bhp tune on later cars. Rust would bother me on the arches and the examples I've seen advertised around 3k all seem to have 120-150k miles on them.
C-Class - 90% of the examples I've seen advertised have rusty rear wheel arches - not what you want at 3K. The rest that are rust free tend to be >3K or earlier 2000's which is getting on a bit for that sort of money. Shame really as the 5 cylinder 170bhp diesel looks like a good lump for economy and performance.
If mileage doesn't bother you check out the E-class from 52 plate on - they are galvanised and have 30 year corrosion warranty (not saying itll be honoured but it stands the car in good stead) Available in e270 CDI and e320 CDI form and seem very nice. Should be able to pick one up under 3k but it will be 150K miles. Petrol e320 will be cheaper.
Mondeo - supposed to be very good when they are working especially the 2.0 tdci 130. Enough grunt for every day use. Trouble is after a bit of research in this price range,I'm pretty sure that the DMF clutch and possibly starter will need changing 800 at some point circa 80-100K. Injector issues are not unknown - injectors are 150-200 a throw. Hard car to ignore because they are good motors its just difficult to determine from the internet wether the issues are real or just hard luck stories considering how many are made.
One thing I do know, a common rail diesels DMF should be considered a wearing part and budget accordingly.
Saab 9-3 Aero is a good shout - would be interested to know if the ride is harsh on it though.
BMW 330D is a good shout - I'd want manual only and I think they did a >200 bhp tune on later cars. Rust would bother me on the arches and the examples I've seen advertised around 3k all seem to have 120-150k miles on them.
C-Class - 90% of the examples I've seen advertised have rusty rear wheel arches - not what you want at 3K. The rest that are rust free tend to be >3K or earlier 2000's which is getting on a bit for that sort of money. Shame really as the 5 cylinder 170bhp diesel looks like a good lump for economy and performance.
If mileage doesn't bother you check out the E-class from 52 plate on - they are galvanised and have 30 year corrosion warranty (not saying itll be honoured but it stands the car in good stead) Available in e270 CDI and e320 CDI form and seem very nice. Should be able to pick one up under 3k but it will be 150K miles. Petrol e320 will be cheaper.
don logan1 said:
Honestjohn.co.uk doesn't seem to think highly of the C classes that i could afford and to be honest, that, along with the 'What's Bad' section is enough to put me off.
I've long been considering a 330d though, any problems with the diesel E46's? Have read about turbos going and subframes cracking. I do understand that any car's going to have it's bad points, but am mainly concerned with reliability.
Is a 5 Series worth a look at sub 3 grand?
The Accord Tourer gets a good review everywhere, again though, it hardly makes me erect...
My dad had a C220 CDI on an 02 plate for 5 years and ran it from 50 to about 90k, and the only thing that failed was the air con condenser (due to lack of use) I've long been considering a 330d though, any problems with the diesel E46's? Have read about turbos going and subframes cracking. I do understand that any car's going to have it's bad points, but am mainly concerned with reliability.
Is a 5 Series worth a look at sub 3 grand?
The Accord Tourer gets a good review everywhere, again though, it hardly makes me erect...
No issues at all. They're just like any other car, have faults, but if you get a looked after one, utterly dependable.
At 3k stick to something simple like a 2.0 petrol Mondeo estate. Cheap parts and cheap to fix, without potentially-expensive reliability hassles of the diesel models, while still being a good drive and not too slow.
Honda Accord estate might be another consideration, 2.0 or 2.4 petrol. Will probably be leggier than a Mondeo for the same price though.
Toyota Avensis estate? Petrol. Should be reliable and comfy albeit rather numb to drive.
Mazda 6 seems to have something of a rep for rusting so maybe avoid them?
Honda Accord estate might be another consideration, 2.0 or 2.4 petrol. Will probably be leggier than a Mondeo for the same price though.
Toyota Avensis estate? Petrol. Should be reliable and comfy albeit rather numb to drive.
Mazda 6 seems to have something of a rep for rusting so maybe avoid them?
Something like a mazda 6 2.0 petrol would do the job. We picked up an 07 plate on a few years back for 4k with only 28k on the clock. Look for rust around the wheel arches, ours doesn't have any and paying a bit of attention there when washing it, it shouldn't suffer. Other than that it does exactly what it was bought to do.
It can be driven enthusiastically but is usually just a tool for hauling family and bikes etc around. really good load area, and so far no issues mechanically. My biggest complaint is the seat fabric seams to look worn really quickly.
It can be driven enthusiastically but is usually just a tool for hauling family and bikes etc around. really good load area, and so far no issues mechanically. My biggest complaint is the seat fabric seams to look worn really quickly.
Thanks for the replies.
I'm considering upping the budget to 3.5k, possibly 4 if necessary, for a 5 Series Touring...
Generally speaking, is a petrol, manual version the safest bet? I've read a fair bit about diesel particulate filters,'sealed for life' autoboxes, swirl flap and turbo issues. If anyone can give any advice on 5 Series in general, then much appreciated..
I'm considering upping the budget to 3.5k, possibly 4 if necessary, for a 5 Series Touring...
Generally speaking, is a petrol, manual version the safest bet? I've read a fair bit about diesel particulate filters,'sealed for life' autoboxes, swirl flap and turbo issues. If anyone can give any advice on 5 Series in general, then much appreciated..
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