Sensible head turnaround - hot hatch to workhorse estate. £5

[Joelonghair]

Hi everyone,

So having nearly decided on an older hot-hatch (197, type-R, or preferably 130i) I have had somewhat of a rethink.

I would be using the car for my work, which is buying and selling vintage bicycles.

I had nearly convinced myself that a 130i with a roofbox would do - and it might - but I am sure there are more sensible options.

I need space, or the ability to make it with roofbox / trailer. Comfy for cruising long distances, and not dog slow. Smaller bills when things go wrong preferable.

I'd love a 330i touring, but head says look at something cheaper to run.

Any ideas?

[JulianHJ]

What’s your annual mileage? I would have suggested a 330i as well, although the load space isn’t particularly big. Are you keen to steer clear of diesel? Would you consider the 5 series touring too large? There are plenty of other options depending on your criteria.

[foxmeister]

Personally though, i think you'll struggle finding anything for a fiver...

[Ahbefive]

£5 could get you a brand new wheelnut.

[Belle427]

Cheap enough to run, comfy and tuneable.
Petrol models available too but a bit rarer.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-SAAB-9-3-AERO-TTID...

[JackReacher]

The load space in an EP3 type R with the rear seats down is massive, but its not the best long distance cruiser. Isn't an Octavia VRS hatch or estate the default answer here, or the already mentioned Saab.

[Toed64]

If doing lots of miles and fuel consumption is a major consideration, I'd consider a Skoda Octavia VRs, in either hatchback or estate form, as they are both huge, probably a petrol version.

If not, then I'd buy a Subaru Outback or Legacy 3.0l...or a Forester (turbo).

Did you exclude the possibility of a 325i touring with the N52 motor?

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're travelling up & down the country a diesel amay be better suited to your needs.

Mondeo Titanium X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The value for money option is the Insignia you can land a good low mileage newer car for your outlay:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.0d Legacy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Petrol Options are limited but they're out there.

Mazda6 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alfa 159

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Saab 9-3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.8T 9-3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mercedes C230

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Subaru Legacy Spec B

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[v8250]

Toed64 said:

...or a Forester (turbo).

This +!00

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-Subaru-Forester...

[Ahbefive]

All of these cars cost more than £5

[ninjag]

Joelonghair said:

Hi everyone,

So having nearly decided on an older hot-hatch (197, type-R, or preferably 130i) I have had somewhat of a rethink.

I would be using the car for my work, which is buying and selling vintage bicycles.

I had nearly convinced myself that a 130i with a roofbox would do - and it might - but I am sure there are more sensible options.

I need space, or the ability to make it with roofbox / trailer. Comfy for cruising long distances, and not dog slow. Smaller bills when things go wrong preferable.

I'd love a 330i touring, but head says look at something cheaper to run.

Any ideas?

If transporting bikes then an SUV like the CRV is ideal and ticks many other boxes. They hold their value (for obvious reasons) so you won't get a newer one or low mileage but that's not important if it's been well serviced. I had one and gave it to my parents back in 2015, it's got over 110k miles now and has sailed through every MOT (see below).

Very comfortable seats
Decent enough performance, even better with a remap (193bhp/395Nm)
Reliable
Plenty of cheap pattern parts available
Fully loaded with kit, HID headlights etc
Good deals around, it's a lot of car for the money

3rd Gen Honda (2007-2012) CRV 2.2CDTi EX.

Bicycles? No problem.

[Joelonghair]

My milage is variable, but I'd say I do a good run (200+ miles) at least once or twice a week. Preference for petrol but a bullet proof diesel would be fine. From research this looks like a Volvo D4/D5 or a 6 cylinder Merc.

I wouldn't mind a Saab, but looking at them their prices vary wildly, as does shed status.

The Subaru's get great reviews but the fuel economy just doesn't work for me. I'd want at least the possibility of hitting 30 regularly.

A 325 touring is definitely something I would look at, and would be open to a 5 series.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, and to be clear the budget is £5k ish!

Edited to add: I am not enamoured with SUV's, I think they are too big and thirsty for my needs and would prefer a better handling estate. I'd usually be transporting 2 bikes and anymore I would prefer to use a roofbox / bike carrier than get a very large car.

Edited by Joelonghair on Friday 2nd November 20:33

[ninepoint2]

Skoda vRS petrol

Edited by ninepoint2 on Monday 5th November 21:46

[ZX10R NIN]

Mercedes C270/E320 would be my diesel picks.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Mr Tidy]

To be fair OP I can't see a BMW 330i Touring costing you any more to run than a 130i - pre-facelift E91s have the same engine as the 130i!

But 330is seem to cost nearly twice as much as 325is - so when I was looking at the beginning of the year I ended up with a 325i and am really pleased with it.

Then again if you would consider diesel I wouldn't rule out a 325d or 330d.

But there are plenty of other estate cars around - how about a Skoda Octavia VrS? They come as diesel or petrol.