Recommend me a comfortable mile munching load lugger

[Rockettvr]

Quick outline -
Recently part inherited/ part bought a property in the far west of Ireland. It needs lots of work so looking for a large load lugger to get 4/5 people plus luggage and tools bits and bobs there and back in some comfort. Hope to be getting out there 4 or 5 times a year the rest of the year it’ll be ferrying my wife back and forth to the train station (couple of miles each way) shopping at the weekend and running the kids about so maybe 35-40 miles a week
Given the above we’re thinking non DPF diesel or petrol
Ruled out 7 seat mpv’s (ford galaxy and the like ) - just not fans of them so looking at large estate or possibly large suv ( wife likes xc90’s) although we don’t need 4wd and I feel it just adds more complexity and more stuff to go wrong
Having trouble narrowing down contenders as there’s many cars that’ll fit the bill
Current shortlist
Merc E class
Volvo V70
Volvo XC90
BMW 5 series
Possibly mondeo in high spec
Honda Accord
Too many choices !!!
Anything on the list I should avoid ???
Any thing I’m overlooking ??
Your recommendations and condemnations would be gratefully received
Top budget £5000 but less if possible
Many thanks

[loskie]

Really has to be a V70 or Subaru Outback

[dmsims]

Done 155K in our V70, the most comfortable car I have ever been in - the seats are amazing

It never broke down and only needed routine maintenance

Turning circle of a tanker mind!

[ninjag]

XC90 for me, I wouldn't worry too much about AWD so long as it's maintained.

[Jag_NE]

I’d go for a Vauxhall insignia or Astra so that you can get something relatively fresh. A 5k e class estate is getting into old, leggy cars. With the 4-5 long trips a year I’d prefer something on the newer side. Just my 2 cents.

[ZX10R NIN]

Has to be an E Class either 270/320cdi both will be great for the usage you describe:

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

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

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

[dmsims]

ZX10R NIN said:

Has to be an E Class either 270/320cdi both will be great for the usage you describe:

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

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

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

Pre 2006 facelift cars - bargepole spring to mind!

[ZX10R NIN]

dmsims said:

Pre 2006 facelift cars - bargepole spring to mind!

Why's that?

These have bulletproof drivetrains & the rust issues affect the previous W210 models so I'm curious as to why you'd avoid these.

[Dunc2709]

Hi first time using these forums , always a reader though 😬😬 thinking about buying a Honda CR-V 2.2 diesel 2010 plate Manual. Ticks all the boxes in what I’m looking for. Don’t exactly need the diesel but again the car gives me everything I want. Putting the fact it’s diesel aside , it has 90,000 miles on the clock. Full service history and appears to be perfect inside , outside and drove very nice on the test drive. Seems to be very well looked after 3 owners, same owner for past 3 1/2 years. Mot history shows it’s passed every mot , could be a good thing or bad I suppose.
Now coming away from the shiny car showroom and thinking about things should reconsider diesel/petrol. Is 90,000 a bit to high? DPFs lifespans seem to be approx 100,000 from the limited info I can find. Thanks for any advice / opinions 👌👌

[Dunc2709]

Sorry I think I have jumped into someone else’s question

[steve-5snwi]

E Class or Mondeo estate or even an older Vectra, all are proper square estates, I paid £700 for a 2.2 TDCi Mondeo estate, it’s averaging 40mpg will take 400kg of sand and is reasonably comfortable.

Edited by steve-5snwi on Sunday 25th November 21:53