All-weather, big-booted - and fun - second car for £4,000?

[RoVoFob]

I have a BMW 130i, which I love, and have been toying with getting a second set of wheels with winter tyres. That’s the best part of £1,000, though, as I don’t want second hand tyres or old wheels that will need a refurb imminently.

Since my wife and I have been considering getting a big-booted car for Ikea trips and potentially future family duties, I’m wondering whether it makes more sense to keep the BMW on summers and going another practical car - I say estate, my wife says SUV - that is satisfying to drive but far more capable in winter.

I’m thinking sub-£4,000 - ideally around £2,000 as it won’t do too many miles - with a big boot, able to deal with the worst of winter if we head to see family in rural Oxfordshire/Wales, enjoyable to drive (doesn’t need to be particularly fast, but somewhat engaging) and potentially with AWD/4WD. Fuel economy not toooo important, but want something that won’t cost tonnes to keep going.

I have a shortlist of three or four options - with one clear front runner - but interested to hear what you all suggest, before I break cover!

Thanks

PS Meant to say: must be a manual.

Edited by RoVoFob on Sunday 10th November 14:56

[Xcore]

Saab 93 v6t wagon
Volvo v70 t5
Audi s4 avant b6
Impreza wrx wagon

Edited by Xcore on Sunday 10th November 14:57

[RoVoFob]

Xcore said:

Saab 93 v6t wagon
Volvo v70 t5
Audi s4 avant b6
Impreza wrx wagon

Edited by Xcore on Sunday 10th November 14:57

Like the idea of all of them, but think Saab, S4 and WRX will be too small boot-wise.

[ZX10R NIN]

Not AWD but the Mondeo ST220

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

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

Or the 2.5T Mondeo

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

2.0T Insignia

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

2.5T Kuga

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

Cayenne

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

[julianm]

Subaru Legacy?

[rossub]

julianm said:

Subaru Legacy?

This or Forester.

[RoVoFob]

ZX10R NIN said:

Not AWD but the Mondeo ST220

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

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

Or the 2.5T Mondeo

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

2.0T Insignia

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

2.5T Kuga

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

Cayenne

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

Like the idea of the ST220, but think it’ll feel a little overly dated compared with some of the other options.

Mondeo 2.5T is a definite option. May be just a little too sensible though. Cayenne on the other hand is a little too unsensible!

[DoubleD]

RoVoFob said:

Like the idea of the ST220, but think it’ll feel a little overly dated compared with some of the other options.

Mondeo 2.5T is a definite option. May be just a little too sensible though. Cayenne on the other hand is a little too unsensible!

So best bet then is the kuga 2.5T?

[RoVoFob]

julianm said:

Subaru Legacy?

Bingo. This is my top choice so far in 3.0 Spec B manual form.

Anyone have experience of these - is it realistic to expect to run a 120k Spec B without having to spend much on maintenance or repairs?

[RoVoFob]

DoubleD said:

So best bet then is the kuga 2.5T?

Slower and heavier than Mondeo with smaller boot, too, I think. Believe these are £500+ to tax as well, which puts me off.

[DoubleD]

RoVoFob said:

DoubleD said:

So best bet then is the kuga 2.5T?

Slower and heavier than Mondeo with smaller boot, too, I think. Believe these are £500+ to tax as well, which puts me off.

Yeah they are smaller, but then the car is also smaller. Another £200 odd a year tax over the mondeo, im not sure why though.

[RoVoFob]

rossub said:

This or Forester.

I’ve been mulling this over; bigger boot and flat-six or SUV with turbo power and flat-four. Hmm...

[emperorburger]

Alfa 159 Sportwagon

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

My personal choice would be an A6 Allroad, however you don't want an auto

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

Edited by emperorburger on Sunday 10th November 17:54

[Roboticarm]

RoVoFob said:

Bingo. This is my top choice so far in 3.0 Spec B manual form.

Anyone have experience of these - is it realistic to expect to run a 120k Spec B without having to spend much on maintenance or repairs?

Uklegacy site has loads of useful info on these, but essentially the 3.0 is considered to be pretty bulletproof and good for high miles is regularly serviced

[RoVoFob]

emperorburger said:

Alfa 159 Sportwagon

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

My personal choice would be an A6 Allroad, however you don't want an auto

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

Edited by emperorburger on Sunday 10th November 17:54

Did find an interesting A6 Avant 3.2 Quattro that looked promising. I’m a little wary of Allroads, as if I remember rightly they have suspension/air suspension issues (did they all have air suspension? Not sure.) Nice car though.

[rossub]

RoVoFob said:

rossub said:

This or Forester.

I’ve been mulling this over; bigger boot and flat-six or SUV with turbo power and flat-four. Hmm...

Flat 6 is probably more reliable if it’d be a 2.5t Forester you’d be looking at. Personally I wouldn’t touch a high mileage 2.5 turbo.

[RoVoFob]

Roboticarm said:

Uklegacy site has loads of useful info on these, but essentially the 3.0 is considered to be pretty bulletproof and good for high miles is regularly serviced

Thanks. Good to hear 3.0 is pretty trusted. Is 200k plausible do you think? Have seen a number around 140-160k, but not many above that...

Had a little look around Uklegacy previously and there seems to be a good buying guide. Just need to find some manual Spec B estates for sale now! Have only found one so far and that’s probably 400 miles or so away, which is a little much.

[RoVoFob]

rossub said:

Flat 6 is probably more reliable if it’d be a 2.5t Forester you’d be looking at. Personally I wouldn’t touch a high mileage 2.5 turbo.

Yes, I thought this might be the case (would be a 2.5T Forester).

Have found a decent, well looked after Forester with around 105k. Looks good on paper, but hard to know how robust the engine would be. Distinctly get the impression that Legacy ismtougher than Forester all-round.

[julianm]

How about a Welsh one?
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1173053
Miles are up a bit but probably Ok for 200,000 without breaking the bank & it's cheaper.....

[STURBO]

I seem to have Subaru addiction.

Spec B is really nice. But the shocks aren't cheap and most need replacing at 100k. Ride is very firm. Engine is lovely. No cambelts to change. I changed my to 17 inch wheels as 18's were too firm for me. 6 speed box is nice.

Exhaust is an expensive repair. It rust at the Y section. Replace with a stainless one.

If you get a well looked after one with those issues fixed then all good, otherwise budget accordingly.

I had a Forester XT. Loved it, but Turbo went, it went through lots of droplinks. Really fast.

Overall I prefer the Legacy if you don't need the turbo shove. It's much quieter and more comfortable. Much roomier in rear, and more load space.

I've got a 3.0 Outback (Auto) now. Outback is same body as Legacy with raised suspension. Less sporty but still goes well. I preferred the manual Spec B, but it's hard to find a good one now. I picked up a Outback for 2k on 110k, full Subaru History. They are a lot cheaper than Legacy Spec B's.

On all of them watch out for corrosion. My Outback is fine but my old Spec B was quite rusty underneath. I guess it depends how much salt they've seen in their lifetime.