Getting the best value for a petrol estate - up to £10k

[Airaith]

Hey all,

Really struggling to narrow down a set of cars to look for - doesn't help that they seem to be flying off the shelves: have called a few people to find out the car that was just listed has sold!

My criteria was a petrol estate that'd be nice to own for five years, decent trim levels without throwing money away. Was looking for Mondeo Titanium X's around 2008-10, VRS Octavias and Scouts, etc, at around the £5-6k mark.

They seem to be going _really_ fast, and I realised there are 16 plate Focus Titanium estates around for just north of £8k. I can't help but think £2-3k more for an 8 year newer car has to be a better choice!

My A/T alerts are all over the place now - really I just want a car that'll last me a few years that's decent value for the time I own it. It's really hard to strike a balance between modern and good value. I just don't drive enough (or have off street parking) to buy something properly fun, so definitely looking at the economical side of things. Would appriciate anyone's thoughts!

Currently thinking under 60k miles (I'll only do 4-5k ia year in it), under £10k, petrol (incoming diesel ban...) - leaves me with Fabias, Focuses, lower spec Leons? at the top of the price range, then older and leggier cars all the way down. I really don't know how much I should care about mileage...

[ZX10R NIN]

With your annual mileage wouldn't be to much of a concern you'll actually bring a slightly high mileage car back into line.

It would be the Mondeo in Titanium X Sport trim these are always sought (which is why they're at the top of your budget) after & are a good steer too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

As for value the Insignia estate in 2.0T are normally lower mileage/lower price than the other brands but in reality they're on par with them they just suffer from badge snobbery.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Focus ST-3 estate

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

523i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[twokcc]

Right at top of your budget
E91 325se 2011 with less than 22kmiles

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
On 17" wheels and an SE will be a comfy ride and has M sport seats. Nice interior if can live with cream.
Only about same interior space as a Focus but £10k will get you a 6 cylinder petrol car that will last you another 10 years. Service only required every 2 years so no more to keep on road as a Focus if you have a good indie BMW specialist near you.

[ElectricSoup]

If you can find a 1.4 T-Jet FIAT Tipo estate, you won't encounter too much competition. No idea why, they're really good cars, and you get something nearly new for £10k.

https://usedcars.fiat.co.uk/search/vehicle/fiat-ti...

[dhutch]

Airaith said:

Hey all,

My criteria was a petrol estate that'd be nice to own for five years, decent trim levels without throwing money away.

Sounds like the same as what I am looking at.

I would also like a manual, I think, but am willing to test drive some auto's to see if I can be convinced.

Wouldn't be our high miles car which is mrs daily hatch, but would do the family holidays (two of us and two dogs) as well become the tow car, so mpg is not overly important as long as it can do mid-high 30's on a motorway cruise.


Daniel

[Jamescrs]

I was working on the same criteria around 18 months ago, ended up buying a Volvo V60 T4

[dhutch]

Hunting around other such threads I have drawn up a bit of a list of slightly less common options.

Jag XF Premium Luxury Sportbrake
Alfa 159 TI estate (in red)
Volvo V70 or V60?
Skoda Octavia VRS, Superb?
Saab 9-5 Vector Sport, maybe too old now?
Laguna2 Dynamique
Honda Accord?
Subaru Legacy or Outback

Then obviously you have the Mondeo, 3/5 series bmw, Merc C-class options.

[flatso]

ElectricSoup said:

If you can find a 1.4 T-Jet FIAT Tipo estate, you won't encounter too much competition. No idea why, they're really good cars, and you get something nearly new for £10k.

https://usedcars.fiat.co.uk/search/vehicle/fiat-ti...

My mechanic picked up a nearly new one about 2 years ago and he said the same thing, they are excellent value for money.