6 Month Reliable Shed

[PistonTim]

I've ordered a new car through salary sacrifice with work but it might not arrive until the end of the year, in the meantime my BMW X1 E84 is starting to get leggy and whilst it still has some value in it I'd like to avoid any more crippling bills and move it on.

So I've been thinking whilst its still got six months MOT to sell and swap it for something I can tool about in that wont cost a fortune or lose massive value, I'm doing about 20k per year at the moment for context and dont really want massive issues with running costs.

Needs to be big enough for family holidays and mountain bike in the back, ideally automatic and comfortable, possibly:

BMW E91 320D
Audi A4 avant
Mazda 6 Estate
Some sort of VAG people carrier?
Older S-Max?

Wouldn't be looking to spend more than about £1,500 ideally but to recoup as much money as possible at the end!

[Francis2020]

Petrol Accord best bet

[PistonTim]

Francis2020 said:

Petrol Accord best bet

Not a bad shout!

[7 5 7]

Petrol insignia or Vectra, hatchback or estate, very cheap and massive - solid workhorses for the short period you need it

[anonymous-user]

PistonTim said:

Needs to be big enough for family holidays and mountain bike in the back, ideally automatic and comfortable, possibly:

BMW E91 320D
Audi A4 avant
Mazda 6 Estate
Some sort of VAG people carrier?
Older S-Max?

Wouldn't be looking to spend more than about £1,500 ideally but to recoup as much money as possible at the end!

Be amazed if you can get any of these in an Automatic for £1500 that were not utterly knackered and fit for the scrap heap.

[HustleRussell]

Reliable shed is about finding a car- any car which meets basic requirements- which is being sold in good faith and not because it is fked.

[Snow and Rocks]

HustleRussell said:

Reliable shed is about finding a car- any car which meets basic requirements- which is being sold in good faith and not because it is fked.

While I sort of agree - going for a relatively basic Japanese petrol along with following those criteria will massively help your chances.

As an anecdotal example - our ancient and completely unloved 2.0 Accord Tourer has proven more reliable than a stream of much newer and better looked after German cars.

[SFTWend]

Joey Deacon said:

Be amazed if you can get any of these in an Automatic for £1500 that were not utterly knackered and fit for the scrap heap.

Agree. Manual or auto. I spent enough time looking to know.

[sunnyb13]

I would not want to be doing 20k miles in a shed. Put a few more quid on the table and get something comfy for that kind of distance, your back with thank you.

[7 5 7]

sunnyb13 said:

I would not want to be doing 20k miles in a shed. Put a few more quid on the table and get something comfy for that kind of distance, your back with thank you.

Why wouldn't a shed be comfortable? My shed is nearly touching that mileage annually, is also worth less than a new iPhone, and even has adjustable lumbar support, it's very comfortable

[Brett748]

Francis2020 said:

Petrol Accord best bet

Agreed. I did trade plate driving for webuy in the pandemic and I drove a leggy 2000 registered Accord and it was faultless.

[Lincsls1]

sunnyb13 said:

I would not want to be doing 20k miles in a shed. Put a few more quid on the table and get something comfy for that kind of distance, your back with thank you.

Why can a 'shed' not be comfortable?
My old Astra was extremely comfortable with its non-sports suspension and tractor profile tyres. It was also very reliable for the 6 years I had it.

[Lincsls1]

7 5 7 said:

Petrol insignia or Vectra, hatchback or estate, very cheap and massive - solid workhorses for the short period you need it

Much agreed. Boring, but fits the requirements.

[bearman68]

PistonTim said:

I've ordered a new car through salary sacrifice with work but it might not arrive until the end of the year, in the meantime my BMW X1 E84 is starting to get leggy and whilst it still has some value in it I'd like to avoid any more crippling bills and move it on.

So I've been thinking whilst its still got six months MOT to sell and swap it for something I can tool about in that wont cost a fortune or lose massive value, I'm doing about 20k per year at the moment for context and dont really want massive issues with running costs.

Needs to be big enough for family holidays and mountain bike in the back, ideally automatic and comfortable, possibly:

BMW E91 320D
Audi A4 avant
Mazda 6 Estate
Some sort of VAG people carrier?
Older S-Max?

Wouldn't be looking to spend more than about £1,500 ideally but to recoup as much money as possible at the end!

Hard to know where to start replying here, only to say I wouldn't start from here if I was looking to get there.
Of the cars you mention, only the Mazda is worth even thinking about any further, and even then it has to be a petrol. Don't buy a 2.2 diesel, unless you want to sit on the side of the road, either watching it burn, or waiting for the AA to turn up.
And you want something comfy as well. Rules out the BMW and the Audi on several grounds.
S Max is a pile of rubbish at this price point.

You'd be better off either chucking 2.5k at a V70 type thingy, and then selling for £2k later on. But that is not risk free - cam belts, auto boxes, high mileage, suspension etc, and one error and you'll be £2k down.
You might want to think of leasing a shed from the bloke who is on 'joy of running an old shed' It'll be cheaper and more reliable - go and have a chat on that thread - there will be lots of ideas on there.

[georgeyboy12345]

Mercedes E220 CDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304286...


Audi Allroad 2.5 TDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305107...


BMW 525d Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303305...


Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305077...


Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD Sportwagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304306...


Volvo V70 2.4T
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303165...

Volvo XC70 D5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303125...

[ZX10R NIN]

PistonTim said:

I've ordered a new car through salary sacrifice with work but it might not arrive until the end of the year, in the meantime my BMW X1 E84 is starting to get leggy and whilst it still has some value in it I'd like to avoid any more crippling bills and move it on.

So I've been thinking whilst its still got six months MOT to sell and swap it for something I can tool about in that wont cost a fortune or lose massive value, I'm doing about 20k per year at the moment for context and dont really want massive issues with running costs.

Needs to be big enough for family holidays and mountain bike in the back, ideally automatic and comfortable, possibly:

BMW E91 320D
Audi A4 avant
Mazda 6 Estate
Some sort of VAG people carrier?
Older S-Max?

Wouldn't be looking to spend more than about £1,500 ideally but to recoup as much money as possible at the end!

I'd say the best 1.8i Insignia you can find:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305127...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304306...

I'd say also take a look at the Mazda5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305047...

[dtulip8]

75/ZT diesel. Friend has one which has been totally reliable.

[PistonTim]

Thanks all, I just dont really want to sink money into service and MOT on the X1 just before it gets replaced, some good options here!

I can go higher on budget so long as I get my money back if that makes sense, so £5k to buy, do a few thousand miles without hassle and sell for the same would be ideal but I guess you'd have to buy very very carefully to get a good one!

[braddo]

I dont know why you wouldnt just keep your current car. Far less risk than buying another car on which you wil lose the dealer spread at least (£1000+).

Service it now and its easier to sell with recent service history too.

[braddo]

Unless you just want to do it for some variety. In which case insignia seems the best value.