Estate car for 4k
Discussion
Hi everyone
Time has come to get a new to me car sorted out.
I need to be able to put reasonable sized dog crate in the boot (one of those fabric ones probably that limit view out the sides) for my reactive lab who hates the car and can currently see too much.
Also needs isofix for child seat, room for pram etc.
Other criteria;
Saab 93 sport wagon- problem is, all of the newer saabs I've had have been needy and constant engine lights, dodgy sensors etc... but they look great IMO, plenty of autos around too
Peugeot 508
Hyundai i40
Toyota Avensis (interior is a bit rank though and looks like an uber)
Volvo V70 D5, maybe bit too large and potentially dodgy auto boxes, V50 only seems to come in low powered petrol or dodgy diesel engines, rare to find a d5 or bigger turbo
Passat if I could find a good 1.9 tdi or 1.8 tfsi from around 2008 on, but DSG isn't meant to be great
Audi A4 same as above
Skoda Octavia, same again, probably look for a manual one, bit old man looking
BMW X1... usually 2.0d, I'm not sure on the reliability front
Jaguar X Type, knocking on a bit now really and rusty sills
Mondeo, had one, would rather try something else
Not averse to a suitable SUV but prefer estate due to the height of the boot for the dog. Tiguan, IX35, something like that could potentially do.
Any thoughts on my current shortlist or any suggestions I haven't thought of would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers
Time has come to get a new to me car sorted out.
I need to be able to put reasonable sized dog crate in the boot (one of those fabric ones probably that limit view out the sides) for my reactive lab who hates the car and can currently see too much.
Also needs isofix for child seat, room for pram etc.
Other criteria;
- Reliable
- Not too hideous, I am only early 30s, something like a Kia Soul is off the cards. Champagne ideas with beer money maybe, but bonus points for something that wouldn't look too knackered and old with a private plate
- 35+ MPG
- Diesel or petrol not an issue, I don't do that many miles these days but what miles i do are generally long 60 mile each way commutes between 6 and 10 times per month, petrol preffered for reliability though
- Preferably not too huge incase my Mrs drives it
- Auto preffered but only if reliable torque converter type
- Can stretch the budget slightly for something I really like
Saab 93 sport wagon- problem is, all of the newer saabs I've had have been needy and constant engine lights, dodgy sensors etc... but they look great IMO, plenty of autos around too
Peugeot 508
Hyundai i40
Toyota Avensis (interior is a bit rank though and looks like an uber)
Volvo V70 D5, maybe bit too large and potentially dodgy auto boxes, V50 only seems to come in low powered petrol or dodgy diesel engines, rare to find a d5 or bigger turbo
Passat if I could find a good 1.9 tdi or 1.8 tfsi from around 2008 on, but DSG isn't meant to be great
Audi A4 same as above
Skoda Octavia, same again, probably look for a manual one, bit old man looking
BMW X1... usually 2.0d, I'm not sure on the reliability front
Jaguar X Type, knocking on a bit now really and rusty sills
Mondeo, had one, would rather try something else
Not averse to a suitable SUV but prefer estate due to the height of the boot for the dog. Tiguan, IX35, something like that could potentially do.
Any thoughts on my current shortlist or any suggestions I haven't thought of would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers
Following as I've got very similar criteria for my next car.
I also am a bit weary of saabs. I've had loads of them, 9-3's, 9-5's, a 900 and 2 9000's. The most reliable was the 9000 HOT, all the newer ones were lovely, comfortable and very quick, but constantly broken.
It's a shame really as you can get a lovely 9-3 wagon with a good turn of pace, lovely interior, they still look nice even by todays standards. It might be worth just getting one if you have a good indy nearby, and always carry a spare direct ignition cassette in the boot with some alan keys just incase you need it, which you will!
I've been looking at similar but also mercedes c class and BMW 3 series estates too. Best of luck with your search!
I also am a bit weary of saabs. I've had loads of them, 9-3's, 9-5's, a 900 and 2 9000's. The most reliable was the 9000 HOT, all the newer ones were lovely, comfortable and very quick, but constantly broken.
It's a shame really as you can get a lovely 9-3 wagon with a good turn of pace, lovely interior, they still look nice even by todays standards. It might be worth just getting one if you have a good indy nearby, and always carry a spare direct ignition cassette in the boot with some alan keys just incase you need it, which you will!
I've been looking at similar but also mercedes c class and BMW 3 series estates too. Best of luck with your search!
Welcome to the world of "want something decent" mixed with "needs to be huge for stuff" and "not to big for the missus" and all on a budget.
My criteria is pretty similar and tbh (reactive lab, missus wants to drive an Aygo at most haha), and we ended up with a MK5 Golf GTI.
Your list is pretty comprehensive and tbh, you'll probably have to compromise somewhere.
Only thing I don't see on there that's a fantastic looking estate is the Honda Accord.
My criteria is pretty similar and tbh (reactive lab, missus wants to drive an Aygo at most haha), and we ended up with a MK5 Golf GTI.
Your list is pretty comprehensive and tbh, you'll probably have to compromise somewhere.
Only thing I don't see on there that's a fantastic looking estate is the Honda Accord.
I know you mentioned reliability, but bear with me.. I might suggest an Alfa 159 Sportwagon.
Being GM based, I think, and unless I’m imagining it, I think the chassis is Saab, they are generally quite tough, the interior is lovely too, and very well built.
I used to have a 2.0D, when it went into a service to my local specialists, he said he knows various people with them who run them to big miles with not many problems, it’s also a great looking thing!
This one has the 2.4 5 cylinder engine, which actually sounds quite good, and reacts well to a remap.
This one is an auto as well
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305157...
Being GM based, I think, and unless I’m imagining it, I think the chassis is Saab, they are generally quite tough, the interior is lovely too, and very well built.
I used to have a 2.0D, when it went into a service to my local specialists, he said he knows various people with them who run them to big miles with not many problems, it’s also a great looking thing!
This one has the 2.4 5 cylinder engine, which actually sounds quite good, and reacts well to a remap.
This one is an auto as well
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305157...
Edited by jamesbilluk on Wednesday 30th August 12:45
I'd have a look at megane estate. I had one (2012 1.5dci ) and it was all of the things you;re asking for. £20 a year tax, 60mpg all day long and didn't look too bad. I made a few cosmetic mods to smarten it up a bit. Sold it earlier this year for just below your budget. The GT line is a very nice looking car.
jamesbilluk said:
I know you mentioned reliability, but bear with me.. I might suggest an Alfa 159 Sportwagon.
Being GM based, I think, and unless I’m imagining it, I think the chassis is Saab, they are generally quite tough, the interior is lovely too, and very well built.
I used to have a 2.0D, when it went into a service to my local specialists, he said he knows various people with them who run them to big miles with not many problems, it’s also a great looking thing!
This one has the 2.4 5 cylinder engine, which actually sounds quite good, and reacts well to a remap.
This one is an auto as well
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305157...
I had one of these but the saloon.. it was beautiful, had the lovely fluted leather seats, went like a stabbed rat... but my god it cost a lot of money in repairs!Being GM based, I think, and unless I’m imagining it, I think the chassis is Saab, they are generally quite tough, the interior is lovely too, and very well built.
I used to have a 2.0D, when it went into a service to my local specialists, he said he knows various people with them who run them to big miles with not many problems, it’s also a great looking thing!
This one has the 2.4 5 cylinder engine, which actually sounds quite good, and reacts well to a remap.
This one is an auto as well
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305157...
Edited by jamesbilluk on Wednesday 30th August 12:45
mickyc79 said:
I'd have a look at megane estate. I had one (2012 1.5dci ) and it was all of the things you;re asking for. £20 a year tax, 60mpg all day long and didn't look too bad. I made a few cosmetic mods to smarten it up a bit. Sold it earlier this year for just below your budget. The GT line is a very nice looking car.
Not sure where you are, but here's a couple of nice examples, the blue one is actually very well priced! These remap very well for an easy 180bhp
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308251...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307209...
Edited by mickyc79 on Thursday 31st August 09:28
Edited by mickyc79 on Thursday 31st August 09:30
Thanks for all of your replies! I'm not very good at multi quoting on here so I'll try and give a bit of an opinion individually on the options suggested..
The Merc and BMW don't really appeal
I forgot all about the Honda Accord, they look lovely, they're rather huge but my other half does have her own car, it'll be rare she drives mine..
WRT the Saab's, I think I've ruled those out based on past experiences
Alfa 159 is an interesting option, I think engine wise I'd have to go for the GM 1.9 diesel unit as its well proven, but a quick search online brings up a multitude of potential issues with the car itself, I'm not sure I can be bothered with it...
To the poster who suggested the Avensis - tbh, this is the current front runner, it's so boring but it would be nice having a car I can trust and run fairly cheaply for a while.
CRV, I like these, especially in a good spec with leather and pan roof. If a good one comes up I'd certainly consider it, the higher boot compared to an estate is the main drawback for my use.
The Megane might be the one. I noticed these are good value during my AT search, but my wife's uncle has one and he's a bit weird, always makes me think of him when I see one. His however is a crap spec and these GT line models look really good. I had a Qashqai courtesy car with the 1.5dci and I thrashed the nuts off it, even in that big old bus it was getting high 50s mpg which I was really impressed with. The cheap tax appeals too and its a well proven engine. They also seem to do a 2.0 so perhaps that's an option too! Not many around though... thanks for this suggestion, it's a good and more modern option compared to a lot of the others.
The Merc and BMW don't really appeal
I forgot all about the Honda Accord, they look lovely, they're rather huge but my other half does have her own car, it'll be rare she drives mine..
WRT the Saab's, I think I've ruled those out based on past experiences
Alfa 159 is an interesting option, I think engine wise I'd have to go for the GM 1.9 diesel unit as its well proven, but a quick search online brings up a multitude of potential issues with the car itself, I'm not sure I can be bothered with it...
To the poster who suggested the Avensis - tbh, this is the current front runner, it's so boring but it would be nice having a car I can trust and run fairly cheaply for a while.
CRV, I like these, especially in a good spec with leather and pan roof. If a good one comes up I'd certainly consider it, the higher boot compared to an estate is the main drawback for my use.
The Megane might be the one. I noticed these are good value during my AT search, but my wife's uncle has one and he's a bit weird, always makes me think of him when I see one. His however is a crap spec and these GT line models look really good. I had a Qashqai courtesy car with the 1.5dci and I thrashed the nuts off it, even in that big old bus it was getting high 50s mpg which I was really impressed with. The cheap tax appeals too and its a well proven engine. They also seem to do a 2.0 so perhaps that's an option too! Not many around though... thanks for this suggestion, it's a good and more modern option compared to a lot of the others.
mickyc79 said:
Not sure where you are, but here's a couple of nice examples, the blue one is actually very well priced! These remap very well for an easy 180bhp
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308251...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307209...
Edited by mickyc79 on Thursday 31st August 09:28
Edited by mickyc79 on Thursday 31st August 09:30
Your grey one looks good on those wheels.
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