Should I get rid of my car and get an Estate?

[t84]

Currently, I have a 107,000 mile MK1 Focus which squeaks from one corner when the suspension is dipped, the entire rear right wing is rusting away, it clunks like a bh when you release the clutch, air con is broken, and it's due a service/cambelt...

Do you think this is the right time to get rid? I've got a feeling it may get expensive!

I've recently been hankering after an Estate, I have a mountain bike and I like throwing it in the back of my car and driving off, it fits ok in the Focus without removing the wheels but gets tight when I have to put another one in, I could get a rack but it's a pain in the arse and not very secure!

I've been looking at estates recently, especially the Saab 9-5 and the ST200 insurance permitting... Can anyone suggest some cars to me with this criteria:

• £4000 MAX budget
• Must be in good condition and reliable (Lowish mileage would be nice)
• Great interior and lots of toys
• Manual Petrol
• Can fit mountain bikes in easily without faffing around removing bits

Am I being too much of an old duffer wanting an estate? (I'm 25! and I don't have kids!)

Thanks

[Jonboy_t]

Don't know about buying an estate, but your sales patter for the Focus could do with some work!!

[t84]

Well it's not broken down yet!

[Somnophore]

If you're getting an ST200 of any sort make sure you factor in a brake upgrade or buy one that's been done because the stock brakes are terrible

Edited by Somnophore on Friday 23 April 12:30

[bn9af]

st200 estate is rare as rocking horse st if memory serves me correct, IIRC i once read they only sold about 17 RHD examples.

saab 9-5 is fantastic, a mates dad has one and other than fuel tyres and servicing etc they never need to spend money on it.

if im honest, i'm not sure what you'll get in the way of toys for £4k if your also looking for low mileage. sounds like a good search though, i would definitely swap the rusty focus for a big estate!

[t84]

Thanks, ST200's appear pretty rare, I think I might get ravaged by the insurance as well...

There's a few car dealers near me that do 0% on their used cars, might go and have a look to see if they've got any nice 9-5's about

Also a few places appear to do 'Swappage' (Guaranteed £2000 against your old banger that doesn't qualify for scrappage)...

Edited by t84 on Friday 23 April 12:34

[Somnophore]

Could try cheaper option of low milage ST24 instead of ST200 still 170bhp V6 and not got the premium of the rarer ST200

[t84]

Does that come in estate guise?

[Jakg]

MG ZT 190+ Estate? Hideous to tax and only about 30-35 MPG... but surpringly cheap to buy. £4k would get you a low mileage one with *all* the toys.

[Somnophore]

I must say I'm 25 the same as the OP and I have no kids either and I also have a bit of a soft spot for big old fast estate cars like Volvos, Saabs etc. Saw I guy bout my age get into an old Volvo 850 t5-r In sainsburya car park yesterday and zoom off and I had to admit I was a bit jealous, also that was an N reg car and he had remote central locking which my car lacks grr

[GravelBen]

t84 said:

I've been looking at estates recently, especially the Saab 9-5 and the ST200 insurance permitting... Can anyone suggest some cars to me with this criteria:

• £4000 MAX budget
• Must be in good condition and reliable (Lowish mileage would be nice)
• Great interior and lots of toys
• Manual Petrol
• Can fit mountain bikes in easily without faffing around removing bits

Am I being too much of an old duffer wanting an estate? (I'm 25! and I don't have kids!)

Thanks

I'm 25 and have had wagons (estates to you lot!) non-stop since I was 17!

As usual I'll suggest a Legacy/Outback/Forester, especially if you're into the outdoors they're much more capable than most alternatives and an enjoyable drive as well.

[t84]

Well I have a motorbike as well, so I think I need a practical car really

[J500ANT]

Whatever you buy, just call it a Tourer, that'll make it cool

[Gold]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1545704.htm

[freakynessless]

I'm 27, married without kids and I want nothing more in life than a T5 estate!
SWMBO will crack and give in eventually!

[anonymous-user]

t84 said:

Does that come in estate guise?

Yes. I'd ignore Mk2 Mondeo's TBH though unless you can find an unmodified clean one, they seem to rust on the rear arches/filler cap a lot. For not much more than your budget you could get an ST220.

[Big Rod]

End thread............



Now.

HTH.

[t84]

Insurance would kill me

[GravelBen]

Stageas are nice cars but be aware they are HUGE and very thirsty.

[GravelBen]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1529577.htm

Or a bit more focussed (but get a manual):

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1584887.htm