what frugal, nimble, reliable large estate?

[MC Bodge]

It's time to change the family load lugger - a Mk3 Mondeo TDCi Estate.

What to replace it with?

I'm after a car of 06-09 reg with:

good handling (Mondeo being my benchmark)

decent economy and cheap to buy.

reasonable grunt (130bhp+)

big boot

Did the later Vectras catch up with the Mondeo? - I drove an 03 and it steered like blancmange with a fairly ugly interior.

Image irrelevant.

[rottie102]

Octavia VRS?

[KieronGSi]

A Saab 9-3 1.9Tid, or even a 9-5. I'm not bias at all.

Edited by KieronGSi on Sunday 4th July 18:26

[checkmate91]

Another mondeo

[kambites]

I don't think you'll beat another Mondeo for those criteria.

[Jasandjules]

Well, again it's broken record time, but a Passat 130 Sport Tdi.

[Wadeski]

Subaru Legacy diesel

[Mars]

Wadeski said:

Subaru Legacy diesel

Indeed. Covers all the bases.

[blearyeyedboy]

Budget? Legacy diesels are still commanding a fairly high price...

[ChrisRS]

I'd go for another Mondeo, new one is huge, great engines, nice interior and just like the Mk3 handle really well for what they are

[t84]

ST TDCi

[Bonefish Blues]

Mars said:

Wadeski said:

Subaru Legacy diesel

Indeed. Covers all the bases.

Except frugality in my experience - I was sub 40 mpg over a normal weekend & c600 mixed miles.

[TUS 373]

Saab 9-5 diesel estate. Comfy, reliable, roomy, cheap to run.

[Mars]

Bonefish Blues said:

Mars said:

Wadeski said:

Subaru Legacy diesel

Indeed. Covers all the bases.

Except frugality in my experience - I was sub 40 mpg over a normal weekend & c600 mixed miles.

No figures were quoted. Sub-40 is frugal to me. In fact I've been quite pleased with just hitting 30mpg in my wife's ML320DCi over the weekend. My 3-litre Legacy only manages ~20mpg so my perceptions might not be aligned with yours.

[MC Bodge]

Thanks folks.






ps. This side of Texas, frugal is not sub 40mpg, never mind sub 30mpg.

[blearyeyedboy]

Honestly, I don't think you'd have a better mix of age/don't care about image/handling/frugality than a Mondy.

[mybrainhurts]

blearyeyedboy said:

Honestly, I don't think you'd have a better mix of age/don't care about image/handling/frugality than a Mondy.

I concur...

I've seen 61mpg, I'll have you know...

[Welshbeef]

Bonefish Blues said:

Mars said:

Wadeski said:

Subaru Legacy diesel

Indeed. Covers all the bases.

Except frugality in my experience - I was sub 40 mpg over a normal weekend & c600 mixed miles.

James may managed 65mpg on that Eco run so maybe something not quite right with your example?

[Fordo]

mybrainhurts said:

blearyeyedboy said:

Honestly, I don't think you'd have a better mix of age/don't care about image/handling/frugality than a Mondy.

I concur...

I've seen 61mpg, I'll have you know...

+ 1 . my boss has one, and ive seen it at 60mpg.


Mondys are so boring, but they just do everything you'd need from an estate- handle decently enough, no-one notices them, & frugal for car/engine size

[Deerfoot]

Accord Tourer 2.2 diesel?