MPV or Estate for £2000

[Mr.Nobody]

I’m thinking of getting an MPV or Estate for work. It needs to be able to carry some power tools, hand tools, step ladders and the ability to maybe carry extension ladders. This is not a must as it maybe a consideration for later on. I also plan to do some weekend trips. I used to drive a van for work and I don’t think I could have one.

Any help or advice would be great.

[Mr.Nobody]

ZX10R NIN said:

As I said before on your other threads a Mazda5 is the answer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112210...

Or the Signum:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202052...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111229...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201271...

If you go back through your threads the answer will be in one of them.

I’m not too keen on the Mazda. The Signum looks interesting, boot certainly ticks all the boxes. But I don’t know much about them or their reliability or what engine to go for. Could you offer any advice on them?

[Mr.Nobody]

nobrakes said:

Generally for older cars, petrol is cheaper to maintain than diesel, but diesel will get you more mpg.

For 2 grand and what you need to do with the car (van) the Signums suggested above will be good value.

They do look good to be honest. Most for sale are the 1.9 Diesel. I may just have to take it for a decent run on the motorway. There is a 1.8 Petrol but I imagine that it would be quite slow.

[Mr.Nobody]

princeperch said:

2 grand ain't much these days.

Logan mcv fits the brief.

Some of us haven’t got a car fund unfortunately. As I’m saving for a house.

[Mr.Nobody]

ZX10R NIN said:

It's the same engine as found in the Vectra/Astra they're reliable & not costly to maintain I don't think the 1.9d comes with a DPF so that shouldn't be an issue.

That’s good. What spec would you go for? Anything to check when viewing the car? Any known issues that I should clarify to whether it’s been carried out on the car?

[Mr.Nobody]

ZX10R NIN said:

Go for the best spec you can find, check everything works/overall condition & receipts are also a help.

I will probably look at this one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201271...

[Mr.Nobody]

ZX10R NIN said:

Looks decent.

There is also this one:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars/2006-vauxhall-signu...

[Mr.Nobody]

I did also find a Skoda Octavia:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

[Mr.Nobody]

the griffin said:

I run a Signum 1.9CDTi, had it 9 years and it’s been a good reliable family car.
The 1.9 does have a dpf, otherwise same as the Vectra. Check flywheel for rattles and vibration through the clutch, mine has started to rattle.

Thanks for that. Any horror stories to report? Anything to look out for that’s an expensive fix? Are parts easy to come by?

[Mr.Nobody]

Any other MPVs to consider? I did think of either Citroen or Renault? But I’ve never had one and they seem quite popular. We used to have a Galaxy but they seem to be fetching a bit more than my budget.

Signum so far looks very good. I’m just after some other choices I then do some research on them and then narrow some down to take a look at. Rather than one car. Thank you.

[Mr.Nobody]

the griffin said:

It's basically a Vectra with more rear leg room. Week points with the 1.9 seem to be flywheel, mines done 100k in 9 years on its second and has now started to go again, the bar on top of the swirl flaps on the inlet manifold fall off but these can be repaired or blanked, DPFs seem fine if driven properly. EGR benifits from cleaning every couple of years.
Mine is on 145k, bought in 2013 on 36k it needed a new flywheel at 40k, swirl flaps/inlet manifold at 80k cambelt/waterpump at 100k. No real problems with it, its still solid underneath and I'm in the dilemma or replace the flywheel or get rid but I would miss it now.

Have a look on vectra-c.com for lots more info.

Sounds okay. I’ve joined that forum too. Just waiting for the moderator to allow me to post. Can I ask what a rough cost was for some of the items that you have mentioned. It’s only so I can budget a car repair fund.

[Mr.Nobody]

I’ve also decided that I may use the car for trips and weekends away around the U.K.

Also a friend sent me this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Volvo-XC70-2-4-D5-...

It’s a little over my budget and I don’t know much about them but possibly worth a look?

Edited by Mr.Nobody on Monday 21st March 21:11

[Mr.Nobody]

Found a couple of Estates and MPVs I just need advice on them;

Renault Laguna

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202022...

Skoda Octavia:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

C Max:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

Berlingo Multispace:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111079...


C4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203183...

[Mr.Nobody]

ZX10R NIN said:

Those Signum's listed earlier all look like better buys than those listed.

Yeah. I did speak to some on the Vectra forum that was mentioned in a previous post. They said that I maybe better with an estate.

[Mr.Nobody]

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you actually viewed one? The boots are (more boot space than a C Max etc) huge more than enough space for what you describe.

I suggest you actually go & view some of the suggestions you've received.

I will go and have a look. I still need to convince my parents that’s it’s worthwhile. With my dad just saying that I can use his car as he works from home most of the time.

[Mr.Nobody]

I’ve found two cars which looks okay:

Ford Mondeo Ghia X 3.0:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...


Honda Accord Estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203294...

[Mr.Nobody]

I’ve managed to find this one online. Better spec and a bigger engine:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204094...

[Mr.Nobody]

I’ve been to view a couple of cars. The Signum was okay but some of the stories of the issues on many of the forums has put me off. I know it’s a cheap car but when you have to spend the amount of what the car is worth to fix some of the issues it’s not worth it. The Petrols are also hard to come by.

Also looked at a few MK1 Focus and they have rust issues which is a known problem so it’s a shame. I don’t like the MK2s. Looked a a Skoda Octavia but I think the petrol is not as good as the diesel models. Other suggestions were a Subaru Forester which was very high mileage and lacking SH despite being one owner who wasn’t very helpful with answering questions.

I’ve discounted German brands as they can be really expensive. I could possibly try another Honda, but I had a bad experience with a MK8 Civic and a Jazz.

[Mr.Nobody]

Ryyy said:

I'd drop a message in the joy of running an old shed, there lots of knowledge there about sub 2k cars. Also I do understand the German notion but it can be swings and roundabouts.

What about at an Avensis,mazda 6,honda cr-v? Does it have to be an estate/mpv? Don't get me wrong it could be a pain in the arse but I used to get all my tools in the back of an astra. Or why not a van? I used to turn my nose up when my dad said why dont you get a van but its the best thing I've ever bought

I will have a look at the thread. Avensis sounds very good. I will look at them. I’ve had a van for work and wouldn’t want to get my own as my boss would think I’m doing it for myself and would take offence.

[Mr.Nobody]

I’ve found this on Gumtree:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/volvo/automatic-v70-esta...