Crossover style family estate...

[Cwgt93]

I've found a few similar posts to this, but nothing with much information.

I'm on the look out for a family wagon. I could go and purchase a brand new car tomorrow, but to be honest I've had enough of worrying about scratches/dings and making sure I park away from others in car parks - it's a bit tiresome now, especially with a 2 year old.

Anyway, the cars on my list so far are:

Volvo V70 P2, Volvo XC70 P2/3, Saab 9-5 estate (I've had several Aero saloon's in the past and a couple of S60 T5's)...Subaru Legacy or Outback H6, and possibly even an older Octavia VRS.

I'm not sure I necessarily need the added height of an Outback/XC70, but I am quite found of the way they look and the added protective plastic seems perfect for my daughter's bike to accidentally bump into.

I'm also unsure whether to go the manual or automatic route. I'm a big lover of manuals, but perhaps this type of car suits an auto better?

I'd be interested to hear people's opinions/experiences on the above, and perhaps there's a different car I've overlooked?

Cheers!

[Cwgt93]

Davie said:

With regards to the Volvos, personally I'd avoid the P2 and go P3. I've had both and the latter are just streets ahead in every possible way... and in my opinion, build quality included. Yes some of the plastics aren't as "premium" but my P2 cars seemed to show their age / miles rather easily... factor in the AWD woes, rather cumbersome manners and the fact so many are tired.

I paid £3k for an 08 XC70 D5, AWD with a manual box and dark interior about two years ago and it's now romping towards 250k and gets very little TLC, my wife abuses it, my kids have tried (and failed) to destroy it and it just shrugs it off. It drives so much better than a P2 car too, it's bigger, feels like it's not from the Jurassic period and thus far, refuses to break... bar a couple of sticky door locks that were a fiver from a breaker.

There a couple of chaps have excellent readers car threads on theirs, worth a read but again, your choice but I wouldn't consider a P2 XC70, unless you were looking specifically for one / had a budget of £1500.

That sounds encouraging.

How do you find the manual box? I've read no end of horror stories about geartronic issues, but not sure if that applies to the P3's. Are there anything major to look out for? From a quick Google and a look on here there seems a few PITA jobs like thermostat, but every car has it's downfalls.

Also, petrol or diesel? I've had a D5 before and it was a bit rough coming from a petrol obviously, but I soon got used to it. I think I've seen 2.5 and 3.2 petrol variants for sale, but they're not common.

I'm not sure how wise it is buying a diesel in the current climate and the way the world is heading, but I don't expect to be taxed out of the drivers seat for a while yet.

[Cwgt93]

Anymore for anymore? Still yet to find anything worth viewing yet. May have a lead with a very clean P2 2.5T XC70 though.

Keep finding myself bouncing between the XC70 and a Legacy/Outback. The more I read the owners forums, the more I see crusty Legacy's appearing with hidden horrors.

Struggling with the looks of the P3 XC70 and much prefer the P2. However, seems like lots of happy P3 owners and cars built after 2012 have less issues.

[Cwgt93]

I also don't want to completely lose the ' fun factor' in terms of driving. Granted, none of the cars mentioned are exactly B road munchers, but I imagine a manual Legacy would be more fun to drive than the Volvo...

[Cwgt93]

2wheelsjimmy said:

I have a h6 outback and I used the have a e61 530d, also had a mondeo for a bit.

I love my outback but wouldn't recommend it unless you really need it. I need full off-road capability and AWD as I live above 1000m in the mountains. I pay no road tax and it drinks obscene amounts of fuel. But i know it'll never let me me down or stuck, plus it presses on to make overtakes. It gets used an abused and looks like st but is always serviced when needed.

I looked at XC70 d5 but didn't get one as the 3.0 flat six called me. But I'd recommend on in the UK. I do miss my 530d.

Could also consider a Shogun. Will get you anywhere and never let you down. But it seems you need awd and not off road capability.

Love the auto, can shift it into manual change mode if needed or wanted, then back into auto for daily uss.

Edited by 2wheelsjimmy on Sunday 19th March 14:43

Thanks for that. Honestly I don't think it's a necessity to have AWD, I think the novelty appeals. We like to get in the countryside for hikes etc but thinking about it, I'm sure most 2WD cars can navigate the odd boggy car park and incline. The extra ground clearance for the odd ford etc.

My thinking was it would be nice to have it if needed. Perhaps it just another thing to go wrong...

I keep looking at 530 and 535D's too, but they seem quite complex bits of kit which aren't getting any younger.

[Cwgt93]

Macron said:

Cwgt93 said:

I also don't want to completely lose the ' fun factor' in terms of driving. Granted, none of the cars mentioned are exactly B road munchers, but I imagine a manual Legacy would be more fun to drive than the Volvo...

Me thinks your expectations may need readjustment. These are all heavily compromised vehicles where "fun" was not high on the designer's list of priorities, or the manufacturers requirements. Both were satisfied with their product.

A manual legacy is fine, if its the 3.0, although you'll be wondering why you have to stop for fuel *again* despite not having gone far or fast.

If you want any conventional definition of fun, up your budget, or look at vehicles where that mattered.

Another valid point. It's hard trying to find the compromise. Maybe I'll just stick to my Saab's and get a 9-5 Aero estate