Cheap to run, cheap to fix, big boot, etc.

How cheap are we talking?

Mondeo or Vectra seemed to be the answer when I was shopping. Or Honda Aerodecks if you want something even less cool.

Skoda octavia with my money, couldn't bring myself to drive a mondeo or vectra

I didn't want a Mondeo Estate, but doing the research, it was a no brainer. They're cheap to buy, cheap to run and get fantastic reviews (except the depreciation). I bought mine at 3 years old, with 70k, full SH, for £4400 (2L diesel CDi Zetec). 5 years on, it's been a great car and everything still in full working order. It is starting to cost me money now at MOT and services (beyond the usual costs), as things are starting to wear out ie springs, sus parts, brake pipes etc, but compared to other cars, I think the parts are pretty cheap.
The only neg thing I could say is that it developed a few annoying interior rattles here and there, some of which I've managed to sort out. There's one in the dash which bugs me. Minor things tho.

If I'd been comfortable i could've parked a mondeo on my drive that's what I'd have gone for as well, I ended up spending a fair bit more for an equivalent focus. Which is a nice car for the money despite having a couple of wee bugs but I could've got more for less with a mondeo for sure.

Vectras put me off because so many of them are scabby, there are good ones out there but after wasting time on bad ones I just got fed up with them.

No????!!!! French, 406 or laguna, or even 405.

Our Passat just turned 70K on a Y-plate. We bought for it for 2100 at 58K with a FSH and it's never had as much as an advisory on an MOT. 30mpg around the doors and 45mpg on runs.

Toys19 I was thinking about a Peugeot 407 next year, lovely looking cars, but reviews aren't very good, they also don't look to be that big in the back.

Get yourself a Saab 95 Estate. I got a W reg Aero for £2,500.00 🙂

Toys, French cars ARE poo, they Will break. However as a plus point you will become your garage's best friend 😆

cheap and fast mostly owned by oldies so tend to be in excellent condition.

405 is the biggest, but getting old and rarer now. 406 is pretty good size waise and my current beast, had for 4 years very reliable. Dunnmo about 407.

nmdbase with respect – bollocks. I have had 405's and 406's for the last 11 years very reliable, cheap and easy to fix ubiquitous parts, fast, economical and generally very good. All the fords I have ever owned (fiesta, two escorts, focus for a short while,) have been rusty, useless, unreliable crap. The only thing wors than a ford is a FIAT. I would happily have a passat.

a +1 on the Saab 9-5. Canvenous boot.

Currently drive a (new shape) Mondeo, had a Passat before that and a Vectra before that.

The new Mondeo is in a different league, it's fantastic. The Passat was great, the Vectra was mediocre.

Dunno if you can see these without being 'friends' but, this is what happened to the Passat;

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=76007&id=568946210

307 HDI or SW

V40

I would probably say Mondeo too, although the Civic above would be good, make sure it's a VTi, I had one for 3 years and thrashed the life out of it, other than service items nothing other than the clutch failed. Faster than it looks too 🙂

We're looking at diesel Astra and Focus estates at the moment, for about £2k. Also tempted to go for a slightly older Volvo for the same cash.

For this money, the cars seem to have about 70k on the clock. We found a much older Astra with 305k on it, which must be a good sign of longevity.

If you do decide to go for a Volvo make sure the oil used is fully synthetic as mineral tends to gunge up the engines.

I'm in the same boat as the OP.

FiL says that Saab spares are hard to get hold of since GM dumped them which puts me off.

307 looks a possibility but so does the passat & octavia.

V40 has a surprisingly small boot, I thought it was the ideal car til I looked inside one and discovered it was full of wheel arch. Not sure if they're all like that but I suspect all the ones in this price range will be the same models I was looking at.

Peugeot 406 estate with a 1.9dt engine and you won't worry. I drive one constantly, never wash it, never service apart from filters and oil. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, spacious inside too. 407 is nicer but has a smaller boot sadly.
BTW 200k miles isn't an issue, just change the cambelt and the water pump. And the radio as the original Pug one is crap.

I'd say Mondeo also, but dont go thinking they cost peanuts to fix. There's some pretty expensive stuff on them, like a lot of modern diesels, & Ford are just as pricey as the rest when it comes to dealer only parts. £550 for a dmf & clutch (£1.3k at dealers!!!), £800 for injectors for eg.
But on the whole, give them clean oil & filters regularly, & drive them sensibly & they will give good service.
I paid £1.8k for our Mondeo, now has 150k, runs well but bit rattly. If buying again I'd get a petrol because the fear of a £600+ repair bill is never far away.

FiL says that Saab spares are hard to get hold of since GM dumped them which puts me off.

not so, GM have to supply spares for a good 5 years.

Octavia estate?

Pug 306 estate. £30 tyres, 40+mpg on average with the oil burner model. Loads of room. Only problem is that they are French.

Passat all the way.

Bought my 51 plate TDi 130 for £3000 with 110k on the clock. Now done 190k and spent less than £500 on it including cambelt change.

Great cheap motoring.

another vote for octavia estate.
if you can get the 4×4 TDI even better

french by name.. probably built down south!

I've not found Saab spares any more expensive the Peugeot. I had a little 206 and now have a Saab 95. The boot is huge but not quite as large as the Volvo V70. The Saab does have better rear seat leg room than the Volvo though.

Saab 2.3 turbo = More fun on the way to the trails! Watch out for the speed guns in Wales though 🙁

Passat!