@db good point re wheels. Hadn't thought of that, big alloys look like a massive faff and uncomfortable too, will avoid.
@jam-bo because I don’t see many Subaru’s about I had always assumed be expensive to fix? I’ll have a research.
cheaper to run than my T5...
Subarus can be expensive to fix, cambelts are a bastard IIRC.
I have a Mk4 Mondeo hatch, still big (bigger than most estates) but not estate big. Mine is post 135k and showing it. The roads round here are awful and I had to replace the dampers and top hats last summer. The CV joint also fell apart and whilst I managed to rebuild it there is now a horrible vibration that may be related, a new decent (SKF) drive shaft is £300 from Germany or I could take a chance on a £40 consumable from Euro Car Parts. Mk4s are now at the point where OE parts other than consumables are thin on the ground and drivetrain bits are stupidly expensive or non existent (as said that joint was rebuilt as you can't get an inner joint on its own).I can't imagine the Mk3 is going to be any better at this point, the newest ones are going to be 14 years old this year.
Oh it also got the clutch and DMF done about 20k ago, budget for that of its not been done. Sceptic tells me to run away from solid conversions from a Transit.
It’s more to do with a grudging acceptance that I ‘need’ to fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place, at least while I settle in. After a couple of years I’ll be able to go back to a van
Keep the van - less depreciation, cheaper, suits you and your priorities in life etc. Even if you polish it up a bit or lose a sticker or two, it is a perfectly acceptable vehicle.
SMax. I had one and then I got another.
Titanium spec is a nice place to sit.
Effortless driving.
Can "make progress" if required.
Swallows bikes whole.
Reliable.
Fuel economy is 40mpg on a 2L TDi.
I'll be in the same boat once things are back to normal some what. I have a t4 (petrol!) and won't want to be commuting in that.
Would you say a petrol is probably the way to go now with cars?
I've also heard the hyundai's are crazy reliable. Something like the hyundai i40?
it’s a public sector mgt job so no car allowance. It’s more to do with a grudging acceptance that I ‘need’ to fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place, at least while I settle in.
in that case, I'd keep the van until someone says something.
then I'd keep the van and tell them to do one.
SMax. I had one and then I got another.
the one thing I'd caution is that most of them (and galaxy's) have a rather chocolately (auto) gearbox, with £2k bills for repair when the bits of plastic that hold the clutches together disintegrate, which is a shame as its otherwise quite a nice gearbox. Get a manual, or a shalhambra which is a slightly nicer place to sit anyway.
if you're not anti-a-mpv it might be worth considering a vauxhall zafira tourer. Slightly smaller than a s-max (based on an astra-sized car instead of the class above), similar usable space (rearmost seats are more useless but it doesn't sound like you need them), cheaper to run as a result (the 1.6 is 109 co2s, and apparently 70+ mpg, so £20 a year tax). Lots of toys and a nice place to sit, unfashionable so depreciates like a mother... but is much cheaper as a result - 30-40% cheaper than an equivilent s-max.
Yep. Mine is a manual.
I had a 2011 Superb estate for 7 years. It was a 1.8 TSI (petrol) with 4 wheel drive. It was incredibly capable and with a winter set of wheels felt unstoppable. Loads of space for lugging family/dogs/bikes/kayaks.
It had its problems though:
TSI engines can consume oil, mine was dreadful - dealer rebuilt engine with redesigned new pistons about a month before the warranty expired. A 4k repair. It was much improved after that but always drank some oil.
Also consumed coolant in the later years; many, many attempts by various garages to find a leak were unsuccessful. Only car I've owned that always had a bottle of oil and coolant in the boot for topping up.
Very thirsty and high road tax.
As others have said the big alloys gave an awful ride. I lived down a rough track and they also punctured easily due to sidewall damage.
Never found the seats very comfortable on long journeys.
Almost too much space, limo style rear leg room always seemed like a wasted bigger boot, or slightly shorter car to me. Octavia boot not much smaller and car shorter - better compromise to me.
think I'd be keeping the van too....
E-Class I would stay away from - lovely cars and generally very reliable. But when something does go eventually go wrong (cos it will), you will cry at how quickly the costs add up - and it'll probably be electrical.
If i wasn't keeping the van, Volvo would be my choice for comfort and reliability. Heaps of mega mileage V70s still crusing around.
Insignia here, not fancy or fashionable but 30k plus a year. On my second one and my Anthem 29er goes in with wheels on.
I think I am in the keep the van camp, if your not driving to visit 'clients' then the people you work with shouldn't really care imo, I think your probably over thinking things.
Elsewise, then I think I would be looking at some MPV alternative as 80% van with 100% boring normal person acceptableness as a car.... you can always pretend you have many childrens... or its the wifes you are borrowing 😉
unless you hate the van. or REALLY want a new car...keep the van.
No one will
a)thank you for turning up in a mondeo rather than a van
b)care
c)be able to do anything other than grunt a bit and say "mmm.,..vvan....hmm..." if they do at all care
Honestly. Keep the van.
Don't change, man...you're great as you are...
DrP
I believe vans are fetching a premium at the moment - you may be surprised at how much you could get for it. I'd likely sell it if the price is right. You should be able to pick up a perfectly decent Mondeo/Accord/Mazda 6 for five grand from a dealer, and end up with a decent amount left over to spend on new bikes or fancy suits and ties for work.
if you’re not anti-a-mpv it might be worth considering a vauxhall zafira tourer
I own an MPV, an unfashionable one at that. It's never worth considering a Zafira. They get filed with Jukes as cars for people who have given up in life. And again, I say that as an MPV owner.
I own an MPV, an unfashionable one at that. It’s never worth considering a Zafira. They get filed with Jukes as cars for people who have given up in life. And again, I say that as an MPV owner.
which is why they're extremely cheap. They were also the biggest selling mpv in the uk.
The older ones were fairly rubbish but the tourer was a (failed) attempt to go upmarket - on the continent they were aiming it at the 2-series active tourer thing.
Its up to you whether you care about what other people think. If you do, then I guess the premium for a more-german brand is worth it
Once I was doing carparking at a local cross-country meet - so, runners, but obvs a lot of crossover as active people.
A good third of the cars were VW group.
We've had Skodas for yonks now, reliable, no fuss. A colleague has a Golf or Passat estate instead of a Skoda as apparently the back slopes less so more space to fit bulky equipment.
Don’t change, man…you’re great as you are
Going to get that tattoo...
it’s a public sector mgt job so no car allowance. It’s more to do with a grudging acceptance that I ‘need’ to fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place
I work in a bit of the public sector. I don't think anyone would care. It's not like a salesman turning up in a Bugatti while telling would-be clients "you're bleeding me dry, I can't go any lower and keep a roof over my family's heads".
Or has the van got some Kill Bill pickup style decals on it? In which case, maybe tone them down a bit!
Also, I've got a Superb on 19" wheels and the ride quality is fine. I wouldn't have chosen them myself but it was a second hand car at the right price with the right (rare) spec/engine.
fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place
Are they going to inspect you as you pull into the car park? Is the 3 day a week commute 60 miles each way or round trip? If you don't need the estate for work, I'd be tempted to keep the van and if you're that worried, get something smaller for the commute otherwise you'll be lugging around an empty great big hunk of metal for 90% of the time.
I've just left a job with a company car-I had an Outlander so that I could fit my son's wheelchair in for the times when we were running around at the weekend. However, my daily commute was a 90miles round trip which seemed wasted with just me in it.
I think I’d be tempted to keep the van, you already have the job, it’s not like they can dictate what you drive.
Get a cheap runaround if you want to save mileage on the van.
If you’re gonna get an estate, V70, Superb, Mondeo, 5 series, Outback will all take a bike with wheels on no problem.
Volvo will have the best seats.
Subarus are costly in parts, but they won’t need them very often.
Diesel subarus don’t have a timing belt, it’s a chain on those. All diesel Subaru engines are the same.
I traded in my 2014 Superb TDI Estate for a Volvo V90. The Volvo may be lovely, refined, quiet, high tech and super safe but for the purposes of being an honest load lugging estate car the Superb knocks it out the park. Even the Octavia estate has a bigger boot than a V90. The sheer volume and practical shape of a Superb Estate is virtually unbeatable. Only the E Class Merc comes close. As well as load capacity, purchase and running costs, particularly fuel consumption, on a Superb are all simply excellent, I rarely dropped below 50mpg in mixed driving and could get 60+ on a long run. Four large suitcases and hand luggage would fit with ease as the cases could be double stacked with the load cover still in place.
Even more practical is something like a Touran or Sharan, as the boot on them is cavernous.
fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place
Dare you to turn up on a bike....
V70 - no later than a 2006 when afterwards they became ford influenced pre 2006 is proper old school solid Gothenburg engineering.
Easy to find a one owner garaged and cherished all its life examples like ours was until MrsRNP got her hands on it. She absolutely abused it for her business including accidentally knocking a wall over with it! (Built like an absolute tank underneath). Only bought because it had the biggest load area of any estate but is a keeper even though not needed for work anymore
Both the petrol and diesel are good engines, genuine parts are reasonable and good dedicated forum support. Galvanized bodyshells
Ours is just having a mid life freshen up at 200k miles with new suspension components.
It has done the long legged non stop drive down to Catalonia and the slog up the Millau route many times in utter comfort with the dog blissfully snoring in the back.
Brilliant cars.
I still thinks you should keep the van if it suits you. Fair enough use it as an excuse to get a new car if you want one, but I wouldn’t be changing it.
I have no idea what half the people at my work drive nor do I care.
Public sector manager here too, the only time work cared was when we still had Crown Car leasing and then it hit my pocket more depending on what I chose. I have a T6 now and befre that a Caravelle, before that other estates. I hardly use the van for work travel and work pays me what work pays me if I have to for any reason. They don't care a jot what it is, in fact were supposed to use public transport/ sustainable options if at all possible, so when in the office I cycle and train to other locations otherwise.
There's a phrase I like which I think might help you here.
"Managing expectations."
I hear it all the time at work. "The customer expects... the manager expects..." So? Let them expect what they like. I expect Eliza Dushku to be sent to my bedroom lightly oiled.
I was thinking Merc E class estate, Skoda Superb estate, Octavia Estate, Mondeo Estate.
I've had both of the last two and an i40 someone else mentioned, though in hatchback flavour (saloon i40). All decent motors, I'd probably go Mondeo > Octavia > i40 if I had to have another, though my requirements have changed and I'm driving something smaller now.
Guy at work used to have a Mondeo estate, you could probably get the Octavia in the back of it. It is vast. He got it to lug bikes around, and then got shut of it because it was too big.
What is this Honda Prelude Estate? I've not seen or heard of that before and quick google returns nothing?
Honda Accord Tourer Mk8 owner here and previously had the Mk7. The mk8 is not a very large car at all, despite the exterior size. The rear wheel arches occupy a large part of the boot, which seems to make getting any sort of luggage or bike in, awkward. Add to that the low height and I wouldnt call it a brilliant bike transporter internally. The Mk7 however was Huuuge!
However, everything else about the Mk8 is better. Driving, handling, comfort, mod cons and electrics, stereo. It feels like a proper exec car and is a pleasure to drive distances. Fuel economy is similar to old model. approx 35mpg for 2.2cdti auto. With towbar and roof rack, you can take a good amount of luggage and bikes on holiday.
Very cheap too if you dont mind buying relatively high mileage. I bought my one just over a year ago for £4.5k 1250,000 miles.
Upgraded lights to HIDs as std are carp (same with mk7). Got to take whole of front of car off though lol! - garage job!
V70 – no later than a 2006 when afterwards they became ford influenced pre 2006 is proper old school solid Gothenburg engineering.
Or, on our 2013 V70, we have cheap Mondeo brakes, suspension parts and more, coupled with Swedish build quality that sorted a few glitches and refined the 5-pot motor and gearbox to a fine art, still with best seats and stereo in the business.
😉
The correct answer is obviously Volvo XC70
Just to add another on to your list to consider my c-class estate takes two bikes with just front wheels out + kit for 2 people very easily. If you're going to look at a car where the front wheel has to come out then don't rule it out.
Very comfy, 35mpg possible out of town from the 1.8 turbo petrol (the 1.6 is more frugal and goes just as well). The kompressors (supercharged) are thirstier. Most of the estates have roof rails. Flat load area but the boot cover thingy is heavy and bulky but will fit in the rear passenger foot space thereby not intruding into load area.
Had mine 2 years after I had to get shot of the s-Max due to a knocking bottom end and it's just as comfy and I've not really noticed any lack of practicality but then I'm not loading it with kids and camping gear. Driven it to middle of France and back and it just wafted along nicely, 60 miles each way in a day will be no problem.
OP's van
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The Pussy Wagon aka RustyNissanPrairie
Don’t discount Vw golf estate. Very big boot
@superfli thanks I meant an Accord, I can see what you mean about the mk 8 rear arches from Googleing! Think that's out.
@rustynissanprarie hah - not quite, but that's an aspiration!
@smokey_jo 'knocking bottom end' is exactly the car type comment I was hoping for in my car thread, I've got no idea whatsoever what it means! I think from what most people have said front wheel off is expected, and that's fine so will have a look at the c class stats.
@lots of people re the comments on that I 'need' one for work. That's been useful as it's helped me realize it's really about my expectations and how I want to start the role. For instance I'd be totally happy to ride, and plan to once a fortnight to help prevent middle age fatness. There's probably more to this decision than needs to be in this thread but you're all correct, no one else will notice or care.
The Pussy Wagon aka RustyNissanPrairie
That's ace. 1989 vintage, I'm not surprised it's rusty.
Its up to you whether you care about what other people think. If you do, then I guess the premium for a more-german brand is worth it
Touché!
Let them expect what they like. I expect Eliza Dushku to be sent to my bedroom lightly oiled.
Don't we all?
Honda Accord Mk8 and E-class owner here. The e-class is far bigger than the Accord in the back, but you can still get a bike in the back with the front wheel off. 12yrs now with the Accord (petrol) and W had to replace the battery this year which was the major non service item in that time.
Regarding the amount of space in the back of an Octavia hatchback - the boot lip is a pain, but I regularly shoved my hooligan Inbred 567 in the back with wheels on, it just required the seat pushed down or taken out, that was with 6” travel Nixons on the front; the estate is bigger.
There’s nowt wrong with Zaffies, I’ve driven many over many, many miles, and they’re surprisingly zippy if you drive ‘em like you stole ‘em, the 1.4 Turbo in particular.
Don’t forget Vauxhall did a 270hp VXR version!
I’d also consider the Insignia estate - I had one as a loan car for a while, I did just shy of 900 miles in it, mostly just commuting to work and back, it was delivered with a full tank, and it had just gone onto reserve at 50 miles when I handed it back.
Cost £72 to fill it up, though. It was the SRi, 175hp, went like the clappers, and was really comfy, I enjoyed driving it very much. I never put anything other than a month’s shopping in the back, but I reckon my Inbred would have fitted.
E-Class I would stay away from – lovely cars and generally very reliable. But when something does go eventually go wrong (cos it will), you will cry at how quickly the costs add up – and it’ll probably be electrical.
Dunno about the E-Class, but the only cars that I’ve seen driven into work, but then hauled out on a low-loader after the battery went flat and the cars wouldn’t move were three A-Class Mercs. One of them was stuck in ‘Park’, I think the others were as well, and we recently had an almost new A-Class with the whizzy full-width LED dash display taken to a dealer in Bath after the display went black while it was being driven out of QC inspection! I went to pick it up, only to be told there were several other unresolved issues, including air on, that they hadn’t fixed yet.
Another A-Class I drove to Bristol, an hour’s drive, had the most uncomfortable seats it’s been my misfortune to sit on since I had to drive a 90’s Vectra ‘L’ model, my bum was actually numb by the time I got to Bath, that’s about thirty minutes.
I would not buy a Mercedes. Ever.
2.0TDI Skoda Superb EST. They are just MASSIVE.
I did say nothing was going to happen for a while... And updating as much to say thanks to those that posted.
And... @5lab is the winner! Zafira Tourer from a mate, timing was perfect (sold van and collected car in same day) and I obviously trust my mate and the history. Much cheaper than I'd feared so spent some of the spare on an e-bike conversion kit (Sywtch) so the 60 mile round trip is doable once a week.
It's probably not some people's idea of a nice car but with electric windows, air con and comfy seats I feel like a millionaire 😂.
On the flip side putting my bike on the tow bar rack is annoying after just one effort, so there's a van in my future again at some point.
Thanks again for the advice.
Glad it worked out. I use a thule 970 rack on mine for day to day, goes on and off in seconds and makes all the difference compared to lugging my big rack around
On the flip side putting my bike on the tow bar rack is annoying after just one effort
What rack?
You may find that practice speeds things up - I can do mine in 30-45seconds now. Lift on, spin clamp tight, zip wheel one, zip wheel 2 then ratchet both wheels at once.
I've been reading with interest as I'll need to change my car at some point soon and have similar requirements. It's good to see the OP has got sorted.
In case it's of any interest to anyone I'd recommend an Avensis for safe bangernomcs...
I've got an '07 Avensis Estate - had it for about 9 years and it's been fantastic - 50MPG+, large, comfortable but dull of course. The boot is large and folds flat with very little in the way of intrusions so it's very usable for biking etc.
It is now at 160K miles and almost 15 years old with very little other than service items (apart from a new alternator it's only had servicing, tyres, brakes and discs - its still on its original clutch and exhaust). Previous Toyotas I've owned have been very similar (Celica and MR2).
It still drives and rides great but surely the time is coming soon when bills will mount up / one large bill will write it off.
I'm struggling to see past getting a much newer, latest model version of the same thing but am tempted by a Superb Estate. Mondeos look good value and are nice to drive but my previous experiences with running Fords is a decent size bill each year for corroded exhaust, brake lines, perished suspension bushes etc.