Hi,
I have a focus estate 1.8 petrol estate that has been a great car but its getting to the end of its life now.
Looking for a relatively cheep car to replace it. £4-7K
Needs big enough for 2 + 2 kids, I like estates ... lots of stuff like windsurf / camping / bike gear carted around.
I also use it for commuting some of the time. Driving slowly get 40 -43mpg on clear motorway with current car.]
My short list is
Mondeo 130 bhp diesel
Mazda 6
Volvo v70
Also saw a nice Subaru 2.0 petrol at a good price, maybe the fuel econ is poor? Anyone got one.
Any suggestions / recommendations?
Ta Iain
I'd pick the V70 but you might struggle to find a good one for that money. Other two options are very decent - I'd get the Mazda for it's looks, slightly superior build quality and because there are less on the road.
Subarus are terrible on fuel but decent otherwise and last forever.
I think you have it covered really. There are the obvious Passats and A4s but you'll get a tired example for that money so I wouldn't bother.
Toyota Avenis Estate is worth a look though.
VW Touran?
Mate has the Mazda 6 estate for similar duties and it well equipped for the price.... it is a big car - both inside and out - and he says his petrol version (can't rmeber what size) drinks fuel. The 'sport' version would be the one to go for, but I fear you might have to permanently connected to a petrol pump! 😉
Passat TDI estate works well for me; I got a 3 year old 140hp model for around £7k and it's since covered 30000 troubletree miles at an average of 45mpg. It's now got 105k on it and doesn't feel in the least tired, though I've replaced the front shocks as a precautionary measure (pretty standard for any car at this mileage).
Has cruise, leather, climate control, decent enough sound system, handles acceptably, but is remarkably boring. Loads of space and an ability to gobble up the miles without complaint make up for that.
Its the almost compulsory reply to threads like this but Mondeo hatch. MASSIVE boot, cheap to repair/maintain.
For that kinda money I bought a 4 year old ex-company Mondeo ST TDCi. 80k motorway miles, maintained regardless of cost (so the best tyres, full main dealer servicing etc). Half heated leather, all the toys, looks (I think) awesome and does 55mpg without trying.
Dave
I think (for your needs) a Passat TDI estate.
BE CAREFUL though- lots of clocking going on out there. Aim for a 1 owner 7k Passat with annual history etc.
Should get you a end of the line old shape highline model etc.
IainAhh
Hi Iain, this weekend I'm selling myy Ford Mondeo Estate. 2lt TDCI LX 130hp, air con, 6cd changer etc..... I'm looking for £4500 it will have 2 new front tires, full service and MOT it has 27 months manufacterers warrentee remaining and has done 49,500 miles.
I'm only selling it because I'm getting a company car
Full service history every year without fail. With current fuel prices it costs 13p a mile with a heavy foot.
that is a steal ....
sorry to jump in and all but where are you based Mr. Pinder?
[if Ian doesn't fancy it]
Mondeo is good for me (115 version) - gets around 47 on the motorway commute
Maidstone. But will happily deliver it for the price of a train ticket.
Didn't realise I would get so much interest.
Just so I do not confuse things. The warrentee, is an extended Ford Dealer warrentee. So far I have had them on all my ford cars, this is my third and never had a problem with it.
I have even claimed on this warrentee and they accepted the claim with no problem, you just take it into any ford dealership and get them to ring up the dealer where the warrentee is from.
If your based in Devon/Cornwall the car was bought from Vospers Ford in Exeter.
That is a bargain at £4,500 what reg is it ??!? Does the LX have cruise on it?
I was going to suggest Mondeo 2.0 TDCI 130. Mine does slightly better than Stuf's 115bhp version getting 50mpg doing 85mph on the motorway!
Have an old style 2.0 Subaru Impreza turbo hatch/estate .
Hell, yeah it's thirsty 😀
The 130hp PD TDI Octavia hatch we have is loads more frugal and a perfect bike lugger - big boot for a medium size car. Estate version is a little smaller in the boot space if you want the seats up with a bike in there. Same engine in lots of VAG models. Engine returns great MPG at 50+ no matter how you drive or over load it. Later models (140hp) with diesel particulate filters are more refined but less frugal. I like the turbo kick and oodles of torque it doles out for not much diesel consumption. Done over 90k very happy miles in it including several trips to Switzerland. Would happily buy another. VRS 1.8t versions are a bit more frenetic but still reasonable economy and much firmer suspension.
Both our current cars are good for what you want but for very different reasons. Scooby takes bikes ok with back seats down but the suspension turrets intrude into the boot quite a lot.
It's an 02 reg, usually I would wonder about low millage but it was serviced every year. No the LX does not have cruise 🙁
I'd have a Imprezza GX from 2003 ownwarsd or the 2.0R - both good for VED passed 2003. Its finding an example that hasnt fallen into the poor servicing chav brigade that is the problem...
Hi Iain, this weekend I'm selling myy Ford Mondeo Estate. 2lt TDCI LX 130hp
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TAAXII!!! 8)
Lol WTF?
I've got a new shape Mondeo, and had a Passat before that. I'd recommend either, both have served me well.
Why not another Focus Estate...you say it's been a great car and I'd guess that the later model will be even better (and lots will have the heated front windscreen).
Ian round our parts Mondy estates and Avensis's (I own one) are very common choices for Taxi drivers 😀
Mondeo, Mazda and Volvo are all the same basic car except one of them is now a Chinese car company. Ford is cheap to run - I can't imagine that the Chinese one will be.
You need to move to a posher area, round my parts they are all mercs bmws and audis 😉
Mondeo, Mazda and Volvo are all the same basic car except one of them is now a Chinese car company
will the Volvo now come with a takeaway carrier hook?