looking for the impossible?

peasant

Right ...here's a task for you all.

My dayly commute is 2 x 10 kms on bad, narrow, speed limited back roads full of potholes. (realistically I should be cycling or use a Honda 50 ...but the road is too dangerous and the weather too bad)

Evening and weekend activities usually involve my wife and three dogs (large, medium and small) as well.

So currently I drive a 99 Suzuki Jimny, which is ideal for the narrow, bad roads and with the back seats permanently down and a boot liner and dog guard also accomodates the dogs comfortably, as the boot is about 1 m long, 1.5m wide and 1 m high .

I'm fairly happy with the Jimny, it is reliable and cheap to run. Only problem is ...when we're all in it and want to do a bit of shopping or transport something, there is no additional room.

So for the last few months I have been looking for something slightly bigger.

There is one problem though ...I don't want to increase my running costs significantly and I have a small budget.

The Jimny currently costs 272 tax, 550 insurance and gets about 35 mpg

I would like to trade it in (hoping for 4 to 5 k) and spend an additional 3-4 k max an something else. So around 8k max.

The likes of Skoda Fabia, Polo, 206 estate etc are out ...the boot is too small
Focus estate ...I just don't like and they are overpriced as well.
Kangoo and Berlingo multispace would be an option, they also tend to be very pricey though.

Mileage should be max 60k for a petrol, max 100k for a diesel.

I'd also consider an older bigger estate (max 2 litre) but then the running cost just runs away ... (and if it's a "tank" it becomes undriveable on the roads I use every day)

A commercial could be an option ...but it would have to be something unabused, in good nick and have at least one sliding door and windows in the back door(s)


Any ideas?

mike65

Not asking for much! How about a Citroen Xsara TD estate?

http://cars.rte.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=464347

Mike.

peasant

Yepp ...that would be an option (looked at a 02 commercial HDI the other week, remember? )

It would mean selling the Jimny privately though ...

Also it's in Cork which is a day trip away (I'm in Sligo) ...looong way to go to look at a car. Funnily enough ...Cork cars seem to be rather well priced in general.

mike65

Shifting the Jimmy if its in good nick would'nt be hard I'd say plus you'll get much better value than as a trade in.

Galway 1.4i
http://carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=410566

Mike.

peasant

oh ...and something else ....

The Jimny has two airbags ...I reckon my wife wouln't be too pleased if I thought her not worthy of an airbag anymore

(unfortunately that rules out most commercials and a good few budget cars as well)

Wishbone Ash

peasant wrote:

Evening and weekend activities usually involve my wife and three dogs

Keep your little fetishes to yourself peasant

cantdecide

peasant wrote:

currently I drive a 99 Suzuki Jimny

.Kangoo and Berlingo multispace would be an option

:eek:

V70 2.0. i know it's not girly or anything but give it a chance....

gyppo

@ OP,

A few to consider.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=421760
( Supposed to be a very good car, might be thirsty though )

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=454581
( Low milage for year, but I'd say its thirsty )

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=470848
( Low milage, but above your budget )

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=415475
( High milage, but within your budget )

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=459646
( a bit different, and slightly above 1.6 )

Alkers

Roofbox?

peasant

Gyppo

thanks for your suggestions!

Subarus (Forester or Legacy estate) would indeed be vehicles I LIKE, they are very thirsty though and there is no Subaru service anywhere near where I am (and I'm told they do take kindly to being serviced properly)

The same goes for Volvo btw

The Honda Stream sounds nice too, unfortunately they're still that bit over budget.

Simona
A roofbox would probably be the cheapest and most sensible option ...if it wasn't for the hassle of putting it on and off all the time and where to store it.

ToxicPaddy

Another option:

Subaru Forrester.
All wheel drive, so suitable for the bad roads and lotsa clearance for a car.
Big boot as its an estate and for an estate car it has lots of headroom.
2.0 Ltr Petrol, may be a bit thirsty but not as bad as the 2.5 petrol in the newer models
Reasonable mileage for a car of that age and very reasonable price too.



http://carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=472090

cantdecide

forester defo

overdriver

What about one of those boxes that goes on a tow-bar? Or a dog trailer?

jayok

If it's space and economy you are after, what about a 01 Honda Civic 5-door? Available in 1.4 and 1.6 these give good economy, safety (airbags, side, etc), and are rock solid reliable and come with a/c as standard?

Looks are not as odd as when first came out. Mountains of space on the inside!! esp with the rear seats down. (actually you can walk from the front seats to the back!).

Here's one...

http://www.cbg.ie/car.asp?Make=Honda&Model=Civic&mkID=m30&ColourID=&Colour=&modID=86&Body=&minPrice=Min&minYear=2001&maxPrice=Max&maxYear=2001&minMileage=Min&maxMileage=Max&MinEngine=&FuelType=&MaxEngine=&Gearbox=&County=&Distance=&DealerID=&Dealer=&Vendor=&Doors=&Keywords=&Submit=Search+Used+Cars&VTypeID=1&frmFilter=All&isPostBack=

But is the 1.6 VTEC (which is a very good engine IMO). You'll get one for about €8k.

bbbbb

If you want to stay on the "soft-roader" side, might look at a rav4?
http://carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=484176

Costs would probably be higher.

maidhc

As someone who lives deep in the countryside, I assure you there is no need for an off roader. Any family car will have plenty clearance for the most rutted and weather beaten roads.

As for narrowness, most of time you cannot pass on these roads, so really it is irrelevant whether you are driving a Cadillac or a Seicento. You will ahve to pull into a gap to let the other person pass anyway.

Since you have ruled out the Fabia/Polo estate as being too small, you just have to go for an Octavia/Golf estate! Get a TDi.

peasant

overdriver wrote:

What about one of those boxes that goes on a tow-bar? Or a dog trailer?

A dog trailer?

Never ! My dogs would disown me ....

maidhc wrote:

As someone who lives deep in the countryside, I assure you there is no need for an off roader. Any family car will have plenty clearance for the most rutted and weather beaten roads.

yeah ...the 4x4 was just bought initially because I always wanted one ..and it is fun on the few occasions that I have taken it off road.
Some of the roads I travel on are actually *just* wide enough for two cars ...with the narrow Jimny I can keep on the gas ...with my old tank (Saab 9000) I had to stop. Not an essential feature, but kinda handy.

The 4x4 does come in very handy in winter though ...and on my steep driveway ...but I admit, it's more of a plaything really.

Since you have ruled out the Fabia/Polo estate as being too small, you just have to go for an Octavia/Golf estate!

The Fabia would be perfect if it didn't have that stupid sloped back :mad: the Polo is defo too small
Golf estates are waaaay overpriced and usually stark naked on the goodies front and most Octavias (estates) unfortunately seem to lead very hard, unloved lives (looked at a few).

I'd really love the Forester ...if I could only live with it's drinking habit and the service costs.

The issue isn't really that I can't afford it, I just think that 120 bhp and 28 mpg is way OTT for pootling into work and the occasional trip to the beach or the weekly shopping.

I know that this is a "sensible" and "boring" attitude ...but show some leniancy ...I'm old

(I already allow myself the "luxury" of a fairly expensive motorhome ..the line has to be drawn somewhere )

bazz26

How about a Ford Mondeo estate? They have a huge boot and are fairly cheap these days. Servicing and spare parts are cheap too.
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=454737
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=329914

Other estate cars:
Opel Astra:- http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=404617

VW Passat:- http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=478308

Toyota Avensis:- http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=379153

VW Golf:- http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=488123
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=485533