Which 2nd hand estate car?

muckety

Looking to change family saloon for a 2nd hand estate. We don't want an MPV or SUV but with 3 kids (incl. teens) + dogs etc need a bit of room. I'd like to be at about 2004 or 5 which rules out the pricier brands for budget purposes (spend is about 25k). We don't do high mileage (<10k per year) but live in a rural area with poor roads. I don't mind petrol or diesel (probably petrol would suit best given our lowish mileage).

Suggestions would be appreciated!

bf

Subaru Legacy - should be able to pick up a 2006 maybe even a 2007 for that kind of money

A little heavy on petrol, but supreme reliability and permanent AWD

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Subaru/Legacy/2.0/1003730/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Subaru/Legacy/car/969137/

peasant

Citroen C5 for sheer caverneous space and comfort (particularly on poor roads)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Citroen/C5/1.6-0539141560/964964/

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Citroen/C5/1.6-HDI/550534/

Lex Luthor

how big are the dogs?

for poor roads I think you're every day car will suffer in teh long run and you might be better off looking at an SUV (Maybe a LR Disco)

barryfitz

Why not go brand new. You could pick up a nice ceed for that money?

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=14&xMakeID=14&ColourID=&xColourID=&ModelID=1695&xModelID=1695&Doors=&BodyID=4235&Engine_Min=&Year_Min=&Engine_Max=&Year_Max=&Price_Min=&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E

Cionád

How about a Volvo V70, plenty of room there. The red one below has low milage. Plenty more available at your budget.

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Volvo/V70/2.0T-Winter/981152/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Volvo/V70/2.0-T/959609/

Stevie Dakota

If I had three kids and dogs then I would get the biggest estate I could. These are serious value for money, monster spec, huge and well under budget even after VRT...

diesel manual...
http://www.motorpoint.co.uk/(S(kyff5cr0cfxxku4542nsie45))/Search/VehicleDetails.aspx?vehicle=171480&minprice=9000&maxprice=15000

or automatic petrol...
http://www.motorpoint.co.uk/(S(fknpn3efvil2sz3zfbthmw55))/Search/VehicleDetails.aspx?vehicle=177902&minprice=9000&maxprice=15000

bazz26

Ford Mondeo or Citroen C5 are probably the largest estates in their class.

cjt156

We have a V70 as the family car & I can't recommend it enough. Acres of space, huge load-carrying area. The 2.0T is a great engine (ours is an auto). With leather and heated seats its a very comfortable place to be.
Even though its a barge its very manouvreable.
Ours has almost 100k miles up & and it still feels tight and well put together.

Test drove it against everything from Mondeos to E Class Mercs & came back to the Swede every time.

Matt Simis

We got an Audi Allroad ('00) few weeks back from the UK (much cheaper than whats being asked on Carzone). Petrol version works out cheaper to buy and about EUR1500 cheaper to VRT too.

muckety

Thanks very much for all the replies to date. I looked at the V70 - lovely car - but are they very dear to fix if something goes wrong? I was advised before that the Subaru is very heavy on petrol (as post above points out) which I'd like to avoid given the direction of petrol costs...

Any comments on what the Mondeo and C5 are like to service / maintain ? I'm assuming fairly inexpensive, which is what I'm looking for.

Stevie Dakota

Of those two the Mondeo has to be the better car, the C5 is SO ugly, and is old school French so expect bills. The Mondeo I posted the link to is low mileage so relative peace of mind should come as standard.

jacko

Anyone got any thoughts on a Volkswagen Golf Estate. mate of mine is offering me one. 12k - 13k (60,000 miles) '05.

Dermo123

Those particular Mondeos on the motorpoint links have very low profile tyres on 18" rims so would not be very suitable on the rough country roads that you said you drive on. Otherwise you should also consider Passat estate in 1.9 or 2.0 TDIs.

jacko

would the Passat estate be similar to the golf estate. (is there a difference)

skink

passat is a fair bit bigger, i drive the golf estate and she is fine, can fit three big enough lads in the back, and there is a ton of room in the boot, and the 1.9 td red i verion has a nice bit of power, and is very easy on the juice!

jacko

cheers for the info, the one my mates offering is the 1.9 td redI. must follow up on it

ismynametoolong

The new generation Legacy is very economical even with the all wheel drive
I had a 05 one and was very happy with the fuel consumption I dont know the exact figures but it was certainly in the 30,s. I heard the new diesel version is exceptionally economical so i might just have a look at one again
i miss the road holding

coolbeans

Check out these, they're probably the most dependable cars made in Europe today:

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Skoda/Octavia/Combi-4x4/998864/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Skoda/Octavia/1.9-TDI/832621/

Or perhaps a Mazda6 wagon. Great car although I admit I'm a bit gay for Mazdas. Fine looking motors these days.
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda6/1.8-EXECUTIVE/967298/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda6/1.8-TOURING/810503/

davidj_PM

I drive (and am selling) a V40 1.9D (2004) - all selling aside I have been really happy with it. It is exceptionally comfortable, eats up the miles and is very economical - I am currently getting c. 43 - 44 mpg....... Is not the biggest car in the world but takes plenty of 'stuff' and will go forever. They (not just this one in particular) are worth considering.