20k To Spend

Mr.Boots

looking for a new car.
20ish k to spend.
I have a mx5 now so want something more practical but not to boring. Idealy Id prefer to keep running coasts down a bit also.
No real criteria but an estate would be ideal i guess.
Id also love a 03/04 7 series diesel but someone try and talk me out of that madness!!!
I love the Toyota iQ (the complete opposite to the beemer i know) i love its packaging and design.
I love subarus having owened a few.
I have a strange pervertion towords merc e estates??
I love the fiat 500, one of my favs around at the moment (dont care if thats gay)
so i guess the field is wide open....so please throw me a few curve balls.
thanx.

DanGerMus

Smallest engine in a 7 series is 2.8 petrol but at the same time you could buy one for peanuts and never have a loan to repay and i hear the 2.8 is capable of 30mpg. Tax'll catch you though.

spartacus93

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/2.0Lt-Vr/200913192258556/advert?channel=CARS

Mr.Boots

spartacus93 wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/2.0Lt-Vr/200913192258556/advert?channel=CARS

Yea i like the look os those, test drove one a year or so ago in the rain, it spun its wheels in 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th, id imagine front tyres dont last long.
whats the petrol one like? economy ect.
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1412329

bazz26

Saab 9-3 estate:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1391827

Honda Accord estate:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1087530

Jaguar X-Type estate:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1180111

Mr.Boots

bazz26 wrote: »

Saab 9-3 estate:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1391827

Honda Accord estate:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1087530

Jaguar X-Type estate:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1180111

Cheers bazz,
Dont like any of them bar the jag, which is only ok, drove a salon version before and came away feeling sleepy and floppy in the trouser area.

Voodoomelon

I'd talk you out of a 03-04 7 series for potential reliability issues. Also, the smallest engine in the 2002-2007 range is a 3 litre diesel, not a 2.8 petrol. Unless you can stretch to a 06-07 7 series, i'd go for a 2001 E38 7 series.

Mr.Boots

How about bmw x3's?

L-M

If you could bargain this down, I think it would be a cracker,

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class/200-Komp/200920192806801/advert?channel=CARS

Mainly because I know who used to own it, and I was always jealous of it. Absolutely gorgeous car.

Mr.Boots

Limerick man wrote: »

If you could bargain this down, I think it would be a cracker,

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class/200-Komp/200920192806801/advert?channel=CARS

Mainly because I know who used to own it, and I was always jealous of it. Absolutely gorgeous car.

that is nice,those wheels on the estate realy suit it.
A bit pricey maybe for me at the moment im afraid.

olewy

Suggestion for OP:

Since you seem to have a perversion for estates how about a 2005 or younger B7 Audi A4 Avant S-Line 2.0 TDI from the UK?

Style, practicality (if a little tight in the back), economy, resale value...the works.

Carawaystick

Diesel Impreza 21k list price; 150ps and 302 road tax per year.

Anan1

How about this? http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1376578

0-60 in under 6 seconds, heavy on fuel though. I have an auto, it's an amazingly competent all-rounder.

Bluefoam

Alfa 159 sportswagon. Might be outside your budget though.

Sqaull20

Carawaystick wrote: »

Diesel Impreza 21k list price; 150ps and 302 road tax per year.

+1, Best value motor around.Goes like a train and 50mpg with 4wd!

olewy

Bluefoam wrote: »

Alfa 159 sportswagon. Might be outside your budget though.

I wouldn't for resale value sake (if that's a criteria for the OP). Gorgeous car though. Had a 156 and amongst other problems the timing belt went while going around a corner, with the family in back on Christmas eve (belt was well within in its scheduled replacement period)...near escape...knackered the engine.

Love Alfas but never again. Reliability and build quality "should" be better on a 159 vs the older Alfa models though. Debatable .

RobertM

Bluefoam wrote: »

Alfa 159 sportswagon. Might be outside your budget though.

It is, they're very expensive.

I'd go for an Audi A4 estate or better the Audi Allroad

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/1.9TDi-A/200919192734308/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/All-Road-Quattro/2.5-TDI-/200924193047397/advert?channel=CARS

olewy

RobertM wrote: »

It is, they're very expensive.

I'd go for an Audi A4 estate or better the Audi Allroad

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/1.9TDi-A/200919192734308/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/All-Road-Quattro/2.5-TDI-/200924193047397/advert?channel=CARS

Given the OPs preference to keep the running costs down I would keep away from the Allroad (2.5 litre...road tax will be higher, less economical to run). Lovely car/estate/thing though.

nameandanumber

olewy wrote: »

economomy

lol

RobertM

Yeah, lovely cars though well The 1.9 TDI Audi's A4 are pretty nifty.


But for a real estate you might want to turn to Volvo

_Buck Rogers

olewy wrote: »

Suggestion for OP:

Since you seem to have a perversion for estates how about a 2005 or younger B7 Audi A4 Avant S-Line 2.0 TDI from the UK?

Style, practicality (if a little tight in the back), economomy, resale value...the works.

was gonna suggest that

Biro

The 1.9 diesel A4 estate is driving misery. Don't bother. For 20k you might be able to soon find a '08 Legacy estate 2 litre diesel. Hard to fault!

damo86

yup, the 1.9 Tdi lacks a bit an a car like that, 105bhp (or is it 110 on the audi) simply not enough, 2.0 Tdi the way to, my golf has it, plenty of power!

+1 on the legacy estate, get a newish nice example for 20k...mind what are the resale values like on it??

Biro

damo86 wrote: »

yup, the 1.9 Tdi lacks a bit an a car like that, 105bhp (or is it 110 on the audi) simply not enough, 2.0 Tdi the way to, my golf has it, plenty of power!

+1 on the legacy estate, get a newish nice example for 20k...mind what are the resale values like on it??

Impossible to tell, it's only out about 8 months!

RobertM

I always thought the Audi's had some power in their 1.9 tdi engines


Anyway

+1 for the Legacy

Biro

RobertM wrote: »

I always thought the Audi's had some power in their 1.9 tdi engines


Anyway

+1 for the Legacy

Only the ones with an RS4 badge super-glued onto the back of them!

olewy

RobertM wrote: »

I always thought the Audi's had some power in their 1.9 tdi engines

Yup, different versions, highest being the 130bhp version (unless you get it chipped of course!)