Best Budget Estate

mattman_iflaf · 11-01-2011 11:44pm #1

Looking for a budget estate and wondering what the experts here think that might be.

- Budget Ideally 5->7K, depending on what I'd get for
trade in of Seat Leon 01, 1.4 Petrol, 109K on clock.
- Year 03 and up
- Mileage, ideally <70K miles
- Engine, because of road tax I'd like to keep this at
>=1.6

Front runners in my mind at the moment are :
1. Ford Focus Estate, 1.6 supposed to be best buy
2. Opel Astra Estate
3. Ford C-Max, Just not sure it has decent enough boot
4. Opel Meriva, again boot space unsure about
5. Opel Zafira, Possibly too big

Saw this wondering what folk think :
http://www.carzone.ie/search/201101200761542/advert

cheers

Matt

si_guru · 11-01-2011 11:51pm

Octavia hatch - you don't need the estate!

Out of your list I'd go for the Focus... well proven car.

mattman_iflaf · 12-01-2011 1:08pm

Had not thought of the Octavia Hatch... reading What Car review of 04->11 models reports that some models leak over doorwells.... something I've experienced with my current car and really want to avoid...

alias no.9 · 12-01-2011 1:22pm

mattman_iflaf wrote: »

Saw this wondering what folk think :
http://www.carzone.ie/search/201101200761542/advert

There is no 1.6 diesel in that Astra for a start, the options were 1.3, 1.7, 1.9 and possibly a 2.0 diesel, but I think it was just the first three.

Edit... sorry, it's listed as 1.6 in the details but 1.7 in the title.

GTE · 12-01-2011 1:25pm

mattman_iflaf wrote: »

Had not thought of the Octavia Hatch... reading What Car review of 04->11 models reports that some models leak over doorwells.... something I've experienced with my current car and really want to avoid...

If the problem is water drains from the roof getting clogged then you can get that across many VAG cars, especially with ones with sunroofs and it is really quite easy to fix and keep an eye on.

Nothing major. I usually check the drains which on my car are rear the door hinges about once every two weeks.

EPM · 12-01-2011 2:06pm

Rover 75 diesel? I know it's a 2 litre but there is serious value in those things and they are reliable by all accounts.

andyseadog · 12-01-2011 2:23pm

a variety of different petrols and a diesel option, reasonable spec. a bit dull but a quality car

mattman_iflaf · 12-01-2011 5:18pm

Anyone got any comments on ford focus estate 1.4 :
http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.4-LX-E/201044200118321/advert?channel=CARS

david · 12-01-2011 5:33pm

mattman_iflaf wrote: »

Anyone got any comments on ford focus estate 1.4 :
http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.4-LX-E/201044200118321/advert?channel=CARS

Slooooow

mattman_iflaf · 14-01-2011 2:45pm

Anyone got any idea what the Ford C-Max is like boot wize ? or reliability wize ?

shamwari · 14-01-2011 4:23pm

CMAX boot would be similar but possibly slightly smaller than the Focus estate. With rear seats out, it becomes a small van.

Reliability is ok. We've a 1.6TDCi 110bhp diesel, averages around 45mpg mixed. It's very comfortable and handles quite well for a tall car. Bought it with 30k on it three years ago and now has just under 70k. In that time it's had an alternator, EGR valve, and a DPF pressure sensor. I'd actually consider it a reliable because it has never broke down as such, and gets a lot of use.

BostonB · 14-01-2011 5:05pm

Go on to parkers and compare the boot capacities.

It depend a lot on why you want an estate and what you'll be carrying. Because they are all sizes and shapes. The load access makes a difference too, some have a awkward high sills. Same with MPV's the load area varies a lot.

mattman_iflaf · 14-01-2011 5:41pm

@shamwari : what year is your C-Max ? Sounds reasonably reliable although I have a Seat Leon '01, bought it new in 2001, now ahve 109k miles covered, and the only thing I've replaced was a coil and engine pressure switch (In last six months), after that normal wear and tear e.g. tyres, oil changes, timing belt. It's been the most reliable car ever.

@BostonB, will definitely go to parkers. We now have 2nd kid and for all of us to travel down the country we simply need more boot space, Leon just does not cut it. And the smaller the kids the more stuff you have to carry, thus I was thinking of a small estate, but then I spotted the C-Max and it might be an option.

BostonB · 14-01-2011 6:11pm

I test drove a couple of C-Max's and liked them, especially to drive. But I didn't think they offered much extra in terms of boot space. More yes, a lot more uumm not really. The Leon you have has a decent boot. So you are looking for something with reallly decent space. I Didn't think the Zafira has massive either. Short of checking the specs and actually sitting in one you won't appreciate the difference. Personally I went for a MPV over a estate because it was more flexible for seating when carrying grand parents, and the kids friends and cousins. Much bigger for those DIY jobs too. That said if the kids were older, and I did more driving in it, an estate might have been more appealing. Passat, Mondeo and Octavia would be my favorites there.

Do a short list of a few different types of makes/cars, and just go look at them. Then go see whats around. More choice in the UK if thats an option.

mattman_iflaf · 16-01-2011 9:53pm

Test drove a few cars over the weekend.

2006 Ford Focus Estate 1.4, What a dog... and have to agree with @david definitely Slow, very poor pull up a very slight incline and with just myself and mechanic in the car... can't imagine what it would be like with a full load.

2006 Opel Astra Estate 1.7 TDCI, idling this car sounds like a dump truck, but drives like a dream, and has some serious pick up as well.

2006 Opel Zafira Club 1.6, this one we really liked and was surprised. Cost a little more than the Focus or Astra estates as it's a 7 seater, but is definitely the front runner at the moment.

Max_Damage · 16-01-2011 10:41pm

Aren't the 1.7L TD engines in the Opel's from Isuzu? They date back to the late 80's / early 90's.

They're not particularly reliable either (my uncle had a '93 Astra with one of those engines) and he had a good lot of problems with it.

BostonB · 16-01-2011 11:04pm

Problem we've had with Opels we've had if that the dealers are often unable to fix things, like ECU problems.

eamon234 · 16-01-2011 11:18pm

Don't forget that with an estate it's just the same as the original saloon or hatch as far as the back seats so with the likes of the Octavia you don't have a whole lot of room even for two kids especially if you're using child seats or boosters.

The advantage of the likes of the C-Max isn't necessarily boot space it's ease of access definitely more space in the back seats for kids, more comfortable ride height and easier access to the boot, which having two kids myself and one more on the way makes me think it's about time I traded the Octavia for one too!

BostonB · 16-01-2011 11:29pm

Good points.

Rear leg/access space is more important with babies and smaller kids. Also sometimes having a airbag in the front passenger you can turn off is handy. But for loads the squarer taller, space with low sill and no obstructions is better.

Doing something like putting bikes and buggies in the boot etc.

mattman_iflaf · 22-01-2011 9:31pm

Have definitely settled for the Zafira, test drove a few over the past week, managed to find a 2006 Design 1.6 with 40K on clock which appears to be genuine.

Forgot to ask dealer, whether this year model has a timing belt or a timing chain. Anyone know ?

mattman_iflaf · 24-01-2011 2:45pm

Just in case someone was wondering : 2006 1.6 Petrol has a timing belt now depending on the actual engine, if X type engine then timing belt needs replacing every 40K miles if XET type, needs replacing every 60K miles.

the 2.0 diesel's of this era are the ones with a timing chain and should not need replacing.

Banditboy_irl · 10-02-2011 4:57pm

mattman_iflaf wrote: »

Anyone got any comments on ford focus estate 1.4 :
http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.4-LX-E/201044200118321/advert?channel=CARS

Cheap to tax is the main thing! Drove an opel 1.3 CDTI myself yes has a bit of lag but get pro at the gears and your laughing ... Some have a 6th gear great for motorway crusing!!

Main thing is cheap tax, diesel, estate ...

shamwari · 11-02-2011 12:16am

mattman_iflaf wrote: »

@shamwari : what year is your C-Max ? Sounds reasonably reliable although I have a Seat Leon '01, bought it new in 2001, now ahve 109k miles covered, and the only thing I've replaced was a coil and engine pressure switch (In last six months), after that normal wear and tear e.g. tyres, oil changes, timing belt. It's been the most reliable car ever.

Sorry OP, only saw this post now. It's a 2005 Zetec. I forgot to add that in the previous 3 years / 40kmiles of ownership, its had a full set of tyres, brake pads and the EOLYS (DPF) fluid topped up. By rights it should be in the zone for a DPF replacement now, but its driving ok with very little smoke.;) So we'll leave well alone

Best Budget Estate

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