Estates: Passat v V70 v ???

greenflash

I'll be changing the car before too long. I'm currently driving a 2006 1.9 TDI VW Jetta. Before that I had a B5 Passat with the same engine.

I'm thinking of going back to a Passat or looking into what a Volvo can offer. In both cases it will probably be an estate

I need a family car for weekends - wife and two small kids, lots of long trips to Cork and elsewhere round the country and occasionally SE England. Leather is probably best for the interior as sick and sticky food is easier cleaned from leather than cloth

I need a work car - I have to carry a lot of equipment around for work during the week. the boot of the Jetta is huge but often full of cables/controllers/tools/bits and bobs etc

I need something comfortable as I'm often driving up to 1600 km per week. The Jetta really does not count as a comfortable car

Diesel is unfortunately a must due to the annual mileage (+50k per year) so it also needs to be economical and reliable

At the moment I'm thinking something along the lines of a 2011 (ish) Passat 2.0 bluemotion or Volvo V70 D3 or D4. Budget is probably going to be in the region of €18k


Any advice on these cars in terms of what to look for, what to avoid, where to look and/or suggestions of alternatives will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

bazz26

V70 would be a comfortable cruiser as Volvo seats (especially leather seats) are some of the most comfortable seats around. Skoda Superb Combi is worth a look at again, in Elegance spec the seats are very comfortable and the car has so much room.

R.O.R

You'll struggle to get a 2011 Passat Estate or V70 for 18K, with reasonable mileage on. Late 10 was when the D3 came in the Volvo, and 2.0D 2010 models are still looking for 19/20 k with 120,000 - 140,000km. A lot of the V70's would have been UK imports - SE didn't get full leather.

There is an 11 D3 SE up for €17,500 on Carzone, but it's private sale, can't see plates, and pics are taken outside a dealer somewhere in the UK - all seems a bit fishy, or there is VRT to go on top.

If looking at a Passat, you need to go for the 2.0Tdi 140 for your sort of mileage, and a Highline to get Leather. You won't get a 2011 Highline Estate 2.0Tdi 140 for €18k, so you'll either have to drop a year or two, up the budget, go lower specification, or a 1.6.

bazz26

You might clear this for close to your budget:


http://www.carshop.co.uk/used-car/HONDA/ACCORD/RV11YKR

greenflash

I hadn't even considered an Accord but that looks like it would fit the bill... and with a great spec too. Thanks for the heads up.