Buying a family Estate

GK1001

Looking to buy an estate due to kids getting bigger and carrying more gear now on trips away...the 02 Corrolla doesn't cut it no more!

Have a decent budget of approx. at a push 18K, but not necessarily itching to use it all.

We'd ideally be keeping this car for the next 10 years. We do about 10k km per year. I'm very tall and have my seat back to the max so even the kids complain about having to take turns to sit behind me so legroom in the back is a factor and after taking our first look last weekend we ruled out the avensis, the insignia, the golf, the focus for that reason.

I have been looking at cars from 2011 on but all cars in this range look to have huge mileage and were probably rep cars. I'd like to know how big of an issue this is and what I should look out for with these high mileage cars? Should I be going back pre 2011 given that we'd like to have the car for such a long time ourselves?

Anyway any words of advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers
GK

MuppetCheck

Does it need to be an estate? A superb would swallow loads of gear and has tons of legroom. This one is practically brand new. That engine has decent go too.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Superb/AMBIENTE/201014396423883070/advert?channel=CARS

Casati

That Superb would be a great option, you'd avoid all the potential issues with running a diesel and doing low miles too. I would guess you'd haggle a lot off the asking price too

GK1001

Cheers guys,

Hadn't really considered a saloon...thinking golf clubs plus 2 bikes and the wife's packing...i'll give it a look when i'm out this weekend to gauge the size...it looks like a cracking deal though...the superb estate was one of the ones last week that really appealed but again big mileage on them

I'll see how this weekend goes...hoping to narrow it down to 1 or 2 cars then and look out for deals after

Del2005

GK1001 wrote: »

Looking to buy an estate due to kids getting bigger and carrying more gear now on trips away...the 02 Corrolla doesn't cut it no more!

Have a decent budget of approx. at a push 18K, but not necessarily itching to use it all.

We'd ideally be keeping this car for the next 10 years. We do about 10k km per year. I'm very tall and have my seat back to the max so even the kids complain about having to take turns to sit behind me so legroom in the back is a factor and after taking our first look last weekend we ruled out the avensis, the insignia, the golf, the focus for that reason.

I have been looking at cars from 2011 on but all cars in this range look to have huge mileage and were probably rep cars. I'd like to know how big of an issue this is and what I should look out for with these high mileage cars? Should I be going back pre 2011 given that we'd like to have the car for such a long time ourselves?

Anyway any words of advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers
GK

I'd rather a high mileage diesel, with verified service history, over a low mileage one if it's after 2008. Too many people bought diesel for the low motor tax with no idea of how to drive them, so there is a potential for expensive DPF, turbo and clutch issues. Can also see them clamping down on DPF removal.

bazz26

That model Superb has a hatchback as well as saloon boot opening. Might struggle with that much gear going into though.

R.O.R

Golf clubs and the wife's packing will go in to the Superb boot no problem, but not with bikes as well - doubt even the estate would swallow all those together.

Superb Hatchaloon with a bike rack would be my suggestion.

Lellostag

What about a Volvo V70? You probably won't get an '11 for that budget, but an '09 or '10 without a doubt.

SusanC10

Del2005 wrote: »

I'd rather a high mileage diesel, with verified service history, over a low mileage one if it's after 2008. Too many people bought diesel for the low motor tax with no idea of how to drive them, so there is a potential for expensive DPF, turbo and clutch issues. Can also see them clamping down on DPF removal.

We are also looking for a family estate car. Had been wondering if for eg a 2012 diesel with higher mileage would be better than a 2010 diesel with lower mileage ?

SusanC10

Del2005 wrote: »

I'd rather a high mileage diesel, with verified service history, over a low mileage one if it's after 2008. Too many people bought diesel for the low motor tax with no idea of how to drive them, so there is a potential for expensive DPF, turbo and clutch issues. Can also see them clamping down on DPF removal.

We are also looking for a family estate car. Had been wondering if for eg a 2012 diesel with higher mileage would be better than a 2010 diesel with lower mileage ?

Don't know much at all about cars - what is DPF and what issues can it cause ?

R.O.R

SusanC10 wrote: »

Don't know much at all about cars - what is DPF and what issues can it cause ?

A DPF is a Diesel Particulate Filter. When a diesel runs it emits small particles of soot and these are trapped in a filter. The soot particles are burnt off from the filter using heat generated from the engine.

Issues arise when a diesel is used on short journeys so the engine doesn't generate enough heat to burn off the soot particles. These then clog up the filter until it's full. You can regenerate the filter to clear it out, but if this happens regularly then eventually it won't empty out properly and will need replacing - and it's pretty expensive.

If a diesel is used frequently for journeys long enough for the engine to get up to a high temperature, and stay there for 20/30 minutes, then you won't have any issues. If it's used primarily for 10-15 minute stop/start journeys, you'll have issues.

Lemlin

What about a Skoda Fabia estate? I am thinking about one for my wife.

The 1.2 petrol version is apparently the best model available.

You could get the Ambition (not baseline model) for just over 17k.

bazz26

With the amount of gear the OP is carrying around even a Superb will struggle and you could fit a Fabia estate in the boot of a Superb.

Lemlin

bazz26 wrote: »

With the amount of gear the OP is carrying around even a Superb will struggle and you could fit a Fabia estate in the boot of a Superb.

They can come with a roof rack!

bazz26

Sure might as well stick with a conventional large hatchback then if you are resorting to using a roof rack.

iwillhtfu

A 1.2 engine hauling around a family plus golf clubs/bikes that'll be a struggle.