Family wagon question

Gulliver

I'm in the market for a cheap family wagon 2011 and younger. My question is, in my searches on DoneDeal I'm seeing a lot of Renault Fluence and Opel Insignia. I have heard the Insignia has reliability issues and know nothing about the Fluence bar some favourable reviews online. Should I consider either of these?

Afraid Mondeo and Passat are a bit out of my price range (max 3500) or just too far away (I'm in Leitrim).

Anything at that price range is a risk and will likely need some work. This is where I would be looking if it was my money:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars/Mazda/6?year_from=08&year_to=11&bodyType=Estate

You will struggle to get anything even half decent for 3500 if you are looking for 2011 or newer.

Gulliver

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Anything at that price range is a risk and will likely need some work. This is where I would be looking if it was my money:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars/Mazda/6?year_from=08&year_to=11&bodyType=Estate

Thanks. I take it the Mazda is a good machine?

Gulliver

Edison Mealy Macaroon wrote: »

You will struggle to get anything even half decent for 3500 if you are looking for 2011 or newer.

The reason I went for 2011 minimum is that my insurance company has said that a car older than 10 years is a higher risk. So I want to get 1 or 2 years of slightly cheaper premium.
I could go slightly above 4000 but that's my limit unfortunately.

bazz26

Stay well away from Mazda 6 diesels of that vintage, their big problems are well documented.

Renault Laguna III is worth a look at but with your limited budget and age criteria I'd say you are going to struggle to find something that hasn't been well used at this stage that might require more money spent on replacing consumables.

NIMAN

How much space do you need?

Petrol or diesel?

If you wouldn't mind going a few years older, I'd suggest this
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sale/2009-honda-frv-6-seater-new-nct-low-miles/20515259

plus you might be able to get a few hundred more off it.

Gulliver

NIMAN wrote: »

How much space do you need?

Petrol or diesel?

If you wouldn't mind going a few years older, I'd suggest this
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sale/2009-honda-frv-6-seater-new-nct-low-miles/20515259

plus you might be able to get a few hundred more off it.

I need space for a car seat, a fairly big buggy or travel system or whatever it's called and possibly some shopping. My wife has a Clio and there's no space for anything once the buggy is in.

NIMAN

The FR-V has all the space you'll ever need !

But they aren't to everyone's taste.

But they are great cars, and very reliable.

grogi

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Anything at that price range is a risk and will likely need some work. This is where I would be looking if it was my money:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars/Mazda/6?year_from=08&year_to=11&bodyType=Estate

Absolutely not. Horrible steel and horrible engines.

Gulliver

So is it true about Opel Insignias and that's why so many are available relatively cheap?

Squidgy Black

Gulliver wrote: »

So is it true about Opel Insignias and that's why so many are available relatively cheap?

Yes. Earlier ones are known for blowing engines and gearboxes like cheese, power steering issues and electrical faults, particularly the 2 litre diesel.

commited

Why does it have to be younger than 2011? Are you open to slightly older?

Gulliver

commited wrote: »

Why does it have to be younger than 2011? Are you open to slightly older?

Apparently insurance companies are upping the premiums for older cars and I wanted to get a few years out of it before my premium goes back up.

commited

Gulliver wrote: »

Apparently insurance companies are upping the premiums for older cars and I wanted to get a few years out of it before my premium goes back up.

In the scheme of things, it's a small cost increase and only really loaded on cars over 12 years old in my experience. I recommend buying the best car you can rather than trying to buy a new plate with a low budget which could end up costing you a fortune.

I don't know much about them but there appears to be a good range of Citroen C5 estates available.

grogi

commited wrote: »

In the scheme of things, it's a small cost increase and only really loaded on cars over 12 years old in my experience. I recommend buying the best car you can rather than trying to buy a new plate with a low budget which could end up costing you a fortune.

I don't know much about them but there appears to be a good range of Citroen C5 estates available.

As long as the 1.6 HDI is avoided (the versions before 2012 weren't best), they are solid and very comfortable cars.