Which estate to get and mileage

goldspanners

ukjoel wrote: »

When it comes to Skoda OP should only really be looking at Octavia.
Fabia and Roomster both decent vehicles but OP has said that his Focus estate is too small.

Fabia estate has identical boot space to Focus Estate but rest of the car is smaller so thats out the equation and Roomster while it has massive boot space a lot of this is due to height rather than footprint.

i don't think the op has a focus estate, im sure its just a saloon or hatch. if they did already have an estate and feel it isnt big enough for the addition of one little girl then i would be looking at reducing how much stuff they carry around.

ukjoel

Fair point - I read it as estate but have reread it and your right its not clear.

I guess its not the little girl thats the problem its all the kit that comes with her :rolleyes:

Bossworld

JCR1987 wrote: »

Hi all,

Looking to buy an estate car as my ford focus now seems a bit small after having a little baby girl recently. Went up to see the mother in law in Wales last week and it was very cramped getting prams, baby seats, baby clothes, etc,etc in the boot. This has therefore led me to decide to trade my focus (sell or p/ex, not bothered which) for a more accommodating estate.

Whilst I do want something with more internal space, i also want something which looks pretty decent on the outside and performs relatively well.

Budget, with trade of current car will be around 6k so I've been looking at (in order of preference):

Audi A4
Volvo V50
Mazda 6
Toyota Avensis
VW Passat

The main problem I'm encountering is mileage. I'm trying to get one no older than a 55 plate, but anything after that in my price bracket seems to have at least 70k on the clock so have therefore been hammered on motorways by businessmen/women.

I've pretty much accepted that a recent Audi isn't going happen for my price, but I can get a Volvo for that price, albeit with 80ish on the clock. Is this considered a lot these days? I know 'modern' car engines are supposed to be more durable these days so should I let high mileage put me off?

Any advice on reliability of my choices, mileage performance, good deals, etc. welcomed.

Cheers,
JR

The A4 is a lovely car but way out of that price range, especially for the years you are after.

My mum and stepdad both bought 53 (2004) A4 1.9TD 130 SEs back in 2007, and paid just over £10,000 each. Bear in mind my mum's had 90k on the clock, my stepdad bought his about 6 months later with 70,000 on.

Parkers still rates it at above £8000, even as a private sale. You might find one cheaper with a lesser spec/engine but nothing that new.

I don't think the milage is enough to worry about on the newer VAG cars, they're like the old Pug 406s that could run for several hundred thousands (well, the diesels at least)

Not sure why people are slagging off the reliability of the A4, perhaps the 05 on model (i've no knowledge of that) is worse, but the only major and/or common issue to both my mum's and stepdad's cars has been the wiper mechanism completely seizing up.

cyclonebri1

Bossworld wrote: »

The A4 is a lovely car but way out of that price range, especially for the years you are after.

My mum and stepdad both bought 53 (2004) A4 1.9TD 130 SEs back in 2007, and paid just over £10,000 each. Bear in mind my mum's had 90k on the clock, my stepdad bought his about 6 months later with 70,000 on.

Parkers still rates it at above £8000, even as a private sale. You might find one cheaper with a lesser spec/engine but nothing that new.

I don't think the milage is enough to worry about on the newer VAG cars, they're like the old Pug 406s that could run for several hundred thousands (well, the diesels at least)

Not sure why people are slagging off the reliability of the A4, perhaps the 05 on model (i've no knowledge of that) is worse, but the only major and/or common issue to both my mum's and stepdad's cars has been the wiper mechanism completely seizing up.

It's strange, when I used company cars, (I used to borrow one of the directors or sales folks, director = A4 sal or est, sales = Passat sal or est)

I probably drove all 10 or so in the "pool". I went for the Passat every time wether I wanted an estate or saloon. Just felt an all round tighter car, slightly firmer suspension giving a more confident drive. Plenty of space in both tho', but wouldn't say the Audi is worth the premium.

I wanted an estate about 3 years ago now, narrowed down to Focus, Astra, or Megane. Tried them all and went with the Renault. More space and more features than the other2, and infact the Laguna, (11" longer wheel base than Megane hatch), has been reliable over those 3 years and gives 50 to 70+mpg. Right decision for me

Bossworld

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

It's strange, when I used company cars, (I used to borrow one of the directors or sales folks, director = A4 sal or est, sales = Passat sal or est)

I probably drove all 10 or so in the "pool". I went for the Passat every time wether I wanted an estate or saloon. Just felt an all round tighter car, slightly firmer suspension giving a more confident drive. Plenty of space in both tho', but wouldn't say the Audi is worth the premium.

Personally I would have one if i could afford it, still get a grin on my face when I get chance to drive it, and even after doing a 150 mile trip down the A1/M1 I don't feel knackered. Haven't driven the passat so can't comment on that admittedly.

SilverSaloon

you'll be best going for a car thats done 100k rather than one around 70k. lots of stuff tends to need changing around 70k - 100k'ers that have been well maintained will of already had these things done.

remember its the condition of the car thats important, not necessarily the little number on the dash that so many people tend to worry too much about

pault123

As long as you go for the 2001-2005 shape Passat (which rates more reliable that the newer shape anyhow, and i think looks better ) you can easily get a highline or sports model 2003-2004 with 70k-90k on the clock.

The passat is a similar size to the Audi A6 so nice and spacious. The Audi A4 is in fact smaller, with less rear leg room and less cockpit space.

The difference with the passat is you won't pay a premium for the badge like you will with an Audi.

I tried to buy a Skoda Octavia but didn't find one in good condition - they had all been abused.

Under the bonnet the octavia is very simliar to the passat so in theory reliability should be very simliar.

I bought my highline Passat with 70k on the clock for £5k 2003 plate. Leather heated seats, massive boot, very quiet, very frugal on fuel, pulls like a steam train when needed, loads of rear leg room, and very comfortable on long journeys.

You can pick up Passat estates for £3k with full service history if you look around. Try and get the 1.9 tdi 130 bhp engine which is regarded as the best choice for power and economy.

JCR1987

Thanks for all the advice guys (even if it did veer off subject a little).

Finally bought an 56 plate Octavia Estate. 2.0 Tid.PD Elegance for 8k from Autoquake. Looked at the volvo's and whilst nice looking, the boot space is shocking, there was more in my focus. Saab was nice but I'd heard reliability was dodgy - also I couldn't find a 9-3 with reasonable mileage for my budget. Same story regarding mileage and price with Mazda 6's, and I'd decided i didn't like the Avensis, it really does remind me of a taxi (queue Octavia taxi comments...)

I did see a nice BMW 3 series, but it ended up being just out of my budget and also i'd been told there was an issue with parts in terms of the costs and availability - however i think that's probably someone's personal (bad) experience. Maybe next time.

Anyway, thanks again for all your advice.

JR

flyingscotno1

JCR1987 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice guys (even if it did veer off subject a little).

Finally bought an 56 plate Octavia Estate. 2.0 Tid.PD Elegance for 8k from Autoquake. Looked at the volvo's and whilst nice looking, the boot space is shocking, there was more in my focus. Saab was nice but I'd heard reliability was dodgy - also I couldn't find a 9-3 with reasonable mileage for my budget. Same story regarding mileage and price with Mazda 6's, and I'd decided i didn't like the Avensis, it really does remind me of a taxi (queue Octavia taxi comments...)

I did see a nice BMW 3 series, but it ended up being just out of my budget and also i'd been told there was an issue with parts in terms of the costs and availability - however i think that's probably someone's personal (bad) experience. Maybe next time.

Anyway, thanks again for all your advice.

JR

Good car and spec to be honest- Elegance has a good deal in it and the 2.0l PD engine is good. Hope it's good to you!

cyclonebri1

JCR1987 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice guys (even if it did veer off subject a little).

Finally bought an 56 plate Octavia Estate. 2.0 Tid.PD Elegance for 8k from Autoquake. Looked at the volvo's and whilst nice looking, the boot space is shocking, there was more in my focus. Saab was nice but I'd heard reliability was dodgy - also I couldn't find a 9-3 with reasonable mileage for my budget. Same story regarding mileage and price with Mazda 6's, and I'd decided i didn't like the Avensis, it really does remind me of a taxi (queue Octavia taxi comments...)

I did see a nice BMW 3 series, but it ended up being just out of my budget and also i'd been told there was an issue with parts in terms of the costs and availability - however i think that's probably someone's personal (bad) experience. Maybe next time.

Anyway, thanks again for all your advice.

JR

Nicely sorteds, thanks for the feedback:T