Recommendations for BIG but economical estate pls.

carled

Hi all. Currently have a 58-reg 2.2 Tdci S-Max. I can't afford the finance (or fuel, to be honest) on it any more due to job circumstances so I'm selling it, paying off the finances and getting something cheaper to run for a while.

I work from home so do very few miles at present. If that changes I'll worry about changing the car again then. However I do quite a few small journies of 5 to 20 miles several times a week (with most of the family in the car) and maybe once a month a longer ones of > 100. Also 3 or 4 trips to Devon for family visits/holidays each year with roofbox and surfboard on top. Overall mileage probably well less than 10k per annum, with 70% of that being short-ish journies.

Whole family is very tall. I'm 6'5", daughters are both 6'-ish and have long legs. We use most of the S-Max boot space when doing trips here & there so need to have a good amount of room.

When I bought the S-Max last year I did the test of "sitting behind myself" by setting the driving seat to a comfortable position and then getting into the passenger seat behind. In doing so (these were for new vehicles, mind you, so older ones may have different dimensions) I found that the Nissan Qashcai+2 was tiny and I could barely get my knees in, the Insignia was plenty big, the Passat was very small - similar to Qashcai) although the Touran had good room, the Zafira also had good room and I think the Mondeo did as well.

I need something where new tyres don't cost the earth like the daft S-max 245/45/18s, the cost to fix things/spares aren't extortionate if/when something goes wrong, doesn't need startling performance as fuel economy is more important than performance at present and is pretty reliable generally.

Creature comforts: Air con and cruise control are pretty much essential. I know, I know... it's just those small luxuries that I'd really struggle to do without.

Budget - dunno... £5k-ish?

Gene_Hunt_2

Tough one. All over 6 foot so avoid anything by Volvo if you want rear leg room. But then again if you think the Zafira has good leg room you maybe ok.

carled

I think it was a case of "with the middle row of seats fully pushed back" and to be honest I think I need to avoid an mpv this time.

Gene_Hunt_2

carled wrote: »

I think it was a case of "with the middle row of seats fully pushed back" and to be honest I think I need to avoid an mpv this time.

I still find that small, however better than a V70.

LandyAndy

While we aren't quite as tall a family as you there is plenty of room in our Mazda6 estate.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

try looking at a kia 1.6 SW, they have bags of room even the hatch backs. honda accord estate.

Kilty_2

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

try looking at a kia 1.6 SW,

1.6 hardly ideal for hauling a family around - hired 1.6 Cee'd hatchback I had struggled with just me :rotfl:

movilogo

You won't get a Kia Ceed 1.6 SW in £5k. They are £10k upwards even for used models.

Stick with Volvo V70, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Kia Carens, Kia Sedona etc.

eamon

Your anticipated annual mileage is relatively modest (<10K). Go for a Mondeo, there are loads available. If on the odd occasion that you do find space at a premium then consider having a tow bar fitted and hire a trailer. Don't worry about the high mileage, check condition & service history.

Quinny_2

406 HDi.

Lots of them about, or if you want a newer one, then a 407 HDi.

happybucket

Another vote for a Mondeo, lots of leg room in the back and spacious boot/estate. mine is only 1.8 diesel but if i had another i would go for a bigger engine, sometimes struggles in town but its absolutely brilliant on long runs/motorway driving. Only covered 3000 miles since new, fuel so far averaging 36-37mpg, hope it will improve with a little more running in.