Recommendations for BIG but economical estate pls.

bigjl

SVM wrote: »

So your criteria:

1) Big estate
2) Economical
3) Budget £5k
4) Reliable
5) Newish

I think a compromise or two will need to be made here. But my vote would be the previous Citreon C5 (although it's pig ugly) or a Mondeo (but not classed as "economical". My preference would be a 10 year old E Class estate though. Utterly reliable if you pick a good 'un and still look new when cleaned up.

10 yr old Merc, make sure it isn't rusty!

I like the C5, but would always worry about reliability, it is normally a unfounded worry, but I have owned a few Citreons, they are great until the suspension gives problems. A lot of small garages won't even work on them.

Probably why you have the option of Citreon style but normal suspension on the new C5.

carled

SVM wrote: »

Does it have to be an estate? A hatchback will be cheaper if you can live with a sloping roof. A Toyota Avensis has massive legroom front & rear, as well as a huge huge boot. I reckon you could find a 5-6 year old diesel in that price range.

I suppose it doesn't need to be an estate to be honest. As long as it's a hatchback (for the dog) then that will probably do the trick just as well. Good point, thanks!

FakeIrish

carled wrote: »

I suppose it doesn't need to be an estate to be honest. As long as it's a hatchback (for the dog) then that will probably do the trick just as well. Good point, thanks!

I know someone with such a car and uses it to transport the Labrador in comfort. You could lose the dog in the boot and there is room for the dog to sit despite the sloping roof.

eamon

Youv'e now had loads of ideas its time to hit the 2nd hand dealers and try out the cars for fit. Don't forget to look at Honest John (you are already a member) for the car by car breakdown. £3-5k gets a lot a car with all the gadgets that you require.

For whats it worth I drive a 1.8 Mondeo hatch and the best mpg I've had yet is 34.4 (but I haven't done a proper measured test, figure based on the on board trip computer). But the majority of my modest mileage (<7k pa) is stop start urban and thus mpg is less of an issue for me. I think you will need to revisit your petrol/diesel comparator. From the size of car that you require and your modest mileage I doubt if you will achieve your desired/anticipated diesel mpg. From what I've read the road warriors reckon on 15-18k pa before the extra expense breaks even.
Your rough calculations for

carled

eamon wrote: »

Youv'e now had loads of ideas its time to hit the 2nd hand dealers and try out the cars for fit. Don't forget to look at Honest John (you are already a member) for the car by car breakdown. £3-5k gets a lot a car with all the gadgets that you require.

For whats it worth I drive a 1.8 Mondeo hatch and the best mpg I've had yet is 34.4 (but I haven't done a proper measured test, figure based on the on board trip computer). But the majority of my modest mileage (<7k pa) is stop start urban and thus mpg is less of an issue for me. I think you will need to revisit your petrol/diesel comparator. From the size of car that you require and your modest mileage I doubt if you will achieve your desired/anticipated diesel mpg. From what I've read the road warriors reckon on 15-18k pa before the extra expense breaks even.
Your rough calculations for

Thanks. I've a feeling that a lot of the diesel/petrol break-even figures are based on purchase price when new as they allow for the diesel premium which is at its highest at that point. I know there is usually a second-hand premium too but it's usually much smaller (which makes sense if it's a percentage of price premium, of course!).

Tootling around town/country roads I won't get the high mpg but for the one or so high mileage trips I do per month on average (anything from 100 to 400 miles) then I will get the big figures on mpg and it could save me a lot of money on fuel just for those trips. Easily the vehicle tax for the year and possibly a good chunk of the insurance too. Every bit counts...

This weekend I'll be doing the "visit the car showroom" bit to try some out for size. I wonder if they'll let my daft spaniel sit in the boot... ;-)

planetbollox

Again left field, have you looked at SAAB diesel estates ? Dirt cheap and an awful lot of car for the money

carled

planetbollox wrote: »

Again left field, have you looked at SAAB diesel estates ? Dirt cheap and an awful lot of car for the money

The 9-5 is on my list to sit in, assuming I can find one somewhere!

bigjl

carled wrote: »

The 9-5 is on my list to sit in, assuming I can find one somewhere!

The Saab 95 is a very comfy car, my only concern would be it has the same Fiat engine as the Zafira, Vectra etc. Which means it may have a DPF, which when fitted seems to ruin what could be a very nice car.

I have a bad back and must admit that one of the most comfy cars i have ever driven was an old Saab 95, R reg, with leather.

CarGiant has a few Saabs in, though more 93's than 95's, but they aren't that different is size really, the 93 doesn't have the chrome spectacles in later models though.

You can get the DPF removed and the ECU remapped so it doesn't regenerate, then i would have one, especially in estate form, not huge but nice and comfy.

sunshinetours

Lots of short journeys you mention won't do a turbo diesel much good. Also diesel is about 4p more a litre don't forget

TVR2

I had 9-5 2.3 LPT petrol, absolutely lovely car to cruise about in. The 3.0 V6 diesel would no doubt be almost as good...