Family car - Budget of around £3k

BaileyB

Hi

Looking for a family diesel car either an estate or large hatchback.

Seen a few Peugeot 407 SW SE HDI 05 plate loads of extras and FSH with recent timing belt change for around £2600.

But seen a few posts about stay away from French.

Looking at max 7 years old.

Anyone recommendations, advice be great

Thanks

wba31

my old man (peugeot mechanic) says the gearboxes and clutches on the 407 are horrendous.

Can you get an accord estate for around that price? the diesel is a great engine...

verityboo

First choice would be Focus or Mondeo, hatch or estate depending on how much room you need. Lots of choice and relatively cheap to buy and run

2nd choice would be a Volvo V70

BaileyB

Thanks, will look into the Mondeo

BaileyB

anyone have a Volvo S40?

verityboo

The first generation 1995 to 2004 Volvo S40 saloon and V50 estate were developed jointly with Mitsubishi who produced the Carisma

The second generation 2004+ cars where developed during Ford ownership and so there are parts shared with the Ford Focus and Mazda 3.

I had a 2006 V50 company car for a few months and while it was comfortable and nice to drive we found it small for a family car (Focus sized) and much prefer the larger Volvo (have had a few of those!)

atrixblue.-MFR-.

BaileyB wrote: »

anyone have a Volvo S40?

can you afford volvo parts bills?

wishbone is £100 each.
reliable car thatcham 1 alarm, 1.8 2.0 engines are punchy and turbo verients are good avoid 2.4 T. hold their prices so whilst for 3k could get a decent 55-57 mondeo. s40 for 3 k would sink you to a 53-54 with higher service bills.

spratley

Would go for Mondeo, myself. I had a MK3 diesel, which was brilliant - also the engines are all chain cam, no need for cam belt changes. Focus is cam belt, and the estate doesn't seem very big. If you go for a Mondeo, try to find one that has had the DMF & clutch replaced fairly recently.

BaileyB

thanks for the replies.

Did Mondeo change the car at all during 2005-2008? I like a few toys nothing major though so maybe a Ghia model.

Do they do both in estate and hatchback?

poppasmurf_bewdley

My vote goes for a Mondeo too. I'm on my second.

My first was a 2002 Mk3 diesel estate with over 100k and it ran perfectly. Needed a new alternator which cost £69 exchange.

Now on a 2009 Mk 4 diesel Ghia estate auto and it's a beauty. Every gizmo known to man and I get more than 50mpg at 70 on the motorway. It is actually a bigger car than my previous Granada.

spratley

Not sure on how various models are equipped. Have a look at the Mondeo forums at Talkford.com - it will also give you an idea of common faults & what to look out for...