economical big(ish) car

CrazyRed

Mercedes C-Class of up to around 2002 vintage will fit in your budget - ideally, if you can, the "Elegance" version as it seems to sit slightly higher up off the road (mine does, anyway!).

C250TD if you prefer 'older' diesels - 28-ish mpg around town, 38+ on a run, or C220CDI if you fancy a more modern diesel - my understanding is that economy is around 33 town and 45 on a run.

My wife suffers badly with back pain and mentions how comfortable and supportive the Merc seats are - far better than our previous BMW.

The only other car that I can suggest is the Volvo V70 - apparently the seats in those are orthopaedic - my mate has one, and he suffers with severe pain syndrome - but he is on the larger side so the bigger seats in the Volvo suit him better.

HTH

gilbert_and_sullivan

Berlingo, sit upright and really pliable suspension to iron out the pot holed war zone roads.

steve-L

Rover 75 Diesel (£895)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201244490884685/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/3000/body-type/estate/model/75/make/rover/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/page/1/postcode/tw122nj?logcode=p

Citroen Synergy MPV (for upright)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201245491693776/sort/default/usedcars/body-type/estate/price-to/3000/fuel-type/diesel/make/citroen/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/postcode/tw122nj/page/1?logcode=p

Citroen Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi SX 5dr Diesel Estate Pretty upright driving
£795
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201246492347933/sort/default/usedcars/body-type/estate/price-to/3000/fuel-type/diesel/make/citroen/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/2/postcode/tw122nj/radius/1500?logcode=p

2001 (X reg) 93,000 miles obviously quite a bit of room to get new or less miles....

fairyclicks

Thanks so much for all your replys guys - it helps to have some idea of which cars to even search for

Just to give a better idea:

I currently drive a Grand Cherokee Jeep which i love - has high spec and seating high and comfy - it is mapped and currently getting around 28MPG on average - i completely agree with fivetide re a bigger car being more economical than a budget car in the long run - unfortunately my car has had quite a few problems and has cost me lots already a few years ago and now needs £1000+ to fix so i am looking at alternatives - am also considering putting fixing own car on back burner by getting a very temp option (maybe £500 or so spend)

My issue re the seating is one of sitting low down causing pain in my hips rather than getting in and out - though that can be awkward sometimes too. I have arthritis and osteoporosis in my hips so i can seize up and get a lot of pain sitting if i am cramped in a car or in a poor position.

I live in NI btw so thanks for the links which are useful to see cars but prices and availability are different here

Re economy - i guess i was thinking if i could get around 40 - 45MPG or close to that in a biggish comfortable car it would replace my jeep with an improved all round running cost. Think i might be being greedy though :rotfl::rotfl:

I have seen a few online i thought might be worth considering:

Renault Espace or Scenic

Citroen Xsara - i see you suggested this one Steve L

Berlingo - thanks gilbert & sullivan

am off to check out the other suggestions now

Thanks for the help - much appreciated!

fivetide

If you are trying to avoid bills I'd knock the espace/scenic on the head. Especially with the digital dash.

The outlaws have a Berlingo. It is agricultural in engine etc but comfy, decent view and about as practical as you can get.

forgotmyname

MK3 Mondeo estate 50 - 60+ mpg? Is that good enough?

Bought my 2004 car in 2009 for £2000.

steve-L

You are going to have to try them for driving position!
Problem is I find it can take a couple of hours to find out..... though if its really poor much sooner.

try
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/northernireland/

Try a older Honda MPV (given what you are moving from), no diesel showing in NI at the right age/price at the moment but it doesn't stop you trying one for how it drives and comfort (or any of the others).

I think the small French MPV's are unusually good value, the Honda is reliable.... my Accord with the same diesel 2.2 has done 175,000 .... We did 25k of those but its very LOW..... and get 40mpg combined...

Problem really is at 2k any car is potentially at risk in requiring something expensive. So you might be as well going for the French option.... I personally think these are undervalued, truth is money no object a S-MAX is nicer... just not that much nicer

Obviously the TD's are easier to remap (since you have the Jeep mapped I presume your OK with that....but I can't see it being economical on a 2K car for the extra MPG )

I personally find the most expensive unexpected things end up being electrical.... or related to sensors etc. The less dependence on any electronics is IMHO a good thing in an older car!

i.e. Electric mirrors not working is an inconvenience... you can always get out and do it by hand... but anything stops it starting due to over-intelligent onboard computer can be a expensive fix.....

As someone said stay away from any fancy electronic speedo type stuff on the French cars and any auto-4WD (as was an issue on the Cherokee's)....

MartinS

Transit all the way, what did you get then in the end?

vikingaero

Cars such as the C-Max, Picasso, Zafira are popular with Motability users because of the space and the high seating which makes access much easier by having a seat near natural bum level.

TradePro

steve-L wrote: »

in the top for the Warranty Direct reliability survey.... along of course with German

Did you read a specially edited version of the survey printed to be placed in BMW/Audi showrooms?