Saloon vs hatchback (and possibly estate)

pinkteapot

Considering company car options. We currently have a Mk4 Mondeo hatchback that we own. We'll be getting a company car that's a similar size (particularly when it comes to the boot) and selling the Mondeo.

We could get another Mondeo but (1) we've had several electrical faults and I'm a bit put off Ford now, and (2) premium brand cars (Audi/Merc/BMW) are very affordable on company car tax. But, the cars with the lowest monthly cost seem to primarily come as saloons, rather than hatchbacks.

I'm not keen on saloons at all. When we got the Mondeo, one of the other similarly large cars that we drove was a saloon (can't remember for sure but think it was a Passat). I felt that reaching stuff at the back of the boot felt a bit like going on a caving expedition, with the saloon boot lid compared to a hatchback.

We occasionally use the Mondeo to transport large items (eg went and picked up an old wardrobe from mum's). My assumption is that it's considerably easier to manoeuvre (sp?) large items in and out when you've got a hatchback opening.

Am I being too harsh on saloons? How practical are they for filling up with stuff for holidays, doing dump runs, etc.

If the cars we like don't come in a hatchback version, should we consider estates rather than saloons? Have never had an estate...

EdGasket

You are right; an estate is the most versatile and useful car for moving things. I have been saddled with estates for years due to transporting children to/from uni, and now trips to the dump because the council refuse to take garden rubbish away. I say saddled because estates look and feel like a shed on wheels; I much prefer a saloon for look and driving experience and have one as a second car. I have not owned a hatchback but imagine the sloping back limits what you can carry somewhat so why not just get an estate.

pinkteapot

Thanks. Have never had an estate in large part due to looks. The Mondeo has been suitably cavernous so that even in a hatchback we've always carried everything we need to carry, so haven't needed to go all the way up to an estate.

However, if we end up wanting a car that doesn't come as a hatchback, I think I'd look at estate over saloon...

Should have added to my post... We fairly regularly fold the back seats down and throw two adult bikes in the back of the Mondeo. Not sure that'd be possible through a saloon boot opening...

JP08

As far as I'm concerned the practicality of estates just so much outweigh the stylistic concerns. Of the 13 cars I've had so far - 7 have been estates (including the current), 1 hatchback, 1 van and 4 saloons.

Some even look better than the standard car they're based on : http://www.kwecars.com/kwe-is-commissioned-to-work-on-its-6th-eventer/

The biggest problem with most hatchbacks and saloons when it comes to any form of loading is the lip of the boot - which is a pain even with a hefty suitcase. Estates tend to be flat floor to the bumper !

PS - seen your follow-up post. If you're lobbing bikes in the back then the saloon is right out.

pinkteapot

JP08 wrote: »

Estates tend to be flat floor to the bumper !

This would be handy even just for doing the Tesco shop.

Thanks to you too. The more I think about, the more I think I'm right that we can't even consider a saloon. Too many occasions when the boot opening size would be a pain.

JP08

Actually shopping is the one occasion where it can be a slight drawback. Be ready to catch the odd items that have escaped from the bag - they can roll out when the tailgate is opened as there's nothing to stop them !

Herzlos

JP08 wrote: »

Actually shopping is the one occasion where it can be a slight drawback. Be ready to catch the odd items that have escaped from the bag - they can roll out when the tailgate is opened as there's nothing to stop them !

Unless you get one with a split opening tailgate - the last 3 I've had, you can keep the tailgate closed but open up the glass, so you can fill it to the window line with impunity

For practicality, including bikes, estates are so much better - it's an awful lot easier loading a wardrobe into a car without the boot lip :j

27col

I haven't had a saloon since the 1970's. Wouldn't dream of buying one. As far as I'm concerned it's all about practicality. I love my present Citroen C4 New shape Picasso.
But the car I had before was a Fiat Stilo Multiwagon. Fantastic load carrier. It even had a hinged rear window, brilliant for carrying long loads and a nice flat boot floor, I really do miss it.

jbainbridge

For the same reasons - I've never owned a saloon. Probably never will!

Johnmcl7

I primarily have an estate car for bikes as it's great just being able to slide the bike in the back without even needing to remove a wheel, the 29er and fat bike both fit in without issue. I don't really see any downsides aside from slightly higher cost, my only slight annoyance is I feel some estates, sorry 'Sports Tourers' compromise load capacity for looks.

I did make the mistake of having a saloon once and it was a real pain, I tended to load the boot through the rear seats since the rear boot entry was so awkward.

John

forgotmyname

Sister nearly bought a Bora many a fair few years ago. Opening the boot you were presented with a fairly decent space but the opening was so small it was a joke.

The gap between the bottom/top lip was about 14". Something the size of a nappy box wouldnt fit in without having to squish the box.

And no chance of fitting her pushchair in that she used at the time. She bought a mondeo where she could have left the pushchair in its upright state and still put it in the boot.

Think twice about the so called premium cars, once upon a time they were better because they cost more as they fitted better parts rather than save 2p. These days its all about the cost.

One of the few cars with rust problems in the early 2000's was a Mercedes.. You can find plenty of late 1990's Mercedes with no rust.

I have a Mondeo estate and it can carry more than my dads transit connect. His van will be full, i drop the seats down and there will be room to spare after emptying the van.