Estate Cars? Good or bad idea over MPV

darren_5

Hi,

I currently have a scenic and am considering another scenic or Peugeot MPV.

However, im also looking at Estate cars. So far I have seen the:

Vauxhall Astra
Kia Ceed
Ford Focus

THese seem to have decent enough boots in my price range 6-8k/

What are peoples views on these cars for space and reliability?

Many thanks,
Darren

Silver-Surfer_2

You needed an mpv on your other thread. If you need one fir whatever reason then an Astra won't do what you need it to.

Oh and bear in mind the 1600 diesel focus will have the same engine as the 3008.

darren_5

I automatically thought id go for an MPV but ive never considered an Estate.

forgotmyname

Why an MPV? I can see the point if they have 7 seats. But most do not, they are just a bit taller than the equivalent car and costs more.

You wont go far wrong with a decent Focus, but a Mondeo is bigger and cheaper and with similar running costs. Massive boot.

Johnmcl7

It's difficult to say when you haven't detailed why it is you need an mpv, an estate can certainly offer a decent amount of load space but the extra height of an mpv does give them extra capacity.

I'd agree with the recommendation to look at a Mondeo estate or also a Skoda Octavia estate as it has a colossal boot despite being a Focus rival.

John

getmore4less

Watch out on the Ceed, peddles and foot well space appalling so got crossed off our list quickly.

Add an Octavia to the list even in hatch massive boot.

warwicktiger

First question, why do you need either, over and above a hatchback? Do you need to carry more bodies, more things or just like more metal?

fishybusiness

We own both, a Xsara Picasso and an Audi A6 estate, both diesel.

Like chalk and cheese they are.

The Xsara is great for our 3 kids, 3 separate rear seats, well spaced for the kids. Rear seats removable so it can almost be a small van. Has a small boot in comparison to the estates you mention.

Easy to service, does go wrong, electrical gremlins, usual service items. Not so good on the motorways, drifts around a bit, especially in the wind, economical - nearly 50mpg average.

The Audi is big enough for the kids, although they grumble and say they are too close together - kids are 9 and 10. Plenty of boot space and even more with the rear seats down. Great camping car, space for everything.

Servicing is cheap enough, tyres are more expensive than the Xsara and wear more quickly (guess Mondeo will be similar), very little goes wrong apart from servicing, high mileage cars will be expensive to maintain.

Amazing on the motorways, quiet, economical, and pretty good on A roads. Wouldn't have bought it just for a town car, Xsara much better there. Parking can be a pain, rear sticks out and it is quite wide so have to be careful with doors in car parks.

Rain_Shadow

I've owned estates for about 15 years now. They are so useful. I would be loath to be without one.

Clive_Woody

I've had my Octavia vRS estate for 6 years and love it.

Good selection of toys, plenty fast enough and has a massive boot plenty big enough for all the needs of family life. Cheap to service and maintain too.

jbainbridge

We went from a 5 seat Scenic to a Megane estate. According to the figures the boot is slightly bigger, though there is a little less room inside the cabin. I prefer it being more 'car' like.