4 to 5k to spend on an estate car?

[UnderOpenSky]

0-60 is a reasonable enough way to compare acceleration between cars but that doesn't mean that's what your car will do. They're the best times in perfect conditions and once you've loaded your tools and gear in the back you can forget about what the performance stats say.

Ok, but they are a fair method of comparison then.

A combination of Autotrader, Urban and Honest John makes shopping for a car much easier then it used to be.

 

[starfish]

Your reps drive those? Where the fuck do you work?

I cant PM you.

 

[dessiato]

I want my SAAB back.

 

[hash tag]

Love Alfa's, great looking drivers cars. Saabs have a reputation for being comfortable workhorses.
Surprised no one has mentioned the Juke or Quasqui ( or however it's spelt). Tens of thousands made in lots of
different variants, so you should be able to get your pick of a good honest cheap one.

PS for servicing an Alfa, have a look at the Alfa forums to find one cheap, reliable and local. I couldn't find a more honest, cheap reliable mechanic than my Alfa man. He is a god.

 

[Dogsauce]

I recently got a big Avensis estate, but since I've only driven about 50 miles in the three weeks I've had it I can't really give much of a review, other than the parking sensors don't work and the rear window heater only partly works (2008 model, 160k on the clock). Drives nicer than the two Skodas I tried (fabia and Octavia), maybe not as nice as the Passat I tried which someone else bought before I got back in touch with the dealership.

 

[weltweit]

I recently got a big Avensis estate, but since I've only driven about 50 miles in the three weeks I've had it I can't really give much of a review, other than the parking sensors don't work and the rear window heater only partly works (2008 model, 160k on the clock). Drives nicer than the two Skodas I tried (fabia and Octavia), maybe not as nice as the Passat I tried which someone else bought before I got back in touch with the dealership.

While the Passat will be in the nick, for emissions fraud, your Toyota will power on!

 

[ChrisFilter]

I went through a similar process and went with a fully specced BMW 535d with 150k on the clock for £4.5k. It's a beautiful thing. BUT... the mpg is pretty terrible off the the motorway. I knew that when I got it, tbf, but probably rules it out for you. It was bought with long trips in France in mind.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I went through a similar process and went with a fully specced BMW 535d with 150k on the clock for £4.5k. It's a beautiful thing. BUT... the mpg is pretty terrible off the the motorway. I knew that when I got it, tbf, but probably rules it out for you. It was bought with long trips in France in mind.

It's very tempting but understandably most German cars are older and higher millage for the same money, plus cost more to fix when they break/get serviced. But tempting.

 

[ChrisFilter]

Yeah, it was definitely a premium. And being a gadget geek I looked specifically for one with all the gear - sat nav, auto everything, etc, etc. If I was you I'd get a Saab. There's a lot to be said for that heavy European feel. When I drive my wife's Qashqai now it feels plasticky and cheap when before it felt lovely.

 

[IC3D]

I've got an Alfa 159 and its very fast and reliable with reasonable mpg..apart from the random fault messages that I just ignore I love it

 

[Dogsauce]

While the Passat will be in the nick, for emissions fraud, your Toyota will power on!

True, plus someone later warned us off this particular Passat model as the push-button handbrake (which I'm not a fan of anyway) has a tendency to break and set you back £400 for a replacement. The GF quite liked a Passat because her dad has a 15 year old one that hasn't been too much bother, though that was the previous model/body style.

 

[hash tag]

I've got an Alfa 159 and its very fast and reliable with reasonable mpg..apart from the random fault messages that I just ignore I love it

Alfa. Proper petrol heads car, beautiful too

 

[UnderOpenSky]

So I phoned up my friendly mechanic near my folks house. I was after something a little quicker, but still diesel and he tells me has an immaculate 2007 Mondeo 2.0L 130bhp, with a decent spec, 80k, in the older shape for £2700. I was humming and haring and he'd said he'd throw in a 3 year labour warranty as he doesn't sell bad motors (and that my mum would kill him if was ). Will go pick it up on Tuesday.

So 1800 quid cheaper then I was planning on spending. Boring as you like, but I guess I can live with it for the peace of mind and I can give some of the loan back so it's paid of much sooner. Also anything is going to be nicer to drive then my 2003 Belingo with 135k on the clock.

Thank you for all the help and suggestions on the thread.

 

[weltweit]

Heard something on the radio today about how you need these days to look out for flood damage. Quite easy to spot it seems but "to be avoided".

 

[hash tag]

Might be a little over budget and slightly lacking in modern day refinements but nearly as pretty as a 159 ( I have to say that)

 

[dessiato]

Might be a little over budget and slightly lacking in modern day refinements but nearly as pretty as a 159 ( I have to say that)

Or, if we're going classic:

I had one. The underside was solid but the roof... Great car for driving though.

 

[dessiato]

I had a company car years ago, 3L Ford Granada Mk1. Huge amount of performance and enough space to hold a four drawer filing cabinet.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I've collected it

I know many of you are used to driving much nicer cars, but it feels amazing. I was worried that 2 liters in a car this size would feel gutless, but it proper pulls. Most noticeable from other cars I drive is not from standstill, but from 50 to 100 as I found out accidentally as I'm used to cars rattling well before that point.

It's also fucking huge. Even without the seats down its vast.

 

[Spymaster]

Good motors. Should serve you well.

 

[twentythreedom]

How's the sound system?

 

[Sweet FA]

What did you get, GS?

eta never mind

 

[Sweet FA]

Mondeo. Thank you for all the help and suggestions on the thread.

No worries

 

[UnderOpenSky]

How's the sound system?

Standard ford issue. Better the what I had (despite throwing in some 40 quid speakers and new head unit in the old motor)

I figure as I spent 1800 under budget I may be able to treat myself. New thread perhaps.

 

[dessiato]

Ford are not normally exciting. But they do their job very well. The ones I've had have always performed very well.

 

[mauvais]

Ford Europe of that era (first Focus/Ka onwards up to today AFAIR) tended to put out pretty good drivers' cars, I think. Not the most thrilling place to sit by any means but in terms of handling, vehicle dynamics and actually having some level of engagement with the person in control rather than just being white goods, punching somewhat above its weight really. So it's not surprising that you're pleased

 

[dessiato]

Ford Europe of that era (first Focus/Ka onwards up to today AFAIR) tended to put out pretty good drivers' cars, I think. Not the most thrilling place to sit by any means but in terms of handling, vehicle dynamics and actually having some level of engagement with the person in control rather than just being white goods, punching somewhat above its weight really. So it's not surprising that you're pleased

Even Top Gear liked the Mondeo.

 

[Sweet FA]

Standard ford issue. Better the what I had (despite throwing in some 40 quid speakers and new head unit in the old motor)...New thread perhaps.

I would watch that thread with interest; is that an easy/difficult/worthwhile thing to do? I'd like bluetooth and an aux socket and satnav etc. I've been using rl maps/phone/ipod (which is an arseache tbh - Samsung S6 battery is shite and the aux socket in the glove box doesn't work anymore). Halfords would fit something that would do those things for c.£200 (with coloured lights). I have no idea if that's worth it or not.

 

[hash tag]

Is it an American model?

Liters indeed

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I would watch that thread with interest; is that an easy/difficult/worthwhile thing to do? I'd like bluetooth and an aux socket and satnav etc. I've been using rl maps/phone/ipod (which is an arseache tbh - Samsung S6 battery is shite and the aux socket in the glove box doesn't work anymore). Halfords would fit something that would do those things for c.£200 (with coloured lights). I have no idea if that's worth it or not.

I certainly wouldn't want Sat Nav built in, they seem to make the units very expensive and I've all but stopped using my dedicated one, unless there is no phone signal, as Google is so much better for routes and up to date traffic conditions.

Fitting a new head unit isn't hard, I've done it quite a few times to add Aux or Bluetooth it's the other stuff that I'm not sure about. For hands free I want a neater solution then I'm using now. I've got a long cable from the head unit for the mic which needs to be hung of my collar to be effective. I'd want a good mic out of the way.

The Mondeo has its ports in silly places. Charger near the gear stick and Aux in the glove box would mean cables everywhere!

Amps need to be bolted down and a cable run to the battery and head unit which would tempt me to have it done for me.

I thought just a new pair of speakers would be a massive improvement over cardboard citreron ones, but no, so would need some advice.

Does anyone know any geeky forums for this kind of thing? I'd quite to spend a while while reading other peoples threads and the like to learn a bit more before spending cash.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Good motors the Mondeo. Mother in law has a P reg one, starts first time, every time.

Ford really do make decent cars, hope you enjoy yours.