Recommend me a used estate car to keep for 10 years ( 15K)
Discussion
Hi all, would really like some input on buying a used estate car as I'm really finding it hard to make a decision.
Basically I've been looking for ages (2 years +) for a suitable estate car to use as a family car / commuter / holiday load lugger etc. Set on petrol, and prefer manual especially over a VAG DSG setup. Looked at and discounted mid size Golf and Leon sized cars as not offering enough space over my existing car, especially as I mountain bike and the width of the boots on these isn't very wide. Have considered Mazda 6 in the past but discounted it as the rear seats look quite narrow for 3 growing children. Have been to see a Volvo v60 (mk1 2.0l T4) which although on paper has a small boot actually the load area is brilliiant - wide and flat. Rear seats look wider than Mazda but again not much legroom. Build quality looks superb though. Other options are the 1.4 or 1.5tsi Passat which I guess should suit me but I'm not sure about those engines for 100,000 miles+, maybe I'm wrong. I've also been considering the leftfield option of a Subaru Outback which had loads of capacity and room but has the reported mpg figures make me nervous. Have discounted Merc / BMW as being too costly to service. Mondeo and Superb too long for my drive (Outback was pushing it - I test drove one and parked it to try)
So, if you're still reading by now - imagine you had 15k to spend on a petrol estate to keep for 10 years with minimal additional annual costs, where would your money go?
Basically I've been looking for ages (2 years +) for a suitable estate car to use as a family car / commuter / holiday load lugger etc. Set on petrol, and prefer manual especially over a VAG DSG setup. Looked at and discounted mid size Golf and Leon sized cars as not offering enough space over my existing car, especially as I mountain bike and the width of the boots on these isn't very wide. Have considered Mazda 6 in the past but discounted it as the rear seats look quite narrow for 3 growing children. Have been to see a Volvo v60 (mk1 2.0l T4) which although on paper has a small boot actually the load area is brilliiant - wide and flat. Rear seats look wider than Mazda but again not much legroom. Build quality looks superb though. Other options are the 1.4 or 1.5tsi Passat which I guess should suit me but I'm not sure about those engines for 100,000 miles+, maybe I'm wrong. I've also been considering the leftfield option of a Subaru Outback which had loads of capacity and room but has the reported mpg figures make me nervous. Have discounted Merc / BMW as being too costly to service. Mondeo and Superb too long for my drive (Outback was pushing it - I test drove one and parked it to try)
So, if you're still reading by now - imagine you had 15k to spend on a petrol estate to keep for 10 years with minimal additional annual costs, where would your money go?
Interested in suggestions too as may be in similar position at some point - that said I have an Avensis estate for kid/bike transportation duties which costs peanuts to run and doesn't look like dying anytime soon! 
Sure you could get one of the last Avensis estates.
Or Kia Optima estate....
Sure you could get one of the last Avensis estates.
Or Kia Optima estate....
Skoda Octavia Estate or Superb Estate
- Octavia is huge / Superb is 'huger' - but like you, I'm not a fan of DSG
- mostly FWD
- the ZF auto-boxes on these are very good
- RWD or xDrive 4wd
- very good 3 litre turbo-diesels in the 330/530D and above (diesel only if you're doing high mileages/long trips)
- even the smaller 3-series touring will accommodate 2 sets of 19" wheels with tyres
I'd stick a vote in for an Octavia too. The more powerful variants will have independent rear suspension, which I have on my (relatively softly sprung) 2.0 Leon estate and it handles beautifully, so I'm sure the Octavia would be similar.
Quite a few VRS models around, or if you prefer something more comfy, they did do a 190 hp 2.0 in SE L trim, for a little luuuuuggsury. There's only one on AT right now, and it's a Cat S, however:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310203...
EDIT: scratch that, looking at the photos, it's a DSG and incorrectly listed on AT. Sorry, in which case likely only VRS was offered as a manual.
Quite a few VRS models around, or if you prefer something more comfy, they did do a 190 hp 2.0 in SE L trim, for a little luuuuuggsury. There's only one on AT right now, and it's a Cat S, however:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310203...
EDIT: scratch that, looking at the photos, it's a DSG and incorrectly listed on AT. Sorry, in which case likely only VRS was offered as a manual.
I’d go for an Octavia too. I’ve had several now as workhorses. They’re perfect for all the reasons you’d want in an estate: ferrying the family, dog wagon, tip runs etc. the boot is cavernous, relatively cheap to run but they also look good too (imho). I’ll be buying another when my current one (petrol vRS) is broken beyond repair.
+1 for Octavia, I bought one a year ago after running Mercs for forty years. Well pleased with comfort performance etc. boot is generous too, lots of room in rear seats.
I bought auto but can understand reluctance to buy it I considered it for a long time before buying and am very pleased with it, very smooth action, no problems with it so far but I do not do a lot of miles, like you I intend keeping car probably be last car I buy.
I bought auto but can understand reluctance to buy it I considered it for a long time before buying and am very pleased with it, very smooth action, no problems with it so far but I do not do a lot of miles, like you I intend keeping car probably be last car I buy.
Fermit said:
I'd be looking for something Volvo V70 shaped, although most are autos. Massive, comfy, safe, dependable, usually pre-owned by the 'right' types.
And utterly, utterly dull. Also, those seats don’t suit everyone, and check build quality - mine was just s
te.Check out a Gen 5 Subaru Liberty GT, manuals are around and these are the antithesis of a V70 whilst being just as big inside. As well as quick, fun and reliable.
PomBstard said:
And utterly, utterly dull. Also, those seats don’t suit everyone, and check build quality - mine was just ste.
Check out a Gen 5 Subaru Liberty GT, manuals are around and these are the antithesis of a V70 whilst being just as big inside. As well as quick, fun and reliable.
Quite rare in the UK, and mostly fitted with Subaru's CVT system - which nobody can fix when it goes wrong. Also mostly half the budget suggested and quite old.te.Check out a Gen 5 Subaru Liberty GT, manuals are around and these are the antithesis of a V70 whilst being just as big inside. As well as quick, fun and reliable.
I've also got 3 children and have continually had the same discussion with my wife.
After Discovery 3 & 4, Evoque, we now have an XC60, although we also have an A6 Avant, I've always been an Audi fan, having had a couple of S3s (pre children), A4 Avant Special Editions etc, but I can't quite jel with the A6 Avant, its a 2.0 TDi S Line 170bhp manual, maybe its the size as it appears that little bit too big and cumbersome.
I've had an Octavia VRS (MK2) before, although hatchback and my money would go on a VRS estate as they are a bit of a tardis and seem to tick all of the boxes, however, I also like the Leon FR ST, but appreciate you have dismissed them already.
Good luck and let us know what you decide on. 2 years is a long time to wait, any longer and the kids will have moved out....
After Discovery 3 & 4, Evoque, we now have an XC60, although we also have an A6 Avant, I've always been an Audi fan, having had a couple of S3s (pre children), A4 Avant Special Editions etc, but I can't quite jel with the A6 Avant, its a 2.0 TDi S Line 170bhp manual, maybe its the size as it appears that little bit too big and cumbersome.
I've had an Octavia VRS (MK2) before, although hatchback and my money would go on a VRS estate as they are a bit of a tardis and seem to tick all of the boxes, however, I also like the Leon FR ST, but appreciate you have dismissed them already.
Good luck and let us know what you decide on. 2 years is a long time to wait, any longer and the kids will have moved out....
Think I'd go for a Passat over the Octy, just seems a nicer place to sit and nicer seats etc plus the GT line has a moonroof which the kids love in the current car.
Yep 2 years is a long time to be looking, to be fair initially I was just looking around at what was available but the prices were nuts, have been looking seriously for the last 6 months I'd say.
Focus looked good but have read that the new 3 pot ecoboost engines aren't rated to last that many miles.
Am I crazy to still be considering the Outback?
Yep 2 years is a long time to be looking, to be fair initially I was just looking around at what was available but the prices were nuts, have been looking seriously for the last 6 months I'd say.
Focus looked good but have read that the new 3 pot ecoboost engines aren't rated to last that many miles.
Am I crazy to still be considering the Outback?
Edited by stevet180 on Wednesday 22 November 11:56
stevet180 said:
Think I'd go for a Passat over the Octy, just seems a nicer place to sit and nicer seats etc plus the GT line has a moonroof which the kids love in the current car.
Yep 2 years is a long time to be looking, to be fair initially I was just looking around at what was available but the prices were nuts, have been looking seriously for the last 6 months I'd say.
Focus looked good but have read that the new 3 pot ecoboost engines aren't rated to last that many miles.
Am I crazy to still be considering the Outback?
Could always get a Focus with an extra cylinder and drive more gently Yep 2 years is a long time to be looking, to be fair initially I was just looking around at what was available but the prices were nuts, have been looking seriously for the last 6 months I'd say.
Focus looked good but have read that the new 3 pot ecoboost engines aren't rated to last that many miles.
Am I crazy to still be considering the Outback?
Edited by stevet180 on Wednesday 22 November 11:56
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023092423...
stevet180 said:
Octavia would be a decent family car agreed, jus not sure about the long term reliability for these, I've heard a few stories about problems but maybe that's just because they're so common?
Had a 63 plate Octavia VRS petrol DSG took it from 15k 3 years old to 80k 9 years old. Not a single issue with it. By far the most reliable car I've owned. They are not without issues but nothing major on the whole, but as ever used cars are a gamble and you could be unlucky.I have a 2020 Passat Estate 2.0 Diesel DSG and it's coming up to 4 years old. Styling is still the boxy conservative German look. Bought it as a 10 year car with the intention to run The Vikingettes to and from University. It's comfortable for long distances, it's relatively refined if you don't use stop/start, spacious and economical. VED is £30 per annum. Economy is fantastic - 50mpg high speed or with a roofbox. 60+ for bimbling and a 700-800+ range.
It's not a B-road blatter by any means, but it does the job well. If VW look to cull the diesel then I may get another to last out fossil fuels.
It's not a B-road blatter by any means, but it does the job well. If VW look to cull the diesel then I may get another to last out fossil fuels.
I think that simply there isn't any car which is going to meet all those requirements.
For "last ten years" requirement a Toyota would be best, but the Corolla is too small, and even then you'd only get a fairly high mileage 4 year old one for the budget.
To get an A6 or E Class in budget, it would be 7-8 years old so very little chance of getting more than 5 years our of it without major expense/failure.
A poverty spec Superb is probably the closest fit as you'd be able to get a 4-5 year old one in budget, but the OP said that is too long.
A different option would be an S-Max. Strictly speaking not an estate, but drives like one and would definitely meet the space requirement. The only problem there is that ones with petrol engines are less common than rocking horse poo. There is one 1.5 Ecoboost on Autotrader at the moment!!
For "last ten years" requirement a Toyota would be best, but the Corolla is too small, and even then you'd only get a fairly high mileage 4 year old one for the budget.
To get an A6 or E Class in budget, it would be 7-8 years old so very little chance of getting more than 5 years our of it without major expense/failure.
A poverty spec Superb is probably the closest fit as you'd be able to get a 4-5 year old one in budget, but the OP said that is too long.
A different option would be an S-Max. Strictly speaking not an estate, but drives like one and would definitely meet the space requirement. The only problem there is that ones with petrol engines are less common than rocking horse poo. There is one 1.5 Ecoboost on Autotrader at the moment!!
I would recommend avoiding the Volvo V60, i had one I think on a 61 plate and it was plagued with electrical issues which affected the door locks and BLIS system, THE BLIS system would fail every time it rained.
The door locks all failed on me one after the other which was expensive.
I would not trust the Volvo over a 10 year period, I don't think they stand up like older Volvo's do
The door locks all failed on me one after the other which was expensive.
I would not trust the Volvo over a 10 year period, I don't think they stand up like older Volvo's do
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