3k Reliable Estate?

[Billy_Whizzzz]

My daughter wants/needs an estate car - any suggestions?

Ideally:

£3000 max
Economical
Reliable
Preferably ULEZ compliant
Manual
Not hideous!

Am thinking Passat / Golf estate / Avensis / 320i all around 2009/100k

Am I missing something?

[Alickadoo]

Auris

[7 5 7]

Insignia Tourer (1.8VVT)
Astra J Tourer (1.4 / 1.6)
Focus Estate (1.6)
Accord Estate (1.8)
Avensis Estate (1.8)
Mondeo Estate (2.0)
SEAT Ibiza Tourer (1.2)
SAAB 9-3 Estate (1.8T)
Skoda Octavia Estate TSI (1.8TSi)
MINI Clubman (1.4 / 1.6)
VOLVO V50 (1.8)
Peugeot 308/307 SW (1.6VVT)
Renault Megane Tourer Mk3 (1.6VVT)

Quite a few more options.

Edited by 7 5 7 on Thursday 30th November 06:39

[biggbn]

Toyota, Kia or Hyundai. Job jobbed

[Gad-Westy]

I’d probably avoid the German options for £3k. You could get lucky but it would be a gamble. There is unfortunately an awful lot of junk at this sort of price these days.

I think I’d be looking at

Mazda 6
Aurus
Avensis
Volvo v50

A bit of a range of sizes there though so might depend how big a car she needs.

[Mirinjawbro]

exactly the same criteria as me.

for 5k ive been looking at octavias and passats.

just not sure where the price / risk level is best

[blue_haddock]

For reliable i'd be looking at Korean or Japanese cars so Hyundai I30, Kia Ceed, Toyota auris or Toyota Avensis.

I had a Ceed Estate for a short while and whilst slightly dull it did everything it was asked to do and never let me down.

Avensis.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311204...

Mitsubishi Lancer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224...

Volvo V50
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311214...

Another Lancer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309272...

In fact the lancer was a few years ago rated as the most reliable car in the uk. I had one for a while and again it never let me down

https://www.bristolstreet.co.uk/news/mitsubishi-la...

Edited by blue_haddock on Thursday 30th November 09:55

[braddo]

Gad-Westy said:

I’d probably avoid the German options for £3k. You could get lucky but it would be a gamble.

Agreed. Vauxhall, Ford, Japanese and Korean options.

Petrol, avoiding turbos as much as possible (keeping long term running costs down)

[SKM1984]

+1 for the Avensis

I've been running my 1.8 estate for the last couple of months without a hint of drama. 2010 bought on 110k, so far on 114.

[AceKid]

I was in a similar position, but at 4k. Got a 14 plate ford focus estate, 1.6 duratec engine. Mine is the powershift (as are loads) but previous owner had the clutch pack replaced, so actually all good. Happily does 40mpg on the school runs and 12 mile work commute.
Its not exactly fun, but does exactly what it needs to and the heated windscreen is a massive bonus this time of year.

[georgeyboy12345]

I would discount the Germans at this price point, they will not be reliable.

Best pick is something like this Volvo V50, they are very smart for what they are - this one has nice alloys, full leather interior, heated seats, satnav, climate control, cruise control, xenon headlights and is based on the Ford Focus so is reliable and cheap to repair should anything go wrong, as well as being low mileage.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311143...



Other ideas

Kia Ceed 1.6 Sports Wagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311214...


Renault Megane 1.6 16V Sports Tourer - cambelt will be due in a year though (the two cars above are chain driven)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308060...


Seat Ibiza 1.4 Copa ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305036...

[ZX10R NIN]

2.0 Mondeo Zetec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311093...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310102...

1.8 Insignia SRI but you'll have to haggle:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311174...

2.5 Mazda6 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307219...

Saab 9-3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310183...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311234...

[OutInTheShed]

A lot of thirteen year old estates will have had hard lives.
When you buy a car for this money it is a gamble and you have to be realistic about expectations.

How long do you need it to last?
How resilient are you to big bills?

A 100k mile manual car could need a clutch this year, what will that cost?

I would consider things like Ford Focus, or Mondeo if bigger is good.
Maybe Renault? Peugeot?
A lot of those are low power, which isn't very PH, but might be cheap to insure?

There is a shortage of nice estate cars, if what you need to carry will go in a hatchback, or you don't mind an SUV, you may have more choice.

I would suggest being a bit open minded about brand and looking for a tidy car that does the job and makes you feel it's got a reasonable hope of being low maintenance.


Or, Alfa Sportwagon.

[nobrakes]

ZX10R NIN said:

2.0 Mondeo Zetec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311093...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310102...

1.8 Insignia SRI but you'll have to haggle:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311174...

2.5 Mazda6 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307219...

Saab 9-3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310183...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311234...

The second Mondeo looks like a really nice motor for the money.

Years of life left in it.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Thanks All - went with an Octavia (petrol) in the end!