Recommend me a Car

[Malinois6303]

Hi Guys,

This has most likely been done to death but I always enjoy the topic and need some ideas.

Currently got a T6 Transporter which is going through some changes but I want a second vehicle:

I only do 5 mile each way for work so probably best a petrol or Pre DPF diesel.

Must have enough punch to be fun and for family days out/motorways.

Preferably an estate to take 2 children and 2 large dogs.

Budget of £3000-£4000

Reliable as can be in this price range.

I’ve never owned BMW, Merc etc so quite like the idea of something luxury barge like but also considered the usual Mondeo etc route.

What can you think of?

Cheers

[Mr Tidy]

I've had an E90 manual BMW 330i since 2019 years that cost me around the middle of your budget and I love it. Very relaxed and refined, but is pretty quick if I'm in the mood. A Touring ought to be possible in your budget now, but wasn't back then.

A Mercedes C320 might be similar.

But if you want economy both were sold with diesel options.

Or slightly above mainstream alternatives maybe a Saab would work?

Of the more mainstream options I quite like the idea of a Skoda Octavia VRs, but there are loads of other choices.

[ZX10R NIN]

TSI Passat:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401045...

Accord GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312235...

9-3 Vector Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401115...

2.5 Legacy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401075...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310012...

525i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401075...

325i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401065...

Octavia VRS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312235...

[georgeyboy12345]

A 4 grand BMW or Mercedes is likely asking for trouble - I wouldn't recommend. Likewise a diesel for 5 mile trips - what's the point, the engine won't even have warmed up by then.

4 grand doesn't get you that much these days, especially with estates that are in demand.

Some ideas

Honda Accord 2.0 i-VTEC EX Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312064...


Saab 9-3 2.0T Vector Sportwagon - these will remap to 200 bhp if you are that way inclined
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401155...


Subaru Legacy 2.5 SE Sport Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310012...


Jaguar X-Type 2.5 V6 Sport AWD for just £1500
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312214...

[Chrispee]

If you can up the budget a little I'd recommend a Mk3 Focus 1.6t Ecoboost estate. I've had mine for 4 years and it's on 110k with minimal expenditure outside of routine servicing. They start a little higher than 4k but it's a punchy engine and decent drive. Titanium or Ti-X spec is pretty loaded too

[Malinois6303]

Hi All,

Thank you!

There’s some great suggestions here!

I must admit, I’d been looking at the 9-3 petrols, 1.8 and preferably 2.0t, always fancied one, although I appreciate the GM era ones may not be as well built. Especially if I could source some cheap Aero Ttid wheels.

Subaru Legacy also a good shout and one that hadn’t been on my radar, but makes perfect sense, I’ll be checking them out!

I like the Accord, although starting to look a bit dated now - had a CRV years ago which was fairly defendable.

Thanks so much - keep you posted 👍🏻

[66HFM]

I'd look at a Honda Accord GT or something a bit different but have a great reputation, a Seat Exeo Estate - previous generation A4 Avant

[CrippsCorner]

Those 3 & 5 Series look great, but if it was me, out of the suggestions so far, I'd probably go for the vRS.

[Malinois6303]

I’ve also been checking out the X type V6 AWD estate! Seem good value?

[ZX10R NIN]

Malinois6303 said:

I’ve also been checking out the X type V6 AWD estate! Seem good value?

Rust is the main issue on these.

[georgeyboy12345]

ZX10R NIN said:

Malinois6303 said:

I’ve also been checking out the X type V6 AWD estate! Seem good value?

Rust is the main issue on these.

Yeah, that one I recommended for only £1500 seems to be suffering from some tin worm. Probably best avoided tbh. Worth checking the MOT history on these for mentions of rust.

[Malinois6303]

Definitely will mate….

Saw a Mondeo recently, Titanium X Sport, had everything and I was tempted, saw the MOT history and subframes, suspension etc all had advisories for corrosion

[snowman99]

You’ll have to kiss a lot of frogs at this price these days.

The newer shape Honda Accord may just creep into budget but the risk is a suspiciously low priced car with hidden issues

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023122350...
This has been up for ages and is strangely cheap.

Toyota Avensis are reliable but boring - but again to find a decent 2009+ Avensis for that budget is tricky. Many ex taxis or ones with issues. I looked at one (hidden number plate of course) where a whole load of warning lights had magically been cleared between failing and passing an MOT. For all I could tell they’d cleared or disable the warning lights. The electronic parking brake can be a big bill on those.

A well maintained older model may be a safer bet.

Honda Civic estates are few and far between.

Lots of corrosion in cars on this age/budget.