Most capacious diesel car/suv/people carrier sub 5K
Discussion
I need a diesel powered load lugger to take stuff to my house in Spain (1500 mile journey), the idea being that I'll be able to fit at least the bare minimum to live in the place while I do it up. As such the vehicle will be used for transporting building/decorating materials in Spain but will also need to offer reasonable comfort and speed for journey to and from the house.
My initial thoughts are a Mondeo estate, I like the way they drive, the engines are powerful and the last one I looked at (07 model) was massive inside, with a roof box it should fit a bed, our personal effects, folding chairs/table and other stuff that seems to cost a fortune down in rural Spain to at least allow us 6 weeks there in reasonable comfort. Are there any other estate cars I should be thinking about? V70 D5 maybe?
The vehicle doesn't need to carry more than 2 people which started me thinking about vans but I don't want to look like a commercial user for various reasons I won't go into here.
I've no experience whatsoever of people carriers, are there any which are reasonably good at motorway work and offer more space inside than an estate car with the seats removed? If so I'd like to hear about them if they're within budget.
My initial thoughts are a Mondeo estate, I like the way they drive, the engines are powerful and the last one I looked at (07 model) was massive inside, with a roof box it should fit a bed, our personal effects, folding chairs/table and other stuff that seems to cost a fortune down in rural Spain to at least allow us 6 weeks there in reasonable comfort. Are there any other estate cars I should be thinking about? V70 D5 maybe?
The vehicle doesn't need to carry more than 2 people which started me thinking about vans but I don't want to look like a commercial user for various reasons I won't go into here.
I've no experience whatsoever of people carriers, are there any which are reasonably good at motorway work and offer more space inside than an estate car with the seats removed? If so I'd like to hear about them if they're within budget.
Vaud said:
V70 is a good car, oodles of space.
You will get a leggy XC90 for that money as well which will swallow the earth.
Otherwise pick up a petrol 850, 950 or 960 estate for £2-3k, the diesel savings will take a while to kick in.
Diesel is a lot cheaper in Europe, I anticipate doing 6 round trips a year so 18K or so plus some extra for local use otherwise I'd get myself a petrol Mercedes R500 if I could find one!You will get a leggy XC90 for that money as well which will swallow the earth.
Otherwise pick up a petrol 850, 950 or 960 estate for £2-3k, the diesel savings will take a while to kick in.
Does an XC90 have a better load capacity than a V70? If so I'd be very interested as AWD/4WD and good ground clearance would be of benefit although not essential.
I thought about a trailer but the issue is security over a long trip as it will take 2 days to get down there, better to have everything locked up and secure. I'll likely get a trailer to move stuff from Portugal over to Spain which I can do in a day.
Also I had no idea there was a forum dedicated to car buying on PH!
Going to be looking at the Nissan, Renault and Mercedes options now, cheers!
edit to add: I just looked what a box trailer is, shows how ignorant I am. One would be great- I need that in addition to the vehicle as a Clio just doesn't cut it capacity wise.
Edited by Motorrad on Saturday 28th January 14:51
te at the 1500 mile each way commute.The Mondeo is a good shout but if it's space you want go for the Galaxy.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Slow said:
Are you really that against having a van as it makes so much more sence for loading purposes I reckon.
A vw transporter is car like to drive if thats the problem?
Commercial vehicles are going to cause me 'regulatory' problems. Therefore given my mostly non-commercial use I need a vehicle that has a good load capacity without incurring commercial vehicle costs.A vw transporter is car like to drive if thats the problem?
I wonder if 'Shalhambraxies' really have more load capacity than a Mondeo estate when it comes down to it. Likewise XC90 vs V70.
ZX10R NIN said:
The Mondeo is a good shout but if it's space you want go for the Galaxy.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
We've had, and still have, that shape Galaxy and it's been pretty faultless for nearly 3 years and at 10 years old and 88k miles I recently had to make a decision to get rid or spend some money on keeping it going. So after a timing belt, water pump, full fluid chance, tyres, a couple of breake calipers and about £700 later (all I really spent in 3 years) and it's sweet as a nut.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
There are pretty feckin massive inside with everything folded flat but not as big as the old shape Shalambrah, but they are all probably very ropey by now. The only thing that mine would benefit from is a slightly more comfy seat, it has leather but I reckon it'd be better with cloth. Also it doesn't have cruise control, which would be handy for trekking to spain. If your'e thinking about a mondeo then definately have a look at one. Oh and mine is doing 43mpg over 20odd thousand miles of mainly local driving, I don't think it has a dpf either so that's one lest thing to go wrong.
ZX10R NIN said:
The Mondeo is a good shout but if it's space you want go for the Galaxy.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I've had 2 pathfinders and they are great for a big 4x4. Picked up a high mileage Smax(more or less the same as the Galaxy) recently as a second car and its great. We averaged 28mpg on the first Pathfinder and 32 mpg on the second, Smax is always over 50. Smax definitely a nicer drive over long distance http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
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