Estate that's not too boring

[Pete-mojsh]

I'm now in a position to start looking for a new family wagon, I want an estate so I can fit in all the stuff my 5 month old needs and still have some room for other things in the boot, I could get by with another hatchback but why struggle to tetris everything in?

Budget £4k but subject to creep for the right car, don't want to finance anything so will be buying with cash. Top end of maybe £6k, if it's something that really grabs me I'll spend the extra.

Car will be doing the commute of 40 mile round trip 2-3 times a week, usually A and B roads on the way in, motorway on the way home, odd little bits of mileage for shopping and getting out with the family but we have plenty close to us so just 15-20 minute journeys here and there, father in law has moved back to the UK and will be settling in Norfolk so probably a 2 hr trip to there from Bedfordshire every couple of months, possibly more.

Considering the above there's no point getting a diesel, I prefer petrols anyway and I would like something that can be mildly amusing and is perhaps a little different from the usual.

Thoughts so far;

BMW E90 325 - seems to tick a lot of boxes, ample power, should be a reasonable drive, I like the shape and in my limited experience of BMW driving it's a nice place to be. 6 cylinder engines less troublesome than the 4's so should go on for quite some time without too many issues. My preferred choice but manuals are hard to find, would prefer lower mileage (80-90k, all things being relative) as it's something I would want to keep for a number of years.

Subaru Legacy 2.0 non turbo - fuel consumption won't be great but if looked after should prove pretty reliable, decent load space, the boxer is something a bit different even though the 4WD saps a bit of power, in manual it should be adequate for the type of driving I do. I thought about a spec c but 20mpg is perhaps a bit too far.

Skoda Octavia VRS TFSI - Well specced, nice to look at, concerns with the TFSI engine make me very wary.

Audi A4 Avant - Should tick a lot of boxes, not sure on the engines available, probably a bit boring if effective.

Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon - As a teenager I always wanted one. Petrol costs will be big, can be a bit of a gamble getting a decent one, not really an estate so the extra load space I want isn't there, the wife would hate it. Other than missing the mark on most of my requirements it's a good fit. The non-turbo would reduce the fuel bill, lessen the handling but probably be reliable, I would always be wondering about a WRX though.

Subaru Forester XT - See above for the most part, more load space, slightly agricultural look, less power. Impreza by the back door, so to speak.

Ford Mondeo 2.5 - Finding one with mileage that will allow me to run it for a few years without issue could be difficult for the budget but it's got huge load space, specced well, ST engine.

BMW E46 330 touring - Bit left field, there is one on autotrader at the moment in manual, probably doesn't have isofix, probably has rust.

Mazda 6 - Would only be interested in the 2.5 sport, out of budget

Toyota Avensis - It would be reliable, do everything I need but would be painfully boring.

Honda Accord - See above.

Are there other cars I should be considering? Although I'm in no rush, I don't NEED to change car straight away, but I am not the most patient when I have something in my head that I want. I'll travel for the right car but with a small child I can't just disappear for chunks of the next few weekends.

[patmahe]

Pete-mojsh said:

Toyota Avensis - It would be reliable, do everything I need but would be painfully boring.

We have one of these, bought 3 years ago for an impending house move (during which it was flawless and carried more than its fair share). Ours is the 1.8 petrol and seems to have an appetite for oil. It is quite a boring thing to drive alright, but is very comfy. We are changing it soon as we no longer need a car of its size and to be honest with you I think I need something a bit more fun day to day.

Of your list I think I'd be going for the forester.

[omniflow]

You could buy my Mondeo Estate 2.5T Titanium X

Cam belt has slipped, and valves have hit the pistons, so it needs a top end rebuild. Obviously the price will reflect that.

Apart from that, it's a fantastic car.

[anonymous-user]

Spec B Legacy.

[cj2013]

patmahe said:

We have one of these, bought 3 years ago for an impending house move (during which it was flawless and carried more than its fair share). Ours is the 1.8 petrol and seems to have an appetite for oil. It is quite a boring thing to drive alright, but is very comfy. We are changing it soon as we no longer need a car of its size and to be honest with you I think I need something a bit more fun day to day.

Of your list I think I'd be going for the forester.

The 1.8 is probably the 1zz engine. They have issues with the rings getting gummed up from memory, get oil hungry and start knocking when not checked and left to go low. G7 Celicas are plauged by it. VVTLi was supposed to be better, but generally any 1.8 of that era is prone to my knowledge.

[ZX10R NIN]

Some Options you may not have considered:

2006 Mercedes C250 Sport 80k (rare engine this has the bonus of being a 55 plate so £295 rather than £500 Tax) 205bhp FMBSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2007 2.5 Mondeo Titanium X 220bhp 95k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2010 2.0T Titanium X Sport 90k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2005 2.4 Accord Executive 190bhp 55k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2009 2.0T Insignia SRI 64k 220bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2006 3.2 Passat SEL 93k 250bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2008 2.0T Saab 9-3 Aero 60k 210bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2006 2.8T Saab 9-3 Aero 27k 250bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2006 3.2 A4 SE 42k 250bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2008 2.0T A4 S Line 82k 220bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2007 Volvo V50 T5 SE Sport 64k 230bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2008 Skoda VRS 82k 200bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

For me the 2.5 Mercedes & 2.8T Saab are well worth a deeper look.

[Pete-mojsh]

Interesting selection, I like the 2.0T A4 and the Passat (although £500 tax bracket), would really prefer a manual so autos aren't really in my mind.

I hadn't thought of a 5 series really, this looks nice but I'm unsure of what to look out for and the potential pitfalls.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Cob1]

I had roughly the same brief last time I looked...

I bought an Audi A6 estate with a 4.2 v8 for £5k

340bhp, 55 plate, FASH, 70k miles - its juicy (20-24mpg average - but I am quite heavy footed) but set off against low/zero depreciation, cheap road tax, a drive train thats from the v8 S6/S8, air suspension, BOSE, all the bells & whistles and non 'S/RS' insurance - a bargain. Especially when you replace the rear silencers with straight pipe.

The e46's are still a good choice if you can find the right one - I ran a 325 sport to 160k, always a good drive, reasonable on fuel (I found the 3.0 slightly more economical than the 2.5 in real life conditions - bit more torque I guess). though I love the manual, I wouldn't discount the BMW auto's - they are still fun.

On most BMW's, anything less than 20k miles a year - a petrol is usually cheaper to run than a diesel.

[ALawson]

I have a diesel version of the Honda Accord linked to above. Its been pretty good and I have had it since 2012 when i paid just over £5k for it, trade in now is £2k and I have put 35k miles onto it (now on 105k).

Apart from a exhaust manifold (Honda paid for parts even at 10 years old) it has been pretty faultless, 1 seized brake caliper being the only other non service cost.

I am also looking for another estate, in petrol, as I don't do the mileage to warrant a diesel.

I would like a Merc C or E Class but not convinced on the reliability, 3 series BMW as a bit smaller than the Accord, so it would have to be a 5 series.

The EX linked above will be fully loaded, not the most exciting car and a bit of body roll when pushing on through the bends. However, good interior space and kit levels and on the whole should be reliable if you can find 1/2 owner and FSH.

I am looking for a 2.4 manual of the latest Accord estate but they are like hens teeth.

[Pete-mojsh]

As nice as an S4 would be I think it may be a bit thirsty and maintaining it may be a bit much at the moment. It did make me look on autotrader though, some nice ones around.

A Type S Accord would be OK, nice engine, bit barge like but enough space to do everything.

I would like to get out to see a few over the weekend, or in the week if close enough, it's been ages since I've been looking for a car and no doubt there will be a few that photo well but are a bit different up close. The A4 does interest me but I'll need to have a little read up on the Quattro weak points and the 1.8t, it's a bit of a trek to Reading so I may see if there are some others in the area to make the most of a trip out.

[ZX10R NIN]

ALawson said:

I have a diesel version of the Honda Accord linked to above. Its been pretty good and I have had it since 2012 when i paid just over £5k for it, trade in now is £2k and I have put 35k miles onto it (now on 105k).

Apart from a exhaust manifold (Honda paid for parts even at 10 years old) it has been pretty faultless, 1 seized brake caliper being the only other non service cost.

I am also looking for another estate, in petrol, as I don't do the mileage to warrant a diesel.

I would like a Merc C or E Class but not convinced on the reliability, 3 series BMW as a bit smaller than the Accord, so it would have to be a 5 series.

The EX linked above will be fully loaded, not the most exciting car and a bit of body roll when pushing on through the bends. However, good interior space and kit levels and on the whole should be reliable if you can find 1/2 owner and FSH.

I am looking for a 2.4 manual of the latest Accord estate but they are like hens teeth.

Don't dismiss the C & E Class they're truly bulletproof the 2.5 I listed above is a great choice & a hard find especially with it being a £295 tax car

[ALawson]

Agreed but electrical gremlins can bankrupt you if you haven't got a decent indy.

I remember looking at a C55 years ago and the build quality inside was terrible compared to my late fathers old 97 era E Class, that thing was hewn from granite!

[jas xjr]

some sort of skoda? i think they make some interesting estates

[Kateg28]

jas xjr said:

some sort of skoda? i think they make some interesting estates

We have a Superb estate and it really is superb, loads of kit, fast enough and lovely to drive.

But I wouldn't call it interesting.

We also have an E61 530d and that is fabulous but obviously costs more to run than the skoda.

I really like estates and my OH wants an E61 M5 but I am not so sure.

[jas xjr]

Kateg28 said:

We have a Superb estate and it really is superb, loads of kit, fast enough and lovely to drive.

But I wouldn't call it interesting.

We also have an E61 530d and that is fabulous but obviously costs more to run than the skoda.

I really like estates and my OH wants an E61 M5 but I am not so sure.

a car with a working radio and a heater is good for me
is the M5 available as an estate ? that would be amazing

[kiethton]

Volvo V50 T5?

Even found a couple of spanish ones!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-VOLVO-V50-SE-T5-SIL...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V50-2-5-T5-2005MY-...

[Kateg28]

jas xjr said:

Kateg28 said:

We have a Superb estate and it really is superb, loads of kit, fast enough and lovely to drive.

But I wouldn't call it interesting.

We also have an E61 530d and that is fabulous but obviously costs more to run than the skoda.

I really like estates and my OH wants an E61 M5 but I am not so sure.

a car with a working radio and a heater is good for me
is the M5 available as an estate ? that would be amazing

Oh yes but it comes with its own problems and I have heard it is very fragile. Really good write up from this very site:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=10...

My argument is it will cost a lot to own and run and we rarely have needed the full power of the 530d so not sure we want to pay so much more for the few times when some extra power would have been nice.

[Defconluke]

If you like the A4 then there is also the Seat Exeo - >LINK<.
Granted, that one is ex-police but the petrol, manual, estates are rare.

[ZX10R NIN]

ALawson said:

Agreed but electrical gremlins can bankrupt you if you haven't got a decent indy.

I remember looking at a C55 years ago and the build quality inside was terrible compared to my late fathers old 97 era E Class, that thing was hewn from granite!

Electrical gremlins is something that could affect most modern cars I've have a few Mercs & the worst I ve had is the swirl flaps behind the dash failing, cheap parts wise but a killer on labour as it was a dash apart job.

[ALawson]

My dad got an early E220 in 98 or 99, having just bought it of the company in 2001 at 3 years old a £1 component in the gearbox gave way, the MB charged about £1200 labour to replace it.

I think he sold the car promptly on 110k miles!

I would love a E320 Cdi or E270 Cdi or one of the petrols above, just need some brave pills!