[spidermonkey09]

I'll be going cheap so will probably be going old!

[SA Chris]

Diesel Focus Estate, although boot is smaller than Octavia, probably just about OK for your needs. Don't hold value as well, so can probably get a better deal. Get one with heated windscreen if you can.

[Paul B]

Peewee's Toyota Avensis estate is pretty well spec'd and fits unreasonable amounts of stuff inside if you don't mind looking like a taxi.

I'll be going cheap so will probably be going old!

£?

[spidermonkey09]

Looks are not something that bother me in a vehicle!

Probably between £2k and £3k.

[tommytwotone]

BMW 730i Sport. 2 bags. Done.


https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features-sheds/bmw-730i-sport-e65-shed-of-the-week/47109

[spidermonkey09]

Getting tempted by a Subaru Outback/Legacy...

[Fultonius]

Autohold can be pretty nice though?

My Expert van has 'autohold' without having a crap push-button electronic handbrake designed to malfunction when water gets into the caliper. It's a (seemingly... give it another 5 years) great design - manual handbrake with all the benefits of an autohold. Making hillstarts piss for those muppets that need it while still allowing handbrake turns in empty carparks.

How did you get on with the expert? We're going to live with a car for a bit, but might get back into van life in a few years.

[tommytwotone]

Getting tempted by a Subaru Outback/Legacy...

Not bad workhorses, but the non-hot ones have a rep for being a bit meh - in fact Shed had the 3.0 Outback on a few weeks ago...

[spidermonkey09]

non-hot?

[teestub]

non-hot?

The girl told me take off your jacket.

T³ is referring to the lower BHP models being a bit pedestrian compared to their big engine turbo charged siblings. But that’s probably not a worry for the majority of people!

[spidermonkey09]

Very good!

Yeah, not a huge concern for me. A workhorse is sort of what I'm after, but a bit concerned that it might be a bit thirsty. Theres so many similar estates out there in the price range, which is good, but ultimately means eventually I will probably just end up picking one and keeping my fingers crossed!

[tommytwotone]

Thirsty was one of Shed's conclusions on the 3.0(!) one they had on the other week!


https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-features-sheds/subaru-outback-3-0r--shed-of-the-week/46988

[Paul B]

I wouldn't personally go near the boxer diesel engine.

Do you ever have to sit in traffic? If you do, I'd suggest you try a manual Subaru's clutch pedal. When we test drove one following an accident that had left Nat with a sprained ankle, she physically couldn't depress the clutch but happily drove the Octavia we later bought.

I'm not sure which ones have the CVT box but it's not renowned for good MPG.

I've seen some good Exeos recently and you cant go far wrong with that 2.0TDI engine in the 143bhp flavours.

[petejh]

How did you get on with the expert? We're going to live with a car for a bit, but might get back into van life in a few years.

Love it. I’ve had two, one from work and one my own camper conversion. Work was a 115, my camper is a 120. The 120 feels quick. 120 feels like a much ‘looser’ engine than the 115 which felt tight. They drive like big cars (like most new vans I guess). There’s a comment on one of the review sites about the steering position being offset - I can honestly say I’ve never been aware of this, even after reading about it I couldn’t tell what they were on about.
I got the mid-range ‘professional’ trim on both vans, equipment is decent with cruise control, AC, decent audio/phone connectivity and an ‘OK’ sized screen for using phone map.
They also have good load carrying - around 1.2 ton from memory. I’ve had full ton bags of aggregate in the back a few times.
Thumbs up from me 👍

Edit: camper is great for shortish-term use for just me, or me and someone I like. For longer trips I’d get a Ducato. Or a pop top VW.

[peewee]

Peewee's Toyota Avensis estate is pretty well spec'd and fits unreasonable amounts of stuff inside if you don't mind looking like a taxi.

The taxi within it lives strong, had it almost 10 years, and done 185K ( cars at 205k now) without issue. not an exciting car but it does everything you need it to in comfort and gets around 50-60mpg on a motorway run.

[User deactivated.]

If I was looking for a cheap, large, efficient workhorse (which I might be), I'd be looking at the two statistically most reliable car manufacturers: Toyota and Honda. There's the Avensis, or my preference the Honda Accord. The later Accords before they were discontinued in the UK (circa 2010-2014 I think) actually look quite nice.

I'm currently on the fence as to whether I should spend 10-15k and get something newer and nicer, or just spend a few grand on one of these with 150k+ on the clock. I think after 1 month of owning a more expensive car it would just feel normal and have little positive impact on my life over an old Honda...

[Bradders]

I'll be in the market for something over the summer as the van needs a lot of welding doing which is too much to justify. Going to go back to a car, and need something which can fit bouldering pads in and also a labrador. In practice I won't have a problem with pads in the boot and labrador on the back seat.

So, first question: what cars does a Moon Saturn fit in/ not fit in? I have one Saturn and an Ocun Dominator, which I doubt would be an issue. I'm thinking the usual estates (skoda octavia, ford focus etc) but also smaller things if they happen to have a cavernous boot. I could also flog the Saturn and get another normal sized pad, but I do like having a big one.

Any advice or thoughts appreciated.

You won't get a Moon Saturn in the boot of an Octavia. I can just get a big Organic in the boot of my Superb, with the seats up, but the Saturn is bigger so doesn't fit.

Suspect with big pads almost all cars are going to have to have back seats down to fit, with the possible exceptions of the more van like cars. Even big SUVs struggle to cope with a big pad with the back seats up.

[spidermonkey09]

Yeah, having got a mate to measure his Octavia I had also come to this conclusion. Its a very awkward size for a pad. Off topic, but that was one of the best things about the Ocun Incubator that my housemate used to have; absolutely massive landing area but packed up same size as a standard pad.

Yeah, more good shouts there Liam, cheers. Attractive MPG is a consideration having had a few years of the van swallowing diesel!

[Paul B]

Just get an Avensis then, it'll outlive you*.

*probably

[Lopez]

For those searching for cars by pad haulage, i found this website really useful for booty atributes when last looking for a car (it gives detailed dimension of the boot and general interior space of the cars)

https://www.ridc.org.uk/features-reviews/out-and-about/car-search

This sub-page is handy if you got specific pads in mind https://www.ridc.org.uk/features-reviews/out-and-about/choosing-car/car?open=Boot

 [spoiler] There seems ot be no cars that fit a Saturn pad with the rear seats up [/spoiler]

[James Malloch]

Would a Saturn squeeze into a berlingo?

https://www.ridc.org.uk/features-reviews/out-and-about/choosing-car/car/citroen-berlingo-multispace-exclusive-hdi-115-16

[Lopez]

Might go in diagonally/stood up, maybe. Think the saturn was 1600 by 1200, the boot data for the berlingo is

Length of boot floor - back row of seats folded down or removed 1356mm
Length of boot floor - back row of seats upright 931mm
Vertical height of boot opening 1006mm
Boot sill height to floor of car 0mm
Boot sill height to ground 555mm
Width of boot floor at narrowest point 1201mm
Width of boot opening - bottom 1197mm

The 'cube' is roughly 931 x 1201 x 1006. Some trigonometry might be needed

931mm door to back of seats is rather limiting

(Edit: Doh, that'll be the unfolded dimensions. Probably 800 by 1200 folded, so i'm talking shite and the options are there)

P.s. Yes, it will fit in a berlingo 

[shark]

Waving goodbye to the BMW 

The fuel pump went (apparently an increasing common issue) and the repair bill is £3300 on top of some other work that ideally needs doing. Doubt I’ll ever own such a nice car again

[James Malloch]

Might go in diagonally/stood up, maybe. Think the saturn was 1600 by 1200, the boot data for the berlingo is

Length of boot floor - back row of seats folded down or removed 1356mm
Length of boot floor - back row of seats upright 931mm
Vertical height of boot opening 1006mm
Boot sill height to floor of car 0mm
Boot sill height to ground 555mm
Width of boot floor at narrowest point 1201mm
Width of boot opening - bottom 1197mm

The 'cube' is roughly 931 x 1201 x 1006. Some trigonometry might be needed

931mm door to back of seats is rather limiting

(Edit: Doh, that'll be the unfolded dimensions. Probably 800 by 1200 folded, so i'm talking shite and the options are there)

P.s. Yes, it will fit in a berlingo 

It would be a tight fit!

Definitely worth testing first too. My big organic first nicely, but only if its the bottom pad (i.e. on the floor).

If its any higher the boot wouldn't close due to the angle of the rear seats reducing the boot depth higher up.

You’re welcome to try it in our Car, Jim, if you’re ever passing skipton.

[tomtom]

Waving goodbye to the BMW 

The fuel pump went (apparently an increasing common issue) and the repair bill is £3300 on top of some other work that ideally needs doing. Doubt I’ll ever own such a nice car again

Assuming that’s from a BMW dealer? If so - worth getting a quote from an independent BMW specialist (there are plenty around..) as they’re often substantially cheaper…