[Reprobate_Rob]

Depending on how big you need, we've had 2 Ford Focus estates, and they have loads of room for bikes, prams etc in the boot. the 1.6 Diesel engine is great to drive, and they are dead cheap to maintain and repair.

True - until the turbo blows, which it has a habit of doing on that 1.6 Tdci (Peugeot-Citroen engine, so it's in loads of theirs too) and which I found out to my cost.

Stay well clear.

As has already been said, VAG 1.9 PD engine is as bombproof as they come. Can't beat the Passat or Cocktavia at that price range.

[tomtom]

Word from my mechanic is the 1.6 psa engine (ford peugot citroen Volvo etc..) is a good unit if you service it every 10k. Just likes a regular oil change.

[Andy F V2.0]

Thanks all, have been looking into a few other bargain basement options and I reckon the hitlist for estates is now:



VW Passat
Nissan Primera
Ford Mondeo
Skoda Octavia
Honda Accord
Mazda 5


All seem to offer sensible / relatively modern and reliable options for decent money.


That said, if anyone's old granny is struggling to get shot of their Forester STi Wagon / BMW 3 Series Tourer etc and is only looking for a couple of grand, hit me on the PM!

I had a Primera for 7 years and 125000 mostly trouble free miles. The only issue was a faulty water pump replaced under warranty. Decent space, the 2.2 diesel is pretty economical and torquey and drives reasonably well. If you can pick up a good example under 100,000 miles then it'd be good for another 100,000 no problem.

[tomtom]

Oh - Rob L (you know him from the Depot) was getting rid of his VRs (high miles - and saloon - but they still have a huge boot) for £1700 a week or so ago.. got his number?

edit/update. just messaged him and its gone....

[tommytwotone]

Oh - Rob L (you know him from the Depot) was getting rid of his VRs (high miles - and saloon - but they still have a huge boot) for £1700 a week or so ago.. got his number?

edit/update. just messaged him and its gone....

Shit, really?

That is a bugger. I bet he's seen the light and is sorting himself out with a sweet shed Primera estate after reading this thread.


Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[tomtom]

Think he's getting himself a newer one! It was on faceballs last week he was about to webuyanycarhonestmate.con

[fatneck]

We are very happy with our Astra Ecoflex estate Tom. Loads of room and no running problems...

[tomtom]

Word: it's catD but so what...

[Paul B]

There was a 9-5 2.2tid outside the Manc. Depot last night and I thought of 3T straight away; he found a 1 owner from new (06?) for 2.2K which is an absolute bargain IMO.

[andy_e]

Is there a Saab equivalent to the 1.8 VAG TDi?

[Paul B]

1.9tdi you mean? Theres the 1.9ttid (180bhp). I've heard the turbos go pop quite early in their life!

[tommytwotone]

From a bit of research today, I think the diesel lump is common with other GM cars of the era (Vectra etc).

Sounds like on top of turbos, some have inherent problems with belts which sounds scary.

That said, for sub 2k the petrol sounds more solid if thirsty, but would be fun.

And as for Cat D Tom, the thifty shed drivers worries little for such minor details!


Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[tomtom]

that one 3T was the 2.0 petrol turbo With 207bhp. 0-60 in 7.5 the aitotrader app has a reallly decent search tool...

[tommytwotone]

230 BHP (though Parkers suggests more like 250BHP...) estate for £1600!


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Saab-9-5-2-3-HOT-Aero-Estate-/282165804575?hash=item41b2647e1f:g:rqIAAOSw-kdX0DwL


Looks like a half-decent / pretty tidy one as well.

[tomtom]

There's a Awd version too..

And a 3.0 v6 diesel (in 176 and 200ps form..)

[Reprobate_Rob]

Love how this (as per any car search, ever) has gone from 'looking for a cheap, reliable family car' to 'maybe I should buy this unusually cheap, expensive to maintain, 300bhp motor off eBay...' 

[tommytwotone]

Love how this (as per any car search, ever) has gone from 'looking for a cheap, reliable family car' to 'maybe I should buy this unusually cheap, expensive to maintain, 300bhp motor off eBay...' 

That is generally the back and forth of my car ownership - have something quick / nice, then think "it's costing a fortune, I need something sensible". Then get something sensible and stat thinking "this is so boring, I want something quick / nice"!


Recent history as gone:


Cirtoen AX - BMW 3 Series Tourer - Peugeot 106 Diesel (blew up after 2 months) - Renault Megane (hateful thing) - BMW 320 Coupe (ex lagers wagon) - Nissan Micra (suprisingly hard to kill despite best efforts) - Skoda Fabia

[nai]

Sounds familiar that (the boring -> nice/quick -> too expensive -> boring cycle that is)

You're about to discover that having two young kids is disproportionately harder than just the one, you'll be amazed.
While no used car's going to come without hassle, it might be worth sucking it up for now and going for one that is more likely to give you a reliable, low cost ride for the next few years.  The less hassle stuff like your car causes, the more time/patience/cash the family has and the more chances to get out and do Font 7 something you'll have.

[shark]

Recent history as gone:
Cirtoen AX - BMW 3 Series Tourer - Peugeot 106 Diesel (blew up after 2 months) - Renault Megane (hateful thing) - BMW 320 Coupe (ex lagers wagon) - Nissan Micra (suprisingly hard to kill despite best efforts) - Skoda Fabia

Made me think what my own car history is which is surprisingly few in 28 years

Mates mum’s Chrysler Avenger!, Then company Cars- VW Golf 1.4, Rover Vitesse, Mondeo, BMW318 (love affair with BMW starts), and briefly Volvo C70. Then set up own business Vauxhall Omega 3.0 (lot of car for the money), BMW 330D Estate (brilliant car which I had for nearly 10 years) and currently BMW 530D Estate which I also expect to run for 10 years. 

[petejh]

Recent history as gone:
Cirtoen AX - BMW 3 Series Tourer - Peugeot 106 Diesel (blew up after 2 months) - Renault Megane (hateful thing) - BMW 320 Coupe (ex lagers wagon) - Nissan Micra (suprisingly hard to kill despite best efforts) - Skoda Fabia

Made me think what my own car history is which is surprisingly few in 28 years

Mates mum’s Chrysler Avenger!, Then company Cars- VW Golf 1.4, Rover Vitesse, Mondeo, BMW318 (love affair with BMW starts), and briefly Volvo C70. Then set up own business Vauxhall Omega 3.0 (lot of car for the money), BMW 330D Estate (brilliant car which I had for nearly 10 years) and currently BMW 530D Estate which I also expect to run for 10 years. 

I like this game!

Vauxhall Cavalier estate (army years)
Peugeot 205 gti 1.6
Peugeot 205 gti 1.9
Renault Clio Williams 2
Kawasaki ZX6R
Triumph 955 Daytona
Yamaha R1 (/army years)
Ford Transit van with orange flashy light on top
Bedford 1976 camper van, LPG conversion (New Zealand year)
Peugeot 306 (instructing years)
Volvo 440 (/instructing years)
Chevy 1986 camper van - scooby doo! (Canada years)
VW golf mk2 with studded tyres - shit to a blanket
Honda civic with studded tyres - sticky shit to a blanket (/Canada years)
VW Golf mk3 (rope access jobbing)
Mitsubishi Delica starwagon     'onelifeliveit' etc...
Peugeot 306 estate (/rope access jobbing)
Vauxhall Combo van (company vehicle)
Peugeot Partner van (company vehicle)

Not having to pay fuel, MOT or any maintenance bills for last 5 years makes buying my own car hard to justify but thinking of getting a campervan next year and changing the company car to a Passat estate.

[dave]

Rover Vitesse

A ha

[andy_e]

Cock Piss Sharktridge

[shark]

Yamaha R1 (/army years)

 

[tommytwotone]

Peugeot 205 gti 1.6
Peugeot 205 gti 1.9
Renault Clio Williams 2
Kawasaki ZX6R
Triumph 955 Daytona
Yamaha R1 (/army years)

That, sir, is a pretty impressive run.


 

[petejh]

Hehe,

Peugeot 205 gti 1.6 Crashed
Peugeot 205 gti 1.9
Renault Clio Williams 2 Crashed
Kawasaki ZX6R
Triumph 955 Daytona Blew engine up while ragging round the alps and had to leave in a friendly farmer's barn.
Yamaha R1 (/army years)

That, sir, is a pretty impressive run.


 

The Williams2 was pure joy to drive.