[Closed] Help me choose a big estate car...

I'd go for any newish Volvo estate.

I own a current gen xc90 and its great for chucking the bike in the back. But its our family car and I cant always take it to the trails. My other car is a 3 series which I hate(only because its not so easy getting bikes into it) and looking to switch to a Volvo v90 in the near future.

Honda prelude estate

Ford mondeo

Mazda 6

My top 3

Mondeo. Great car. Depreciates badly so you get a lot of car for little money.
Can get a nice titanium X with low miles for that money. Nice and reliable. They also handle well.

I would say that as I drive one.

I had 2 V6 diesel Audi A6 Avants. Loved them. Leather, all the toys you need, very comfortable, loads of space (although probably not quite as much as an E-class), fast, and a very reassuring place to be in filthy weather in the dark.

Oh left field a6 allroad

Love my mondeo. I have to drop the front wheel off a big 29er to get it in the boot, but does everything I want and more. Starting to look a bit tatty now after 6years of abuse with three kids and a dog. It's 10years old and 147k on the clock. No big bills yet, aircon went pop last summer, but I can live without that.  Will replace with a newer deo when the time comes.

Having said that would love a van, but know I'd only use its capacity a couple of times a year, I stick a roof box and a bike rack on for family holidays...

Mondeo, V70, Accord are the three I would be looking at.
Can't imagine giving up a van though! Are you sure you want to do this?

Wow, that was quick. Thanks, back to motors.co.uk to check the Honda, Mazda and Volvo options out.

What about petrol Vs diesel. I'll do about 10000 miles a year I reckon?

@onewheelgood did a bike go in your A6 wheels on? They look a bit smaller to me? I do like the idea of the safety aspect, I've had too many years of crap tin-foil cars on wet dark roads. That was the nice thing about the van, nice and high and a feeling of being in a solid thing.

Volvo XC70.

Or a Mondeo.

Ford Galaxy for the win. I'd have thought a 2010/11 model would easily be in your price range. Drive like a car, shed loads of room and pretty reliable. You can fit bikes in no problem and still have loads of space. Failing that a Mondeo. Fords are reliable, great to drive and cheap to repair. What's not to like?

@amdrewh, no, not really! I've just spent £1400 on the van having the head skimmed, new cam belt etc and £500 in August on new brake discs and bits so I think it's going to be pretty reliable... But i think I need to start this job with a different car (once I'm settled in I can always go back to an van!).

You probably won't get a decent sized MTB in the back of a superb with both the wheels on. The length is fine but the boot slopes too much to clear the handlebars.

If I was buying a new car to meet your requirements I'd be getting some sort of big MPV - a C4 grand Picasso takes a big 29er wheels on easily enough.

If not a Mondeo or Octavia, how about the Wagon Queen Family Truckster?

Meh, what you need is the Wagon Queen Family Truckster. Available in Metallic Pea.

sharkattack knows about cars.

I used to be able to get my 26’er in an Octavia and reckon you’d get a modern bike in a superb; they’re vast. EClass perhaps a touch bigger

I've had a 59 plate V70 for 3 years now. To be blunt: I love it. I can get a 29er in the boot with the wheels off. Can go kn long weekends with the family (all luggage and bike in the boot). For me, it drives well, economic (2l td) and is sooo comfy. I haven't been found wanting for awd or the xc series, if I dk change it will be because I want to rather than need to. Service costs are fine (local garage), tyres ~£100 for mid range. Did I say how comfy it is?

Love the wooden bodywork on the WQFT!

Skoda Superb estate. Elegance model so it has the toys.

did a bike go in your A6 wheels on?

A 26er did. I don't think you'd get my Jeffsy in one though. But what does it take to get the wheels off? 30 seconds?

AT that money you could get a really good mk3 mondeo or a very good mk4... The mk3 2.2 diesel estate is an epic bike carrier and excellent commuter, it doesn't really cost any more to run than the 2.0 but it turns the engine from decent enough to effortless. They are getting on a bit though- mine was at the point where even though it was still completely solid, no structural rust issues or anything, it was throwing up pretty regular minor issues and basically it was getting hard to work on- simple fixes like a wheel bearing could suddenly become big jobs because everything was basically welded together. The Ghia X and Titanium X are basically the same as the ST but with more ground clearance, nicer interiors, and cheaper. I miss mine even though I replaced it with a better car.

They really are big though, big enough to make a real difference in parking- mine was physically bigger than the parking spaces at my local tesco frinstance, it sat on the white lines on both sides and stuck about 18 inches out of the end.

The Octavia isn't really in the same size class imo, never had one but lots of friends have and they seem excellent, really nice to drive. But the boot is a big chunk smaller and also just not as practical, with the bloody stupid boot lip instead of proper flat entry. For bike hauling stuff they're slightly sub-Focus rather than Mondeo. Still, really good and it seems like in general they're aging a bit better than the old mondeos.

Brand new Dacia logan and the rest in funds

Just got a Passat after an Octavia estate. Either of those should fit. Would have gone for the superb estate but the hybrid was out of budget hence the Passat.

I've got a mk4 mondeo estate. Tdci, manual gearbox.
Boot is plenty big enough.
Seats down and we chuck 2 29ers in the back.
Seats up and and there's enough boot space for weekends family camping gear.
140k miles now, never had any problems.
I'd get another, but it'd have to be petrol, diesel is too noisy.

14 plate V70 here, great for carrying bikes, £30 a year to tax and super comfy to drive. Averaged 58mpg on the 600 mile drive home from Inverness last summer. Exciting it isn’t but I love it!

@northwind thanks, really helpful. What sort of mileage do you think those little issues start? My bangernomics cars have always taken a battering and so at 100,000 miles never look like the cars on the websites with 100,000.

Skoda Superb Estate Elegance here. Love it, been completely reliable over 8 years of ownership with no shock bills to date, touch wood. Leather interior great for kiddy puke and general grime. Not a sporty handler but it can lift up its skirts and get away in a straight line OK (2.0 TDi).

I can't get my Giant Trance L 26" in without taking the front wheel off though, even with the seats down but I can easily chuck a Thule rack on the back(boot lid dangly job) for two adult bikes and still get two kids' 20" bikes in the boot with the seats up.

Recently looked at valuations when contemplating a van and reckoned I could get about £8k+ for it (MY2011 but low miles).

I've got a 65 reg superb SEL executive. Feels properly grown up, and is vast. Brillinat family car, throw bikes in back with seats down if just 2 of us (front wheels off), 50mpg+, 2.0 tdi. Very happy after 3 years of ownership.

Ok, thanks @hunta.

@twistedpencil how old was your Mondeo when you got it? What you said about only using the size of a van a few times a year rings true... But I'll definitely miss the convenience!

So list is now:

Mondeo Estate
Volvo V70
Skoda Superb
VW Passat
Honda Prelude
Ford Galaxy or other big MPV

E Class estates since 2006 here. First did 200k, second has done 100k both without blinking at all and insides like new. Second just sailed through MOT even though 7 years old. Massive load carrying space and flat carrier surface and can slide a bike in fully with both wheels on. Backseats go down automatically. Cruiser on the motorway. Very comfy, quiet compared to some competition and even 220s are powerful. The only thing that bugs me is the parcel shelf which is heavy and a pain to fit back on.

2009 deo mkIV. I was nearly swayed by a Jag, but it had a lip in the boot so that was out and I stayed true to the mondeo. Having somewhere to sit to get changed is most important.

Can fit my 29r, wheels on in the back of my Subaru  outback.

Saab 9-5. Go full bangernomics, keep the van, but still look respectable. They're very comfortable and even the poverty spec has climate and cruise.

Love a Mondeo but seeing as your buying an older car with a few miles on can I suggest a BMW 520d Tourer. By far the best car with the best engine IMHO. With a couple of Thule bike carriers on the roof you’ll be ready to go.

I love my V70 reliable, killer stereo, amazingly comfortable, any bike I own fits in wheels on with the back seat down.

i_like_food
Full Member

@northwind thanks, really helpful. What sort of mileage do you think those little issues start? My bangernomics cars have always taken a battering and so at 100,000 miles never look like the cars on the websites with 100,000.

Not sure it's really mileage related, much more depends on how hard those miles were. Mine had been in Scotland from new so harsher winters and had definitely been a little neglected in the few years before I got it... some of these were pretty well cared for from new while others, not so much. So basically have a good look. I think cosmetic condition is actually a pretty good indicator on these- nobody's likely to spend a lot to spruce up a battered one so if it looks good then it's almost certainly been cared for. Interior is miles of ugly plastic elephant skin but very durable.

Over 100000 if it's original clutch and turbo then you're definitely in "not that I don't trust it but I also won't be shocked if they go", clutch slave is concentric too which means it's a clutch off job to change. They have a bad rep for injectors but it's absolute nonsense tbf, I ended up buying new ones for £170 when needed, fitted myself (takes about 5 minutes) and coded myself with a laptop, the tool and interface box combined were £30. Everyone's heard of someone that got charged a grand to replace them but you never meet anyone who's actually paid that. The 6 speed is really fantastic, fast and positive.

@gribs hah, I'd love two but think the cost and faff of two vehicles is a bit much for me. Although now you've got me thinking about an MX5 🤣

@inbred hmmm, hadn't thought of that, they look kind of small but that can't be the case. Will add to list.

@northwind. Thanks, really useful

@jam-bo because I don't see many Subaru's about I had always assumed be expensive to fix? I'll have a research.

This has been really helpful. Time to get the van cleaned up and advertised. Once it's gone I'll find a few from the list that are close enough to ride to and post them up for suggestions/comments.

Much appreciated all, thanks for all the input. 👍

Similar to you except my cycle commute was 25km each way and the new commute is 60km each way, 5 days a week.

I run a v60 with my large enduro bike, front wheel is off in 30 seconds and it goes in no bother.

The v60 is a lovely place to sit. Have driven for up to 10 hours and been so much fresher than expected.

Not as big as a Mondeo mind.

Keep the van. Spend the extra £2k you want to put in to your new car in to tidying the van up and making it look “more grown up.”

What job is it, if your vehicle matters then surely the company should be paying an allowance for you to get something they want you to drive.

Am I missing something? Two people have mentioned Honda Prelude, has the name reemerged after all this time?

Nissan Stagea 260RS 😀

*Seriously though Cant go far wrong with a Volvo or Mondingo

Volvo V70 or Skoda Superb for me.

Volvo has the best seats out of the 30+ cars I have owned over the years. Honestly a nice place to sit and unwind after a day at work.

Skoda has more space but don't get one with huge alloys as it spoils the ride on British roads.

Neither will set your heart racing but at the end of the day its a car.

@phil5556 it's a public sector mgt job so no car allowance. It's more to do with a grudging acceptance that I 'need' to fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place, at least while I settle in. After a couple of years I'll be able to go back to a van! Similarly I going suit shopping when shops open again (at least they'll be on sale!).

@andrewh yup, my Googleing turned up lots of old coupe things. I think it was Accord.

@db good point re wheels. Hadn't thought of that, big alloys look like a massive faff and uncomfortable too, will avoid.

@jam-bo because I don’t see many Subaru’s about I had always assumed be expensive to fix? I’ll have a research.

cheaper to run than my T5...

Subarus can be expensive to fix, cambelts are a bastard IIRC.

I have a Mk4 Mondeo hatch, still big (bigger than most estates) but not estate big. Mine is post 135k and showing it. The roads round here are awful and I had to replace the dampers and top hats last summer. The CV joint also fell apart and whilst I managed to rebuild it there is now a horrible vibration that may be related, a new decent (SKF) drive shaft is £300 from Germany or I could take a chance on a £40 consumable from Euro Car Parts. Mk4s are now at the point where OE parts other than consumables are thin on the ground and drivetrain bits are stupidly expensive or non existent (as said that joint was rebuilt as you can't get an inner joint on its own).I can't imagine the Mk3 is going to be any better at this point, the newest ones are going to be 14 years old this year.

Oh it also got the clutch and DMF done about 20k ago, budget for that of its not been done. Sceptic tells me to run away from solid conversions from a Transit.

It’s more to do with a grudging acceptance that I ‘need’ to fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place, at least while I settle in. After a couple of years I’ll be able to go back to a van

Keep the van - less depreciation, cheaper, suits you and your priorities in life etc. Even if you polish it up a bit or lose a sticker or two, it is a perfectly acceptable vehicle.

SMax. I had one and then I got another.

Titanium spec is a nice place to sit.

Effortless driving.

Can "make progress" if required.

Swallows bikes whole.

Reliable.

Fuel economy is 40mpg on a 2L TDi.

I'll be in the same boat once things are back to normal some what. I have a t4 (petrol!) and won't want to be commuting in that.

Would you say a petrol is probably the way to go now with cars?

I've also heard the hyundai's are crazy reliable. Something like the hyundai i40?

it’s a public sector mgt job so no car allowance. It’s more to do with a grudging acceptance that I ‘need’ to fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place, at least while I settle in.

in that case, I'd keep the van until someone says something.

then I'd keep the van and tell them to do one.

SMax. I had one and then I got another.

the one thing I'd caution is that most of them (and galaxy's) have a rather chocolately (auto) gearbox, with £2k bills for repair when the bits of plastic that hold the clutches together disintegrate, which is a shame as its otherwise quite a nice gearbox. Get a manual, or a shalhambra which is a slightly nicer place to sit anyway.

if you're not anti-a-mpv it might be worth considering a vauxhall zafira tourer. Slightly smaller than a s-max (based on an astra-sized car instead of the class above), similar usable space (rearmost seats are more useless but it doesn't sound like you need them), cheaper to run as a result (the 1.6 is 109 co2s, and apparently 70+ mpg, so £20 a year tax). Lots of toys and a nice place to sit, unfashionable so depreciates like a mother... but is much cheaper as a result - 30-40% cheaper than an equivilent s-max.

Yep. Mine is a manual.

I had a 2011 Superb estate for 7 years. It was a 1.8 TSI (petrol) with 4 wheel drive. It was incredibly capable and with a winter set of wheels felt unstoppable. Loads of space for lugging family/dogs/bikes/kayaks.

It had its problems though:

TSI engines can consume oil, mine was dreadful - dealer rebuilt engine with redesigned new pistons about a month before the warranty expired. A 4k repair. It was much improved after that but always drank some oil.

Also consumed coolant in the later years; many, many attempts by various garages to find a leak were unsuccessful. Only car I've owned that always had a bottle of oil and coolant in the boot for topping up.

Very thirsty and high road tax.

As others have said the big alloys gave an awful ride. I lived down a rough track and they also punctured easily due to sidewall damage.

Never found the seats very comfortable on long journeys.

Almost too much space, limo style rear leg room always seemed like a wasted bigger boot, or slightly shorter car to me. Octavia boot not much smaller and car shorter - better compromise to me.

think I'd be keeping the van too....

E-Class I would stay away from - lovely cars and generally very reliable. But when something does go eventually go wrong (cos it will), you will cry at how quickly the costs add up - and it'll probably be electrical.

If i wasn't keeping the van, Volvo would be my choice for comfort and reliability. Heaps of mega mileage V70s still crusing around.

Insignia here, not fancy or fashionable but 30k plus a year. On my second one and my Anthem 29er goes in with wheels on.

I think I am in the keep the van camp, if your not driving to visit 'clients' then the people you work with shouldn't really care imo, I think your probably over thinking things.

Elsewise, then I think I would be looking at some MPV alternative as 80% van with 100% boring normal person acceptableness as a car.... you can always pretend you have many childrens... or its the wifes you are borrowing 😉

unless you hate the van. or REALLY want a new car...keep the van.

No one will
a)thank you for turning up in a mondeo rather than a van
b)care
c)be able to do anything other than grunt a bit and say "mmm.,..vvan....hmm..." if they do at all care

Honestly. Keep the van.

Don't change, man...you're great as you are...

DrP

I believe vans are fetching a premium at the moment - you may be surprised at how much you could get for it. I'd likely sell it if the price is right. You should be able to pick up a perfectly decent Mondeo/Accord/Mazda 6 for five grand from a dealer, and end up with a decent amount left over to spend on new bikes or fancy suits and ties for work.

if you’re not anti-a-mpv it might be worth considering a vauxhall zafira tourer

I own an MPV, an unfashionable one at that. It's never worth considering a Zafira. They get filed with Jukes as cars for people who have given up in life. And again, I say that as an MPV owner.

I own an MPV, an unfashionable one at that. It’s never worth considering a Zafira. They get filed with Jukes as cars for people who have given up in life. And again, I say that as an MPV owner.

which is why they're extremely cheap. They were also the biggest selling mpv in the uk.

The older ones were fairly rubbish but the tourer was a (failed) attempt to go upmarket - on the continent they were aiming it at the 2-series active tourer thing.

Its up to you whether you care about what other people think. If you do, then I guess the premium for a more-german brand is worth it

Once I was doing carparking at a local cross-country meet - so, runners, but obvs a lot of crossover as active people.

A good third of the cars were VW group.

We've had Skodas for yonks now, reliable, no fuss. A colleague has a Golf or Passat estate instead of a Skoda as apparently the back slopes less so more space to fit bulky equipment.

Don’t change, man…you’re great as you are

Going to get that tattoo...

it’s a public sector mgt job so no car allowance. It’s more to do with a grudging acceptance that I ‘need’ to fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place

I work in a bit of the public sector. I don't think anyone would care. It's not like a salesman turning up in a Bugatti while telling would-be clients "you're bleeding me dry, I can't go any lower and keep a roof over my family's heads".

Or has the van got some Kill Bill pickup style decals on it? In which case, maybe tone them down a bit!

Also, I've got a Superb on 19" wheels and the ride quality is fine. I wouldn't have chosen them myself but it was a second hand car at the right price with the right (rare) spec/engine.

fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place

Are they going to inspect you as you pull into the car park? Is the 3 day a week commute 60 miles each way or round trip? If you don't need the estate for work, I'd be tempted to keep the van and if you're that worried, get something smaller for the commute otherwise you'll be lugging around an empty great big hunk of metal for 90% of the time.

I've just left a job with a company car-I had an Outlander so that I could fit my son's wheelchair in for the times when we were running around at the weekend. However, my daily commute was a 90miles round trip which seemed wasted with just me in it.

I think I’d be tempted to keep the van, you already have the job, it’s not like they can dictate what you drive.
Get a cheap runaround if you want to save mileage on the van.
If you’re gonna get an estate, V70, Superb, Mondeo, 5 series, Outback will all take a bike with wheels on no problem.
Volvo will have the best seats.
Subarus are costly in parts, but they won’t need them very often.
Diesel subarus don’t have a timing belt, it’s a chain on those. All diesel Subaru engines are the same.

I traded in my 2014 Superb TDI Estate for a Volvo V90. The Volvo may be lovely, refined, quiet, high tech and super safe but for the purposes of being an honest load lugging estate car the Superb knocks it out the park. Even the Octavia estate has a bigger boot than a V90. The sheer volume and practical shape of a Superb Estate is virtually unbeatable. Only the E Class Merc comes close. As well as load capacity, purchase and running costs, particularly fuel consumption, on a Superb are all simply excellent, I rarely dropped below 50mpg in mixed driving and could get 60+ on a long run. Four large suitcases and hand luggage would fit with ease as the cases could be double stacked with the load cover still in place.

Even more practical is something like a Touran or Sharan, as the boot on them is cavernous.

fit the expectations of some of the people at the new place

Dare you to turn up on a bike....

V70 - no later than a 2006 when afterwards they became ford influenced pre 2006 is proper old school solid Gothenburg engineering.
Easy to find a one owner garaged and cherished all its life examples like ours was until MrsRNP got her hands on it. She absolutely abused it for her business including accidentally knocking a wall over with it! (Built like an absolute tank underneath). Only bought because it had the biggest load area of any estate but is a keeper even though not needed for work anymore

Both the petrol and diesel are good engines, genuine parts are reasonable and good dedicated forum support. Galvanized bodyshells

Ours is just having a mid life freshen up at 200k miles with new suspension components.
It has done the long legged non stop drive down to Catalonia and the slog up the Millau route many times in utter comfort with the dog blissfully snoring in the back.

Brilliant cars.

I still thinks you should keep the van if it suits you. Fair enough use it as an excuse to get a new car if you want one, but I wouldn’t be changing it.

I have no idea what half the people at my work drive nor do I care.

Public sector manager here too, the only time work cared was when we still had Crown Car leasing and then it hit my pocket more depending on what I chose. I have a T6 now and befre that a Caravelle, before that other estates. I hardly use the van for work travel and work pays me what work pays me if I have to for any reason. They don't care a jot what it is, in fact were supposed to use public transport/ sustainable options if at all possible, so when in the office I cycle and train to other locations otherwise.

There's a phrase I like which I think might help you here.

"Managing expectations."

I hear it all the time at work. "The customer expects... the manager expects..." So? Let them expect what they like. I expect Eliza Dushku to be sent to my bedroom lightly oiled.

I was thinking Merc E class estate, Skoda Superb estate, Octavia Estate, Mondeo Estate.

I've had both of the last two and an i40 someone else mentioned, though in hatchback flavour (saloon i40). All decent motors, I'd probably go Mondeo > Octavia > i40 if I had to have another, though my requirements have changed and I'm driving something smaller now.

Guy at work used to have a Mondeo estate, you could probably get the Octavia in the back of it. It is vast. He got it to lug bikes around, and then got shut of it because it was too big.

What is this Honda Prelude Estate? I've not seen or heard of that before and quick google returns nothing?

Honda Accord Tourer Mk8 owner here and previously had the Mk7. The mk8 is not a very large car at all, despite the exterior size. The rear wheel arches occupy a large part of the boot, which seems to make getting any sort of luggage or bike in, awkward. Add to that the low height and I wouldnt call it a brilliant bike transporter internally. The Mk7 however was Huuuge!
However, everything else about the Mk8 is better. Driving, handling, comfort, mod cons and electrics, stereo. It feels like a proper exec car and is a pleasure to drive distances. Fuel economy is similar to old model. approx 35mpg for 2.2cdti auto. With towbar and roof rack, you can take a good amount of luggage and bikes on holiday.

Very cheap too if you dont mind buying relatively high mileage. I bought my one just over a year ago for £4.5k 1250,000 miles.
Upgraded lights to HIDs as std are carp (same with mk7). Got to take whole of front of car off though lol! - garage job!

V70 – no later than a 2006 when afterwards they became ford influenced pre 2006 is proper old school solid Gothenburg engineering.

Or, on our 2013 V70, we have cheap Mondeo brakes, suspension parts and more, coupled with Swedish build quality that sorted a few glitches and refined the 5-pot motor and gearbox to a fine art, still with best seats and stereo in the business.
😉

The correct answer is obviously Volvo XC70

Just to add another on to your list to consider my c-class estate takes two bikes with just front wheels out + kit for 2 people very easily. If you're going to look at a car where the front wheel has to come out then don't rule it out.

Very comfy, 35mpg possible out of town from the 1.8 turbo petrol (the 1.6 is more frugal and goes just as well). The kompressors (supercharged) are thirstier. Most of the estates have roof rails. Flat load area but the boot cover thingy is heavy and bulky but will fit in the rear passenger foot space thereby not intruding into load area.

Had mine 2 years after I had to get shot of the s-Max due to a knocking bottom end and it's just as comfy and I've not really noticed any lack of practicality but then I'm not loading it with kids and camping gear. Driven it to middle of France and back and it just wafted along nicely, 60 miles each way in a day will be no problem.

OP's van

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The Pussy Wagon aka RustyNissanPrairie

Don’t discount Vw golf estate. Very big boot