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Cars, not country retreats!
Mine is borked. I have a 58 Focus 2.0 diesel. It's been a great car; plenty big, quick and reasonable economy. But it's dying. 190k miles and the electronics / ECU are all over the place. Random lights on the dash (occasionally dash completely shuts down for 10 secs), no power (turbo doesn't kick in), fuel economy in the toilet. Me thinks an expensive repair. Add to that I reckon the clutch is going too and its definitely time to replace
But what with?
About £10k, maybe £12. I do around £22k miles a year, so thinking larger diesel because of economy but also longevity. Looking to buy something with around 40k miles and keep for 5 years
I could get another Focus (though the engine choices are bemusing) but all the Web advice says Octavia. Golf obviously another option but just a more expensive Octavia, right? Mondeo? Japanese, Korean? Forget French?
Come on - hit me with the advice
It pains me to say this but...
Nissan Qashqai.
I’ve got one as a loaner at the moment, I’ve done 600+ miles in it this weekend to Wales and back and it’s been mega. Fits my chameleon with the wheels in, all my gear and does 65+mpg. Oh, and it’s mega comfy. I’ll be sad to see it go back tomorrow (and the return of my dreaded M6)
6 months ago we picked up a 4 year old Mondeo Titanium X estate in 2.2l form - it’s grand so far after putting 10,000miles on it. The 2.0l would be a more sensible choice for fuel economy, but we’re happy with it. It’s obviously vast inside, and a very comfortable way to cruise around
Passat is another option if interested in a larger size. Having also had a 4 year old one of them, there’s really not much between a Passat and Mondeo, both are just big dull cruisers so pick your favourite
But can you get three bikes in the back with the seats split? I can in the Focus. I've had five bikes in it with the rear seats fully down
(edit, re Qashqui obvs)
I was going to say 3 series touring but you won't get bikes in the boot.
I had an Octavia, it was nice enough but its replacement 330D is a lot better.
Seat Leon ST.
I love our Mazda 6. second one we have owned, although avoid the diesels.
Octavias are great cars but they have a big boot lip which makes the boot way less useful than a focus, it's a total bummer- proper estates have flat boots.
Mondeos are big. Doesn't fit in tesco parking spaces big, just-replaced-it-with-a-subaru-legacy-which-isn't-small-but-feels-tiny-by-comparison big. They are also ace and I'd have another one no stress, superb bike movers. But if you want midsize then absolutely not midsized.
Kia Cee'd Sportswagon, it'll still have manufacturer's warranty for your budget. Hyundai version is the i30 Tourer, also with (shorter) warranty
The Renault Megane estate with 1.5 dci engine is great. 50mpg average. I've had my 07 for 3 years, just looking for a newer version now, probably 13-14 plate £3-4k. The boot isnt large though, I can get 2 bikes and wheels in, but its tight.
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer ...don't laugh ..I use one daily for my commute & also Mtb trips ..it's a great car in its diesel 160hp form ..
I was the second owner in 2012 and have had it dealer serviced throughout ..
Now some might say it's a dull looking car ..but I disagree ..especially if you are comparing it to a Nissan Quashqai( which are as common as shite in this part of the world )..it drives really well in its manual form and is much more fun to drive than our other automatic estate which has a lot more power but virtually drives itself ..
Go on ..I dare you to try one on a test drive !
I was going to say 3 series touring but you won’t get 3 bikes in the boot
Edited for accuracy. You could btw - officially 1500l of space with the seats down in the 3 series, vs 1525 for the 2008 focus estate, so not much in it.
I have a Kia C’eed Sportswagon. Definitely mid size, noticeably smaller than previous big estates, but can get bikes in the boot front wheel off. I use roof bars though as less faff. Managed to get the worlds biggest tent and camping stuff for a week, plus two kids in massive booster seats, including a pram. 1.6 diesel returns 55mpg, £30 to tax, cheap as chips to run. Bought 3 years old on 23k miles and added 75k in three years. Warranty just out. Dull to drive but practicality and reliability were / are more important as I was coming from a very unreliable 2litre golf that I managed to kill in less than two years.
Don't consider the Skoda unless you don't have any friends to laugh at you, or you are happy to only have one topic of conversation: how great the Skoda is, and that it is just as good, if not better than more expensive alternatives.
It's not all about litres of volume unless you are a tennis ball salesman.
Focus estate boot is wide and flat with no side intrusions so you can get a mid size FS bike in without taking the wheels off.
I like my Seat Leon ST. Big boot with seats up. Couple of levers to fold them flat, front passenger seat folds flat too so good for long loads. I get a couple of windsurfing boards, mast sails etc in comfortably. Also lots of hidden storage areas. Wish I'd bought an FR version but my TDI gives 60mpg easily and is tax free. Just struggles to pull the skin off a rice pudding! IMO looks pretty reasonable too. Even with the lack of power it is actually quite good fun to drive.
Honda Civic Tourer definitely worth a look.
5er with the 2L engine is disappointingly thirsty; Mine has averaged 40.4mpg over the last 25K miles. Sure, it'll do 55mpg on a run but that's not the norm in my experience. As a comparison, my '07 325D was at 45mpg over 60K miles when it was written off.
We hired a SEAT Leon estate in France, it was fab, really impressive. I'd have one if I had to buy my own car.
Edited for accuracy. You could btw – officially 1500l of space with the seats down in the 3 series, vs 1525 for the 2008 focus estate, so not much in it.
True. It's a lot of space with the seats down, but it's still not that wide. I put the bikes on the roof but my Octavia boot used to swallow my kitesurfing kit with the seats up, I now have to put the seat down to get the board in and the rest of the kit is still a bit of a squash. It's had a small ish bike in the boot with the double seat down with someone in the back.
But I'd still recommend one, and get a Roofrack. It's MUCH better than the Octavia in every way, apart from boot.
We hired a SEAT Leon estate in France, it was fab, really impressive. I’d have one if I had to buy my own car.
I really like the Leons. I was deciding between leasing a new FR Vs buying my 330. Decided to buy this time though but it was close.
you are happy to only have one topic of conversation
Oh the ironing.
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
I had three insignias from new. All three were great until they hit about 60k miles then they rattled like hell.
Granted the vauxhall insignia swallows a hell of a lot of gear (tandem with just front wheel off in our hatch) but they are big cars and a devil to park without sensors.
Had a Peugeot 308 estate as hire car for a week this summer, dunno about load space but nice to drive with 8sp auto & manual override but probs over budget for the newer version.
Honda Civic Tourer definitely worth a look.
The hatch was every bit as good at swallowing bikes and golf clubs as my Leon estate is. Superbly well thought out car for interior space.
Two people I know got new cars around the same time, one BMW 2 series that was in almost every week for squeaks and rattles (not even exaggerating, it went away for at least two weeks as it had to go back to Germany to get sorted) and another bought a new Qashqui which he's not been able to drive for over a month as the handbrake engages randomly. That's one of the issues that saw him back at the dealers 12 times in the first 18 months. In the two years I had the Civic there wasn't a single squeak, rattle or issue with it.
1.6 diesel never felt slow and it averaged mid 50mpg even with a short commute.
A mate got one due to my recommendation, he does quite a lot of mileage and spends a lot of commuting time in his (hatch too) and last time I saw him he thanked me for suggesting it.
Another mate had the 2005 2.2 diesel , first of the funny shaped ones. Took it to well over 150k and apart from routine servicing and consumables it just kept going and going. Only got rid of it as he was bored of it I think, 9 years in the same car from memory.
I'm currently liking my Leon Cupra estate but for a commuting mobile that needed a decent bit of economy I think I'd be going for the Civic.
In true recommend what you have got style - Toyota Auris estate. Looks like a taxi (and loads used as taxis round here) but been a brilliant car for us. Taken it to the Alps twice (2 adults, 3 kids) fully loaded and with bike rack on tow bar.
Only 1.4l diesel, but sits fine at 80mph on French motorways and averaged 58mpg there and back this summer.
With the seats down can get loads in - had 6 man tent, all camping paraphernalia, 6 (bulky) sleeping bags and 3 bikes in the back a few weeks ago.
S
I test drove a Leon ST and agree with the other comments above, it was really nice. I'd happily have one. A friend who had one as a company car for a job that involved a lot of driving was very sad to see his 2.0 diesel hatchback version go back.
I've got a Mondeo 2.0 T X Sport estate atm. It truly is cavernous, and genuinely the first car I've had trouble parking due to length and size. Much worse than a van.
Want to sell it but struggling to know how to raplce it. Wouldn't mind an S4, or maybe a 335d...
As this thread is attracting Leon enthusiasts, how’s it for bikes in the back? Anyone loading up XL 29er enduro bikes with just front wheel off? How’s it for kids seats in the back?
I can also recommend both the Gashqai and the newest shape Passat. Both really comfy places to spend time.
Seat leon - managed to get a rigid on one scandal 29 in large in the back with just the front wheel off last night I'd say an XL enduro would be pushing your luck.
@rene59..
I've had my Insignia since 2012..on an 11 plate ..it had 17.5k on it when I bought it ..now with 115k on it ..certainly no rattling issues ..maybe I've just been lucky .the only major work has been a change of timing belt and it's just had a new clutch ..but I will run it until it dies and the engine is still going strong..I don't think of it as a particular big car ..it's long but not particularly wide and drives smaller than it's length ( if that makes sense) ..
The good thing from a second hand buyers point of view is that they don't hold their value particularly well and the sort of budget being talked about by the OP should get you a reasonably young car ..( go for the 2.0l diesel 160 hp if you can live with 38mpg* average )..
* I have got quite a heavy foot ..
I wouldn't go with a diesel these days - quite a few cities are looking at instituting clean air acts, which means that diesels older than just a couple of years will incur charges. I can only see the backlash against diesel getting worse, so this is likely to be the thin end of the wedge. Petrol cars, in comparison, can be 12 years old and still not incur a charge.
Go for a small engined petrol turbo, like some of the newer Fords, or some sort of hybrid.
JP
Petrol Octavia RS is the answer as that is what I have. You can get an adjustable boot floor so their is no lip.
I get 38 MPG long term from my 245.
We picked up a top spec 2012 Volvo V50 last year with 10,000 miles for 10 grand. I'd seen a few at a simelar price but more like 20-30k miles. Jumped on it and its been a great car so far and is already up to 35k! Only disappointment is the economy isn't as good as expected, we get mid 50's. No VED though so overall a cheap runner.
Petrol Octavia RS is the answer as that is what I have. You can get an adjustable boot floor so their is no lip.
Aye and isn't that a total work of genius, "we'll sell you a thing to fix the stupid boot lip, at the expense of costing you a load of your boot." 🙂
I wouldn’t go with a diesel these days – quite a few cities are looking at instituting clean air acts, which means that diesels older than just a couple of years will incur charges.
Really? I’ve never seen anything showing that anything beyond Euro 4 might have issues.
Here's an example:
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/motoring/bath-clean-air-zone-charge-2116831
Pre-Euro 6 Diesels, pre-Euro 4 Petrols would be charged £9
JP
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer …don’t laugh ..I use one daily for my commute & also Mtb trips ..it’s a great car in its diesel 160hp form ..
I had a saloon Insignia SRi for nearly a month, while the insurance sorted out my car. I did nearly 900 miles in it, on one tank of diesel. It was a joy to drive, very comfy, and with 170bhp overtaking was a doddle. It was also bloody big! Parked out front it only just fitted in length-wise, the nose was level with the footpath running past the house, the back overlapped the path running around the front of the house. It dwarfed my Octavia.
The OP might look at the Ford S-Max or maybe the C-Max. The Zafira might be worth a look as well, seven seats with a lot of room when seats are folded flat, the 1.4 Turbo is almost indecently quick, and there are loads around, very popular with Motability clients. I’ve driven loads of them, up to 250 miles at a time, and they’re really very comfy, something that all modern Vauxhalls have in common. Thankfully. They couldn’t get worse than a 2000 Vectra, horrid, vile thing!
900 miles on one tank of diesel - what mpg would that work out at ?
Another "recommend what you've got" reply, but:
Might be worth having a look at a Fabia estate. Yes, I know it's a size down from the Focus according to whoever comes up with these things, but the boot is a little larger if that's what matters. I've got the old-style (2009) version and it's fine to take 3 average adults and their bikes inside - including two 29-ers.
Really economical, and mine has been faultless for reliability in 150,000 miles of forced labour. It gets an oil change each time it tells me to (about every 16,000 miles at the current rate) and that's it.
As a bonus it helps you identify mouth-breathers stuck in the 20th Century by their witty comments (see above).
Having said all that, it isn't a huge car, and you might notice the cabin space being a bit smaller than the Focus. When mine finally dies, a Civic estate will be on the list. Fantastically versatile and creative use of space...
OP here - sorry I've not been back - duty calls elsewhere
Thanks for all the suggestions. I've added the Civic to my shortlist. Vauxhalls I've never got on with (I'm an ex Ford employee too so, yes, a bit biased!). I like the Leon too but told space is considerably less than the Octavia
I get the 'diesels are going to take a whack, soon', but it's a chance I'll have to take. Good as the new small capacity petrol engines are, I simply don't see them lasting 150K+ miles.
After going through all of this I'll probably end up with another Focus!
Skoda Octavia, or Superb, the latter being massive and a fine way cruiser.
I had a 1.6 diesel civic tourer. 3 years from new for 60,000 miles. I needed servicing and that was it. No squeeks/ rattles or any problems. It was a company car and went back.
I replaced it with a 335d which has been great other than one mahousive bill (still bitter!).
In hindsight a 90,000 mile fast beemer was never going to be as cheap and problem free as a new honda.
I prefer driving the BMW 🙂
"I get the ‘diesels are going to take a whack, soon’, but it’s a chance I’ll have to take. Good as the new small capacity petrol engines are, I simply don’t see them lasting 150K+ miles."
So get a hybrid. Then you don't have to worry about nasty financial penalties or slightly more importantly giving us all cancer from nox ingression.
Toyota Auris Tourer Hybrid. Job jobbed.
340i touring?
Mid sized, practical, nippy and economical. Ticks all the boxes. Planning on one (G21 M40i) to replace my current E91 325i in 18 months.