Goochie

I'm in need of a dog wagon.

Sadly, insurance etc mean that I can't seriously consider a scooby or Galant VR4 Therefore I'm looking for ideas on a cheap wagon/estate. Currently my favourite (in a manner of speaking) is the Vauxhall Vectra GSi 2.5 or 2.6 V6 (depending on age).

They're cheap as chips to buy and resasonable to insure while having plenty of dog space and good straight line speed.

PG

I have a Mondeo Si V6 estate for the dog carrying and it is perfect for the job. I have 3 Boxers.
With the seats folded you have a HUGE load space (I can fit a 3m length of worktop in there with the boot closed!!)

The Zohan

Cannot reccommend the Vectras, last co hads two of em, i ran one of them. Both had problems with brakes - disks and pads replaced twice, neither under warranty. 2.6 had manifold problems, faulty electrics galore and iffy handling. these where '98 vintage cars. The engines are fine, shame anbout the rest of the car really

Also, the dealers can treat you like dirt as well!

Mondeo a better car IMHO

[Edited by Paul Habgood - 1/13/2004 10:22:56 AM]

Dracoro

Passat Estate, Omega Estate, Saab Estate.

Goochie

I was also considering ex-traffic Police Volvo T5's..... stupid idea ??

Not sure about the Omega estate given the comments on the Vectra. Whatever I go for It has to be reasonably rapid.

Did they do an Oktavia RS Estate?

[Edited by Goochie - 1/13/2004 10:44:32 AM]

Dapster

Merc E320 Estate with the 5 speed auto, Audi A6 Avant with the V6 2.5 tdi engine and 6 sp box or the Beemer 5 series that fits your budget. Will be a bit older than the Mundano or Vectroid that fits your budget but will do well over 200k miles with a bit of tlc - I went in a E250 taxi in Berlin with 450k kilometers on the clock and it felt like it had done a tenth of that.

David Lock

Volvo turbos aren't slow. I bought a smashing 1996 940 2.3 estate for £3000 recently for dogs and amplifiers (not together ). Really does the job. DL

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Goochie

Ex police T5?

Not with a bargepole! They get maintained, granted, but they have the nuts thrashed off them at regular intevals! Bodywork condition also might not be 100%

The other thought on that is insurance. 2.0l Turbo aren't they? Or is it a 2.3? Anyway, can't be that much difference to a scoob turbo.

Try a 2.5 or 3.0 Legacy/Outback or maybe Imp 5dr sport. Handling will be there, just a bit less oomph...

daz748

They do an Octavia vRS estate, but only been around for a year so still expensive. You could look for an Octavia elegance with the 1.8 20v turbo engine though, then add a remap (approx £400 to £600) and end up with a 220bhp street sleeper .

Darren

Goochie

Daz - that sounds like a good idea!!! Autotrader here I come........

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

The T5's are cheap enough not to have to get an ex Plod one, four grand will get you one, we had one for four years and it never missed a beat, dont bother with the Vectra.

pugoetru

I am not a vauxhall fan but just to say the omega is not even similar to a vectra it is a better car the vectras do have lots of brake problems

The dealers dont even know how to get a good peddle on them

daz748

Goochie, go to http://www.briskoda.net/forums/ for any Octavia related questions you might have and good luck with the search. Here's mine .

Darren

daz748

Found this on Autotrader
2000 SKODA OCTAVIA 1.8 SLX TURBO
20V ESTATE, 2000, W reg. 40000 miles, 6mths MoT, FSH, Tax Aug, alloys, c/l, PAS, 4x e/w, aircon, alarm, immobiliser, stereo. £4,695 .ono

Ideal candidate

Darren

lordharding

iTrader: (1)

my misses has a otavia L&K top of the range diesel and is a great car and you can fit a wardrobe in the back !!

Goochie

So, what sort of performance can I expect from one of these? Tuning potnetial etc..

KentStu

Goochie - try asking on Briskoda.net. Ignoring the RSs, most of the tuning has been done on newer Octys (1.8T 4x4s and the elegances)and there are slight differences in the older ones. There is a guy on there (user name ncarring) that has had his older SLX hatch which is about the same age as that chipped by Jabba so it might be worth asking him. I think he also made some minor suspension mods as the standard SLX is quite soft for the sort of power you would be looking at (c. 220bhp IIRC). Would be an excellent value buy IMO

KentStu

Just checked - his car actually is only 200 bhp chipped as it is the "old" 1.8T engine - same as the one that you have highlighted. Any 1.8T engine from 2001 on will get about 220/230 with a basic Jabba chip. For piccies and his power map go to his web page: http://ncarring.briskoda.net/menalto/gallery/octavia