Dracoro

Old man is thinking of replacing his 200k+ Omega V6 estate early next year (maybe ). Anyway he's not sure what to replace it with. He doesn't 'need' an estate so much these days but does need a hatch type car as he & mum have a largeish Golden Retriever which needs carting around from time to time so need to poke it's head over the rear seats . Car needs to have a bit of poke (0-60 in 8 or so would be fine) but would still need to easily get near 30mpg. Something comfy and good for long distances. Cheap-ish to run. He prefers RWD although 4WD would be considered and FWD only if it was something really good. Brand image is not of concern. Ideally an Omega hatch would be best but they only do saloon or estate. There seems to be a number of estates that fit the bill (omega, accord, 5 series, legacy etc.) but hatchbacks seem rarer (all I can think of is the Saab 9-5 - do they still do a hatch model?) and to be honest he'll probably have to end up with an estate given the better choice but if you guys can think of something then let's hear it


Oh, and all for less than £10k (2nd hand of course) or something that will be in that price range within the next year or so (he's in no hurry).

TaviaRS

Vauxhall Signum? Going for silly money secondhand.

SAAb don't do hatches any more.

How about a "lifestyle" estate eg A4, 3 Series BM, C class Merc

Enormous booted hatchback? Skoda Octavia (Not biased honest, but they are huge boot), Vetra, Mundano etc etc

I'd go for the Octy (& have done twice).

BrettC

What about a Saab 9000 Aero. I think it was early 1998 when the last one was made but they are enormous hatchbacks and very quick. 225bhp 0-60 in about 6.5s
OK, FWD, but for a big barge they don't handle badly.
My 2.3 Turbo S (not aero but with 200bhp) regularly returns well over 30mpg on a run and about 28-29 around town.
The dogs have had plenty of room in the past too.

Either that or something like or maybe DAC's Viggen in the for sale section.
Fantastic car.

RS Grant

My old man had a c200k Omega V6 Estate and he sold it and bought a MY00 530i Sport.. Obviously it wouldnt suit your dad's needs, but my old man was really impressed with the jump in quality from his Omega to the BM.. Think he actually wishes he'd made the change a wee bit sooner!!

I would recommend an Octavia Hatch or Estate (if circa 10k) as well. Especially if Brand Name isnt a problem... Cant really ignore the age, kit and build you get for your money!!

Otherwise I'd be looking at a V6 TDi/2.4/2.8 A4 Avant or an E36 323/328 Touring.

Cheers,
Grant

BrettC

TaviaRS

When did Saab stop making the 5 door 93? Was it about 2002 or therabouts?

TaviaRS

2003 IIRC when the new one came in. He mentioned the 9-5, which came out initially in about 1999, first as a saloon then as an estate.

Personally I love SAABs. Had a 900 T16S, with a few little Abbot Racing bits, then a 9000 2.3T, followe dby a 9000 Aero with hybrid turbio and sundry other bits. Recently got rid of my 9-5 Aero estate

BrettC

So another fellow Saaber.
I'm on number 6.
1 x 96 V4
2 x 99 GL
1 x 900 T16S
2 x 9000 2.3T (one of which was Abbott prepared, 255bhp and 320 lb ft)

The new 95 Aeros are 250bhp as standard arent they?

Sorry Dracoro gone a bit off topic here i think.

mmuuzzzzyy

2003 (new shape) seat leon cupra 180bhp ?
180bhp......can be chipped to 220bhp and 240lbft for a £500 revo chip, + nice big boot.

2003 seat leon cupra R 210bhp ?
210bhp......can be chipped to 260-270bhp and about 300lbft for a £500 revo chip, + nice big boot.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...ch_full=SEARCH

Or golf V6 4motion

Dracoro

Cheers for the suggestions so far.

Leons/Golfs are nice but too small. The old man carries a lot of stuff in the car (surveying stuff etc.) so needs something bigger. Octavia is probably borderline. Will look into the Saabs.

Anyone any RWD suggestions? The old man can drive 'properly' and prefers RWD.

Oh and I forgot! It needs to be able to tow a horse trailer.

TaviaRS

3 series estate as per my first post, or Merc C class estate. A4 if you can get a Quattro one?