GazTheHat

So we need a bigger car, an estate to fit the big woofer in and bikes/rig/scooter on roof. We have a limited budget, circa £1000-1200. So we're looking for a lot for not much. I've been looking at, in order of preference...

- Audi A4
- BMW 3 Series
- Volvo V40
- Ford Focus/Mondeo

And their different variants. The A4 and 3 series diesels seem to fetch just a bit more over the budget. Not sure if i should save more, which will in turn then return more MPG and pay for the extra.

I've not driven any of the above. Any comments or alternatives?

BIG FUD

iTrader: (84)

mg zr diesel estate ?

GazTheHat

Only 2 nationally on autotrader £1595 & £1995. Waaay over. Never thought about those though.

How about an A6 2.5 TDi - would they cost a lot to run?

WRXrowdy

iTrader: (2)

Thoroughly recommend a V40. I've had 2 of them, an old S40 and now have a V50.
The V40's are pretty much bullet proof, better than the V50's.
Sorry to see my last V40 go. I paid £800 for a near immaculate T4 CD (200bhp top of range) on an R plate (earlier T4's had stronger engine with non VVT which can rattle) with 117k on clock, new mot, electric everything and full leather, and probably the most comprehensive service history of any car I have ever bought.
Kept it for 2 and a half years and put over 20k on the clock and it didn't cost me a penny, didn't even have to replace tyres or brake pads. Very sorry to see it go, especially as the Volvo dealer only gave me £300 + the rent back on it against the V50 (which has been back to the dealer several times and has a lot of niggly faults).

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge/2?logcode=p

This one is similar to the first V40 I had. It is a post 2000 model car or phase 2 model as they are known. The have better ride and steering than the earlier cars, although the earlier T4 isn't bad. Avoid underpowered 1.6 models and the GDi 1.8 can give problems but overall very reliable cars.

Steve_PPP

iTrader: (3)

Dare i say French? For the budget, you probably won't do better than 406 estate. I bought a 2.0hdi as a load lugger/commuter to give the scoob a rest and have done over 25k in it without a problem, averaged 50-52mpg. French gets a lot of stick, but most 406's on the road are taxis - what does that say? I've been in one as a cab with over 300,000 miles on it and still going strong...

They're also huge in the back, and go completely flat when the rear seats are down for loading big stuff in. Worth a thought

Essexdon

Im in the same situation, need a bigger run about car soon but not wanting to spend a fortune on it, I have been looking at rav4's and other mini 4x4, another alternative is just to downgrade the Impreza, sell the WRX and get a non turbo.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

I'd be thinking petrol Mondeo if the intended mileage isn't going to be too large. Too much to go wrong with diesels at that price.

Dirk Diggler 75

Get an old E36 ..........

Qwertyco

iTrader: (2)

I wanted a 1k estate car recently, so I bought this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1508524876...84.m1439.l2649
Stay with the brand!

Dave Hedgehog

iTrader: (1)

you are joking?! Utter bargain!
I got a BMW 328i Touring for £700 a couple of years back, ran it for 18 months/16k miles and sold it for £700

But you win. That's epic.

Qwertyco

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, my other car is a Legacy GTB, in blue.
I didn't really want the second one, it was just too good a deal not to.
Needs a bit of TLC, but is in fairly sound nick.

GazTheHat

That Volvo is on the short list. Thanks for the info about them.

Not going to go French. I'm just put off by them. Sure, i may get a good one, but i could also get a dog.

I was looking at another subaru, but just the running costs were off putting. I don't want/need 200+ bhp. I just want lots of MPG, with a big boot.

Went to look at the A6, didn't get it. Just something about it and a few niggles that put me off.

Why get a petrol Mondeo over the diesel then? I just automatically presumed a diesel would be better?!?

WRXrowdy

iTrader: (2)

I would be concerned with a diesel Mondeo over a petrol at that price range for the fear of failing injectors, fuel pump, egr valve and dual mass flywheel. Petrol would be a safer bet. Older non common rail diesels are ok. The Volvo in the ad is petrol and probably won't give much more than 35mpg average, diesel versions use Renault engines but are pretty reliable. My first Volvo was a 1.8 petrol Renault engine and had no issues whatsoever in 4 years and 40,000mls.

GazTheHat

So the volvos are not too good economy-wise, compared to the audi/bmw then?!

(*there's me just found a couple of T4 ones too!)

WRXrowdy

iTrader: (2)

Pm'd, although forgot to mention one thing about the turbo models. If you rev the engine at standstill and hear a slight buzzing sound coming from the engine, that sounds like a loose heatshield when the revs drop back down towards idle then this indicates a worn turbo actuator arm, but can be resolved by turning the rod on the arm half a turn. Turbos are reliable though.
Best thing about them is surprising BMW/Audi drivers when the mood takes.

ScoobyDoo555

Got a V40 1.9 - a 52-plate.

Cost me less than a grand due to a fault with the power steering (turned out to be a tube!).

Got leather everything, climate control and sunroof. Electric everything too.

Getting 650 mile out of a tank too

To say it has exceeded all of my expectations would be an understatement.
And the volvo forums are full of really nice and helpful people too.

Already, hard-modded the stereo (ie soldering iron!) to take an ipod.

Fantastic car.

DAn

Jamescsti

I'd get a petrol ford focus at that kind of price range, will be cheaper to run than a BMW or audi.