Slightly off topic, but im told the new Insignia estate with 4x4 (think its called the country tourer?) is meant to be very good.

Is this using an updated version of the old Cavalier Turbo 4wd that was notoriously unreliable or have they used a Haldex system this time ?

Thanks for the replies.

The cars are all main dealer cars with 12 month unlimited mileage warranties, save for the usual wear and tear itmes. All three marques cover cars up to 7 yrs old and under 100k with main dealer fsh.

I cannot find a mondeo petrol estate for love nor money within my budget and i am not a risk taker so it excludes the private purchase unless i knew the person and the car.

The mazda estate looked brilliant with bags of boot room until i got in it an touched something, all very flimsy plastic.

I'm not sure there is such a thing as a cheap car any longer and so i normally extend a warranty beyond the 1st year for peace of mind motoring. My budget us up to £12,500.

MPG is not relevant for me given the very low miles i do. Might well take a look at the Toyota though as hadn't considered it really.

My thoughts on the audi and bmw are that it must stay within warranty due to the horrendous repair costs associated with the brands if anything goes wrong and alsoto a lesser extent with the volvo.

I suppose what i am after is personal experiences of known issues with these three brands.

Thanks for the advice.

No aventis estates available on the main dealer site unfortunately.

I'm assuming that as Saab have sadly dispappeared that there are no main dealer options for purchase.

Kill two birds with one stone - how about a Jag X-type - AWD and an estate, though not exactly the largest estate car on the market!.

I must admit i do like the volvo. I had a V50 a few years ago. Very good car and comfortable.

There is a V70 one available about 20 miles away but it has had three owners, the first being a rental co, it has done 40k, 2.5T auto 4 yrs old. If it wasn't for the rental aspect i'd take a look.