Having returned to the UK after six years abroad, I am in the market for an estate vehicle ( a young family that likes the outdoor life, camping etc) I have £6.5K to spend with nothing to Px. I have so far test driven Mondeo's, a Laguna, Peugeot 406 and a couple of Volvo's a V40 and an 850. I have been most taken with the Volvos, especially the 850. However £6.5K does not seem to go to far when looking at 850's, typically I am looking at a P reg. with almost a 100K on the clock for the engine size and trim spec I desire. Admitadly most of the cars I have seen come with a FVSH, with one or two owners. However when comparing this with a more common Mondeo (or Laguna especially) I could get a lot younger, lower mileage vehicle for my wad.
My concern with the Volvo is a high milage vehicle and getting hit with high repair costs, I do not envisage doing more than 8K miles per annum, typically short trips, will this prematurely age an already "old" car ?
Also, I am considering a drive in an Octavia estate, is it worth it ? Everybody still seems to snigger when I mention Skoda ? Are there any other vehicles I should consider ? Any thoughts and guidance would be much appreciated.
Finally, if I were to try the auctions for an 850 (BCA at Tewkesbury is near me), how likely am I find a Volvo 850 l can afford or would I be wasting my time ?
Cheers,
JW
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I was in a similar situation a few years ago when needing a roomy car that could also tow and fit a 6'2" son in the back I went for a Saab 9000 which are now relatively cheap and a little more interesting than a ford. It has the capacity of most estate cars, tho the turbo I now have does tend to 'tramline' (see earlier letter'). but interestingly has a betterb MPG than the 2.0 litre I used to ownThe only drawback is that it is FWD BUT goes like ordure off a digging instrument if you wish to.
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Buy any Toyota estate you can for your budget, you will not regret you choice.
Eleanor
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I have a 406 estate with 110 HDi engine. Roomy enough (tho' not as good as the Mondeo, which I had before). The 406 doesn't have outstanding performance, but the economy is good. I wouldn't swap it.
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Just got myself a 406 2.1 TD estate about 4 weeks ago for £5995 - it has done almost 100,000 miles, but I'm not expecting that to be a problem, as this is my fourth Peugeot Diesel, and the last two did 258k and 176k before I sold them.
Main thing is to get in with a good independent service centre, most diesel engine shops will know the french engines very well.
One problem that's been reported to me by my diesel shop is that the HDI engine fuel system is mostly "fit and forget" components - they can't be repaired, due to the high pressures that they work at, so in hindsight, I think that my 2.1 has been a good choice.
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Go for the Volvo, they are well built, safe for the family and the engines go on "forever"! I've just bought one and the sevice record book caters for services up to 250,000 miles.
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I have had a 940 SE estate for 6 yrs - now with 150k miles on the clock. Servicing at a non Volvo garage is reasonable - no plans to get rid of it, as should be good for 200k
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I'm sure you could pick up a very late Citroen XM estate (but I'd look for FSH) for this sort of money - big French cars don't hold value for long.
I'd go for a diesel for preference and it's big enough to camp in without resorting to a tent :>)
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All things beign equal and as long as you don't get your leg lifted you'll find best value in the Mondeo. But the brest place to look is the place with the most cars at the lowest prices: www.greattradecentre.co.uk
HJ
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Far be it from me to disagree with the Guru himself,but i am a little puzzled by that advice.
Imean,theres no really acceptable engine option for a start,is there?
And dont you think the interior build quality a touch ,er,frangible for family use?
Is it really a better bet than a 406?
and would not a Vectra be better than the ford for what sounds like a non-sporting driver?
The Volvo is going to cost,one way or another,and the boot is laughable.But its still a volvo ,whereas a ford is a Ford,if you see what i mean.
Actually the now superceded Citroen wagon may be the best value,especially a late one.I mean the Xantia,thank God they,ve stopped those silly names.
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Get a Mondeo 2.0 in Ghia spec at about 2 years old. Fantastic value and it probably won't break. On the other hand the Xantia will be reducing itself to kit form pretty quickly.
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