View Full Version : Another recommend me a car thread...
Welcome to yet another recommend me a car thread.
The car need to be/have:
Loads of load space
Super reliable
Economy not too bothered as it will be relatively infrequently used
Not a green golf convertible
Capable of munching big miles on the odd occasion
as cheap as possible
look relatively respectable.
So what suggestions do you have for me wise org'ans?
There are loads of options out there just need a few suggestions to focus me down a bit.
ta
BigBaddad
29-09-10, 07:06 PM
I got an old V40 to sell soon. Good comfortable reliable cheap load luggers with decent spec.
Full leather, heated seats, metallic black, air con. Not till June or July 2011. 35mpg 1.8 petrol.
Would've been the ticket, but need it sooner than that.
fizzwheel
29-09-10, 07:17 PM
When you say "Cheap as possible" how much do you actually want to spend.
jimmy4237
29-09-10, 07:18 PM
A big volvo estate..... put a towbar onto it, and you've got the jack of all trades car for not a lot of money... ideal for general trailer towing, long weekend camping trips, and messy kids. very comfy motor for long haul trips..
My cousin has a '97 R plate estate with 195,000 miles on the clock, and it still keeps going..... Takes 2.4 kids, a weeks shopping, horsey stuff, a labrador, and it still tows a 1.5 tonne double axle trailer at 70mph..:shock::shock:
Only cost her £500:cool::cool:
andrewsmith
29-09-10, 07:27 PM
Retracted
Bluepete
29-09-10, 07:31 PM
http://www.expolicecar.co.uk/
Good service history, and cheap
I would never, ever buy an ex job car.
They are ragged to death, serviced by monkeys and are not looked after as well as you might expect.
They don't belong to the user and there is always another one to use if one gets broken. So, they don't get looked after as if it were privately owned.
As I have heard said,
"Driven by chimps, fixed by monkeys"
Pete ;)
Daughter finally wore you down??
Skoda Octavia - cheap and reliable............... can't promise your daughter will want a lift in it though
andrewsmith
29-09-10, 07:33 PM
I would never, ever buy an ex job car.
They are ragged to death, serviced by monkeys and are not looked after as well as you might expect.
They don't belong to the user and there is always another one to use if one gets broken. So, they don't get looked after as if it were privately owned.
As I have heard said,
"Driven by chimps, fixed by monkeys"
Pete ;)
I kno panda cars basically are worth parts value in most cases and the ex ones i've seen were
MisterTommyH
29-09-10, 07:39 PM
Seat Leon!
Stonesie
29-09-10, 07:41 PM
E34 525/535 touring (estate) with a tow bar, not many 'cool points' but very few common faults, the 3.5 is grunty but 2.5 24v offers up 190bhp and the best economy.
Volvo 850 is another contender.
Note, No French offerings being mentioned so far... There is a good reason for that...
andrewsmith
29-09-10, 07:46 PM
Note, No French offerings being mentioned so far... There is a good reason for that...
they are rubbish
everyone i've ever been in has fallen to bits or leaks
couple of grand absolute max...
As the owner of a French car I'd suggest not buying one.
As the occasional driver of one, Skoda Octavia 1.9tdi is a bloody good car.
MisterTommyH
29-09-10, 08:17 PM
As the owner of a French car I'd suggest not buying one.
As the occasional driver of one, Skoda Octavia 1.9tdi is a bloody good car.
If you can get anything with that 1.9tdi engine (Audi, Seat, Skoda or VW) for that kind of money you'd be doing well. It is a good endine tho.
fizzwheel
29-09-10, 08:18 PM
Mondeo Estate
Pug 406 / 407
5 series BMW as mentioned, also Volvo 850 is a good call to. Theres plenty of volvo 940's in your budget, but they are hideous, but mahoosive inside.
A quick search on auto trader shows you'd be able to pick up a diesel passat estate in your budget to, so that or an Octavia is probably what I'd plump for...
454697819
29-09-10, 10:36 PM
bmw 5 series tourer
big old petrol version
freelander - really? i thought they suffered from head gasket issues.
what about this? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290480103538&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT not exactly inspiring but looks mahoosive!
fizzwheel
30-09-10, 07:52 AM
freelander - really? i thought they suffered from head gasket issues.
I believe they solved that it was to do with the pegs that held the head in place. There was a recall and they replaced the peg material and it stopped the gasket issue and it was only on the older freelanders anyway.
I think...
That Primera looks pretty good, should be reliable as well.
BigBaddad
30-09-10, 07:55 AM
How about this, your kids will love it and their friends.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1985-Mercedes-w123-300-diesel-limousine-/300472233418?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item45f58a6dca
-Ralph-
30-09-10, 08:07 AM
This is a firkin bargain!
HONDA CR-V 2.0 I-VTEC SE Sport [Sat Nav] 5dr Estate
2003 (52 reg), EstateTrade seller, distance: 66 miles (From Kettering)
45,000 miles
Manual
2.0L
Petrol
4
0
45,000 miles, 5 Door Estate, Petrol, Manual, Front electric windows, Folding rear seats, Solid Paint, Front armrest, Rear wiper, 3x3 point rear seat belts5 Doors, Manual, Estate, …
Trade
£1,990
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201038368958754
IMO Honda build quality is amongst some of the best you can get, better than Merc or BMW, and on a par with Audi/VW
-Ralph-
30-09-10, 08:13 AM
Couple of low mileage late model Octavia Estates
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201038368508864
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201038368600176
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201038368516602
and a Passat
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201037368407155
-Ralph-
30-09-10, 08:17 AM
http://www.expolicecar.co.uk/
Good service history, and cheap
I would never, ever buy an ex job car.
They are ragged to death, serviced by monkeys and are not looked after as well as you might expect.
They don't belong to the user and there is always another one to use if one gets broken. So, they don't get looked after as if it were privately owned.
As I have heard said,
"Driven by chimps, fixed by monkeys"
Pete ;)
I kno panda cars basically are worth parts value in most cases and the ex ones i've seen were
Why recommend one then? What if somebody took your advice and went and bought one?
This is a firkin bargain!
HONDA CR-V 2.0 I-VTEC SE Sport [Sat Nav] 5dr Estate
2003 (52 reg), EstateTrade seller, distance: 66 miles (From Kettering)
45,000 miles
Manual
2.0L
Petrol
4
0
45,000 miles, 5 Door Estate, Petrol, Manual, Front electric windows, Folding rear seats, Solid Paint, Front armrest, Rear wiper, 3x3 point rear seat belts5 Doors, Manual, Estate, …
Trade
£1,990
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201038368958754
IMO Honda build quality is amongst some of the best you can get, better than Merc or BMW, and on a par with Audi/VW
I'm liking that, wonder how far away from me it is? Found out 24 miles...
That CR-V is dirt cheap - so cheap I wonder whats wrong with it?! My Mum paid £5500 for an 04 plate CR-V Sport with 80k on it in January this year (although that was at a stealer)
Great car though - loads of room and nice to drive - very refined too.
-Ralph-
30-09-10, 09:06 AM
That CR-V is dirt cheap - so cheap I wonder whats wrong with it?!
That did cross my mind, but if your serious and you can't find anything wrong with it yourself, pay for a vehicle inspection. It is a trade sale so you have some protection by law, just see if it is with a reputable dealer. And it's so cheap you can afford to take out a warranty.
-Ralph-
30-09-10, 09:09 AM
The parkers valuation for it with average (80k) miles
Original Price £16,695
Independent Dealer £3,635
Private Good £3,155
Private Poor £2,525
Part Exchange £2,720
Maybe the guy has just had it in stock for ages.
check out your local car auction houses, might be a few reclaimed cars there going cheep,
also, consider a Rover 25/MG ZR (same car but the MG is more sporty) 1.4l engine but has enough power in it to show an audi TT who really has cahones...
I'll give you a clue, NOT the TT.
Alternatively, look for a fiat Punto, nice little engine, goes like stink and handles as well as a bike accross sailsbury plain at +70 MPH *cough*I didnt do that guv, honest*cough*.
my 3rd suggestion is a Seat Leon, i want an 09 model myself as i drove one in Ibiza last year and loved the fact it'll do 30-40Mph in 1st, then i tried to change gear with the door handle but thats a different story.
I also reccomend the following (prices may be outside your range though)
Kia Cee'd 2 - might gain you a few points in the process but a totally fun car.
Ford Focus - seamed to be pretty nice 250 miles in one was comfy enough.
Astra 1.6 - dont get the bigger one as it felt slower and drank more fuel.
The last 3 are from recent trips i've taken to Exeter from Cardiff for work (114 miles each way), was nice having a different car each week to test drive.
Wife has a punto - far too small.
andrewsmith
30-09-10, 08:10 PM
Why recommend one then? What if somebody took your advice and went and bought one?
I was suggesting the police motorway tanks, but pete corrected me to say all are treated like s***e.
I would never recommend the street beat cars I kno what state get into
appollo1
30-09-10, 09:46 PM
I got an old V40 to sell soon. Good comfortable reliable cheap load luggers with decent spec.
Full leather, heated seats, metallic black, air con. Not till June or July 2011. 35mpg 1.8 petrol.
hmmmm how old? how much? when is soon?
yorkie_chris
30-09-10, 09:52 PM
my folks drag a shed with a TDCI mondeo. Does the job well, it's got plenty guts and lovely and comfy inside for a cheap car. Good economy too.
I kno panda cars basically are worth parts value in most cases and the ex ones i've seen were
So what the bollocky f***ing hell did you just recommend the OP buy one for then?!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-Ford-Mondeo-1-8-LX-ZETEC-ESTATE-/280564984227?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4152f9e9a3 - This?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLVO-V70-2-4-Classic-Automatic-Petrol-Estate-/230530809470?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35acb4fe7e - Or This?
I got an old V40 to sell soon. Good comfortable reliable cheap load luggers with decent spec.
Full leather, heated seats, metallic black, air con. Not till June or July 2011. 35mpg 1.8 petrol.
I wish i had bought the 1.8. I got a 2L and if it sees 20mpg round town id be lucky. Its a heavy old car that for sure.
Welcome to yet another recommend me a car thread.
The car need to be/have:
Loads of load space
Super reliable
Economy not too bothered as it will be relatively infrequently used
Not a green golf convertible
Capable of munching big miles on the odd occasion
as cheap as possible
look relatively respectable.
So what suggestions do you have for me wise org'ans?
There are loads of options out there just need a few suggestions to focus me down a bit.
taTransit van
Transit van
Could nail a sofa down in the back for the kids I suppose!
fizzwheel
01-10-10, 08:29 AM
At the risk of recommending what you own and its a bit left field...
Ford Maverick or Nissan Terrano II
Basically same thing, japanese made and pretty bullet proof. If you go for a long wheel base one, its a 7 seater, with the rear row of seats out and the middle row folded flat, its mahoosive inside, go for the later 2.7tdci engine and it will sit at 90mph on the motorway, but the fuel consumption isnt so good on it then, will do around 30mpg if you are lucky.
We've had ours for a while now its one of the best cars I've ever owned. Versatile, practical and reasonable comfy on a long drive. We took it to Ireland last year and I drove alll the way from Somerset in one go only resting on the ferry and I was fine.
You'd pick up a decent ish one for £1500 ish, and as they will be more than likely pre 2001 the road tax isnt to bad on it either £205 for 12 months...
Could nail a sofa down in the back for the kids I suppose!ratchet straps and cargo nets, or maybe even a cage would be my advice.
Howabout a Citreon Belingo? Not the coolest thing but fits your needs perfectly.
andrewsmith
01-10-10, 09:01 AM
So what the bollocky f***ing hell did you just recommend the OP buy one for then?!
Corrected meself YC
I was suggesting the police motorway tanks, but pete corrected me to say all are treated like s***e.
I would never recommend the street beat cars I kno what state get into
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-Ford-Mondeo-1-8-LX-ZETEC-ESTATE-/280564984227?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4152f9e9a3 - This?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLVO-V70-2-4-Classic-Automatic-Petrol-Estate-/230530809470?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35acb4fe7e - Or This?
Out of them 2, the Ford. Cheaper to put fuel in. the 2.4 Volvos are thirsty to say the least.
tinpants
01-10-10, 09:20 AM
My VW Transporter is for sale as I've just bought a Mitsubishi L200 Warrior.
Might be a bit out of your price range though. Anyone who went to the AR this year would've seen it - it was the yellow one down by Stretchie's tent.
If anyone is interested then drop me a pm.
Sorry about the hijack!!
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