recent-ish used motor car (uk) suggestions

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Hello!

A relative has recently inherited a shitload of £££ and is very nicely splashing some of it around her immediate family. She wants to buy us a car! (I'm kind of amazed by this) and we have a budget of up to 10,000 uk pounds, WTF.

I figured on picking up a 3yo or thereabouts SAAB 9-5 diesel estate - part of her specs for the car was that it should have a high safety ratin, b/c her grandson is going to be travelling in it, & the SAAB has that, plus they seem to have a good rep for reliability, plus, I like the way they look, TBH.

Of course, "a friend" of her's was all "oh you don't want a SAAB, they cost a fortune to fix". This is predictable, I expect that whatever brand I'd mentioned, "a friend" would have been all "oh, you don't want a [brand name here], they [reason here]". I shd have kept my trap shut.

So, here is what I'm looking for:

Diesel-engined
Estate car or MPV (so I can use it for gigs - 2 x keyboards, 2 x guitar, amp)
High safety rating
Reliable
Parts not too expensive
Insurance not too espensive

My prejudices w/r/t auto manufacturers
(nb - don't want an suv - i'm only going to use it on the road)
Japanese cars:
parts prices outrageously expensive
Italian cars - fiat/alfa:
prone to corrosion, unreliable
German premium brands
way, way overpriced due to brand/image, unreliable
VW
can't get too thrilled aby any VAG car. An aquaintance's passat was quite rusty, despit not being all that old.
French brands
questionable reliability? can't really get too thrilled about any of them.
ford/vauxhall
strong possibility of ex-fleet vehicle that has been thrashed/abused by rep pissed off that his co. wouldn't buy him a benz or a lexus.

Stuff that looks like it would be good:
Volvo estate car
SAAB 9-5 estate car
Fiat multipla
Rover 75 estate car

outside chances
vel satis
x-type jaguar
older model lexus
subaru of some sort

???

Any suggestions?

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 6 April 2006 09:19 (twenty years ago)

dude! nice one.

but what's with the japanese prejudice? a new radiator for my mitsubishi colt cost about 100 quid (although i'll admit that, in a separate and altogether regrettable incident, a front offside indicator glass cost an eye-watering 60). i'd seriously consider the honda accord aerodeck, if i were you.

TBH, if you're looking at saabs, start looking at mercs too: the ideal vehicle here, i'd say, is gonna be a merc estate BUT you're not going to get one that's just three years old for ten grand, natch. (at least, i assume not: YMMV. literally, i guess.)

if you really want to maximise your cash and get something as nearly-new as possible, get a skoda octavia. they're fucking brilliant cars and you should be able to get a mid-range one-or-two-year-old diesel estate for 10k. i think. but i'm not an expert - just someone with a casual interest in cars - and i might be wrong about the price.

i'm not wrong about how good the skoda is, though. trust me. (and just forget they're part of the VAG group too, okay?)

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Thursday, 6 April 2006 09:29 (twenty years ago)

Norm, Sgs drives a Subaru Forester which I think might fit pretty much all your requirements - it's a joy to drive, too. I'm not sure they do a diesel version, but I can vouch for it being an excellent motor, and under £10k.

― Markelby (Mark C), Thursday, 6 April 2006 09:33 (twenty years ago)

If you can get over your Italo problem, take a hard look at a recent Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon with the big diesel (I think it's a 2.4). Hell of a car, and cheap now because of the new modal intro + Alfa's reputation (increasingly undeserved).

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Thursday, 6 April 2006 09:38 (twenty years ago)

yes, i hear very good things about alfas. and fancy one myself.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Thursday, 6 April 2006 09:46 (twenty years ago)

I do/did actually fancy one of those alfa sportwagons, though the guy with the rusty passat's wife had one, and it was always breaking down! = ph34r.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 6 April 2006 10:15 (twenty years ago)

If (as you mention) you can find one that hasn't been thrashed, the Vauxhall Astra 1.9CDTi estate is a cracking buy. You should be able to get one a couple of years old for 10K so it'll still be under warranty. Huge load space, v.reliable and they go like shite off a shovel (145bhp). The 1.7 diesel is also v. good and, I think, two insurance groups lighter.

― Si.C@rter (SiC@rter), Thursday, 6 April 2006 11:05 (twenty years ago)

I was going to suggest a Subaru Forrester or Impreza Estate. If there are cars you like but you're concerned about reliability/cost to maintain etc, go to an owners forum for that car and have a look about, maybe ask some questions.
I own a 1990 Toyota Supra, and it's reliability outways the expense for parts, which incidentally aren't THAT high, in spite of it 15years old and not particularly common.

― Craig Gilchrist (Craig Gilchrist), Thursday, 6 April 2006 11:21 (twenty years ago)

A BMW 3-series estate is worth thinking about. They're cheaper now the ugly new model's out, and they were so popular -- best-selling car last year -- that parts and non-dealer servicing are only going to get better and cheaper. Plus it's the best drive out of the cars mentioned so far (though I haven't driven the Forester and it's meant to be good).

BMW diesels rock just as much as the Audi ones too, but Audi has v. expensive servicing. The 320d is great, the 330d is damn quick for an estate.

― stet (stet), Thursday, 6 April 2006 11:26 (twenty years ago)

Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon w/1.9l jtd engine is looking like a winner at the moment.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Sunday, 9 April 2006 14:57 (twenty years ago)

That's a cracker too. The bose stereo they offer is topp as well if you get one with it, bose be damned

― stet (stet), Sunday, 9 April 2006 15:07 (twenty years ago)

french diesels are the business for economy and reliability. The Saab 9-3 is a vauxhall vectra in disguise, a friend has a petrol one and it seems fine though (the diesel vauxhall vectra I had as a hire car was a bunch of arse).

I've had a lot of Ford Mondeos as hire cars recently and as boring as they are they were very good especially the diesels.

I love the look of the alfa and reliability is apparently better than it once was but rear space is not great.

Have a look at used volvos. solid and often driven carefully.

― Ed (dali), Sunday, 9 April 2006 15:09 (twenty years ago)

Diesel Volvos are, er, pretty scarce! I think people tend to keep hold of them. I trawled through auto trader's ads, and theres a grand total of one within 40 miles of me. I'll have a look at it tomorrow.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Sunday, 9 April 2006 15:16 (twenty years ago)

T/S - this:

ALFA ROMEO 156 SPORTWAGON 1.9 JTD 16v Multijet (NEW MODEL) , 5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Diesel, 2004 04 Reg , 28,000 miles, Blue Sport Metallic With Grey Trim. 15" Upgraded Alloy Wheels, Air-Conditioning, Adjustable Seat Height, Adjustable Steering Column, Alarm, Anti Skid Control, Body Coloured Bumpers, C.D Player, Centre Arm Rest, Centre Rear Seat Belt, Chromeline Dash, Driver Air Bag, Electric Adjustable Mirrors, Front Fog Lights, Heated Rear Screen, Immobilizer, In Car Entertainment, Passenger Air Bag, Power-Assisted Steering, Rear Head Restraints, Rear Load Cover, Rear Spoiler, Rear Wash Wipe, Remote Central Locking, Remote Tailgate Release, Side Air Bags, Split Folding Rear Seat, Sports Design Upholstery, ABS, Cruise control, Electric windows. JUST ARRIVED INTO STOCK. A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THIS EXTREMLY RARE, NEW MODEL, LOW MILEAGE DIESEL SPORTWAGON . THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ONLY 1 PRIVATE (NON SMOKING) OWNER FROM NEW, AND COMES WITH A FULL MAIN AGENT SERVICE HISTORY. WONDERFUL SPECIFICATION, A GORGEOUS COLOUR COMBINATION, AND FINALLY, FANTASTIC VALUE AT ONLY £9,995

vs this:

2002 02 VOLVO V70 2.4 D5 SE 5 Door Estate
GREEN Met, Insurance Group 13, 108300 Miles, 1 Registered Keeper, Remote Central Locking, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Passenger Airbag, Drivers Airbag, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, Traction Control, ABS, Cruise Control, Alarm, Immobiliser, Full Leather Interior, Alloy Wheels,FSH, CD, £9995

I have a headache, I'll make up my mind tomorrow.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Sunday, 9 April 2006 15:26 (twenty years ago)

heart says alfa head says volvo. The volvo is much much bigger than the alfa btw.

― Ed (dali), Sunday, 9 April 2006 15:31 (twenty years ago)

The Alfa is miles better to drive, and is newer. It's smaller though.
The Volvo is more car, but it's older and has a ton of miles on it.

If you like to drive and hare around the place grinning, get the Alfa. If you just want to motor forever and ever amen, get the Volvo, though get a proper mechanical inspection first, because it's miley.

― stet (stet), Sunday, 9 April 2006 16:49 (twenty years ago)

get a bike, pashmina!!

― RJG (RJG), Sunday, 9 April 2006 16:51 (twenty years ago)

a colleague of mine bought an Alfa in November, and has mostly been driving the Vauxhall Astra that his insurance company have supplied to keep him on the Road while the Alfa gets fixed (so far, an exhaust problem, the wiring/heating circuit and being smacked in the wing by an idiot pulling out his driveway without looking)

― Porkpie (porkpie), Sunday, 9 April 2006 17:02 (twenty years ago)

If the Alfa were a 2.4, I'd say go for it -- the bigger engine is more relaiable, gobs of torque, and you don't lose much in fuel economy. But it's the little engine, so only by it if you can stand owning a car that looks fast and goes SLOW.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Sunday, 9 April 2006 17:06 (twenty years ago)

i'd say the alfa, no contest.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Sunday, 9 April 2006 17:18 (twenty years ago)

SAAB 9-5 2.2l TiD estate car. "linear" (ie base spec, though SAAB base spec has loads of bells & whistles) '02 plate, 36,000 miles. FSH, in fact its previous (& first) owner was SAAB contract hire. :)

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Monday, 17 April 2006 14:23 (twenty years ago)

zzzaaab, more like.

i've decided i really, really want an alfa. one of the new breras, to be precise. maybe in a year or two ...

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2005/2005-Alfa-Romeo-Brera-SA-1600x1200.jpg

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Monday, 17 April 2006 20:48 (twenty years ago)

The 159 is stunning as well, and apparrently there are more coming soon as well, a cabrio should be hitting soon.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 17 April 2006 20:50 (twenty years ago)

what the fuck is with me and the big images this evening?

yes, the 159 is gorgeous, but ... LOOK AT THE FUCKING BRERA! especially in black.

i reckon i've got a good two years left in my colt. after which a second-hand brera will be MINE. (unless some horrific alfa-style reliability problems emerge. which they might well.)

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Monday, 17 April 2006 20:53 (twenty years ago)

Alfa and Fiat have been getting better in recent year, reliability wise.

You're right, the alfas look really good in black, silver is a stupid colour for most cars but especially on the alfas.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 17 April 2006 20:56 (twenty years ago)

traditionally, i feel alfas should be red, but for this i'll make an exception.

anyway: it's all a pipe-dream right now. (although, as an IAM member, i can actually get a discount on new alfas. ooh ...)

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Monday, 17 April 2006 21:07 (twenty years ago)

You're going to be the only person who can fit in a Brera :(

― stet (stet), Monday, 17 April 2006 21:08 (twenty years ago)

The 159 looks great in black. And Alfa V6s sound amazing, even if they do weigh a ton. Shame they're front-drive.

― stet (stet), Monday, 17 April 2006 21:09 (twenty years ago)

You're going to be the only person who can fit in a Brera :(

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Monday, 17 April 2006 21:17 (twenty years ago)

Currently I really, really want a VX220 turbo. Just because they're insane (sub 5s 0-60, no aids apart from ABS). I doubt I'd fit in that, either.

― stet (stet), Monday, 17 April 2006 21:47 (twenty years ago)

no aids apart from ABS

yes, it's called "driving" :)

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Monday, 17 April 2006 21:50 (twenty years ago)

The big-engined 159s and Breras are four-wheel-drive.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 08:12 (twenty years ago)

zzzaaab, more like.

Yeah, well...

The mighty load space in the back of the SAAB was what sold me on it. the Brera is somewhat lacking in this (as well as being out of budget) Likewise the new model. Maybe in a few years.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 09:06 (twenty years ago)

there aren't that many car threads, on ILE

― RJG (RJG), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 09:10 (twenty years ago)

There was a picture of a guy driving the Brera in Car last month. His knees are up on either side of the steering wheel. But it looks topp from outside.

― stet (stet), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 16:58 (twenty years ago)

there aren't that many car threads, on ILE

cars are usually either a dangerously dull or stupidly dick-waving topic. present thread excepted.

― stet (stet), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 17:01 (twenty years ago)

really? even with you and me on it?

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 20:06 (twenty years ago)

zzzabbb was a bit funny.

― stet (stet), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 20:14 (twenty years ago)

I imagine stet in any car to be somewhat like my 6 foot tall brother trying to drive my mini ("can I take the driver's seat out and just sit in the back seat?")

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 18 April 2006 20:27 (twenty years ago)

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