Estate cars - which do you love (and hate)?

[MuffinMclay]

We have decided to replace our Audi A6 with another estate car, but not an Audi. We would prefer to buy nearly new, to new (unless there was a very good deal on a new one).

We're considering:
Subaru Legacy 3.0 (if that is the manual one), although it is a bit ugly and fuel consumption isn't great
Alfa Romeo 159 sports wagon (but reliability concerns)
Mazda 6
Ford Mondeo (the new one)

Might consider a Volvo, Saab, Toyota

Wouldn't consider Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Vauxhall, Renault, Citreon.

The boot needs to accommodate a double pushchair (probably P&T), and at least one dog (but sometimes 2).
Other key factors are reliability, reasonable ground clearance, ability to cope with country roads, potholes, speedbumps, and reasonably priced parts, servicing etc.

Was just going to put that we are about to buy a BMW estate but you have said you wouldn't consider one. Our other choice was going to be the Volvo but BMW are doing a much better deal so they win

Think the Subaru may be off the list. Went to have a look at some this afternoon and found the visibility rather poor. I am very short (and hopeless at parking), so that is an issue. The chap at the dealership was really patronising and rude too.

I have had a VW Passat estate for a few years - spacious, reliable, comfortable, copes with he prolific speedbumps in sunny MK.

what's wrong with Citroen ?? we have 2 and always have had them - fab in my opinion !

You don't say why you wouldn't consider a Citroen. We have a C5 estate (company car) and it's fab. Diesel automatic. Easy to drive, a breeze to park and fitted three Ikea wardrobe flat packs in with no bother. Its taken us all the way down to south of France three times.

I love Fords generally, but haven't had an Estate so can't comment on them I'm afraid. We've got a Peugeot 406 Family Estate (it has two fold out child seats in the back to turn it into a 7 seater) It's fairly old (S reg) but so far it's been really reliable. You'd definitely get a double pushchair in the back with a couple of dogs, it was deep enough for us to get a buggy in lengthwise when we used one. Visibility is good, I've never had a problem parking.

I'm wondering how VW compare with Audi in terms of the cost of servicing, repairs, parts etc, given that they are near identical cars? Our present Audi costs us a small fortune to maintain, and things go wrong all the time (bit of a family joke now to ask what has gone wrong with the car this week).

new cars have 3 yr warranty, so no repair costs there. Servicing is a little cheaper than Audi (dh drives audis) and after 3 yrs I started to get a local garage to do the work not the main dealer.

I love Fords. Dh's old banger is a Ford and has been a joy to drive. Costs next to nothing to maintain too, and the dealership that we use for servicing etc are really helpful.

Going to try the new Mondeo tomorrow. Looks great on paper, but I'm a bit concerned that it has lower ground clearance than the Audi, and is even wider.

Can't remember why dh rejected the idea of a Citroen. Will ask.

If you are looking at the Mondeo you would be much better off buying a nearly new one as I'm sure that's the one DH said had the worst depreciation in the first year. Nice cars though.

In terms of cost, yes, but the new Mondeo is fab!

Agree with iota, Passat estates are fab.
We've just got a different car now and I am so missing the Passat. We had it for 4 years from almost new with no problems.
They are hard to find second hand though.

I know someone who has a Jaguar estate and it's pretty smart.

what about x type jaguar estate.. I have one and its great.

do I know you lycra silvertongue?

Just looked at your profile and no, you're not the same one. They're not very common are they but they're nice (if a bit on the pricey side).

they are a bit pricy, mines a company car, so don't really notice.

They are very comfortable to drive, we have had ours down to south of Italy for the last 2 years with no problems.

Only thing is, I will never get a black car again!!

Volvo V40.

Thankfully beyond the pram stage, but boot looks big enough to me.

Oh yes, dh was keen on looking at the Jaguar. That is on the list of possibles. Just worried that I'd have to take up golf and Sunday car polishing (the image I have of them).

We've got a Passat Estate, having had the saloon previously. Fab cars, both of them, but very pleased I've switched to the estate for transporting "stuff". Read a review once which described Passats as "Audi quality for Mondeo money" and would agree with that.

from MM's comments earlier I don't think "Audi quality" is a phrase to inspire her with confidence

Oops!

at Audi quality.

I know many people love them, but me and this car have never got on. When it was under warranty all the things that went wrong weren't covered, and since then lots of expensive things have gone wrong.

I love my Volvo! (XC70) Bit of a tank but v safe.

volvo v50 2.0 diesel turbo we LOVE it, it has some grunt

we got an exdemo model, so practically new