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Original poster

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

50 replies

MuffinMclay · 06/10/2007 13:58

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.

OP posts:

BrownSuga · 06/10/2007 19:17

...so dealer took the hit on initial depreciation

ChasingSquirrels · 06/10/2007 19:24

VW passat here aswell, I had it from 18mo and it is now 5yo. Had a problem with the coils just before the warranty ran out but they replaced them all - apparently it was a common problem due to the coils at that time (don't ask me what the coils were). No other repairs/maint issues.

ChippyMinton · 06/10/2007 19:28

Has to be the mondeo. I have the original estate, my parents just got a cracking deal on the last model estate from Trade Sales. If i could afford it i would get a new one.

Reliable, cheap to maintain, fast, huge boot, room for 3 car seats in the back...and I can change the lightbulbs in 2 minutes without a manual. What more can you ask?

lilolilmanchester · 06/10/2007 21:22

OK Muffin, there are enough people voting for the Passat Estate on this thread for you not to be able to discount it without really looking into it. Mine's a company car, so no personal pride to protect here, just think it's a fab car.

lilolilmanchester · 06/10/2007 21:22

coleyboy · 06/10/2007 21:29

I used to have a Saab 95 estate and I adored it. The boot space is second to none. It was comfortable and the spec was great. I especially loved the climate control which could be set differently for the driver and passenger.

We now have an Audi S6 estate, dp loves it, but I want another Saab. Therefore the next car will be a Saab 95 estate!

kindersurprise · 06/10/2007 21:58

Had to smile at the Alfa Sportwagon. Fab looking car but I believe the boot is a bit on the small size for a double buggy and a couple of dogs! And if I remember rightly, it is pretty high up for lifting things in /for the dogs to jump in.

We have a BMW 3series, but I see you do not want one, you would not get buggy and dogs in there either anyway.

VW Passat is huge, and you get a lot more for your money than your Audi.

I have an ancient Ford Escort and have always been happy with it in regards to reliability and service costs. The Mondeo is a good size. My DH's family all drive Fords as a friend of FIL has a Ford dealer. Admittedly, they do get a good deal on services and repairs but still, the cars have all proved reliable and cost effective.

Original poster

MuffinMclay · 06/10/2007 22:09

Think I'll have to consider the Passat now, as it seems to be so popular. Even dh is almost persuaded (normally raises his eyebrows in a despairing fashion when I say something is recommended on MN).

Yes, Alfa have somehow managed to produce an estate with a smaller boot than the saloon version, I believe. Looks nice though (as estate cars go), and the dealership is the easiest one for me to get to when things go wrong.

OP posts:

Jojay · 06/10/2007 22:14

We have an older Mondeo estate and it's great, BUT I find it realy hard to judge the length of the bonnet and keep bumping into things, much to DH's annoyance.

It may be just me being a rubbish driver but I'm not that short at 5'4", so it's worth bearing in mind if you try a mondeo.

wheelybug · 06/10/2007 22:23

My opinion may not count given that we have an Audi which I love but, I have a couple of friends with the Mazda 6 and they are very happy with it. I think it looks like a nice car and I think the boot is very roomy (dim distant memory of looking at them when we were looking and its something to do with the place of the wheel arches or something similarly boy-y and technical). My bro has a saab estate which they are very happy with too.

We test drove the volvo V50 which was quite disappointing.

wheelybug · 06/10/2007 22:24

LOL at Jojay and keep bumping into things - I do have an issue with the drivers side bumper and parking forward in car parks..... but then I am only 5 ft.

lilolilmanchester · 06/10/2007 22:24

Muffin, re Passat: only thing I don't like about it is that the doors seem quite high, so a few blind spots, but that might be the same with other estates too. You might want to check that out when you test drive various models. Also, we had the cargo management system fitted (probably not unique to Passats)found it worth every penny - basically adjustable straps going across the boot so you can keep what ever you're carrying secure. Am not precious about my Passat, as much as I love it, so happy to answer any questions honestly if it helps with your decision.

CastsSpellsWitchySpells · 06/10/2007 22:25

Oh MM, don't get an Alfa. All their cars are shite and fall apart at the drop of a hat (dh had a GTV when I met him).

Saw the thread title and was going to come on and recommend the A6 until I saw it was you posting!

Why not a Merc? You've seen my new car haven't you? It's divine, and perfect for the country roads around here.

Have you considered a Skoda? The Octavia should fit the bill perfectly.

MummyDarlingSausage · 06/10/2007 22:35

I don't think vw's are the same quality they use to be. Personally I think Fords are better quality and feel more solid. We test drove a passat esate recently and it didn't feel as solid as the c-max we use to have. We have an Audi now

kindersurprise · 06/10/2007 22:36

lol at the Passats "cargo management system" being big elastic bands for keeping your shopping tidy. How many marketing executives did they need to come up with that fancy name?

lilolilmanchester · 06/10/2007 22:41

I know, it's a poncey name. Kinder. But, sad as it sounds, every time I use it I think " yup, we were right to get that". Sorry! But it is very practical.....

Jojay · 06/10/2007 22:41

YES wheelybug - it's the parking forwards in carparks that gets me every time!!!! LOL

Mondeo has many minor dents and scratches to prove it!!

I keep telling DH that that's what bumpers are for, but he's having none of it.....

lilolilmanchester · 06/10/2007 22:42

(and I'm not a "tidy" person - you should see my house - but there is so much boot space, you need something to keep important things like WINE and GIN from rolling about all over the place!)

moodlumtheWOOOHOOHOOhoodlum · 06/10/2007 22:47

I LOVE my volvo V70 which has a huge boot, and really importantly - you don't lose any space in the boot because the back is straight (rather than sloping cutting off the space at the top of the boot iyswim).

And some moron in a white van on the phone came into the back of me really fast and the volvo just absorbed it and me and dcs were lovely and safe.

kindersurprise · 06/10/2007 23:19

lol, lilolil, maybe I should look for that in my next car. I was chasing melons around the boot of my car recently. It sounds really practical, just the name made me laugh.

Bewilderbeast · 07/10/2007 00:24

I love my skoda fabia ambiente estate

It's not exciting but it's got an excellent engine, it's comfortable and the boot is mahoosive. I can get 2 dogs and pushchair and picnic in it. I live up an untarmaced road so if handles the lumps and bumps well. Does well in the city and on the motorway. It's probably not in the same class that you're looking for but it was affordable and it's good.

Original poster

MuffinMclay · 07/10/2007 14:05

My problem is with bumping into things at the back, not the front. I haven't actually done it yet, but I can't judge where the back is in relation to obstacles at all.

CSWS - your car is lovely, but I think it is a bit out of our price range (and it is huuuuge). I fear Mercedes would also be rather expensive to service and maintain.

I drove a Scoda Octavia a couple of years ago and really liked it, apart from the boot. It had an awkward lip that you had to lift things over. Newer ones may not have that problem though. The Fabia would be too small though.

I know the Alfa would be a stupid choice, but I like the look of it.

Think the Mazda looks nice too, but our nearest Mazda dealership is some distance away - it would be a pain in the neck to get it serviced or have anything done. Definitely going to try one though.

Volvo v50 is a contender. V70 is too long for me, and the V40 is too small (tried and failed to get single pushchair and 2 dogs into it once). The v40 isnt still with us is it?

The Mondeo has been ruled out. Lovely car, but very low ground clearance. It would be great on motorways, but would not cope with pulling into ditches at the side of country lanes.

OP posts:

CantSleepWontSleep · 07/10/2007 16:53

The solution to your problems is of course to get rear parking sensors!!!

themoon66 · 07/10/2007 18:20

That's why the Citroen C5 estate is so easy to park and manoevre... parking sensors all round

Original poster

MuffinMclay · 09/10/2007 12:09

We've had a couple of Citroens in the dim and distant past (not estates though). The last one went up in flames on a busy road in south London, which may be putting dh off considering another one.

Parking sensors sound good though.

The search continues. Dh is still keen on the Mondeo, and wants to look again at the weekend. I'm wondering about keeping the Audi for another 18 months, when the double pushchair stage might have passed, and then downsizing at that point.

OP posts:

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