Advice needed: Estate car purchase, economical but big enough to sleep in!

[gjclayton]

Hi all.

Just wondering if anyone can offer me some advice?

I have been given some cash and hopefully will be starting a new job soon with better pay. I live on the outskirts of London and want to buy a car to use for trips out of the city and for holidays.

I have about £1000 - £1500 to spend absolute tops.

I would like an estate car that can fit all our kit in and maybe, just maybe could accomodate two adults sleeping in the back if needed.

I've been looking at old Audi Quattro estates (bit pricey), BMW estates, Volvos etc and even Subaru Forester's etc.
I have looked insurance and most seem to be popping up at about £800 a year for casual driving. This wouldn't be used to commute etc. I am 32 and male by the way!

Can anyone offer some experience, or advice as to what I should be looking for and what is realistic. I'm open to any suggestions and although I know and estate car isn't going to be too economical that is a consideration for me.
I think a full size 4x4 might be too big for where I live by the way.

Thanks for your help. I look forward to reading your responses!

Cheers.

GJC

 

[bopdude]

HI GJC, my first tip would be look further North for your motor, the prices down there are sky hi in comparison, I've recently had to stop working but spent the first 6 months this year living and sleeping in a Citroen Picasso, plenty of room with the seats taken out, how much kit will you be looking at ?

 

[gjclayton]

Thanks for the advice on where to buy.

When you say how much kit. I assume you mean how much to pack in.

I try to pack light and it's just me and my partner. So two sleeping bags, two kit bags, that kind of thing. If I was to find a good older estate I would even consider converting the boot to carry items securely and have a made to measure sleeping system. But really, we pack lightly, I wouldn't be lugging cookers and gallons of water etc. Not at least until the western world falls and we're on the road, avoiding militia and zombies etc!?

I suppose the big thing for me is the opportunity to sleep two beside each other, flat out. I know that many volvos, bmw, audis are big enough for this... I am about 5' 10" so not a big chap.

Cheers!

 

[mountainm]

but spent the first 6 months this year living and sleeping in a Citroen Picasso, plenty of room with the seats taken out, how much kit will you be looking at ?

I got 2 armchairs in our xsara picasso (old style) - with the back seats taken out it's practically a van (they come out really easily it's all very modular - you can remove 1, 2 or 3 of the back seats. It's our second one, never had any major issues.

 

[Dogoak]

Plenty of diesel estates are economical, 50mpg area. Generally diesels are more cost effective if you are racking up high mileage.
The Quattro's, Foresters, etc; are good cars, nice and comfy with all mod cons for distance driving but will invite higher insurance premiums.
Personally I would be looking for an older vehicle with low miles and FSH, they are around but it will require consistantly scanning adverts, internet, etc; and patience!

If it was me I'd be looking around car sales sites, see what would be acceptable re. size and your requirements and then do some internet research.

 

[gjclayton]

Thanks. Great advice. This is all a big help. I'm not ready or in a rush to spend yet so I have time to consider my options.

 

[jmagee]

I wouldn't get a too low mileage diesel as they can have problems. Think you've got a good selection of reliable brands to look at. The insurance quotes are crazy though.

 

[gjclayton]

To confirm, those quotes were for the BMWs and Audis, Subaru etc... and I have no no-claims as I haven't owned a car for a while.
But I am going to keep my eyes open!

Cheers

 

[Philster]

I have a Mondeo Estate TDCi - will do 55mpg+ if careful and has a humungous boot with the seats down. And yes, you can easily sleep two in the back Cheap, to - I paid £1700 for a 54 plate a year ago.

 

[mrcharly]

Avoid audis and bmw, garage costs can be high. Parts are expensive.

 

[rik_uk3]

Fiat Doblo would fit your needs.

 

[sausage100uk]

are you sure you want an estate? what about an MPV, We've just bought a citroen Synergie 7 seater, all the seats come out (me and the boy are trying out sleeping in it tonight) and they can be picked up quite cheap (mine was £850 for a 51 plate with 150k miles). Apparently the 1.9 HDI engine is really good and if the cam belt has been done wont need anything but oil changes until 200000 miles. Insurance wasnt dear either, it cost me only £30 more than the 1.4 Pug 206 that I had before. ill get some pics of the setup later if you want.

 

[gjclayton]

Noted.

The issue with seats that need to be taken out totally is that I don't have anywhere to put them if they aren't in the car!? But worth looking into!

 

[gjclayton]

Plus images would be great!

 

[mountainm]

Noted.

The issue with seats that need to be taken out totally is that I don't have anywhere to put them if they aren't in the car!? But worth looking into!

You could put two of them on the front seats - they fold up.

 

[*Dusty*]

Small van as an option?

My dad had an old model Volvo 740, boxy shaped one with loads of room in the back for sleeping.

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Vectra estate is huge inside. Good economy and cheap to repair if it's needed.

 

[jandude]

Honda Accord estates are rare but cheap - they're pig ugly but go forever! I'm on my third in 12 years. All good condition and cheap as chips. Petrol version does about 36mpg and insurance is affordable. They're big, too.

 

[Robbi]

Skoda Octavia 1.9 Estate Diesel.

56 to the gallon on a run, FULLY loaded with big roof box, massive, class leading boot with the seats down, reliable and easy to insure....

 

[sausage100uk]

Plenty of room for me and the boy plus kit.

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