What estate car?

[Paddy]

I have a Citroen C5 Estate six speed automatic Diesel. What makes a really good estate car is the self levelling suspension. For loading there is also switch near the tailgate so the car can be lowered or raised for eas of loading. BTW, my neighbour also bought one to replace his BMW, he now thinks that BMWs are over rated.
Don’t buy new, its money down the drain

[BolshieBastard]

New baby. Own a BMW 1 series but too small now. Looking for an estate car for about £15k. So far have liked the 3 series estate but as I liked the old Beamer I may be missing better value options. So, big should out to all the dads who need to fill their cars full of tulip.

I love bimmers, me. I'd recommend the new 3 series Touring but they are outside your budget.

If you want a good estate, look no further than the new Skoda Octavia Estate (yes, really.) Starting at £16900, it is a little over budget but comes decently equipped (back end even looks bimmerish).

When my 3 Series goes, I'll seriously consider the Octavia or Rapid as they come in hatchback version too.

[Troll]

New baby. Own a BMW 1 series but too small now. Looking for an estate car for about £15k. So far have liked the 3 series estate but as I liked the old Beamer I may be missing better value options. So, big should out to all the dads who need to fill their cars full of tulip.

Get a 4X4 and cut out the intermediate estate car stage...I assume you will want more than 1 sprog


HTH

[Paddy]

I love bimmers, me. I'd recommend the new 3 series Touring but they are outside your budget.

If you want a good estate, look no further than the new Skoda Octavia Estate (yes, really.) Starting at £16900, it is a little over budget but comes decently equipped (back end even looks bimmerish).

When my 3 Series goes, I'll seriously consider the Octavia or Rapid as they come in hatchback version too.

Yes Skoda Octavia Estate, really tough and reliable and often used as taxis

[bobspud]

Crikey Saab cars are almost free now.

A 9-5 estate and spend the other £14K out of your £15K budget on something else.....

Sad isn't it Saab was a good choice of car in its day.

Mine was a seriously fast brat wagon that attracted no attention and kept my family safe.

I am going to treat myself to a New SL in the next month or so. If I go for the 350 it will only just be faster than my 95... I could always sell a kidney and take the 500 though

[d000hg]

With



On the back.

Is Volvo associated with God-botherers then, never knew that. I think these days either a beat up old Fiesta/Micra or a Prius would be more likely!

[gingerjedi]

Get a 4X4 and cut out the intermediate estate car stage...I assume you will want more than 1 sprog


HTH

Pound for pound 4x4's have less space, are slower and handle like boats, as a road car the only advantage is the visibility shirley?

[gingerjedi]

Is Volvo associated with God-botherers then, never knew that. I think these days either a beat up old Fiesta/Micra or a Prius would be more likely!

Kurt Cobain had a Volvo 240, paranoid about safety but blew his own head off whilst high on heroine.

[Troll]

Pound for pound 4x4's have less space, are slower and handle like boats, as a road car the only advantage is the visibility shirley?

Less space - with the 3rd set of seats down definitely, with all seats up - my 4x4 wins
Handle like boats - agreed
Slower - definitely

Ability to move seven people is useful once the sprog gets to school age
Survivability in a crash with kids is better
Winter travel is better
As your sprog gets older & you get toys like boats / caravans then towing ability becomes a factor

[gingerjedi]

Less space - with the 3rd set of seats down definitely, with all seats up - my 4x4 wins
Handle like boats - agreed
Slower - definitely

Ability to move seven people is useful once the sprog gets to school age
Survivability in a crash with kids is better
Winter travel is better
As your sprog gets older & you get toys like boats / caravans then towing ability becomes a factor

My wifes little Mazda 5 has 7 seats.

Crash survivability maybe but you could argue that you're more likely to crash a top heavy vehicle that takes longer to stop, as for winter driving the stopping is just as important as the going! Towing yes, it definitely pays to have bulk.

Each to their own I guess as everyone has different requirements, quick roomy and thrifty are mine so a 4x4 doesn't suit me but a 530d estate would.