I like questions and I’m always super-happy to take a run at them, even if the details are a bit patchy. But hey, that gives loads more space to feature four-wheel solutions to straightforward enquiries such as this one: “I’m looking for an estate car for about £6000 pounds.” Let’s get stuck in.
On the face of it that is a pretty straightforward scenario, and the estate car format is very underrated as a load lugger. You really don’t need a van with windows when a compact rear seat-folding estate answers all the practical issues you could ever want to pose. Our £6k budget is a reasonable amount, and there’s a ton of options with an automatic gearbox.
The Mercedes-Benz C180 Blue Efficiency in Sport spec is interesting because it will do around 39mpg and a 90,000-miles 2010 example is within budget, plus I think it still looks very contemporary. It’s a posh way to shift stuff, too.
When it comes to a compact hard worker then a Ford Focus makes all sorts of sense, and they can be great value, like the high-specification 1.6 Titanium Navigator I stumbled across at a car supermarket. It was a 2014, so relatively recent, and had just over 60,000 miles. So yes, all the toys you would need, including climate, sat-nav, Bluetooth and cruise, and only £5500. There are bits and bobs to add because it is a supermarket, but what a great buy.
The classy alternative to a Focus would be a Volkswagen Golf, and for the same money you would have to dial back to 2012 and find a 1.6 TDI with 73,000 miles. Same money as the Focus, but it has a DSG dual-clutch auto ’box which isn’t everyone’s favourite.
Something bigger? It has to be a Volvo V70, and a 2.4 D R-Design SE with a full service history from 2010 and just over 100,000 miles is the perfect combination of practicality, style and value. It will do 40mpg, if not a lot more, and has a decent turn of acceleration as long as it’s unladen.
Back to Ford for a huge estate option, and that’s the Ford Mondeo. They are absolutely massive. Great value, too. A 2013 2.0 TDCi Zetec with 73k miles, not to mention a full MOT, a 12-month warranty and even a rescue service membership all included. That’s all in for £5700, unless you can negotiate lower.
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How is a Golf "Classy" Compared to a Focus?
You mean a cheaply made over-priced car sold by an organisation that actively chose to pollute our planet?
Get real. Your credibility just evaporated.
Nicer interior
Blimey, a bit worthy but dull
Blimey, a bit worthy but dull no?
I'd add the Subaru Legacy. For that price you could get one of the best R Spec Bs, preferably manual with the panoramic roof. Finding them with ok mileage is a challenge but you'd have a workhorse that's great to drive. Or the diesel if you need 40mpg.
And why not an old Peugeot 508 GT wagon ? 200hp diesel, semi-auto and decent mpg. If i recall they also had a unique suspension setup to the others in the range.