gavin.starr Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 I currently have my supra and a polo g40 project. Im going to sell the g40 as i just want something reliable as my supra seems to keep letting me down recently. Im after an estate car as i hump quite a lot of junk around and want something a bit more practical for camping trips etc... Can any one recomend me a good reliable estate car, i would love a rear wheel drive one but im not too fussed if not, oh and preferably a manual Gav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Sounds like you want a BMW really, though Volvos, Passats and A4s are good value for money if you don't mind FWD. Volvo V70 and 850 T5s are hard to ignore at this price, though not the frugal choice! From your list of wants, an E34 525tds would be an excellent choice. Most are high mileage, but they're very tough cars. Just make sure it's been regularly serviced. The E39 is a fantastic car, but a potential money pit compared to the E34. Speaking of money pits, the Vauxhall Omega, Vectra and Saab 93 should be avoided! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Volvo V70 with around ~100k miles for that, not RWD though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l33wgn Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 as above id go for the volvo's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavin.starr Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 Just spotted this, Just around the corner from me. Bit over my price range but im sure i could ask the missus for a loan untill i sell my other car. http://www.cornergaragevolvo.com/products/view/146 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Just spotted this, Just around the corner from me. Bit over my price range but im sure i could ask the missus for a loan untill i sell my other car. http://www.cornergaragevolvo.com/products/view/146 I used to have one of these when I was a sales rep. Not a bad car, but not exactly entertaining to drive (is basically a Mitsubishi Charisma underneath ) Nice-ish interior though and it seemed dependable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 (is basically a Mitsubishi Charisma underneath ) Really? I didnt know that. As above really, you wont go far wrong with a Passat, Audi etc, what about a Skoda Octavia? Basically a Passat but you'll get a newer car with better spec for the same cash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish_Al Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 My winter car is an Audi A6 Avant 2.5tdi. Between 500 / 600 miles to a tank. Cant fault it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozz Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 One of the best cars and cheapest I ever owned was an old omega mv6 expolice estate. 3 ltr (or maybe 3.2, can't recall), lpg conversion, lowered, uprated cams (all done by police). I bought it off my mechanic for a few hundred quid as I needed a car quickly whilst mine was being worked on. I took that omega all round wales as a contractor, driving it through north wales is one of my fondest memories, good power, amazing ride and comfort. Only had it a few months, sold then shortly after the head gasket went - water pipe had come loose and they cooked it. I also like the passats though, supposed to be good cheap cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobgoblin Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 How about a Mitsubishi Legnum VR4? Its got 4wd, with very trick suspension. 2.5 TT V6, loads of room, and well within budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Some stagea's go for that sort of money. http://pistonheads.com/sales/3075473.htm http://pistonheads.com/sales/2836038.htm http://pistonheads.com/sales/2777080.htm Cheapy cheapy would be a volvo 940 or 960 estates. The 940 2.3 turbo has lots of cheap power upgrades available and all are RWD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobUK Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 What about a subaru? I have an impreza wagon and a mate has the legacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 REAR wheel drive Volvo. Can't beat them. Bit thirsty, but offset by loads of cheap used bits, and superb reliability. My last one did well over 300,000 on same engine and box and diff. Current one is a youngster at about 180K. They don't rust much and are far better built than the newer FWD models. They can be fun, too. Saw this on my "totally rust free" saved Ebay search today: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170679233699&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123 Exeter though, but looks a decent one, should go cheap. http://www.gatesgarth.com/volvo_estate.mpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Always makes me smile when I see that video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 REAR wheel drive Volvo. Can't beat them. Bit thirsty, but offset by loads of cheap used bits, and superb reliability. My last one did well over 300,000 on same engine and box and diff. Current one is a youngster at about 180K. They don't rust much and are far better built than the newer FWD models. They can be fun, too. Saw this on my "totally rust free" saved Ebay search today: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170679233699&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123 Exeter though, but looks a decent one, should go cheap. That one is a volvo owners club car quite a well known dude on their forum by the looks of it. I am looking/buying a 940 myself next weekend because of this thread lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I really like the V90 (just a face lifted 900 series Volvo) but looks cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I have a V90. one of three 3 litre manuals in the UK, apparently. Which is no great deal to me as I would have preferred an auto, but this showed up a few years back with low miles and full history in the local car auction. Needless to say I have knocked seven bells out of it and the last owner wouldn't recognise it nowadays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 What power can the Volvo B230FT engines make while still being fairly reliable Chris? I was told around 400BHP?... and that rods are a weakness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Not sure, they have smaller crank bearings, it was an "eco" engine for better MPG figures. The older B23 and B21 were much stronger with steel cranks in some as standard. I still have a lot of Volvo engine stuff as yet another of life's projects is to build another 240 or ideally a 242 ( 3 door). I used to get a reliable 330 BHP (real BHP as in engine dyno) on blow through carbs and a really basic ignition ECU. I still have some serious engine bits, Group A and full race cams, race turbos, external wastegate exhaust manifold, big valve head, all sorts of stuff, but probably wouldn't sell them http://www.turbobricks.com (maybe .net) is where the fans hang out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Is the V90 RWD as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Of course, I wouldn't willingly have a FWD car at all, even as a road car, they are just built for cheapness and passenger space. RWD rulez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Oh bum!! Maybe I need to look around for a decent V90 That said you reckon the 940 turbo redblock is a good engine for upgrades? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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