I bought a used 2002 Aero Estate, a 2.3 Turbo, 2 years ago for about £4500 and have loved the car.
It is practical - loads of room for a family
reliable - never let me down!
luxurious - leather, heated electric seats, etc...
safe - 4* NCAP
and VERY FAST! - 250bhp!
However, as it is about to reach 150,000 miles, I'm thinking about replacing it. The question is, other than a younger 9-5, what else is there that could compare? We'd be willing to go a bit smaller (perhaps a 9-3, maybe 3 series) and spend upto around £7000 - £8000.
I'd be interested to hear your suggestions.
|
|
Mondeo ST220 estate with all the toys.
|
VX Vectra estate- with 2.2 diesel engine- comfortable and fast.
|
As Sandy56 but VXR...grow two horns as you turn the key..;)
hmm wouldn't mind one of those meself.
|
|
|
The 2.2 Vectra diesel is not fast and is very unrefined, actually I nearly had a 9-5 with that engine in 2002.
A Mondeo Mk III estate with the chain cam 2.2 diesel, or an ST220 as Humph says.
A Volvo V70 T5, or 2.4 T.
A 530i/d.
Perhaps look for a low mileage Aero if you like it, an 04/05 with 50k ish miles would not be a lot of money.
|
|
|
|
|
Hmmm... all a bit Ford/Vauxhall so far. I was hoping someone could recommend something slightly more glamourous.
I just had a look on Autotrader at Vectra VXRs and Mondeo ST220s. I'm not really inspired. Something a little more subtle would be nice.
Perhaps there is something discreet, yet fast by Audi, Mercedes, BMW, VW, or Volvo?
also, I quite like the idea of a smaller car. The 9-5 estate is huge! as is Vectra estate, etc.
Keep 'em coming guys!
|
You might be advised to steer away from MB's up to 04/05, not their finest hour.
There is a rather nice example of a 52 330d auto estate in silver near me at a small BMW specialist (does repairs/servicing too) with approx 88K on the clock for £7.5K.
|
Surely some sort of Subaru Legacy would fit the bill? Wasn't there a 3.0 jobby?
|
|
Spec B Legacy Tourer ticks all the boxes your Aero did and a few more.
|
|
|
|
You might be advised to steer away from MB's up to 04/05, not their finest hour. >> >> I have to rspectfully disagree with that, there are hundreds of older Mercs giving good service, I've had three and only traded the C Class because I found a CLK I wanted.
Everyone I know who has a Merc likes them.
|
|
|
|
|
I'm thinking more of a luxury express
What do we think of a Pheaton or an A8?
I know they're even bigger then a 9-5, but they do look comfortable!
Isn't there a quick Passat?
|
A glamourous Passat? Now there's a challenging thought!
:-)
|
|
|
I think you might struggle to get a Phaeton for that money but Autotrader is a fine search engine!
A8 for that money....I'd never get to sleep at night worrying about what was about to cost me £2k to put right
|
Blimey, there's a Phaeton here for £6k! Little nervous about why it is as the ad says the cheapest in the uk!
bit.ly/9JCUe3
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volvo S60/V70 T5
|
|
It's still young. Run it until it busts.
|
What about a BMW 330i Touring? Might be a bit too small, but fantastic engine, no torque steer, reliable and long lasting, discreet.
Or an Audi A4 2.0T Quattro Avant?
|
|
How much do you expect for the old car? Might be worth risking running it until it breaks? Or is the trade-in/sale value factored in your buying figure?
|
|
I second the Spec B tourer or Outback options
|
if you can live without an estate- SKODA SUPERB with big petrol engine or diesel ?
|
|
X-Type 3.0 V6? Passat W12?
|
That was meant to read Passat W8 4.0. Theres one advertised near me for £6995 on an '03 reg.
They also do a 3.2 FSI........
|
|
|
|
|
Legacy Sports Tourer. 3 litre petrol in RE trim. Even more unique than the Saab, but better (more engaging) to drive and Japanese reliable. The flat four engine makes a really nice noise too.
|
|
|
