End-run model of the Mark II CRV.

Carries passengers and luggage like an estate, 30mpg petrol, 40mpg diesel.

Reliability is exceptional. Did over 50k miles in 3 years in a petrol auto (from 30k-80k miles) - still drove like a 20k mile car.

With the seats up if has more boot space than almost any estate car (580 litres I believe) - not so good for very long loads as the seats tumble rather than fold flat.

Don't laugh until you try - they drive well, are comfortable, and can deal with pretty much any road conditions.

Edited by Lygonos on 16/12/2010 at 19:34

Thanks guys!

I won't be adding the Octavia though, I used to own a Mk1 on a 99T and it was the worst car I've owned. Had it 2 years and it had some major faults on it, the worst being the gearbox gave out at 80,000 Miles and Skoda didn't want to know!

Thanks Oil Burner, I have actually seen an Avensis at a Toyota dealer for £6495 with 47k on it. That was a 1.8 T3-X and I quite like it.

And I was considering the 1.8 as a good compromise between economy and performance. Although you say its ok if I don't want exitement does it handle well with little body roll? I currently own a 2001 Astra DTi that handles well enough for me, after all I'm not Schumacher. :)

When an estate is needed to last then a Volvo fits the bill ideally.

Only if you can stomache the repair bills and so-so reliability. Like so many other manufacturers, Volvo's reputation is based on the strengths of yesteryear. They're not even that big anymore now they've veered away from boxy designs. A £6k V70 is potentially a money pit for the unwary.

That's my opinion from owning a couple of recent Volvo's including a higher mileage V70, which is all you're going to get for £6k.

A well specced mk3 Mondeo estate, 2.0 petrol as the diesels have issues. The Mazda derived petrol has a cam chain, so no belt to change, easy to service yourself, easily accessible oil and fuel filter and sump plug.

At 70mph on the motorway it will do 40mpg, cheap to buy and insure, you should be able to get an 06 or 07 with reasonable miles.

I don't want a German car, I'm not a big fan of VAGs after owning 2 that had major problems. And I don't like the image of BMWs and Audis.

Really I don't want badge snobbery, just abit something less ordinary, less run of the mill if you know what I mean. So out are Vauxhalls and Fords, as this is the only time I've had abit of money to play with other than £1500 that I was spending on bangers.

Fair point, iCraig: I think Steve's right, and a Honda Accord which you also suggested at the beginning could fit the bill. For your bidget go for a petrol.

Saab and Volvo may be worth thinking about: Volvos are better to drive than they used to be, Saabs less so, and less reliable since GM took them over.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice. I've gone for a Volvo V50 in the end on a 2004 54 Plate for £5395 with 47k on it.

I've agreed to buy it and put a £100 deposit on it. But I have a few niggling feelings about the car after doing to investigations including a HPI check on it. The HPI check came back saying it has outstanding finance. I therefore called the finance co and they confirmed they had NO financial connection with the car anymore. Also the dealer advised me the car had 1 owner, HPI say differently, they say 2 former keepers excluding the current.

So I called the dealer for an explaination and he's told me he had a customer agree to buy the car and all the finance was accepted and the car was put into his name. But after this he realised he couldn't afford the repayments as he was apparently 78 years old (this all happened in July according to HPI). But to me its still ringing alarm bells and I don't know why.

Also looking at the photos on the net, the car was originally up for £6195 and now up for £5395, so he's obviously had it for a while.

Now if it was you buying this car, would you still have it? Bearing in mind its in very good condition with a full service history or would you walk away and possibly loose the £100 deposit? (I don't know if I'd get this back)

Thanks,

Craig

Hi Craig,

I've found the advert and it definitely looks as though the car was photographed in the summer. Personally I'm always wary of secondhand car dealers, unless one has been recommended. If you're concerned, I'd go with gut feeling. I bought a car this way, but my gut feeling said don't. The dealer persuaded me otherwise. I never had a worry free day with the car and lost 40% in a year. I'd have been better off losing my £100 deposit, which the dealer said he wouldn't refund because the car was as described. It wasn't as described, but it was his view against mine.

I hope this helps you.

This may not be the correct thing to do, but perhaps you could bill him £150 for wasting your time!

If you're going to buy from a dealer, I'd have thought a franchise dealer, for the make you're buying could be best. You will generally pay more for the privilege but you should get more peace of mind. I prefer to buy privately but it depends which method you're most comfortable with.