[Chappers 71]

The e92 has to go, as some of you may have read in some of my other posts a inexpensive interim estate car is needed so we can take our dog out with us.

First choice was either a 5 or three series tourer but they are to expensive & have to many miles.
So I had considered an x type jag but after doing a AT search for estate cars I was pleasantly surprised with the choice of cars out there for less than 5k.

The reason for posting this is that hopefully some of you may have experience & opinions on some of the cars listed below & will be able to enlighten me with your input.


Subaru Legacy 2.0 R sport 2006 104k £2200
Audi A6 avant 2.4 se 2006 89k £4495
A6 avant Quattro 2007 97k £3600
Saab 9-5 2.3 hot aero 2007 99k £1900
Saab 9-3 2.8 T aero sport wagon 2005 130k £1700 or 2006 84k £3800

[hazkirby]

Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8t gets my vote.

Stage 1 is around 320hp so will match your 335i.

I think they look great.

[creepy coupe]

Mazda 6. I've had mine 30 months and done 25k miles. it's not missed a beat. You can get a very tidy one for under 5 bags.

[Chappers 71]

I will have a look at those, cheers creepy

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

I will have a look at those, cheers creepy

Just one example

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...to=5000&page=1

[imy]

Alfa 156 GTA - rare as hens teeth in estate format but one of the best looking wagons imo

https://www.alfaholics.com/cars-for-...portwagon-143/

Edit: not that rare it seems. out of budget though

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...v6-24v/7393304

v6 busso engine is immense, i absolutely loved my alfa!

159 looks tidy also

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-car...159-sportwagon

[Dann]

Saaaaaaaaaab would get my vote.

[RajB]

For me the Saab or A6 quattro.

[smuler]

Some friends had a very reliable Mazda, similar age to one in the ad: so that gets my vote.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by imy

Alfa 156 GTA - rare as hens teeth in estate format but one of the best looking wagons imo

https://www.alfaholics.com/cars-for-...portwagon-143/

Edit: not that rare it seems. out of budget though

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...v6-24v/7393304

v6 busso engine is immense, i absolutely loved my alfa!

159 looks tidy also

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-car...159-sportwagon

Don't think I could live with the unreliability, or is that rep unwarranted?

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by RajB

For me the Saab or A6 quattro.

I also fancy the Quattro, it's a lot of car for the money, but how expensive will it be when it breaks?

I've always been a BMW guy apart from a little dallying with VW when I first started on my driving adventures, so I have no idea about any of these cars.
Realistically I'm not looking for something that'll be a long termer that I'll want to spend money on modding.
I want something that's inexpensive to buy & run, is reasonably entertaining to drive, comfortable with some decent toys & be able to put the lumux of a dog in the back

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by smuler

Some friends had a very reliable Mazda, similar age to one in the ad: so that gets my vote.

Had a look at the mazdas & there not for me but thanks for taking the time to post

[imy]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Don't think I could live with the unreliability, or is that rep unwarranted?

I always over maintained mine, I never followed the manufacturers recommended service intervals and mine ran like clock work. Never let me down. One of the finest, worse mpg car I have ever had. Every drive was an event.

[imy]

eBay item 332269608569

[abeardo83]

A6 avant / avant Quattro. Makes most sense.

[Stahliniho]

My neighbour is selling his A4 2.0 tdi Quattro 2007 avant S Line 50k in the clock, just had cam belt and water pump replaced and service done too.

Has two tone black/grey leather heated seats and nav - dark blue in colour.

I'd be all over it if it was an auto, but it's a manual.

Think he wants a touch over 5k for it

I can try and get pics if you want?

[Chappers 71]

Thanks for the thought but I couldn't own a diesel car, not even an estate

[Stahliniho]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Thanks for the thought but I couldn't own a diesel car, not even an estate

No worries, its a lovely car - kept very well. But I understand haha.

[bfleming]

Subaru Legacy 2.0 R sport 2006 104k £2200 - thirsty, not the quickest, but different!
Audi A6 avant 2.4 se 2006 89k £4495 - not their finest engine, and avoid the Multitronic auto
A6 avant Quattro 2007 97k £3600 - which engine?
Saab 9-5 2.3 hot aero 2007 99k £1900 - I've had 3 9-5's, I loved them but couldn't bring myself to back to one now
Saab 9-3 2.8 T aero sport wagon 2005 130k £1700 or 2006 84k £3800 - Rear legroom in the 9-3 is a disaster, worse than my E90 (I drove a few hundred miles in one to Spa 24hr last month - it was a 2.8 Turbo X, very very fast indeed)

If it were me I'd buy an E61 with your engine of choice. There are not many big petrol engined ones out there, but loads of 520d / 525d / 530d, and even a few 523i/525i's. Like the E9x, the E6x's are very specification dependent, so make sure it has what you want at the start.

The 156 suggested above is way too old school now, so maybe a 159?
As boring as it sounds, you could do worse than a Pug 508 SW.
Avoid an Insignia.

[as400]

A6 3.0tdi

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by as400

A6 3.0tdi

I do like the A6 but my conscience wouldn't let me own a diesel

[Chappers 71]

As I won't be able to drive for the next 6-8 weeks following my knee op my search for a estate car is postponed... & the fact that I've had zero interest in my e92 335i