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which new estate car
AndyW - 7/1/14 at 03:38 PM

Hi Guys

I don't normally ask these kind of questions, as the ones I see stray too far from original question. Anyway here goes.......

Need to order a new car. Budget list price up to about £26k

I want an estate car or hatch with mahoosive boot.

Number one choice for my personal preference is Mondeo Titanium X Business Edition. Reason, it will be a company car. I want lots of nice toys, in particular cruise control which I use a lot.

I go camping with the family so space is important, although I do have a roof box that why I will look at hatch's.

So, other than the Mondeo (which I like) what other cars are "good" in either estate format or hatchback?

I'm not too bothered about problems people have had with wipers packing in, or the bulbs blow often etc, rather than a good cruiser, comfort etc. I do about 35k miles per year.

Thanks

Andy


jeffw - 7/1/14 at 03:44 PM

Honda Accord....


richard thomas - 7/1/14 at 03:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by AndyW
Hi Guys

I don't normally ask these kind of questions, as the ones I see stray too far from original question. Anyway here goes.......

Need to order a new car. Budget list price up to about £26k

I want an estate car or hatch with mahoosive boot.

Number one choice for my personal preference is Mondeo Titanium X Business Edition. Reason, it will be a company car. I want lots of nice toys, in particular cruise control which I use a lot.

I go camping with the family so space is important, although I do have a roof box that why I will look at hatch's.

So, other than the Mondeo (which I like) what other cars are "good" in either estate format or hatchback?

I'm not too bothered about problems people have had with wipers packing in, or the bulbs blow often etc, rather than a good cruiser, comfort etc. I do about 35k miles per year.

Thanks

Andy


That's what I've got on order, due next week - looks very well specced I think....low-ish co2 as well, 120g/km for the 163 bhp....that's what swung it for me....


pekwah1 - 7/1/14 at 03:58 PM

I had an accord (albeit a saloon) but it was a lovely car!
Came with loads of toys, although the mondeo does look good....


HowardB - 7/1/14 at 04:03 PM

merc 200D, which I couldn't afford, or the astra sport 2.0D which I could afford,. it is quick, and cavernous too

very low Bik and Ved


britishtrident - 7/1/14 at 04:16 PM

You can a Volvo V70 under that price limit even without getting a decent discount and your company might stretch to a bit more because of the higher residual value.


scottfraser - 7/1/14 at 04:29 PM

I've got a 63 Mondeo estate Titanium Business Edition so the same as the one you're going for with a few less toys. Since I got in October last year I've done some 13,000 of the most bland miles ever.

It's not a car to get particularly excited about.

Before I got it I was looking at pretty much every estate on the market and the surprising best was the Skoda Superb estate. Really surprised me...

Mine is going back to Ford as the company I was working for decided to let me go just before Christmas so there will be some deals on a 13k nearly new Mondeo coming into the Ford leasing set up next week. Your company might be able to get a deal on it as opposed to waiting the 6+ weeks as they're all built to order.


nick205 - 7/1/14 at 04:34 PM

Boring I know, but for me it has to be German; VW Passat or Skoda Octavia. Octavia is hard to beat as an overall package, the Passat is slightly larger if you really need the space.


nick205 - 7/1/14 at 04:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scottfraser
Before I got it I was looking at pretty much every estate on the market and the surprising best was the Skoda Superb estate. Really surprised me...
.


Which is the last model Passat refreshed as a Superb


Norfolkluegojnr - 7/1/14 at 04:49 PM

I drive an 13 plate A4 Avant and its been pretty faultless, but if it was my money I'd probably go for the Passat.

You mention it'll be a company car - so I presume BIK etc is relevant? If so the Audi residuals are good, and if you have the TDIe model, the emissions are very low.

The base spec these days is SE, which includes cruise, climate, elec windows etc. To be honest, the only thing id add if I could would be a tow bar.

I think list price is 28k, but i'm sure you could find someone punting them at 26 without an issue.


Davey D - 7/1/14 at 04:52 PM

If you want a MAHOOOSIVE boot then its got to be the Volvo V70 ... or next step up is a funeral car


gregs - 7/1/14 at 05:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by scottfraser
Before I got it I was looking at pretty much every estate on the market and the surprising best was the Skoda Superb estate. Really surprised me...
.


Which is the last model Passat refreshed as a Superb


+1 for the superb


Mr C - 7/1/14 at 06:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by gregs
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by scottfraser
Before I got it I was looking at pretty much every estate on the market and the surprising best was the Skoda Superb estate. Really surprised me...
.


Which is the last model Passat refreshed as a Superb


+1 for the superb


+1 for a skoda (Octavia vRS estate) Superb a close second


sonic - 7/1/14 at 07:13 PM

Don't buy a Honda Accord, they are rubbish......

Let me qualify my statement before somebody says they are great!

I have an 2011 11 plate 2.2 Dtec EX saloon, it is my company car which i have had from new. it currently has 126500 miles on the clock and not 3 years old until 1st April.

I have had alot of company car in the 30 years i have been a sales manager and cannot wait to get rid of this in 2 months time.

Plus points, loads and loads of toys check the spec sheet out, you won't find many cars for the same money with that much kit.

Down side, very uncomfortable drivers seat once you have been in it for a hour or so long distance, high CO2 band for company car tax

Faults during my ownership, bear in mind it gets serviced by the main dealer every 11 weeks due to the mileage i do.

1/ Eats back tyres due to camber, when they get down to 2-3 mil they start thudding, the main dealer said this is called Stepping caused by the above and cannot be rectified.

2/ New track control arms at 25000 miles

3/ New steering rack due to knocking noise, Visited Honda 4 times before the fault was found

4/ 2 x Engine mounts

5/ New clutch slave and master cylinder due to pedal sticking at the botton randomly, something that took 2 dealers to identify

6/ New rectifier for the cooling fans, randomly stuck and caused the battery to run flat out side customers etc

7/ DPF knackers at 80000 miles, visited Honda 9 times to have this fixed, in the end it needed a new DPF filter which took 4 weeks to arrive.

8/ All the dealers i have visited and there has been a few are total rubbish, the afersales is terrible. i have found one exception and that is the Honda garage in Doncaster who have been very good.

Now before somebody says it must be a one off we have 11 in our fleet both 11, 12, and 13 plates and at least 5 have had new DPF filters, clutch problems and various electrical problems ALL have the stepping problems on the back end as discribed above.

Your choice but take it from somebody who drives 45000 miles a year plus, for the record i have never had any real issues with Volvos or anything German all of which have proved they can handle high miles with out any fuss

Mick

[Edited on 7/1/14 by sonic]


StevenB - 7/1/14 at 10:05 PM

I got a diesel Seat Exeo ST STech 170BHP back in April
It had 4500 miles and goes like the clappers
Bose IE
Leather seats
Xenon lights with the LED running side lights
SatNav
Cruise Control
Lots of nice bells and whistles that I suppose may come standard
on a few cars these days but ...I like them.

Remote flip up wing mirrors
Dimming rear view mirror.

I used to drive a 2006 A4 S line Avant and
its essentially the same car with a new bonnet.

S


matt5964 - 7/1/14 at 11:00 PM

+1 for the Skoda Octarvia VRs... very nice car and the 184bhp lump is very strong drives well too, lots of kit and very smart looking.


DavidM - 7/1/14 at 11:11 PM

I like the look of the Mazda 6 tourer. They all seem to be available within your budget.

David


johnny chimpo - 7/1/14 at 11:24 PM

I had a 2008 Mondeo estate as my last car and absolutely loved it boot was massive. I changed to a Passat estate in 2011 one of the first of the facelift model. The Passat is a really good car and I enjoy driving it despite the crappy 1.6 Diesel engine (although good for the company car tax). The only reason I never went for another Mondeo was because it had been taken off our list of options.

Given the chance of a Mondeo or a Passat I would go for Mondeo, I think all vw's are starting to merge into looking identical and felt the Mondeo was just that little bit bigger inside.


Slimy38 - 8/1/14 at 06:23 AM

As an alternative, I might suggest a Kia Cee'd SW. Fantastic cars to drive, I'd buy a Cee'd tomorrow if I had the money available. Unfortunately because they're so highly rated, they're holding their residuals a bit more than my budget can handle.

I've had a few as hire cars and they are really highly specced. I think the only thing I didn't like was the rear view camera, it was mounted in a vulnerable position and by the time I got to my destination after a rainy drive I was looking at a blurred mush. But I did my driving test the old fashioned way, where we learned to turn our head round to see where we were going...


joneh - 8/1/14 at 07:44 AM

I know you mentioned estate, but how about a crossover like the Mitsubishi Outlander? A bit of 4x4 is got to be useful for camping?

Edit - trying not to stray too far!

[Edited on 8/1/14 by joneh]


AndyW - 8/1/14 at 08:02 AM

Thanks for the reply's, keep them coming. Some interesting options. I don't want anything really like the vrs Octavia as the ride is way too hard for the kind of miles I do. I like to get to my meetings relaxed, not with back ache! (But that's just my opinion) Don't like the look of Honda's, and I used to have a cross over (kia sportage) and it had a smaller boot than my A4 saloon.

Like the Seat, but is it just like Passat, superb etc?

So, I will go and have a look at the Volvo (never thought I would say that) and compare it to the mondeo for size, spec and BIK etc

Thanks again, got lots to think about.


Slimy38 - 8/1/14 at 09:14 AM

quote:
Originally posted by AndyW
Thanks for the reply's, keep them coming. Some interesting options. I don't want anything really like the vrs Octavia as the ride is way too hard for the kind of miles I do. I like to get to my meetings relaxed, not with back ache! (But that's just my opinion) Don't like the look of Honda's, and I used to have a cross over (kia sportage) and it had a smaller boot than my A4 saloon.

Like the Seat, but is it just like Passat, superb etc?

So, I will go and have a look at the Volvo (never thought I would say that) and compare it to the mondeo for size, spec and BIK etc

Thanks again, got lots to think about.


If you think the Octavia is harsh, the Seat won't suit you. In my humble opinion while they do share floorpans and suspension setups, Seat tend to aim for the firmer side of things.

The Kia Sportage is such a bizarre thing, I had one briefly as a hire car. It's a massive car but I filled the boot with a couple of large cases!! I thought I was using it wrongly and it had a false floor, but when I lifted the panel I found the spare wheel. Such a waste of space, a bit better thinking and it would have been much better.


joneh - 8/1/14 at 10:04 AM

I'm currently looking for 4x4 with a big boot and it's difficult. The outlander is the biggest with my budget or a mk2 CRV... Looked at a Jeep Patriot and it's smaller than my wife's Polo!


nick205 - 8/1/14 at 10:36 AM

quote:
Originally posted by AndyW
Thanks for the reply's, keep them coming. Some interesting options. I don't want anything really like the vrs Octavia as the ride is way too hard for the kind of miles I do. I like to get to my meetings relaxed, not with back ache! (But that's just my opinion) Don't like the look of Honda's, and I used to have a cross over (kia sportage) and it had a smaller boot than my A4 saloon.

Like the Seat, but is it just like Passat, superb etc?

So, I will go and have a look at the Volvo (never thought I would say that) and compare it to the mondeo for size, spec and BIK etc

Thanks again, got lots to think about.


The Seat Exeo is built on the previous generation Auid A4 I believe, so not as big as the Passat or Superb (which is built on the previous gen B6 Passat).


amalyos - 8/1/14 at 11:07 AM

I sold my Mondeo estate last year and still regret it. I towed my Race car for 2 years with it and had no problems.

My previous car was BMW 3 series touring, and I hated it, the ride was to harsh and there was no room in it.

If you want big and toys, you can't beat the Mondeo.

As for those that say their boring......it's a big estate, not a sports car!!


nick205 - 8/1/14 at 11:14 AM

quote:
Originally posted by amalyos
As for those that say their boring......it's a big estate, not a sports car!!



Very true.

That's probably why most of us are here enjoying weekend cars


AndyW - 8/1/14 at 12:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by amalyos
As for those that say their boring......it's a big estate, not a sports car!!



Very true.

That's probably why most of us are here enjoying weekend cars


Very true, and that's why I keep going back to the Mondeo.

As for the crossovers, like has been said, loads of room inside, but the kia sportage has a full size alloy wheel in the boot, space which could have been used for luggage. If it had a space saver and a bigger boot, I probably would have kept it.

I think that to conclude my search and the great answers I have got, I may well be going for a Mondeo. Time will tell.....unless someone else throws something else into the ring


mitch2b - 8/1/14 at 12:09 PM

we have a 12 plate v60 d3 (5 cyl diesel) only 136 bhp but pulls well, very very comfy and in r design nav lux all the bells and whistle's, list is something like 32 k, but ours with detachable tow bar was 26k , now done 23k miles with just a gear selection prob, but was sorted quickly ,

may not have the boot space you require, but very nice comfy cars, tax is £30 a year too, so another plus,

and its sky blue , which makes a change from the usual boring colours of Volvos ,

hth
Mitch


swanny - 8/1/14 at 12:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by joneh
I'm currently looking for 4x4 with a big boot and it's difficult. The outlander is the biggest with my budget or a mk2 CRV... Looked at a Jeep Patriot and it's smaller than my wife's Polo!


subaru forester any good?


rsmith95uk - 8/1/14 at 12:34 PM

I had a Mondeo hatch (1.6 ecoboost) a couple of years ago and can say that the boot is absolutely massive (bigger than the space in the Focus Estate I currently have). When I purchased it, it was to replace an A4 Avant (2005) 2.0 tdi and can say that I didn't notice any reduction in load carrying ability. The engine was a revelation - smooth and plenty powerful enough. I could get 50mpg on longer runs without trying too hard. Build quality isn't as good as the Audi.


Paul AS - 8/1/14 at 01:13 PM

Ive got a 10 plate Mondeo Titanium X sport 2.0 ecoboost petrol with powershift DSG box, do 15k miles pa, quite varied, tow a 1300KG caravan for about 2000 miles of the 15k and it returns 26.1 MPG regardless.

This car has every conceivable bell and whistle that I will ever need. Full postcode Sat Nav, Adaptive Cruise, Heated and AC seats, Bluetooth phone and media, USB connectivity etc. etc. The boot is humungous!

To get this spec in a new German car would push you well into the £30K+ bracket. As an Ex-demo I paid £17.5K with 113 miles (yes really) on the clock against a list price of over £34k, which in the real world you would have probably paid about £28/9K.

The DSG box is outstanding! The only irritant is 26mpg!

The car is now nearly 4 years old and probably worth between £8 and £9K, but its just too damn good to swap!

Blue oval all the way for me!!


amalyos - 8/1/14 at 01:31 PM

quote:
Originally posted by rsmith95uk
Build quality isn't as good as the Audi.


Interesting true fact, verified by me.

How much actual Leather is in a Partial Leather seat?

Ford Focus: all material that touches you is leather.
Audi A3: 1 seat cushion bolster panel, all the rest is vinyl!!!

Don't be fooled by the German badges, their power is the brand, the product is not always what is expected!!


richard thomas - 8/1/14 at 02:57 PM

Glad to hear that there are some Mondeo fans, I was going to cancel my order.... but as stated above it does seem to tick the boxes for bells and whistles....and leather/alcantara interior to boot.

I was a bit worried that on those towing car/caravan online matching tools it is close to the weight limit for towing my 1195kg caravan (don't tell anyone - that I have a caravan, that is...), but if others are managing it should be ok.....seems plenty powerful enough on the spec sheet.


AndyW - 8/1/14 at 03:37 PM

looked at a few options now, and it looks as it will be the Mondeo 2.0tdi titanium x business edition. It just ticks all the boxes, loads of space, good BIK and CO2.

It just comes with all the toys that I want and more. Just need to decide on colour......

Now the difficult choice begins, I always have black cars, although I'm now leaning towards a metallic blue. How hard can it be to spend someone else's money......

Thanks again guys for all the feedback








Andy


Paul AS - 8/1/14 at 05:44 PM

Black looks great for about 20 miles after its been washed - and then looks like you can't be bothered for the rest of the week!!


richard thomas - 8/1/14 at 06:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by AndyW
looked at a few options now, and it looks as it will be the Mondeo 2.0tdi titanium x business edition. It just ticks all the boxes, loads of space, good BIK and CO2.

It just comes with all the toys that I want and more. Just need to decide on colour......

Now the difficult choice begins, I always have black cars, although I'm now leaning towards a metallic blue. How hard can it be to spend someone else's money......

Thanks again guys for all the feedback








Andy


Deep impact Blue


Slimy38 - 8/1/14 at 06:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Paul AS
Black looks great for about 20 miles after its been washed - and then looks like you can't be bothered for the rest of the week!!


My wife has another view on black cars... she refers to our road as being a funeral house car park, based on the number of dark coloured cars!! (Her own car is bright red, the only 'colour' in the whole street!)


AndyW - 8/1/14 at 06:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by richard thomas
quote:
Originally posted by AndyW
looked at a few options now, and it looks as it will be the Mondeo 2.0tdi titanium x business edition. It just ticks all the boxes, loads of space, good BIK and CO2.

It just comes with all the toys that I want and more. Just need to decide on colour......

Now the difficult choice begins, I always have black cars, although I'm now leaning towards a metallic blue. How hard can it be to spend someone else's money......

Thanks again guys for all the feedback








Andy


Deep impact Blue


That's what I was thinking!!1


jps - 8/1/14 at 07:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
As an alternative, I might suggest a Kia Cee'd SW. Fantastic cars to drive, I'd buy a Cee'd tomorrow if I had the money available. Unfortunately because they're so highly rated, they're holding their residuals a bit more than my budget can handle.

I've had a few as hire cars and they are really highly specced. I think the only thing I didn't like was the rear view camera, it was mounted in a vulnerable position and by the time I got to my destination after a rainy drive I was looking at a blurred mush. But I did my driving test the old fashioned way, where we learned to turn our head round to see where we were going...


I've got a Ceed SW, really like it, looked at the Superb estate too and would rather have had the skoda really but it was ridiculously big!


richard thomas - 8/1/14 at 08:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by AndyW
quote:
Originally posted by richard thomas
quote:
Originally posted by AndyW
looked at a few options now, and it looks as it will be the Mondeo 2.0tdi titanium x business edition. It just ticks all the boxes, loads of space, good BIK and CO2.

It just comes with all the toys that I want and more. Just need to decide on colour......

Now the difficult choice begins, I always have black cars, although I'm now leaning towards a metallic blue. How hard can it be to spend someone else's money......

Thanks again guys for all the feedback








Andy


Deep impact Blue


That's what I was thinking!!1


It looks close to that Ford ST type blue...I loved that colour....

Got news today that my delivery date has now moved back a week to next Friday...more than a bit annoyed.....