Recommend an estate?

[mattblack]

Going to start looking for another estate to replace our MK3 Astra, Any ideas?

 

Needs to be:

 

1. Astra sized

2. Not too juicy, up to say 1.8? (diesel or pez)

3. Preferably easy to work on/no ticking time bomb 'they all do that' faults

4. Up to a grand

 

Not overly bothered about age, will look to get about 4 years out of it.

[warren t claim]

Daewoo Nubria.

[Richard]

Mk3 Astra?

[flat4alfa]

Austin Maxi

[eddyramrod]

I'd call the Daewoo Nubira a good choice for this spec. It's worth nothing, so you'll get it at the right price, and after 4 years it'll owe you nothing, you can't lose. The running gear is recycled GM so there shouldn't be anything frightening; engines were (from memory) 1.6 and 2.0 petrol. It came fairly well-equipped, so you won't be lacking in the creature-comforts. Sounds like an Autoshite dream to me...!

 

As a second choice: Hyundai Lantra. We had one, a 1997 1.6 GLSi, which was perfectly adequate, and again well equipped. it even had a built-in dog guard!

[Pillock]

Mk3 Golf. The estates are pretty unloved and usually a decent spec ("CL" sounds lowly but has some electrics, "GL" is top-end).

Get one with decent tax and test, in good nick, for well under a grand. 1.9TD is bulletproof and doesn't have anything in the way of common faults, only think I can think of on the rest of the car is the electric window mechs are made of spit and twigs.

Estates don't rust as much as GTI hatches as they've not got the watertrap skirts and arches.

[Mike D]

Hyundai Lantra, reliable, cheap, not particularly bad looking, and the 1.8's use the same 4G67 Mitsubishi engine as my Colt GTi does, and that thing goes like a scalded cat

[eddyramrod]

Mk3 Golf. the electric window mechs are made of spit and twigs.

 

...And priced as if they are solid platinum, delivered by a privately-chartered Jumbo Jet and fitted for you by liveried footmen with 44-carat gold spanners. But no, you have to pick them up from your VW dealer's and fit them yourself, if you can. Otherwise you get shafted again for the work. Plus VAT.

[Mr Lobster]

I'd say Mk3 Golf as well. Not exciting but if you find a decent one it'll be pretty dependable all things considered. Otherwise, Mk1 Focus might just be in budget?

[Pillock]

Mk3 Golf. the electric window mechs are made of spit and twigs.

 

...And priced as if they are solid platinum, delivered by a privately-chartered Jumbo Jet and fitted for you by liveried footmen with 44-carat gold spanners. But no, you have to pick them up from your VW dealer's and fit them yourself, if you can. Otherwise you get shafted again for the work. Plus VAT.

 

I fitted an aftermarket one after my drivers mech bit the dust (Sorry sporty_shite! Yet more tales of woe! ) Totally different design, cost me £20 secondhand. Didn't take too long to fit, 20 minutes all in. Helps to tape the glass to the window frame so it doesn't come out with the mech

[stoterstangen90]

Citroen Xsara

[pogweasel]

HORSEY HORSELESS

[dieselnutjob]

I'd say Mk3 Golf as well. Not exciting but if you find a decent one it'll be pretty dependable all things considered. Otherwise, Mk1 Focus might just be in budget?

 

B3 or B4 Passat (1988-1996)

all of the advantages, none of the cost

The TDI estate will do 47 mpg even driven flat out

I had one for years and it was the most reliable car I ever had, and another bloke from my church is still running it now

[Negative Creep]

Citroen ZX

[George-Roper]

For an A 2 B car with no fuss cheap parts etc you should think of Mondeo estates.

[lancashireclamper]

Early model Volvo V40, probably have a zillion miles on the clock especially if its diesel but will last 4 years no problem and still be worth something at the end of it

[Rocket88]

I'd say Mk3 Golf as well. Not exciting but if you find a decent one it'll be pretty dependable all things considered. Otherwise, Mk1 Focus might just be in budget?

 

B3 or B4 Passat (1988-1996)

all of the advantages, none of the cost

The TDI estate will do 47 mpg even driven flat out

I had one for years and it was the most reliable car I ever had, and another bloke from my church is still running it now

 

I'd second that. I've got one [a 94 BA td ] most economical car I've ever owned. B3s seem to rot more, unusually for a VW they're pretty well specced as well. You might also pick up an early Audi A4 dizzler as well, although they're not as good on juice.

[Cavcraft]

Astra Mk3.

 

I'd recommend a Passat but they're fucking rubbish and you'll want to set fire to it after about two weeks. I'd recommend a Mondeo but I've taken my tablets today.

[kinkersaab]

I'd go for a volvo v40 post 99my avoiding the god awful GDI mitsubishi engine, they are superb, and have usually belonged to the right kind of previous owners.

[Pete-M]

1.8 Petrol Focus Mk1.

 

Far better than an Astra, and with the added bonus of decent handling.

[garycox]

Astra Mk3 TDS.

 

Reliable, economical and you could get the best one around for a grand.

[Claypole]

 

I love mine that much this is the only picture I have.

 

163,000 on the clock cost me a paltry £400 taxed and tested plus a few more quid for a cash in hand timing belt replacement - only thing that bothered me about it with it having having no history.

 

If it breaks down I'll burn it by the roadside and run off as it's registered to my dad.

[pogweasel]

FORD LTD COUNTRY SQUIRE.

[Volksy]

Chatsworth.

[Guest]

 

Try Hirst he may have a family truckster still in stock

"You think you hate it now, but wait 'til you drive it"

[AnthonyG]

Petrol 1.8 Ford Focus. Nicer than an Astra/Golf 3, although less choice at this price.

 

You would get a very good Mondeo 1.8 Mk2 (oval grille) for that money, but one might be a bit big for your needs.

[M'coli]

Playing devil's advocate here, but what's wrong with the current Astra estate that it warrants changing?

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

I recommend every small estate available for under £1k

[dieselnutjob]

[M'coli]

I had the VW version last winter - not bad, doorlocks are fragile, understeered like hell, seats gave me shoulder ache - but the 100hp engine was poor on economy, about 30-35mpg only. When will VW learn that 5th gear's meant to be an overdrive ratio?