Help ! Car info

[HeyWayne]

My Brother-in-law has an '03 Laguna (2.0T) and he says that he's running out of hands to hold onto the things falling off as he drives.

He borrowed mine once and as he gave me the keys for his he said "it has a series of characteristic rattles, squeeks and hums, but nothing to worry about". Getting back into my car was most comforting.

[Sprocket*]

They do say that Renault is an exciting drive. I have an 06 Clio with a swimming pool currently in the boot! Grrrr!!!!

[HeyWayne]

Just sold mine - to another dude called Wayne. Lovely.

Now, for my new one....

[Matt.]

I've got a 10 year old mondeo hatchback thats just passed the 150k mark. I bought it 4 years ago when it had 90k. No issues ever (touch wood) and I'd definitely buy ford again. I am thinking of swapping if for a bigger estate version but can't afford anything newer than 5 years old. Options I've looked are:

Ford mondeo - probably what I'll go for
Subarun legacy - nice looks, powerful engine, high insurnace and tax.
Honda accord - Expensive to buy
Toyota Avensis - Decent alternative to mondeo
Renault Laguna - Bad reliability reports but cheap and therfore could buy diesel
Volvo ? - Not looked at these
Vauxhall Vectra - Ok but I drove the hatchback
Saab 9-3 - Not looked at these

Anything else that should be considered?

[HeyWayne]

Ford mondeo - probably what I'll go for
Subarun legacy - nice looks, powerful engine, high insurnace and tax.
Honda accord - Expensive to buy
Toyota Avensis - Decent alternative to mondeo
Renault Laguna - Bad reliability reports but cheap and therfore could buy diesel
Volvo ? - Not looked at these
Vauxhall Vectra - Ok but I drove the hatchback
Saab 9-3 - Not looked at these

Anything else that should be considered?

Subaru is also thirsty.
Laguna will fall apart
Volvo - V70 is the one you'd need to match the Mondeo size wise, but you'll struggle to get one on budget I'd suggest, and the V40 will be too small. V50 is too new to fit budget (I looked at Volvo too).
Vectra - my brother has one and it just doesn't feel very well put together compared to many.
Saab 9-3 - a Vectra in a posh frock. Not bad, but not as big as I'd expected.
The Honda will be expensive to buy, but shouldn't cost you anything more - they are built to last.

Have you looked at the Passat?

If you use Autotrader.co.uk you can set your criteria and select "estate" as type of car. You'll get a lot of MPVs and pickups appear on the list, but you might also find some you'd not considered.

Good luck dude.

[Snadger]

Just another vote for an old Mondeo................didn't think I'd like it but it gets me from A to B in relative comfort, is cheap to run and (dare I say it)hasn't broken down yet!

[janeyo]

I hate my Mondeo with a passion. I hate it so much it is the first car I have not even given a name too. Can't even put my finger on why I hate it so much.

Think I would go for something German to replace yours, they go on forever.

[allotmentlady]

i love mondeos, going to get an estate next year! mmmmmmm

[Matt.]

Thanks I'd forgotten about the passat. I expect them to be a bit pricey but its been around a while so could be some options.

[janeyo]

i love mondeos, going to get an estate next year! mmmmmmm

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! You are brimming with wrongness A-L

pmsl

[Hilary B]

I had a diesel Passat estate for several years. That was A reg (84?). Never let me down, reasonably economical for its size. A bit underpowered, but a great workhorse.
We now have a Kangoo Trekka. Has its positive side, but I wouldn't recommend it. Reliability, mediocre (could be worse, but....). Internal space, great. Fuel, rather thirsty for performance.
Previous car was a Skoda Felicia. They stopped making them about the time we wanted to replace it (which is why we bought the Trekka). That was a nice car for what we wanted.

[NOG]

I would say if you want releability you have to go Japanise or German.