D Beddows
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 07:48 PM |
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Family Estate type car for about 3.5K...
Has to be a Rover 75 Touring with the BMW engine....... doesn't it? I've spent a very depressing day driving round used car dealers and I
hated everything really, I would have bought another Saab several years ago but Saab is gone, the affordable 9-5's are starting to looking old
in a 'shed' type way and the 'new' 93 is too tight in the back really. Vectra's are horrible inside, Mondeos are ok but
just Mondeos....... I tried a few Japanese SUV's..... too 'Japanese' and fugly tbh, can't afford the Honda Accord I want
so......... ?????
[Edited on 6/12/13 by D Beddows]
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McLannahan
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 08:03 PM |
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C Class estate?
I can think of loads I'd have but depends on how new/miles you want for your money?
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T66
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 08:08 PM |
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Been there done that - 3 kids, buggies,dogs,windsurfers,canoes, walking kit, bla bla.
Its all about safety and space, reliability and comfort
Im SAAB pissed, my 9-3 Aero was a great car - what about a 9-5 estate ? if you want economy buy the diesel, if you want 300bhp buy the Aero
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-SAAB-9-5-1-9TID-EDITION-BLUE-/261348311157?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cd992c075
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Saab-9-5-2-3-HOT-auto-Aero-Grey-/271338224738?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f2d04bc62
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D Beddows
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 08:15 PM |
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I just want something that wont break down and cost a fortune to fix (rules out VW) or run, has lot's of room in the back/boot, is a nice place
to sit (rules out Vauxhall ), doesn't feel 'Japanese' (hard to describe that one!) and hopefully is slightly fun to drive - oh, and
needs to look OK in an 'executive' company car park - eccentric is fine, shed ish .....no 
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D Beddows
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 08:26 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by T66
Been there done that - 3 kids, buggies,dogs,windsurfers,canoes, walking kit, bla bla.
Its all about safety and space, reliability and comfort
Im SAAB pissed, my 9-3 Aero was a great car - what about a 9-5 estate ? if you want economy buy the diesel, if you want 300bhp buy the Aero
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-SAAB-9-5-1-9TID-EDITION-BLUE-/261348311157?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cd992c075
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Saab-9-5-2-3-HOT-auto-Aero-Grey-/271338224738?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f2d04bc62
They were all I drove for about 15 years - never got bored of the cars (9000's were better though- very few cars accelerate like an autobox 9000
Aero!) the little annoying stuff like the pixels on the SID disappearing, the climate control flap self destructing, horrible sloppy gear change on
the manuals and various other annoying little niggles put me off...... tbh I keep looking at them but I'm a bit over them tbh, especially as
Saab is gone as are most of the specialist aftermarket spares companies 
[Edited on 6/12/13 by D Beddows]
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Simon
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 09:10 PM |
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Saab will be back:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25180698
ATB
Simon
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morcus
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 09:27 PM |
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Have you looked at peugeots? The 407 is comfy inside and a good size.
For something a bit different, how about a Fiat Croma? Same platform as the Vectra and the 9-3 but a bit taller so more space inside.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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D Beddows
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 09:43 PM |
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407, actually a very nice car - engine good, nice to drive.......everything electrical WILL fail gradually and/or unexpectedly though, the actual car
will probably go on and be driveable forever however - no, it will/would annoy the hell out of me if it's 'my' car
Think I know where I'm going with this, if BritishTrident rates something (and he's not famed for it......) it can't be all bad so I
think a diesel Rover 75 Tourer it is :unknown:
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scimjim
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 10:30 PM |
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How about the same engine and manufacturer - Range Rover?
Get the right car with history and a late P38 is an absolute bargain IMHO.
Chuck as many kids, dogs, bikes as you want in the back, tow the race car to the track, jet wash it on Sunday afternoon and nick the bosses parking
spot at work on Monday morning 
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morcus
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 10:34 PM |
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You are right about the electrics on the 407, my father's frequently tells him that a bulb has gone or some thing else thats clearly untrue.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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nick205
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 10:55 PM |
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Skoda Octavia estate would be on my shortlist. Good to drive, good build, good value, look good (IMHO) and eminently practical. Lots to chose from
as well.
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dickie b
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 11:07 PM |
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I would suggest a Subaru Forester - well, I would do. I have recently bought one and it is possibly the best car I have ever owned.
Loads of space, cubby holes for kid stuff, 3 x 12v sockets, 7 cupholders (!), and functional in a chunky tough kind of way.
Drives like a car (rather than a wallowy 4x4), and is as happy cruising along the motorway as it is chugging through muddy fields.
I went for a non-turbo auto and even at 80k miles it feels like new.
Took a bit of hunting around for a nice one mind - but a good one is within your budget.
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dickie b
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 11:13 PM |
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sorry - meant to say..
yes the Forester is japanese. I have never previously warmed to any japanese cars for much same reason as you mention.. but the Subaru is sort of a
bit different from the regular 'SUV' softroader crowd.
dont ask me to explain it though !
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loggyboy
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| posted on 6/12/13 at 11:44 PM |
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Something more obscure like a Seat Altea?
Mistral Motorsport
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Norfolkluegojnr
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| posted on 7/12/13 at 08:31 AM |
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For the sprios, dogs and kit, I can recommend our Focus C-max. Loads of space, 4x4 ish driving position, v safe, cheap to repair, loads about so cheap
to buy, and despite the dowdy looks, drive well.
We may well have another when this ones dead, and I've never done that with any car previously.
Steer clear of petrels though as our 1.8 only gets 30mpg. The diesels are in the late 40s I believe.
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sebastiaan
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| posted on 7/12/13 at 09:21 AM |
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What About something like this?
Volvo estate
[Edited on 7/12/13 by sebastiaan]
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mark chandler
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| posted on 7/12/13 at 10:05 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by scimjim
How about the same engine and manufacturer - Range Rover?
Get the right car with history and a late P38 is an absolute bargain IMHO.
Chuck as many kids, dogs, bikes as you want in the back, tow the race car to the track, jet wash it on Sunday afternoon and nick the bosses parking
spot at work on Monday morning
P38's are very cheap, not expensive to fix but complicated, you are confusing this with a freelander which even shares the same floor pan!
My choice would be a Volvo, better engineered and even more robust.
[Edited on 7/12/13 by mark chandler]
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splitrivet
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| posted on 7/12/13 at 10:22 AM |
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Up your budget a bit then Smax one here gotta
be a diesel though.
Cheers,
Bob
I used to be a Werewolf but I'm alright nowwoooooooooooooo
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scimjim
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| posted on 7/12/13 at 08:53 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
quote:
Originally posted by scimjim
How about the same engine and manufacturer - Range Rover?
Get the right car with history and a late P38 is an absolute bargain IMHO.
Chuck as many kids, dogs, bikes as you want in the back, tow the race car to the track, jet wash it on Sunday afternoon and nick the bosses parking
spot at work on Monday morning
P38's are very cheap, not expensive to fix but complicated, you are confusing this with a freelander which even shares the same floor
pan!
Complicated? It's only nuts and bolts or wires and black boxes - I had all the usual issues over several years, including HGF, alternator,
transfer box, door lock, suspension air bags, key RF receiver and they were all cheaper to fix than a main dealer service on the car it replaced (and
I'm certainly not confusing it with a Freelander )
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mark chandler
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| posted on 7/12/13 at 09:07 PM |
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I ran 2 x 4.6 HSE's for a few years, did over 100.000 miles in each, just changed tyres, and fluids + 1 air bag, lovely cars but no rover 75
which is what the OP was comparing to at the start hence comment on the car.
Yes the 2.5 diesel had a BMW lump, the freelander had the baby BMW engine fitted in the rover.
I,d happily have another, did have to swap the height sensors left to right.
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coozer
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| posted on 7/12/13 at 09:17 PM |
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Well, I've just been quoted £1200 for a clutch.. needs a new flywheel he said// how do you know that I said?
So, engine out, new cambelt, new water pump, new clutch.. £210..
Last week the car was missing, cutting out occasionally.. so main stealer sucks his fat lip and turns his head to one side.. going Ooooooo..
Plugs my OBD in, tells me exactly whats wrong then £28 and 10 minutes later its all solved with a new crank sensor!
The whole worlds a rip off with new cars!
Time to start getting back to basics and fixing the things your self!
Get a Rover 75 with a Ford V8.
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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morcus
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| posted on 7/12/13 at 10:07 PM |
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Both my folks had simillar experiences recently, both with cars that got to about 5 or 6 years old then need a new clutch with a dual mass fly wheel,
then the next week my mum had the alternator belt snap which resulted in needing a new alternater, then a new battery, in the end it was cheaper to
buy a new car, and thats what they want you to do, I actually think all in it's cheaper to own a brand new car than used until you get passed 10
years old at least.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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Simon
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| posted on 8/12/13 at 12:43 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by coozer
Get a Rover 75 with a Ford V8.
I wouldn't That Ford V8 is so asthmatic, it's unreal. Needs severe thrashing to get anywhere, and it's only 260bhp in a car
weighing 1.7t = 150 bhp/t, and it does 22mpg all the time
I had the ZT260 and loved it, but modern performance diesels would be a far better option, with better performance, sadly.
My choice, cos I liked my last one so much and an opportunity came up to replace it with one of the last into the country is something like
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200990781870, just avoid certain models cos of the extreme rfl
ATB
Simon
[Edited on 8/12/13 by Simon]
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britishtrident
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| posted on 8/12/13 at 09:56 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
quote:
Originally posted by scimjim
How about the same engine and manufacturer - Range Rover?
Get the right car with history and a late P38 is an absolute bargain IMHO.
Chuck as many kids, dogs, bikes as you want in the back, tow the race car to the track, jet wash it on Sunday afternoon and nick the bosses parking
spot at work on Monday morning
P38's are very cheap, not expensive to fix but complicated, you are confusing this with a freelander which even shares the same floor pan!
My choice would be a Volvo, better engineered and even more robust.
[Edited on 7/12/13 by mark chandler]
I think you are confusing Freelanders and Discoveries and Range Rover Evoques with Range Rovers
The Range Rover P38 had a tradditional Land-Rover box section chassis as did the first two Discovery series.
The latter generations of real Range Rover, Range Rover Sports and Discovery switched to Ingerated Body Frame
The Freelander 1 used a modified Honda Ballade/Rover 400/Rover 45 floor pan, much smaller than the P38
Freelander 2 has a version of the Ford C1 floor pan shared with in different variations with the Ford Focus, Ford Kuga Mazda 3, Mazda 5 and
Volvo S70
The Range Rover Evoque uses a version of the same C1 floor pan as the Freelander 2 but is has nothing in common with the P38 or any other real
Range Rover
[Edited on 8/12/13 by britishtrident]
[I] What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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DIY Si
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| posted on 8/12/13 at 10:46 AM |
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Do the really sensible thing I did. Buy a BMW 330 touring and just forget that I'm getting 22 MPG! 
But I only do about 3K miles a year, so it doesn't really matter for me.
Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
My new blog: http://spritecave.blogspot.co.uk/
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