SWMBO has decided we are going camping in France this summer, and gone off and booked it. So my normal tactic of not doing anything until it's too late isn't going to work this year

So I need to think about getting another tintop to fit all the associated sh*te in along with two kids. Will need to get down a fair way into France without breaking down.
Not really my thing as I've always gone for small cars in the past, and the budget is tight so can't go for flash or new - somewhere around £2-3k.

Thinking about something like a Mondeo since they seem cheap as chips, presumably all ex-rep galactic motorway miles. So anything to watch? Diesel or Petrol? Hatch or estate? Anything else I should consider?

Bought an X reg (new shape) Mondeo for 3K with 62000 on the clock from a small dealer not 8 months ago. I didn't haggle too hard, he only wanted 3600... FSH 1.8LX
P.S. Old shape mondeos are very easy to clock.
I'm very happy with it.

I ran a 2 litre mondeo (petrol) as a taxi was very reliable,only problem I had was the pulley bearings went at around 100'000 miles onwards .I think there was two or three of them went one after the other.rear suspension bushes went at 120'000 plus a rear shocker.Overall it was a reliable car and only started getting problems at 100k onwards but nothing major and i always managed to drive it home or to a garage.

what about something like this

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/148715.htm

or there are some st24 for less than 3k on there.

An old transit van that's what you need. Cut some windows in the side add a few cabinets from IKEA, a cheap sink and pump, some carpet and there you are your own camper van! much cheapness…

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
An old transit van that's what you need. Cut some windows in the side add a few cabinets from IKEA, a cheap sink and pump, some carpet and there you are your own camper van! much cheapness…

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Good clean reliable vans are like gold dust.

With the kind of mileage you intend to do reliability is a major issue, also fuel consumption. You will also want a car with air conditioning.

Mondeo are cheap and very reliable but once they have done a big mileage they feel tired, they sag and creek -- pretty awful to drive any distance in.

Rover 600 -- cheap and VERY reliable lots of good very cheap low mileage ones around that have been cosseted by retired bank managers. The Honda engined models come in 1.8, 2.0 and 2.3 litre versions. Only two faults on these cars are the raddiators and the distributor module, renew the raddiator before you go and carry a spare dizzie with you. Even the best low mileage top specfication example of the very last year of production 1999 bought from a dealers four court should cost less than 1200 pounds. Watch the postcards adds in the local Morrision and you might find a real cracker for 700.
The 600s can do interstellar mileages without needing anything done.

The 600Sdi diesel version is also pretty good but is rare and all have long gone to minicabs. The Rover 62 0Ti petrol turbo is a great car but gets abused because of its performance and the turbos and gearboxes suffer from unsympathetic drivers and lack of servicing.

[Edited on 26/3/07 by britishtrident]

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Originally posted by iank
The BMW idea is tempting, why are they so cheap? is it just the servicing/parts/insurance costs that put people off, or is there just no market for used beemers?

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Originally posted by Duncan_P

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Originally posted by iank
The BMW idea is tempting, why are they so cheap? is it just the servicing/parts/insurance costs that put people off, or is there just no market for used beemers?

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Arent BMW selling more 3 series in the UK than Ford are selling Mondaneo's?

I know that the 3 series is in the top 10 best selling cars in Europe (and the UK?) so that is going to have an effect on the used prices..... not that im complaining mind you as the prospect of a cheap second hand reliable RWD tin top is tempting. Now all i have to do is get over my stigma towards the current BMW's

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I had a V6 Mondeo. Excellent car. Rear bushes went at 55K miles - replaced under warranty so worth paying a bit of attention to this area. I also had to replace both rear handbrake cables at 50K, cost about £70 for them and a bit awkward to change. My only gripe was fuel consumption. Other than that a fantastic Motorway cruisr and town family car. I was continually amazed at how much space the hatchback had in the back with seats down. If anything it was larger than my current 3 series tourer.
At 75K miles it did feel a little looser than at 25K when i bought it but not too bad really. For the money defo worth considering.

I really like my 2002 320D Tourer but a bit more expensive. The BMW Diesel engine is great and i regularly return around 55mpg on a long run.

What about a Estate Granada Scorpio or the later Scorpio?

My Dad's Granada Scorpio was the largest, comfiest, car I've ever been in. It did 225,000 reliable miles before he sold it too and that included several trips to the South of France.

Can't be too pricey on ebay either I'd have thought.

HTH,
James



[Edited on 26/3/07 by James]

just taken in a 306 hdi estate in part-xat work, would prob be quite cheap/economical, half leather air-con etc, shame you are so far away!

[Edited on 26/3/07 by Ketchup]

If you want BMW reliabilty its got to be a diesel Rover 75. 2.0 BMW Diesel transmission in these superb vehicles.

Get the wagon version and you can't go wrong. Dirt cheap at the moment for cars that were 30K 3~4 years ago.

Think the 75 diesel is well over the mention price range mini cab drivers are snapping them up recently saw a 100,000 miler go for 5k at auction, although it was an immaculate one owner and on 54 plate.

[Edited on 26/3/07 by britishtrident]