Help me find my friend a good family car

"duurtlang" (duurtlang) 08/06/2016 at 17:35 • Filed to: None

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He has a 3 year old and a 4 month old kid (and a wife). Oppo knows best, right? Can you find him a good car wagon ?

Little background:

He’d like a wagon.

His yearly mileage is around the break even point between diesel and gasoline here, so both are acceptable. LPG might be even better, but is rare.

He has a slight preference for an automatic, but a manual is totally fine.

He drives fast, especially when it comes to cruise speed. In the long run he’s perfectly capable of destroying a relatively underpowered car with his right foot. He has before. This is from a European perspective, so high cruise speed is 160 km/h (100 mph), and underpowered = >12s 0-100 kmh (60 mph) or so. I’d guess something with a top speed of 200 kmh and 0-100 kmh =< 10 seconds will be fine.

He’d prefer something with some driving involvement. So no mainstream Toyotas or similar. He also doesn’t like Opel.

He’s short (barely 180 cm or so, 5'10"), and his wife is a lot shorter, so headroom isn’t a factor. Neither of them is obese.

He’s keen on good seats.

Budget is about €5k max.

Location: the Netherlands

You don’t have to find me a specific car on a used website (although you totally can!). Suggesting a certain brand and model is fine.

He somehow has his mind set on Volvos (V50, V70), but is totally open to other suggestions. I told him to just take a few out for a test drive. The size of the Volvo V50 is the perfect size, according to him.

Laurence > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 17:41

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These requirements seem like an e46 or e39 estate would be ideal. €5k gets you a fairly nice one now

duurtlang > Laurence 08/06/2016 at 17:42

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Aren’t those money pits? Serious question. Good suggestion though, I’ll see if I can find a nice one close by for him to test drive.

TheHondaBro > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 17:44

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First gen CRV? Those things weren’t bad.

jkm7680 > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 17:49

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Yes they are.

Steve in Manhattan > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 17:50

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Volvo, or a Saab if he’s brave. And, where he is, can he get that Mazda 6 wagon?

Laurence > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 17:51

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It seems to be pretty mixed - some people say they’re expensive, but I’ve heard other people say that if you keep them well maintained they’re okay. I’ve heard that early and mid 2000s volvos have some pretty expensive problems as well though

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 17:53

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A mk4 Mondeo perhaps? It is basically the same car as the V50, though maybe it has a slightly different final tuning of the chassis, as an attempt to keep Fords handling reputation high, which probably leads to a bit more involved driving, though I’m not sure of that.

Or a late mk2 or early mk3 Laguna, those are about the same size as the V50. Late mk2 ones don’t have nearly as many problems as the early ones, though the name Laguna will forever be connected to the electrical gremlins of the early mk2.

Cé hé sin > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 17:53

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I’m sure he could find a Mondeo or Insignia that would fit the bill. 2.0 diesel, you can get automatics if need be.

MultiplaOrgasms > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 17:54

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Vectra Caravan.

Jokes aside, a Honda Accord Tourer would probably suit them well. I’d go for the 7th gen as it is a lot more practical than the 8th gen and has the same engines anyway. Being a Honda it should be a solid, trouble-free allrounder with some pretty refined engine options. It even has a volvoesque shape.

duurtlang > TheHondaBro 08/06/2016 at 17:55

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That’s an oddball suggestion and will be very hard to find here. Worth a try though.

Being a crossover and a Honda it’s probably driven by old people so might be in better than average condition.

duurtlang > Steve in Manhattan 08/06/2016 at 17:55

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Yes. Mazda 6 was one of my first suggestions.

duurtlang > MultiplaOrgasms 08/06/2016 at 17:59

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Hondas are hard to find here as it’s such a niche brand. Great suggestion though. A 2005 or so will be around his price range.

duurtlang > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 08/06/2016 at 18:00

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I’ve seen a few late mk2s for sale and they’re cheap and offer a lot of attractive car for the money. I know the early mk2s were horrific and the late ones aren’t, but are they really good enough to suggest to one of your best friends?

Steve in Manhattan > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 18:01

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We can’t get them here in US ‘MURRICA because Mazda thinks there’s no market for them. They might be right.

Also, he could probably get a Jetta or Passat TDI wagon cheap if they’re still permitted on the road where you are ....

duurtlang > Cé hé sin 08/06/2016 at 18:02

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Insignia wagon is out of budget (and an Opel), with the cheapest I could find a 2009 with 320k km for €7k. Mondeo is a good suggestion though.

duurtlang > Steve in Manhattan 08/06/2016 at 18:06

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They’ll be permitted. Given the budget they’ll be too old for the recall anyway. Used VWs are overpriced though, even today. They have this unrealistic reputation of durability.

MultiplaOrgasms > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 18:13

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Of course I cannot break character and not suggest something italian as well. Enter the Fiat Croma. They hold their value so badly you can get some really nice examples around the €5k budget. Even in the Netherlands.

Depending on who you ask they’re either the most unreliable thing ever or dependable long-distance cruisers. As with all italian cars basically. My suggestion is maintenance and try to avoid short distances when appropriate.

duurtlang > MultiplaOrgasms 08/06/2016 at 18:20

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Hideous (imho) and still a great suggestion. Not a very common car, but like you said they depreciated mercilessly and you can get a young low mileage car for little money. I’ve suggested him one.

MultiplaOrgasms > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 18:22

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Just don’t tell him it’s on the same platform as the Opel Signum.

Under_Score > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 18:25

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RAV4. I have a 4 cylinder 2012 and it’s pretty fast. I don’t put two hands on the wheel and really get into driving though, but it goes over 5,000 RPM easily.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 18:26

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MK2 vRS combi diesel? I only say because I know; the seats are great, you can squeeze 60mpg out of it, 170hp with a good manual box, lots of space inside with a huge boot, and the CR engines have none of the DPF woes that I’m currently burdened with with the PD.

duurtlang > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 08/06/2016 at 18:31

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With this budget? Not going to work. Strong suggestion though.

Cheapest I could find: 2007, 250k km, €6900.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 18:39

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Hmm, well it’s probably not that involving to drive, and if it does get problems you will probably hear it, because you recommended it. I think it can’t hurt putting it on his list, though I wouldn’t put it above the rest of the suggestions.

duurtlang > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 08/06/2016 at 18:41

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Well, a Volvo isn’t the most involving either. But it’s not going to be as bad as a Toyota .

I’ll add it to the list with a disclaimer.

Steve in Manhattan > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 18:53

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Reliable? Spend 3 grand replacing all the ball joints in the front, then tell me again.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 19:05

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I’m surprised they still go for that much. I bought my PD ‘08 (everything ‘08 and before is the PD engine) in early 2015 with 71k miles on it for £7.4k OTR and even then I thought it a bit expensive, but it was in lovely condition with FSH so I bit the bullet. MK1 maybe? The Skoda /VAG 1.9TDI of that era was brutally reliable, but a bit gutless.

Laurence > duurtlang 08/06/2016 at 19:14

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I don’t think a mondeo would be too bad; I know somebody who’s had a few, including a mk2, he’s owned plenty of other cars you might be considering, and has said the Mondeo was one of the best cars he’s ever had. Plus, values of them won’t get any lower than they are now, so it seems a good chance to get a fairly nice example

Hoccy > duurtlang 08/07/2016 at 02:41

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I’d get a V70 over a V50 in that price range. Early V50's can be really bad cars, but they improved a lot towards the end.

What about a Saab 9-3 wagon? Those cars has aged well and parts should not be a problem. Especially the facelift seems like a good car with incredible seats.

boxrocket > duurtlang 08/09/2016 at 13:50

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Volvo V50 or V70. Also XC70.

Amoore100 > duurtlang 08/17/2016 at 01:35

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Um, V50 and two car seats? It would be really tight IMO. My dad used to struggle with our old 740 estate and that was a much more spacious car. Also, at least around here all FWD-based Volvo wagons need a budget of about $1000 after purchase to get them running ship-shape. For my dad’s V70, it needed a full front suspension overhaul and for my V50 it was electrics and engine oily bits. Granted, both of ours were bought with over 150K miles (240K km) on them so it’s a given they’ll need some maintenance, but after that they just keep running, my dad’s V70 is almost at 340K km! Gas milage isn’t amazing though, my 2.4i averages 17 and my dad’s T5 gets around 19, but that’s because I only drive very short distances and my dad commutes via expressway.

The other side of me says get a C5 estate. Screw good looks and reliability, if you’re doing that much highway driving just get something comfy, boring, French, and hydropneumatic.

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Then there’s the Laguna. Unreliable, boring, not really comfy, dull, and probably gets terrible mileage. I love it!

duurtlang > Amoore100 08/17/2016 at 02:57

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He finally bought a 2006 V50 yesterday. One with the mid range diesel option (the 2.0D), a six speed and almost all options. One owner car, dealer maintained and the seller (a shop) will install a new timing belt plus water pump and will do a full service before delivery. 220k km on the odometer and it looked pristine in pictures. I believe it will get a 6 month warranty. At €5700 I consider it a bit pricey, but not overly so.

They drove a Peugeot 208 and currently a Fiat Punto (newish) as company cars in the last few years and managed with those, so I guess the V50 is big enough. I did suggest they test fit those kid seats before purchase.

Those two French cars aren’t unreliable as far as I know. The 2.0 diesel in the V50 is the same one as in the Citroen by the way, it’s a PSA engine.

duurtlang > Hoccy 08/18/2016 at 09:21

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He eventually did get a V50. From 2006, a loaded version with the 2.0 diesel engine. It looks nice in pictures... Did he pick the wrong car?

Hoccy > duurtlang 08/18/2016 at 09:42

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Only time will tell.. At least it’s loaded with equipment, the base versions are very simple. There has also been reported issues related to how the engine cleans the diesel particle filter , but it doesn’t seem to be common. Checking the oil level regularly can also prevent it from happening.

Amoore100 > duurtlang 08/19/2016 at 02:41

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Awesome! I hope he enjoys it, they’re perfectly pleasant, comfy little wagons and a well-serviced one should do him well.

Seems fine then, I guess we just have different thresholds of convenience over here! If it ain’t a gigantic MPV, then it ain’t worth wrestling two car seats into!

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Yeah, I know the V50 used PSA DW engines but I don’t think the engines are the main issue in the Citroens, more the hydros, the electrics, and the body. As for the Laguna, well, I’ve only heard things like “I loved it, but I wished X broke less often” from owners so they’re a tentative prospect for now...