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Nov 20, 2021 16:03:59 GMT
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Hi. Looking for ideas for a retro estate for towing.
I want something simple to work on .. I would rebuild top of engine but no lower as that's not my thing. I would also do the other brake, suspension, cooling work etc.
Looking for something that doesn't rust too easily and isn't too electronic.
I used to have a focus estate I thought was reliable..until I sold it and saw how much money I had constantly spent on it.
Looking to spend no more than £1500.
It would be used for four/five tows a year max and round town mainly with the odd long trip.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
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Nov 20, 2021 16:27:38 GMT
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Are you bothered about fuel economy?
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neil79
Part of things
Posts: 140 
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Nov 20, 2021 17:31:38 GMT
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Depends how retro you want to go, there’s a nice carina on auto trader, a couple of nice volvos, ice Saab 9-5 and a nice pug 405 for sub 1500
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Last Edit: Nov 20, 2021 18:09:35 GMT by neil79
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Nov 20, 2021 18:39:33 GMT
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I can only speak re Peugeot 405 estates, I've had two, both 1.9 turbo diesels.
They are very capable, comfortable and economical with a cracking load space.
Both of mine succumbed to top end issues. One had oil coming out of the head and not where there was a joint or seal!
I never want to do the cam belt on one again, horrible job.
I have had a Volvo 960 estate but that had head gasket issues as well!
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Proton Jumbuck-deceased :-(
2005 Kia Sorento the parts hauling heap
V8 Humber Hawk
1948 Standard12 pickup SOLD
1953 Pop build (wifey's BIVA build).
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Nov 20, 2021 18:44:37 GMT
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What are you looking to tow with it? Caravan, car transporter trailer etc? It'll have quite a bearing on what you're going to need as a tow car
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Nov 20, 2021 18:52:05 GMT
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I had a 1996 VW Passat Estate and it was huge in the back, loads of rear seat leg room and drove really well.
I did 20K miles in it with only oil changes, a failed oil pressure switch and a precautonary cambelt change.
It was the 2.0 Petrol and the only thing I can say is it was a bit low geared and it only did 30MPG whether around town or on long motorway journeys.
If you could get a diesel one I reckon it would be the ultimate vehicle, it towed a car trailer with a mini on really well.
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Good estate?ballbagbagins
@ballbagbagins
Club Retro Rides Member 164
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Nov 20, 2021 18:56:40 GMT
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I had a e46 estate which was awesome. Back seats fold down flat so you could moonlight as an undertaker.
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Nov 20, 2021 18:57:21 GMT
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Saab 9-5 hot aero
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Nov 20, 2021 19:06:01 GMT
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Hopefully a B4 Passat was significantly improved over the B3 that it was facelifted from - the H reg B3 that my mother had in the late '90s had the most uncomfortable seats of any car I have ever travelled in.
+1 for Pug 405s. Much overlooked, and sadly rarely seen now, but a cracking machine as well as being one of the best styled cars of its era. My mother had a GRD (yes, no turbo..) estate before the Passat & I remember it fondly. My inlaws out in NZ had a petrol saloon which Mrs H & I used when out there. Think it was just a 1.6, but great to drive and it suited the South Island roads really well. I'd love a pre-facelift (I prefer the earlier interior) DT estate for my daily commute through the south downs.
A rwd Volvo estate, or an 850 would also be suitable - not sure if a decent rwd one is still in budget though. Avoid the 2.0 of either, as they are gutless - the larger engined ones are fine though.
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longman
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 506
Club RR Member Number: 3
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Good estate?longman
@longman
Club Retro Rides Member 3
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Nov 20, 2021 19:11:56 GMT
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Last Edit: Nov 20, 2021 19:21:59 GMT by longman
Paul
98 500 SL
86 911 Carrera/sold
23 Octavia Phev
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lilbob
Part of things
Posts: 419
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Nov 20, 2021 19:31:10 GMT
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If it was me I'd be looking at Saab 9-3 or 9-5
Vw Passat or Skoda Octavia
Or a wild card entry or Honda CRV or a ford galaxy
All are great cars
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paul99
Part of things
Posts: 410
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Nov 20, 2021 20:05:35 GMT
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In a similar situation here, load lugger with the possibility of camping dayvan potential. Looking at Volvo 850/V70, and possibly a Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra.
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Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
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Good estate?Rob M
@zeb
Club Retro Rides Member 41
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Nov 20, 2021 21:32:02 GMT
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Nov 20, 2021 22:48:57 GMT
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Not that retro really but, if you can find one that isn't rotten, which is rare, the first generation Mazda 6 estate. I had one for years, did 100k miles and it didn't skip a beat, despite me not really looking after it. Drove like a car half it's size and could fit half a house in the boot. It was practical, comfy and ultra reliable.  I can think of no better recommendation than to say if I could find another one that wasn't rotten I'd buy it as a daily without hesitation. |
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Hopefully a B4 Passat was significantly improved over the B3 that it was facelifted from - the H reg B3 that my mother had in the late '90s had the most uncomfortable seats of any car I have ever travelled in. +1 for Pug 405s. Much overlooked, and sadly rarely seen now, but a cracking machine as well as being one of the best styled cars of its era. My mother had a GRD (yes, no turbo..) estate before the Passat & I remember it fondly. My inlaws out in NZ had a petrol saloon which Mrs H & I used when out there. Think it was just a 1.6, but great to drive and it suited the South Island roads really well. I'd love a pre-facelift (I prefer the earlier interior) DT estate for my daily commute through the south downs. A rwd Volvo estate, or an 850 would also be suitable - not sure if a decent rwd one is still in budget though. Avoid the 2.0 of either, as they are gutless - the larger engined ones are fine though. Couldn't agree more about the seats, I had the misfortune to have to drive one from Glasgow airport to Plymouth. It got so bad I was getting out or it at motorway services, well falling out would be more accurate, and lying on the tarmac next to the car for 10 minutes to put my back into shape again! A few people asked me if I was having a heart attack... |
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PHUQ
Part of things
Posts: 859
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Not particularly retro and I've never towed with it but I've fallen in love with my "stopgap" 406 estate, mine's an early one with the fairly unusual XUD11 engine. It's far more pleasant to drive (if a smidgen slower...) than the 2.5XT Forester it replaced. And it was only £750 a couple of years ago, although it needed tyres and I did do the cambelt as a precaution.
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Nov 21, 2021 11:05:09 GMT
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e39?
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Nov 21, 2021 11:30:34 GMT
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Thanks a lot all - I got some great ideas there! I will shortlist form this - what a good starting place! ta  |
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Nov 21, 2021 14:43:16 GMT
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 I ran a 406 hdi for a few years, which included quite a few miles with a caravan on the back, which it towed rather well. The only letdown were the electrics, which ended my relationship with mine. The problems started with a radio that wouldn't turn off, then wipers that would do 32 strokes before stopping when you only wanted one and finally the speedo packing up. Did 48 mpg however you drove it but liked to eat front tyres,although regular tracking helped as well as transforming the way it drove. The only mod I did was the addition of coupe wheels,but I did often hanker after a remap, as this one was the lowly 90hp. |
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Nov 21, 2021 17:47:26 GMT
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A couple of people mentioned SAAB 9-5 estates - great cars, but the manual gearboxes (don't know about autos) are a bit weak as they are basically Vauxhall Vectras in a bigger body, so the gearboxes are under more strain. Mine developed a whine! So maybe not the best for towing.
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Old Fords never die they just go sideways
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