Replacement Car

[Erfolg]

My present car is now long in the tooth, having had it now, I believe for 8 years, so far of untroubled use (it is now 10 years old). I recognise that this cannot go on for ever, having done some 90, 000 miles.

I have also to say I have been and remain very happy wih the car. Even though it is pitifully slow, that is compared with the Porsche that it replaced. I no longer overtake, because speed traps abound where you safely can. Plus with age, I am that old codger who gets in the way, although not as slow as the couple who should have handed their licence in years ago.

The one failure of my cat is its carrying capability, I can only get small models in the boot, at about 1m. Bigger models are carried on the back seat. Sometimes I have to take the wings of, and then I am able to use the passenger seat in addition.

I have been thinking of buying a BMW 3 series GT. The reason being is that it has a tailgate, fold down seats. Has anybody got one? If so what do they think of it.

I am also considering a 3 series Touring, although I am really put of my estates cars reminding me of hearses. I am in no hurry to go in one.

There is also an option, I think, to get something more sporty, with style, which my wife would drive and I would take over her X1, As she will not allow two of the same cars, as in the Howard and Hilda syndrome.

At the moment I favour the GT, so any modeller experience?

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

Posted by Erfolg on 15/12/2014 23:01:30:

The one failure of my cat is its carrying capability, I can only get small models in

Erf - have you considered how this makes the cat feel?

BEB

[Tony Bennett]

get a volvo estate. job sorted.

[Simon Chaddock]

I have just bought my 'new' car and it has more miles on it than your 'old' one!

Edited By Simon Chaddock on 15/12/2014 23:33:48

[Peter Jenkins]

Skoda Superb estate diesel. If you want economy go for the Greenline, but if you're after a bit of press on go for the 170 HP version. You can get a 2 mtr fuselage behind a 6 ft driver.

[Vecchio Austriaco]

Estate is the answer. Question is how muddy it is the place where you fly - or rather the access road. Got stuck several times with my estate and changed to a 4wd version because of that.
Va

[cymaz]

Zafira or Merc Estate

[Vecchio Austriaco]

Mercedes estate digs itself in nicely. ..
How do I know
Tried it a few times ....
VA

[Steve Dorling]

THE ultimate aeromodellers car is a Ford Mondeo

Huge - fast - economical - cheap to repair - mine has 144 thousand miles on the odometer and runs like new - 100 mph cruising on the continent and 51 mpg doing it - what's not to like ?

[cymaz]

Oh yes! Forgot about the Mondeo? Had one for a short time with my old job. One of the most nicest comfortable cars I've driven.

[Dai Fledermaus]

"I have also to say I have been and remain very happy wih the car. Even though it is pitifully slow, that is compared with the Porsche that it replaced. I no longer overtake, because speed traps abound where you safely can. Plus with age, I am that old codger who gets in the way, although not as slow as the couple who should have handed their licence in years ago."

Do you wear a hat as well Erfolg?

[Vecchio Austriaco]

If Carl wears a hat he needs to look more on the suv side of the business
VA

[Cuban8]

For practicality, comfort and value for money, It's the Mondeo Estate every time. I've had mine from new in 2008 (2.0 Diesel) has 115000 on the clock now and has never let me down. Several club mates have expressed amazement at the huge boot when the seats are down and have gone on to swap their vehicles for a Mondy on the strength of that alone!. I can't imagine buying anything different when I do eventually replace it.

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

Posted by Tony Bennett on 15/12/2014 23:28:53:

get a volvo estate. job sorted.

Yeap - totally agree. I have a V70 with 180k on the clock - just nicely run in! Totally reliable, quite luxurious! And space by the bucketful. I've driven several Mondeos as hire cars with work - they don't come close!

BEB

[John Tee]

Ford Smax boot area with seats down 2*1.5 mtrs still leaves room for bits and pieces. 1800 diesel I find economical.

John

[Dai Fledermaus]

A Kia Soul in black, now that really does look like a hearse.

[Bob Cotsford]

I bought a mk 4 Mondeo estate a month ago to replace my old Focus estate - and this from someone who used to hate Fords! What won me over was the reliability of modern Fords, the low cost of spares, ease of basic maintenance and reasonable feature list in the mid range models. I could live comfortably in the back of the Silver Whale there's that much room.

If you don't want or need a 6'6" loadspace then the Mondeo or Focus hatchbacks are still pretty big inside, and as they're not German brands you ARE allowed to use indicators

[Silver Wolf]

Skoda Octavia 300,000 miles and just changed to a superb. The Octavia was very reliable and is still used to transport models and a general runaround.

What more can be said.

SW

[Andjo]

Maybe What you really need is a Subaru Forester 2.0 turbo

Loads of space, plenty of power and 4 wheel drive for the muddy flying field.

Andre

[will -0]

Another vote for a Mondeo.

Mine is 2001 and well oil soaked, but it does take a fully rigged flair se5a, 3 other models and a four year old boy in the back.

Serioulsy looking at the skoda Superb when the time comes. The other car is a skoda fabia estate which has a suprisingly big boot for what is essentially a polo. Not in the same league as the others - it's quite narrow but long.

[Ian Jones]

Posted by will -0 on 16/12/2014 11:16:43:

Another vote for a Mondeo.

Mine is 2001 and well oil soaked, but it does take a fully rigged flair se5a, 3 other models and a four year old boy in the back.

Serioulsy looking at the skoda Superb when the time comes. The other car is a skoda fabia estate which has a suprisingly big boot for what is essentially a polo. Not in the same league as the others - it's quite narrow but long.

Yep and that is one of the reasons I'm on my 2nd Mondeo.

[David P Williams]

...and I'm on my third. The only problem with it is that the load space is so big that it seems empty just having the flight box and a couple of models in there, so I seem to always take far more models than I will fly in the session.

[Erfolg]

I am very reluctant to buy any other car than BMW. It is the only marque that has not cost me a fortune in repairs, never mind servicing.

I am hoping there is a member with a 3 series GT (it is a hatch back)., who can provide an indication if they work for a modeller, particularly one that does not want to disassemble anything less than 1.5m. I also like the higher driving position of the X1 and the GT appears to be a half way house between the saloon and the X1.

I do not like hearses, the Touring version, just like other estate cars are just to reminiscent.

I could possibly consider a HONDA CRV, although daughter No. 1 had one that used to eat brake pads. She now has a S Max, which I am not to impressed with. Also the Toyota RAV 4, seems aright, although driving company supplied Toyotas, did not overly impress.

Is there no one with a GT, even a 5 series.

I have driven many of the other vehicles suggested, in general they were all fine cars, other than the odd one.

As to do I wear a hat, is that when driving? If that is the question, it is a no. When flying, i normally need one, being bald (kahl, like my name).

Edited By Erfolg on 16/12/2014 13:09:45

[will -0]

Is the three series the one with the timing chain that fails randomly?

[Shaunie]

As an Autoelectrician I would say choose the Mondeo over the BMW, much less trouble electrically. Unless of course you live near me, in that case go for the Beemer .

Shaunie.