ESTATE cars are a great buy if you have a growing family – but not everyone can afford a new one. Here’s our pick of the best used estates with prices starting from just £200.
HONDA ACCORD AERODECK
Avoid the Civic-based Aerodeck (too small, too expensive) and look out for an Accord-based Aerodeck sold from 1994 to 1997.
This one is based on the US Accord (the European Accord saloon around this time was spun off the same platform as used by the Rover 600 and never spawned an estate) and that’s good news if you’re a passenger because it is designed for the, er, more generously proportioned Stateside driver.
A massive boot, good build and lots of equipment (electric windows, mirrors and air conditioning on all models) make this a pleasing bargain buy. Top-of-the-range 2.2-litre petrol engine is thirsty and dirty, though.
Prices: from £200.
HONDA: The Accord Aerodeck is a lot of bang for your buck.
VAUXHALL INSIGNIA SPORTS TOURER
The old Vectra estate was immensely practical but with its slab sides and drab looks it had all the aesthetic appeal of a hearse.
Stung by criticism, GM’s designers pulled out all the stops for the Insignia Tourer, a stylish big estate that’s as nice to look at, as it is to drive.
The falling roofline which makes the Tourer look so sporty does compromise its practicality (the boot is smaller than its predecessor’s) but all but the most demanding owners will happily accept the compromise.
Prices: from £4,000.
PACKING 'EM IN: The Insignia demonstrates the flexibility of the estate
NISSAN PRIMERA
Killed off by the X-Trail SUV, the Primera Estate’s quirky style proved a turn-off for conservative British buyers but if you can see beyond the challenging looks and you’ll find a practical and reliable estate.
The interior follows the unconventional exterior with a centrally-mounted instrument cluster and a six-inch colour monitor for the trip computer, radio and reversing camera. An upright driving position gives a more commanding view of the road ahead than many rivals and the build quality is top notch.
The boot is beaten by other cars in this list but there’s loads of legroom in the rear and with the seats folded down the Primera is a useful load carrier.
Prices from: £1,000
BIG BROTHER: lots of car for your cash from Nissan
MAZDA 6 TOURER
Another bargain basement Japanese contender, the first generation 6 still cuts a dash on the high street.
It’s good to drive (Ford Mondeo DNA runs through the chassis) and very reliable, too.
But the lack of a premium badge has slashed secondhand prices and you should be able to find a good one for less than £1,000.
HEY GOOD LOOKIN: The original Mazda 6 used Mondeo chassis
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