OT-ish DIY-friendly cars

[GMM]

It's getting to be time for a new motor. What I'd really like is something with the performance of a Farrari, the fuel economy of a moped and the load space of a Transit. And if they pay me to take it off their hands, that would be nice too.

Just in case I don't come across one of these models, does anyone have any sensible suggestions for a practical car that can accommodate DIY needs?

Most of my driving is in the city but there are enough 150-mile-plus motorway trips to be a factor. I was thinking vaguely of a Jag XJ, until I saw someone trying (and failing) to get an 8-foot timber into one in a car park. I can squeeze 3m into my current Avensis. Now I'm wondering if a 5-series estate would be a good plan.

Previous cars were a Renault Scenic (great engine and internal design, as the seats come out in seconds to make a van; poor construction that shook itself apart in no time) and Honda CRV (good driving position, not as much space as you'd expect, very poor fuel comsumption).

[Andy Burns]

Presumably Thule et al make roof bars for Jags?

[Bill Wright]

Get a Transit. Car drivers are poofs.

Bill

[spuorgelgoog]

You can apparently get an upright piano into the back of a London Taxi, and they run on used chip oil quite happily.

Owain

[Andrew Gabriel]

I would not be surprised to see a heavy extra charge for using diesels in London in the next year or two (and other cities too).

[Adrian]

Not in the next year or two - the ULEZ is likely to come in in 2020. The consultation period's already closed.

[Nightjar]

A Mercedes E class estate copes with most of my requirements, although I did need a pair of roof bars to carry some 3m x 1m steel roofing sheets recently. Depending upon the engine you choose, 0-62 in 8.8 to 4.2 seconds, with combined fuel consumption from 60.1 mpg to 28.3 mpg respectively.

[John Rumm]

I suspect it may be a case of "pick any two" of those requirements.

A grey imported Subaru Legacy GT-B twin turbo fits some of the requirements rather well I found - large estate with plenty of load capacity and roof rails for decent roof bars etc. Four wheel drive and best part of 300 bhp to play with without looking like a boy racer machine. Only you won't like the fuel economy!

A mate has a Toyota Previa - again massive load capacity and practicality.

[spuorgelgoog]

The old London Taxis already fail the PCO requirements for emissions for licencing a vehicle as a taxi, which is why there are lots available very cheaply.

Owain

[spuorgelgoog]

Nocturnal and heterosexual activities in the car park suggests that statement is at least partially erroneous.

Owain

[meow2222]

Lots of cars fit some of those requirements. If you want to be a bit strange, how about a Honda N-box.

NT

[Andy Burns]

Go the whole hog and get a Nissan Cube (that thing with asymmetric windows).

[Brian Gaff]

Sounds like you need a Skoda! Brian

[Brian Gaff]

Yes though I don't think the mattress in the back is one of the conventional options. Brian

[charles]

but, I am told, that was the great attraction of the original Mini van.

[GMM]

Isn't it simpler just to have a CD player though?

[GMM]

Certainly the wind is blowing against diesels and, compounding that, petrol engines seem to have developed enormously in the past few years. So diesels would seem a bad buy in the long term, although there are some good lease deals.

[GMM]

Kinda saw that one coming Bill! Not sure the wife would appreciate a few hours on the motorway in a transit though.

[Andrew]

Avoid anything French. You need special tools left right and centre. Changing light bulbs on one model of a Renault Clio means dismantling the front of the car. Neighbours Megane people carrier suddenly blacked out its entire instrument panel - £400.

The only French car I would have considered in earlier years would have been a peugeot 405 or 406. They seem to resist rust better than a dagenham dustbin.

Korean made cars are impressively well protected against road salt. All the bolts and fixings seem to be cadmium plated.

[John Rumm]

An Octavia RS Estate might fit the bill quite well... and embarrass a few more expensive performance cars into the bargain (they do a 220bhp, sub 7 second 0-60 version)