I'm thinking of getting rid of my 03 plate disco 2 and looking for an estate to take it's place. I've always liked the scooby forester and legacy (the older ones) but also looking at the volvo xc 70. OH is also keen on passat estate and the skoda estate which i know get decent write-ups but are slightly more executivey (than would suit me ) - it'll be me driving it generally and i need something that'll still deal with slightly rough tracks and some potholes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. My priorities are enough room in the boot for Keely and Sanna and a driver's car too, oh and absolutely must be manual
Dependent on what you have to spend, I would recommend the new Audi A4 or A6 Allroad (probably the A6 for the extra space), adjustable ride height and permanent quattro, awesome bit of kit. If you're looking for an older Allroad (which were all based on the A6), you need to watch out for the suspension airbags, they can be prone to getting leaks and are expensive to replace. However, still a very reliable car if you find a good one.
The thing that would put me off the Scooby models is the fuel, Boxer engines are known for being juicy. That said, we used to have the first gen, non-STi Forester and it was such an easy car to drive, did everything we needed, on and off road (mainly fields and dirt tracks, we never off roaded properly in it), but only did 275 miles to the tankful! I know they now do the diesel Boxer engines but I've never driven or been in one so can't comment.
I would say an XC70 is more of an executive car than the Passat or Skoda. I know the boot is a good size on the Passat but not sure on the others. I would love to try out a Skoda Yeti, have heard good reports on them and you can land a helicopter on the roof!!
I think I would look at whether I wanted 4 wheel or 2 wheel drive and then work from there. All the cars mentioned should suit your needs perfectly.
I would say out of all those cars I'd pick the legacy, in diesel boxer if money allows. If fuel isn't an issue then a 3.0 petrol would be a nice motor, outback spec makes it more rugged.
A4 all road is too small in the back, boots pathetic
A6 all road is a cracking car, when under warranty as everything is a fortune for them parts wise
Thanks, i've got to admit i just find the passat and the skoda superb (model name, not my opinion) a bit blah, although i do really like the yeti - i test drove the 1.8 tsi yeti a few years ago and really liked it, just like a car to drive really, but with the ridiculously practical dimensions and fold-away seats - a lady who walks her dogs at a park i visit regularly opens hers up and out jumps a dogue de bordeux, a collie, and something else (cant remember), definately a practicalsmobile But i've got a hankering after a fun drive again after having the disco for 4 years, hence the scooby temptation - although it might encourage some driving which wouldnt be particularly comfortable for 2 dogs squashed in the boot Has anyone tried a volvo xc either model/age? The boot size is HUGE!!
I'm selling my Forester S Turbo, Good reliable car, boot with seats up might be a little small for your two, especially when Sanna is full grown , Thirsty if you use the power , Otherwise a great car.
Not trying to sell it to you, this ones auto.
Don't know what ago of XC70 you are looking for but make sure it still actually has 4 wheel drive, there's a few knocking about that haven't, with their tarmac driving owners none the wiser. Viscous coupling issue. A friend has one, lovely car, we nearly got one last year but bought a Landcruiser instead. My friend is a mechanical type & says a lot of the volvo mechnical bits look very like the Ford people carrier that he has use of from work.
If I didn't need the offroad capabilities of a Landrover I would seriously consider a Skoda Octavia Scout. A colleague of mine has one and it is very good indeed. He has the highest spec version and it is very impressive.
We have a Legacy boxer diesel and I can't praise the car enough. Great for semi off-road trips and very spacious. Hubby wants a Disco, but I don't really see the benefit of changing. The Legacy does glug its way through a tank though...
) - it'll be me driving it generally and i need something that'll still deal with slightly rough tracks and some potholes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. My priorities are enough room in the boot for Keely and Sanna and a driver's car too, oh and absolutely must be manual 
Has anyone tried a volvo xc either model/age? The boot size is HUGE!!
, Thirsty if you use the power 
, Otherwise a great car.
