What to buy?

David Lane · 2006-05-01T09:34:24+00:00

I've been working on my Merc estate this weekend trying to get rid of some of the rust. It's worse than I'd even anticipated - the front wings are gone, but also the back wheelarches, the front chassis is starting to rust and the tailgate is starting to disintegrate - possibly because I put a large dent in it by reversing into a Mk 3 Fiesta (which was squashed in the middle and I had the sight of a granny crying). Not to mention the holes around the glass that I've found under the windscreen and estate glass.In other words - a wreck in about 6 months time. And all that after I'd managed to deal with the leaking gearbox and suspension.So, SWMBO has agreed it can go, but ....I need something that has space, 4 doors, decent performance but can also get past her glare of not wanting something 'expensive to run'. I still get reminded about when I blew the engine up on my Sierra Cossie, plus when I had a Bond Equipe and wrecked it.Any suggestions? I'd prefer an estate, but don't want a newer Merc since the ones from the early 90's are not built as well. Also, the budget's about £2500. I'm drawn to a Galant - the V6 model is all I can afford, but she's on about getting something sensible like a 1.4 Astra or Focus hatchback. And I'm not prepared for sensible and geriatric yet.David