James Ruppert Volvo XC70; Celica; Suzuki Splash

S R A C D E S U

p a y t o m u c h h o w a n d i t b u y t o w h e r e b u y , t o W h a t BANGERNOMICS

BEST BUYS WITH JAMES RUPPERT

XC70 was basically an SUV-inspired version of the V70 family estate

KICKING TYRES VOLVO XC70

A

pparently, the only way for Volvo to tempt back the middle-class countrydwelling Labrador owner was to up the V70’s game, ride height and matt black plastic quotient.

The XC70 arrived in 2000 and proved estates were still relevant – especially if they had more off-road ability, hence the sophisticated Haldex differential that will get you out of serious trouble.

You could have a 2.4-litre petrol or diesel, the latter delivering 10mpg extra.

The rear seats are versatile and can be folded right down for tricky loads. They split 40/20/40, too, and there’s even a luggage restraint that folds out of the roof.

Just beware that these cars get through suspension bushes and suffer broken throttle bodies.

The new iteration arrived in 2007, and essentially it was more of the same, because the original was so successful.

There was a big spec and gadgets like Load Compensating Suspension and Active Bending Lights, the downside being the complexity can cause trouble.

ES cars from 2011 had Volvo’s Active City Safety technology, including AEB.

SE cars featured 17in alloys, climate control, Bluetooth and automatic lights and wipers. Sport cars gained 18in alloys, while Lux cars got electrically adjustable heated front seats, bi-xenon headlights and a powered tailgate.

For those who didn’t need four-wheel drive, there was the frugal DRIVe model.

For 2009, there was a mild restyling and engine realignment. The big 3.0 and 3.2 petrols are as rare as they weren’t popular. Most went for the 2.4 diesel and from 2014 the 2.0 diesel.

Overall, the second-generation XC70 isn’t the most reliable, incurring plenty of recalls for airbags, power steering, the fuel system and the 2.0-litre diesel engine, so a dealer history always helps. Watch out for electrical failures, ECU issues and iffy window controls, too. Better still, buy a simpler earlier one.

It proved estates were still relevant, especially if they had more off-road ability

2006 Volvo XC70 2.5T SE Lux 134,000 miles, £5989

This late first-generation model has a manual, which is rare, and proper petrol power that lets it into the London ULEZ. It has a top spec, too, and just the two previous owners.

2013 Volvo XC70 2.4 D5 SE Nav 86,000 miles, £12,995

Thisreasonable-mileagedieselhasthree ex-owners and a decent spec, including cruise control, descent control, parking sensors, a powered tailgate and all the infotainment. Good dealer warranty. OR TRY THIS

2010 Subaru Outback 3.0 R 80,000 miles, £6990

This should be fun: a quite rare 3.0litre car with a full-size panoramic roof. Fancy beige full leather, too, but also a towbar, so it’s not afraid of hard work. Full service history.

IDOL FANCY

WHAT

RUPPERT’S DREAMING OF THIS

WEEK

READER’S CORNER Superb effort

Autocar readers are obviously all wonderful, and Liam proves that having a diverse fleet is the way to go. “Here’s a poor picture of my fleet, featuring my Subaru Forester and the 2011 Skoda Superb that I bought in November – a 1.4 TSI that pulls like a train. More on the Forester when I can take a better picture. ” We always love hearing about the cars that you run day to day.

Celica is something of a spiritual forebear to the super new Toyota GR86

TOYOTA CELICA 1999-2006

The seventh-generation Toyota Celica is a smartlooking thing. Lightweight and sharp, it is poised and nicely balanced, partly thanks to an engine that isn’t overwhelmingly powerful. Progress is swift enough, and you actually enjoy the experience of driving, rather than simply holding on for dear life. The four-pot makes a nice muted sound, and you need to rev it hard to get the best out of it.

That said, over-revving creates loads that it just can’t cope with, causing the timing chain to snap.

Decent standard kit included air conditioning, electric windows and alloy wheels, while Premium trim added climate control, leather and a CD player. Sport meant some extra details, including a bodykit and alloy pedals. Dynamic was similar.

There was a facelift in 2002 and minor spec adjustments, making Style and T packs available.

Although the Celica is nominally a four-seater, it really is quite a squeeze in the back.

Interestingly, the sunroof on UK cars is made of a special polymer, rather than glass. It may be much lighter, but it can be scratched and marked easily.

BUY NOW

Suzuki Splash 2008-2014

It may have been designed for youngsters, but the Splash turned out to be another OAP special.

It is basically a less boxy Wagon R+, meaning it’s well built and equipped. There’s a diesel that will do more than 60mpg, but the real reason you will want one is because everything folds flat in the back, which combines with the high roofline to give it the practicality of a small van. The 1.2-litre petrol delivers a decent 55mpg; the performance of the 1.0 is so similar that you might as well get the bigger unit, plus there’s an optional automatic to go with it.

The Splash was pricey when new, but it’s top value now on the used market. The standard specification is good, including air-con and stability control. And it’s generally reliable, with knocking rear suspension and various electrical issues the only real worries. Splashing around could hardly be more pleasant BANGERNOMICS WORLD At a time when simply motoring has never been more expensive, I enjoyed going online and taxing my classics. Both the Mini Cooper and Innocenti Mini were due at the same time, and the amount payable was zero. It was a little victory, but it made me feel warm inside.

2011 Suzuki Splash 1.2 SZ4 auto 37,000 miles, £5700

Here’s the ideal city car for you. It has an automatic gearbox linked up to the 1.2-litre petrol engine, plus decent SZ4 specification and a very low mileage. That explains the high price, but good luck finding another. It has a service history and is backed up by a warranty and AA recovery so is ready to do some urban work and more.