Bargain buys for eating up M-way miles; MALCOLM TUMBRIDGE gives advice on buying an executive-style estate IN ASSOCIATION WITH fish4

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Nov 7, 2007

Byline: MALCOLM TUMBRIDGE

SAAB 9-5 2.2-litre diesels are popular with drivers that spend lots of time on the motorway. As a result there are a lot of high mileage, 9-5s on the market.

Cars from as recently as 2003 have completed 50-75,000 miles and can be bought for as little as pounds 7,334.

Even if you put 20,000 miles a year on such a car you will not lose much money, because they depreciate very slowly from this age on.

But if the Saab is not right for you, there are other fast and comfortable estate cars out there to choose from.

They are not such good value perhaps but worth a look nonetheless.

SAAB 9-5 (1997-present)

Well built, lavishly equipped and always cheap. Here is the perfect used executive car which has it all, including a great safety record. Prices get lower all the time.

Most economical: 2.2 TiD - 38.2mpg

Best used buy: 2.0 Turbo with SE specification. Buy from: Saab specialist or direct from company, fleet seller. Used-CarExpert.com faults to avoid: 13

Used Car Expert price guide: A 2.0t from 2001 will have around 89,000 miles and be just pounds 4,500, pounds 8,000 will buy a 2.0 t Vector from 2003 with just 50,000 miles.

AUDI A6 ( 1997-2005)

Matches BMW 5 and Mercedes E and certainly better built inside and out, but the Audi badge does not have the image and that means lower prices. Avant estate is an impressive size. Most economical: 1.9 Tdi 1 15 - 52.3mpg

Best used buy: 2.4 V6, big engine, decent power and because petrol, cheap. Buy from: Private sales and direct from company directors. UsedCarExpert.com faults to avoid: 15

Used Car Expert price guide: A 2.4 V6 from 2001 with 60,000 miles will be around pounds 7,609.

BMW 5-Series (1996-2004)

Brilliantly engineered and built; the best prestige estate you can buy. Very comfortable and great to drive with prices of petrol models dropping by the day.

Most economical: 525d - 42.2mpg

Best used buy: 525I has smooth and powerful petrol engine with SE specification. Buy from: Auctions, company owners with full service histories. UsedCarExpert.com

faults to avoid: 25

Used Car Expert price guide: A 525i from 2001 with 62,000 miles will be around pounds 8,609.

CAPTION(S):

SLICK - from top, the Saab 9-5 Estate, Audi A6 Tourer and BMW 3 Series Touring