You can buy these down-to-earth station wagons for €5,000

It can’t be missed: by popular demand, a Dacia must be among them! We found several Logans in our used car database, one of which we are portraying. In addition, a representative from South Korea and one from the US (at least on paper), but also with obvious South Korean genes.

Dacia Logan MCV TCe 90 – 2015 – 121,475 kilometers – €4,994

If you need to be sober, you will soon end up with Renault subsidiary Dacia, which gratefully filled the gap left by Skoda. After the first purely functional Logan, Dacia also abandoned that approach: while maintaining relatively low prices, Dacias became increasingly attractive, sometimes even cult! With five grand in hand, we find a relatively young example in this Dacia Logan MCV: both in terms of age and mileage, this is the Benjamin of our trio. The fact that you lose refinement in return will be of no concern to the rational occasion seeker. For 5 grand (delivery costs €395 extra), he/she gets a used car that has only had one owner and that offers plenty of space. Even the rear passengers are not short of anything. The luggage compartment is spacious with 573 to 1,518 liters. Given its age/mileage and the relatively low weight (1,013 kilos), the Romanian consumes little of the household budget. That is quite welcome in this expensive month of December! Where is the lesser refinement?

For example, in the somewhat tinny sound of the doors, the hard plastics in the predominantly gray interior, the slightly too short seat cushions in the front. The hubcaps stand out from the outside. Is that bad? No, because as a whole the blue HD-303-X looks quite attractive. Moreover, with air conditioning, factory stereo, hill assist and traction control, it is certainly not a hassle. Whatever else isn’t there, can’t be broken, you just have to think! Under the hood is the well-known 0.9 three-cylinder from Renault. Its 90 hp is sufficient for this station wagon, but with a full load it is not enough. Now the Logan MCV is certainly not a streak-taker or cornering knight – it is comfortable enough on smooth asphalt, but the chassis is less able to deal with short bumps. The steering, on the other hand, is pleasant: not too heavy and with sufficient feedback. In short: we don’t think the Logan MCV target group will make a bad purchase.

Signaling
Brand Dacia
Type Logan MCV TCe 90
Construction year October 2015
Mileage 121,475
Asking price €4,994
Where to buy? Brinkmann Auto’s, Cruquius-Zui

Technical data
Engine 3 cyl. in-line, 898 cc, turbo
Max. assets 66 kW/90 hp at 5,250 rpm
Max. couple 135 Nm at 2,500 rpm
Luggage compartment 573 l/1,518 l

Max. trailer braked 1,150 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:20.4
0-100 km/h 11.1 sec
Top speed 175 km/h

Kia Ceed Sporty Wagon 1.4 CVVT ISG Fifteen – 2009 – 143,440 kilometers – €4,999

Kia also started out as a budget brand, but those times are behind us. About fifteen years ago, the Ceed Sporty Wagon was an attractive option for space seekers with a relatively limited budget. In addition, the smoothly lined station wagon with its Volvo-like rear lights looked fresh – we still think it’s a nice design. This Kia Ceed is slightly more expensive in terms of mileage and a lot more experienced in terms of age than the above Logan MCV, but for that you get more car on several fronts for roughly the same asking price. To start with, more engine: the four-cylinder is larger and more powerful, but of the naturally aspirated type. More good-natured than the fiercer Romanian. It makes little difference in terms of performance, but the thirst is greater. At least on paper, because the modern turbo blocks can also hit it well when there is a lot of demand. The maximum torque is comparable, but at twice the speed, inherent to naturally aspirated engines. In short: a step back in time. The space available on the South Korean is slightly better and so is the amount of accessories on the 66-SRR-2 (May 2009, 2 owners). We only mention the start/stop system, the alloy wheels and a leather-covered steering wheel, but the conclusion is that you get more car with the Ceed Sporty Wagon than with the Logan MCV. An older one and also not the pinnacle of refinement.

Although clear in design, the choice of materials for the dashboard and interior is not convincing everywhere, because it is quite sensitive to scratches. The seats are somewhat shapeless, the five-speed gearbox requires a firm hand. The chassis is good. Without becoming uncomfortable, the Ceed feels nice and sturdy: not stiff, but nicely balanced. There is also nothing wrong with the course stability. New, this car had a 7-year/150,000 kilometer warranty. That is of course over, but it does say something about the confidence in our own product at the time – and therefore its reliability.

Signaling
Brand Kia
Type Ceed Sporty Wagon 1.4 CVVT ISG Fifteen
Construction year May 2009
Mileage 143,440
Asking price €4,999
Where to buy? Car company Kraeima & Scheper, Beilen

Technical data

Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,396 cc
Max. assets 80 kW/109 hp at 6,200 rpm
Max. couple 137 Nm at 5,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 534 l/1,664 l
Max. trailer braked 1,200 kilos,
Avg. consumption 1:15.9
0-100 km/h 11.7 sec
Top speed 188 km/h

Chevrolet Nubira Station Wagon 1.6 Spirit – 2011 – 155,461 kilometers – €4,900

First you were ready for a Daewoo, later you had fun in the exact same Chevrolet. Indeed: this Chevrolet Nubira may wear the cool American ‘bow tie’, but it actually comes from South Korea. When Chevrolet – with the exception of the Camaro and the Corvette – left Europe, the trade-ins quickly found themselves in a crash. After all: unknown means unloved, and therefore cheap. That has both advantages and disadvantages. Since February 2011, two owners have covered more than 1.5 tons with the 28-PRT-7. The illustrations show a neat used car. The luggage compartment of this pack mule (400 to 1,410 liters) is also immaculate.

Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 1.6 that delivers Ceed performance with a significantly greater thirst for fuel. Maybe drive with a controlled right foot? Then know that the Nubira feels comfortable driving straight ahead, but (sharp) bends are clearly less suited to it. The soft, generously sized seats also have an almost American feel and match the chassis that will especially appeal to the non-active driver – so there is little temptation to go planking on all fronts! Inside it is gray, but relatively luxurious: climate control, electric windows all around and an extensive stereo are just as present as a fresh timing belt (which was replaced last January at 141,000 kilometers). In addition, it is sent on the road with a 12-month Bovag warranty. In short: this used car is also a lot of car for your money, perhaps the most. So what are those disadvantages? Here too there is some lack of refinement, but that also applies to the other two. The uncertain future weighs more heavily. What about the parts supply? Or sheet metal in case of damage? And the trade-in price in the long term? You actually just have to drive up this Chevrolet. But don’t forget that given aspects such as fuel consumption and motor vehicle tax (200 kilos heavier than the Logan MCV!), this used car can be the most demanding in terms of operating costs.

Signaling
Brand Chevrolet
Type Nubira Station Wagon 1.6 Spirit
Construction year February 2011
Mileage 155,461
Asking price €4,900
Where to buy? Guus Kolk Automobielen BV, Hengelo (Ov.)

Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,598 cc
Max. assets 80 kW/109 hp at 5,800 rpm
Max. couple 147 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 400 l/1,410 l
Max. trailer braked 1,100 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:12.8
0-100 km/h 11.4 sec
Top speed 187 km/h

Which of these down-to-earth station wagons will you be entering the new year with?

In summary: of this trio, the Dacia Logan MCV is the most clearly designed by hand, but because it is by far the youngest, you do not notice it much, partly due to the turbo engine. The Kia Ceed Sporty Wagon and the Chevrolet Nubira Station Wagon are older with their naturally aspirated engines, but offer more car for the money in terms of luxury. The Chevy seems more secure in the short term (year warranty, fresh timing belt), but not in the longer term. What would your choice be?