Fun, quick estate for £8-12k

[zebedee]

I may have to get round to selling my Elise, largely because I don't use it enough to justify the annual costs of insurance, servicing etc and because the times I get to head out just for the sake of it are getting fewer and further between. I'm doing a lot more mountain biking these days, so on a sunny dry day, I'll leave the Lotus and head off in the 306 estate with the bike in the back.

So the question is, what car could I get instead which will give me a grin on the way to the ride and back - along superb welsh A and B roads in the main. It has to be quite a big estate as well, as I want to be able to get the bikes in the back.

The Mondeo is huge for its size (if that makes sense) and the ST220 is an obvious choice, being quick and having an involving and grippy chassis. Depreciation means I could get into a pretty fresh one for about £10k as well, with good part and service prices. The Octavia VRs is I fear too small. Subaru Legacy scares me a bit with thirst (albeit Mondeo hardly frugal) and the cost of spare parts, assuming they are as bad as other Japanese cars.

So, does the Mondeo win hands down or should I look at anything else? I am assuming Passats and Audis in the price range will be too dull/slow, albeit well put together.

Any top tips folks?

[zebedee]

good stuff people.

mitsi must have prodigious thirst and usual jap part price problems - they are also incredibly rare are they not? Doubtless they are very rapid with that engine, but are they fun?

The Alfa 156 is a good thought - what engine would I need for a properly quick car (sub 8 second 0-60 to match the Mondeo? Again, the estates seem quite rare though?

MG Z8 - now there is a thought...

[zebedee]

wow - the 3.2 V6 is seriously quick - 0-60 in 6.2 and onto 155, would leave the mondy looking where it went - boot space is 1180 litres max compared with 1,700 for the mondy, and with the seats up 360 to 540, so it is a smaller car.

Is it a reliable car though?

Legacys look big and are quick and I have heard good to drive, but no-one is reassuring me on parts prices yet....

[zebedee]

I'm imagining BMW parts are service won't be cheap though - and who said M5 - did they do an M5 estate?

I doubt I could get an RS4 for 12k somehow

[zebedee]

what spec and year mondeo is that? The ST220 has a few more tricks up its sleeve than just a body kit compared with the other V6s I think (it has a few more bhp to start with).

That was a useful comparison though, but perhaps if yours isn't an ST, that might tip the balance