What fun practical car for 10k?
What fun practical car for 10k?
Author
Discussion

topgunkos

Original Poster:

310 posts

234 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
As per title I am looking for a fun practical car for about 10k.
These are the requirements:

- 5 door hatchback or estate as I will use the car everyday and sometimes need the load carrying capacity
- relatively quick and fun to drive, circa 0-60 in 6 seconds.
- Good sounding engine, so no wheezy 4-pots
- Will do about 20,000 miles a year
- mpg not that important as I have a fuel card.

I am thinking about an R32 golf but they seem to be getting slammed in the CH threadsmile.

Chris_H

1,065 posts

307 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
What about a B7 Audi S4 Avant. A nice V8 pumping out 344BHP and plenty of practicality! You can pick up a 2005 one for about £10K. Not sure what the 0-60 time is.

topgunkos

Original Poster:

310 posts

234 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
What's the reliability like with those Audi V8's?

TameRacingDriver

20,567 posts

301 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
Must admit R32 was the first one I thought of. Should be a solid enough car. Get a test drive of one and make your own mind up would be my advice. I didn't need a practical car but if I had I would have considered the Golf.

Focus ST ?

E46 M3 or 330i ?

Impreza Wagon ? (OK a 4-pot but better sounding than most).

Defconluke

320 posts

183 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
I was going to suggest the same ones as Tame did above but with the 330i being the E91 version.

Output Flange

17,050 posts

240 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
topgunkos said:
What's the reliability like with those Audi V8's?
Good.

NailedOn

3,118 posts

264 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
Consider a Subaru Impreza WRX.
Hatchback is good for 5 passengers with decent boot. Averages 30mpg and 230 bhp. Bought ours on a 2009 plate for £10k with 20,000 on the clock.
I can't speak for the STIs which go up to 330 bhp and use more fuel, but the WRX is a good all rounder and something of a Q car.
Very good grip in poor weather too.

ATM

21,369 posts

248 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
Output Flange said:
topgunkos said:
What's the reliability like with those Audi V8's?
Good.
I've got a B7 saloon auto. Its great. Me and Output Flange keep talking them up every opportunity we get.

Top trump this:

4wd V8
155mph limited
60 < 6 secs whatever the weather
Mine is auto so I can lazy ass around one handed

Ved

3,949 posts

204 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
I do the same mileage and have the same criteria as yourself and have a MKV R32 with no such issues that Chris highlights on the MK4. I would say you should look at a Hawkeye Impreza STI which will fit the bill far better, although you're giving up toys and refinement for ultimate enjoyment. I've had both and would take the R32. I mean the STI. Well... Erm. Try both. I know you said you want a hatch or estate but the saloon boot is huge and remember you lose a lot of boot depth on the R because of the rear setup.

Defconluke

320 posts

183 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
How about a 156 GTA Sportwagon? HERE

Crusoe

4,123 posts

260 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
130i or E46 M3

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
mk5 R32 smile

paulmoonraker

2,850 posts

192 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
Impreza - Ultimate fun family car.

Get a hawkeye, get it mapped, laugh at the ridiculous acceleration, torque and grip... Get your other half to make the Chewbacca sound as you announce, at the traffic lights, that you're about to launch to hyperspace.

Your kids will love you and their friends will love you... Everybody else... Well, they will think your a dick wink But you'll be having fun smile

-P

Ved

3,949 posts

204 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
Defconluke said:
How about a 156 GTA Sportwagon? HERE
Because his 20,000 miles have to be completed in 12 months wink

Lovely looking car though!