5k Quickish Saloon Options

[kiscix]

After a car history littered with proper fun drivers cars but ones that aren't exactly proper outright fast (rally spec Mini Cooper, MX5, Puma, 205GTI, 309 Goodwood etc) I'm now on my third Alfa Romeo (a 147) which although fantastic is a lot of money on insurance and really not quick enough or fuel efficient enough for what it is.

I was looking to get something a bit more lairy as a next car, I've always been more thrilled by acceleration than outright speed (considering ep3 CTR/Megane 225 etc) until *BOOM* the news comes in that we're expecting a baby.

I always said i'm not about to buy anything boring and I'm not about to start now Just need to think a little more "family".

Requirements:
1. £5k or under
2. Reasonable MPG
3. Insurance not a piss take
4. Saloon
5. Plenty of room (boot)
6. "Good" performance
7. Reasonable in the twisties....
8. No huge maintenance costs

My immediate thought was 'WRX' but it doesn't come close to satisfying either (2) or (3) above (Upwards of £2,000 for a years insurance is bit hard to swallow with 9 years NCB). After much looking around I think my best bet would be an Octavia vRS which seems to satisfy all everything I want but i'd be interested in people's thoughts on (7) regarding this. Also £5k would only get me a good Mk1 or a Leggy Mk2 and tbh the Mk1 isn't quite so appealing due to the lower torque and bhp figures.

The other considered option was Saab 9-3 Aero? More than a bit old man but suspect it falls short on (2) and (7) by quite some way.

Outside of that i'm pretty stumped. I did look at a few 3-Series on Autotrader but the bhp and torque figures looked pretty similar to my 147 (and the 156 I had before that) despite having lower MPG so not really that appealing. Could get another Alfa (v6) but to be honest I've kinda done the 'Alfa thing' now and want something a bit different.

What else is out there or is it pretty much an Octavia or chop off my manhood and get a beaten up Volvo estate?

[Matt UK]

e39 BMW 530i and pocket a couple of grand in change.

[Krikkit]

M5? Not very MPG friendly, but an awesome machine.

[RizzoTheRat]

Does your Mrs have a car as well or are you a one car family? A mate works on the theory that the kids always go in the wifes Touran so he can get away with a VX220

[matchmaker]

Octavia vRS has a mahoosive amount of boot space for buggies, etc. To my mind the Mk 1 is better looking than the Mk 2. Yes, the Mk 2 has more power and torque, but for daily use shouldn't feel much different. Good on fuel - my Mk 1 (petrol of course) will do over 40 mpg on a long run and on the daily 7 mile commute is reaching around 30 mpg.

Can be remapped of course...

[bga]

Matt UK said:

e39 BMW 530i and pocket a couple of grand in change.

That was the first thing that sprung to mind for me too.

From experience I would consider a hatch as the boot is a bit more suited (IMO) to baby stuff.

[y2blade]

S4 or S6 worth a look?

[43034]

I know you mentioned Saab but still fancied posting a link or two!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[Silverbullet767]

Mazda 6 MPS. Might have all your boxes ticked.

[Kozy]

1. £5k or under Clean one for £2500 - Minter for £4k.
2. Reasonable MPG 28-30mpg
3. Insurance not a piss take Cheaper than my £400 Mondeo TDDI
4. Saloon Check
5. Plenty of room (boot)Bigger than an impreza or evo. More a Legacy/Galant competitor
6. "Good" performance If you don't mind revs and changing gear.
7. Reasonable in the twisties.... Excellent in the twisties. Proper suspension and LSD unlike the Civics.
8. No huge maintenance costs It's a Honda...

Edited by Kozy on Thursday 19th September 13:54

[LuS1fer]

Fabia vRS estate and...dare I even say it....an MG6?

[kieranblenk]

Have Mondeo's with the 2.5T Focus ST engine dipped that low yet? Failing that, what about a MG ZT?

[HonestIago]

Krikkit said:

M5? Not very MPG friendly, but an awesome machine.

For 5 grand?

[Kell]

Bit left of field, but how about something like a Mazda 6 MPS?

260bhp and seem to be bang on the money for a 40-50k example.

Supposed to be a pretty good drive too.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Ticks most of your boxes, but it depends on whether or not you call 27mpg 'reasonable'.

Edited by Kell on Thursday 19th September 14:52

[neil_bmw]

Matt UK said:

e39 BMW 530i and pocket a couple of grand in change.

I have a champagne individual 530ia sport for sale if it tickles anyones fancy

[Alex]

kiscix said:

My immediate thought was 'WRX' but it doesn't come close to satisfying either (2) or (3) above (Upwards of £2,000 for a years insurance is bit hard to swallow with 9 years NCB).

Where do you live, Beirut? My Impreza P1 is £190 fully comp.

What about a Jag S-Type?

[Benbay001]

Alex said:

Where do you live, Beirut? My Impreza P1 is £190 fully comp.

What about a Jag S-Type?

Yep. Ill sell you my "r" for £5k.
Would take a very positive guy to call the MPG "reasonable" though.

[Rovinghawk]

kiscix said:

The other considered option was Saab 9-3 Aero? More than a bit old man but suspect it falls short on (2) and (7) by quite some way

36mpg is achievable in sensible use. A 250bhp/360Nm remap is £500 & a strut brace makes the front end a lot better.

I've surprised a few people at Silverstone & Rockingham.

[Kentish]

bga said:

Matt UK said:

e39 BMW 530i and pocket a couple of grand in change.

That was the first thing that sprung to mind for me too.

From experience I would consider a hatch as the boot is a bit more suited (IMO) to baby stuff.

You could get a much later e60 530i & well within your budget.

Fantastic engine!

Pretty brisk but economical too.

I average 30mpg in mine and can get mid to late 40's on a run.

[av185]

Kentish said:

You could get a much later e60 530i & well within your budget.

Fantastic engine!

Pretty brisk but economical too.

I average 30mpg in mine and can get mid to late 40's on a run.

Ran numerous e39 528i and 530i s some 10 years ago. All manual so very economical and great fun too. Peerless build quality, still see lots of good ones about now. My daughter learnt to drive in a 530 I with sport pack! Make sure you get one these with sports suspension though they are superb. And cheaper than the 530i sport. Folding rear seats were a rare option but useful for kids stuff etc.