Family car - Not boring!

[arj7]

Hi,

There are 3 of us in my family, we have a 6 month old boy, potentially we may have another addition in the next year or so.

What cars do people drive that is fun and not an MPV or a something equally boring (no offence to anyone who has one).

I think due to a bit more boot space our current Golf isn't big enough (5 door hatchback), what cars do you have and why?

[ZX10R NIN]

How much are you looking to spend? Do you mind a Mondeo sized car?

[anonymous-user]

New M3?

[Geffg]

I got a BMW 5 series m sport when had 2nd kid, massive boot, swallows up all the stuff that goes with kids no problem.
Got the looks and depending on which engine size, plenty of power.
Only problem is once I'd had one couldn't have anything smaller now, soon get used to the space and comfort of a big car.

[RTaylor2208]

I found that having 3 to choose from helped.

I swap between these 2 as my daily, surprisingly you can fit a family of 4 (2 adults, 4 and 1 year old) in the panda and still fit the dog in the boot.



Focus whilst much bigger externally has a little bit more room than the Panda.

Then we have the go fast in a straight line only family wagon for when more room is needed



All 3 cost me less than it would for one new BMW \ Mercedes \ Jaguar \ Audi etc that would do the job of all 3 but the practicalities of family life mean I'm resigned to having cheaper but still relatively interesting cars for the next few years.

[arj7]

Ive heard good things about the 5 series, is the boot good?

I would be looking to spend around £25k

[briang9]

Can recommend one of these...this is mine, a fantastic fun filled practical wagon for the family..



nice one for sale here...

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?t=123501

[arj7]

briang9 said:

Can recommend one of these...this is mine, a fantastic fun filled practical wagon for the family..



nice one for sale here...

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?t=123501

Looks very nice, I think I would like something newer for the money

[briang9]

Why do you say that?, get a well looked after one and you should be fine, they offer a unique driving experience for a family barge.. would be interesting to see what meets your original criteria ie "not boring" and newer within your budget..please keep us updated and good luck with your search

Edited by briang9 on Wednesday 15th February 00:57

[ZX10R NIN]

Performance car wise you're looking at the normal contenders:

2010 Lexus IS-F

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2010 M3

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

2010 C63

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2012 XF-R

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

All of the above are very capable fun cars, if you want newer then I'd look at the warm versions they're not the full fat versions so won't necessarily be as exciting but a remap will get you close plus they'll be newer.

2015 335i M Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2013 S4

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2012 XF Portfolio

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[arj7]

briang9 said:

Why do you say that?, get a well looked after one and you should be fine, they offer a unique driving experience for a family barge.. would be interesting to see what meets your original criteria ie "not boring" and newer within your budget..please keep us updated and good luck with your search

Edited by briang9 on Wednesday 15th February 00:57

I guess its just the case of if its newer less likely things are wrong due to warranty etc. I dont like the idea of spending all that money for a 10 year old car.

I wanted to see whats about in March.

My wife looks at a car and thats it, end of discussion but now I have brought her round to my way of thinking (I think).

[arj7]

ZX10R NIN said:

Performance car wise you're looking at the normal contenders:

2010 Lexus IS-F

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2010 M3

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

2010 C63

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2012 XF-R

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

All of the above are very capable fun cars, if you want newer then I'd look at the warm versions they're not the full fat versions so won't necessarily be as exciting but a remap will get you close plus they'll be newer.

2015 335i M Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2013 S4

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2012 XF Portfolio

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Thanks for these, interesting choices for sure. I guess the newer I get the less hot I can get!

[bramston21]

I had the same conundrum 2 years ago...

newborn on the way, and a 2 year old already - so the Golf had to go, and i wanted something that could lug all the kit around, but still be fun to drive. I went for a.... Skoda Octavia VrS estate.

It's been awesome - great fun to drive, reasonably economical when on the open road and safe as houses for those inside. The boot is huge and can fit everything inside no probs.

[madmatteo]

bramston21 said:

I had the same conundrum 2 years ago...

newborn on the way, and a 2 year old already - so the Golf had to go, and i wanted something that could lug all the kit around, but still be fun to drive. I went for a.... Skoda Octavia VrS estate.

It's been awesome - great fun to drive, reasonably economical when on the open road and safe as houses for those inside. The boot is huge and can fit everything inside no probs.

Similar to the above, I went the route of an estate car as well and haven't regretted it at all.

I actually managed to get one of the stupidly cheap Golf R Estate lease deals last year but note that they have now started to creep under £25k for fairly new and low mileage used examples. Case in point - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

A really great family hack which comes within your budget by the looks of it. Not quite an RS6 (or similar) but still quick (think roughly 5 seconds to 60mph), looks good (imo), really practical, fairly new so under warranty still and a few different examples up for sale.

When mine goes back next year, I have literally no idea what it will be replaced with. Might try to keep it for longer if possible.

[arj7]

madmatteo said:

bramston21 said:

I had the same conundrum 2 years ago...

newborn on the way, and a 2 year old already - so the Golf had to go, and i wanted something that could lug all the kit around, but still be fun to drive. I went for a.... Skoda Octavia VrS estate.

It's been awesome - great fun to drive, reasonably economical when on the open road and safe as houses for those inside. The boot is huge and can fit everything inside no probs.

Similar to the above, I went the route of an estate car as well and haven't regretted it at all.

I actually managed to get one of the stupidly cheap Golf R Estate lease deals last year but note that they have now started to creep under £25k for fairly new and low mileage used examples. Case in point - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

A really great family hack which comes within your budget by the looks of it. Not quite an RS6 (or similar) but still quick (think roughly 5 seconds to 60mph), looks good (imo), really practical, fairly new so under warranty still and a few different examples up for sale.

When mine goes back next year, I have literally no idea what it will be replaced with. Might try to keep it for longer if possible.

Thanks for your responses, it does look like estate is the way to go if I still want something that is fairly quick.

Initially my wife and I were dead set on a SUV but I felt after driving a few its a big boring. My friend has a range rover sport (obviously out of my budget), and whilst its nice it kind of feels better to be driven in it then drive it.

So its kind of led me down the hot estate/ family car route. I've noticed the Golf R estates are dropping in price, there was one I liked it was £30k but its already dropped, so I am happy to wait till I can find one thats in budget.

[anonymous-user]

arj7 said:

madmatteo said:

bramston21 said:

I had the same conundrum 2 years ago...

newborn on the way, and a 2 year old already - so the Golf had to go, and i wanted something that could lug all the kit around, but still be fun to drive. I went for a.... Skoda Octavia VrS estate.

It's been awesome - great fun to drive, reasonably economical when on the open road and safe as houses for those inside. The boot is huge and can fit everything inside no probs.

Similar to the above, I went the route of an estate car as well and haven't regretted it at all.

I actually managed to get one of the stupidly cheap Golf R Estate lease deals last year but note that they have now started to creep under £25k for fairly new and low mileage used examples. Case in point - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

A really great family hack which comes within your budget by the looks of it. Not quite an RS6 (or similar) but still quick (think roughly 5 seconds to 60mph), looks good (imo), really practical, fairly new so under warranty still and a few different examples up for sale.

When mine goes back next year, I have literally no idea what it will be replaced with. Might try to keep it for longer if possible.

Thanks for your responses, it does look like estate is the way to go if I still want something that is fairly quick.

Initially my wife and I were dead set on a SUV but I felt after driving a few its a big boring. My friend has a range rover sport (obviously out of my budget), and whilst its nice it kind of feels better to be driven in it then drive it.

So its kind of led me down the hot estate/ family car route. I've noticed the Golf R estates are dropping in price, there was one I liked it was £30k but its already dropped, so I am happy to wait till I can find one thats in budget.

They'll be due for another drop soon with the new reg and also the facelift mk7 coming out.

[arj7]

lord trumpton said:

They'll be due for another drop soon with the new reg and also the facelift mk7 coming out.

I'd like to have them side by side to see what the differences are

[MorganP104]

arj7 said:

lord trumpton said:

They'll be due for another drop soon with the new reg and also the facelift mk7 coming out.

I'd like to have them side by side to see what the differences are

The way VW do facelifts on the Golf, you'll probably need to park them side by side to see the differences!

[arj7]

MorganP104 said:

The way VW do facelifts on the Golf, you'll probably need to park them side by side to see the differences!

Ha very true!

[ZX10R NIN]

At 25k there are a lot of options estate wise even within VAG there's a small difference of 8-14cm in length, so there's not much in it.

2012 RS3 30k 340bhp Great engine shortest of the lot so trying one for size might be prudent Boot Space 22 litres less than the Golf.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2015 S3 14k 300bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 Golf R 300bhp 7k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 Octavia VR-S 220bhp 5k Boot Capacity 23 Litres more than the Golf

http://eu.hlserve.com/Delivery/Delivery.aspx?hm_CI...

2016 Leon Cupra 290bhp 5k Boot capacity 18 Litres less than the Golf

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Then there are the Fords to consider they handle well come packed with kit & are nice inside to personally I'd take the Mondeo over the ST but both are very good.

2016 Focus ST-3 250bhp 7k Boot capacity 10 litres more than the Golf

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 Mondeo Titanium X Pack 240bhp 6k Boot Capacity 14 litres more than the Octavia.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Leftfield:

Insignia 4x4 VXR 325bhp 17k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2008 Passat R36 48k FVWSH 300bhp well under budget put a private plate on it before the OH sees it

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2011 C63 with Performance Pack FMBSH 54k 460bhp not new but it has one hell of an engine

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...


From the above if it has to be newish & fuel was a concern then I'd take the RS3 (dependant on trying the buggy out in it) otherwise the C63 would take top spot I really liked it after that it'd probably be the Mondeo a good steer plus enough left in the kitty for a visit to Mountune for a little tickle on the BHP front.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 17th February 14:28