The perfect two car family?
Discussion
Maybe done already but anyway...interested as about to buy back into the UK car market after 20 years away.
So the brief is as follows:
- 50's couple
- Kids left home so cars will be 90% used by just the two of us (plus dog)
- Car One - should be practical, long distance and probably a diesel
- Car Two - should be a fun (ish) but still practical run around and Sunday's out.
- 50k total budget for the two
Most recently our two-car package (in Germany) was a Mercedes GLK (predecessor of the GLC - not sold in the UK) and a Golf R. Probably will look for something different.
Options at the moment:
- Car 1: BMW X4, A4 Avant (272 diesel)
- Car 2: Mini Cooper S, Audi S1, Focus ST
What's yours? How would you combine?
So the brief is as follows:
- 50's couple
- Kids left home so cars will be 90% used by just the two of us (plus dog)
- Car One - should be practical, long distance and probably a diesel
- Car Two - should be a fun (ish) but still practical run around and Sunday's out.
- 50k total budget for the two
Most recently our two-car package (in Germany) was a Mercedes GLK (predecessor of the GLC - not sold in the UK) and a Golf R. Probably will look for something different.
Options at the moment:
- Car 1: BMW X4, A4 Avant (272 diesel)
- Car 2: Mini Cooper S, Audi S1, Focus ST
What's yours? How would you combine?
We have..
2017 Aygo (cheap to run and big enough to do the weekly shop,fantastic heater that warms up in minutes and fun if your not in a hurry,5 year warranty and something i can use like the white goods it is for many years)
Alfa 156 v6 (shocking fuel consumption but ok on longer runs and still drives well and sounds really nice)
Alfa soon going to make way for something fun for weekends
We did have a large boring estate for a while but now the kids are off our hands it is better to have a new dependable cheap to run car and something a bit sportier as well..
But if i was to choose for yourself then maybe a boring Volvo estate and a Cayman or similar
2017 Aygo (cheap to run and big enough to do the weekly shop,fantastic heater that warms up in minutes and fun if your not in a hurry,5 year warranty and something i can use like the white goods it is for many years)
Alfa 156 v6 (shocking fuel consumption but ok on longer runs and still drives well and sounds really nice)
Alfa soon going to make way for something fun for weekends
We did have a large boring estate for a while but now the kids are off our hands it is better to have a new dependable cheap to run car and something a bit sportier as well..
But if i was to choose for yourself then maybe a boring Volvo estate and a Cayman or similar
Edited by blueveloce on Sunday 19th November 17:52
blueveloce said:
2017 Aygo (cheap to run and big enough to do the weekly shop,fantastic heater that warms up in minutes and fun if your not in a hurry)
Alfa 156 v6 (shocking fuel consumption but ok on longer runs and still drives well and sounds really nice)
Alfa soon going to make way for something fun for weekends
And I thought the "anything for the weekend, sir?" phrase had died out.Alfa 156 v6 (shocking fuel consumption but ok on longer runs and still drives well and sounds really nice)
Alfa soon going to make way for something fun for weekends
I thought we were doing OK along the lines of what you were looking for, with our combo.
S4 -perhaps the avant for your dog - we have mini dachshunds, so they're in a cage on the back seat - with their own separately controllable air vent (set to max of course)
Can get 38 mpg or 6.2l/100km if you have been looking at EU dashboards for 20 years.
Z4M Coupe -
Weekend fun and a boot when you need it. Maybe not 38mpg though
However someone's just bought the Z4 ( quicker than we thought it might sell) and we have no idea what to get to replace it.
Cooper S, TTS, Focus ST, RS Clio/Megane, or back to a 3 series Coupe.
S4 -perhaps the avant for your dog - we have mini dachshunds, so they're in a cage on the back seat - with their own separately controllable air vent (set to max of course)
Can get 38 mpg or 6.2l/100km if you have been looking at EU dashboards for 20 years.
Z4M Coupe -
Weekend fun and a boot when you need it. Maybe not 38mpg though
However someone's just bought the Z4 ( quicker than we thought it might sell) and we have no idea what to get to replace it.
Cooper S, TTS, Focus ST, RS Clio/Megane, or back to a 3 series Coupe.
talksthetorque said:
I thought we were doing OK along the lines of what you were looking for, with our combo.
S4 -perhaps the avant for your dog - we have mini dachshunds, so they're in a cage on the back seat - with their own separately controllable air vent (set to max of course)
Can get 38 mpg or 6.2l/100km if you have been looking at EU dashboards for 20 years.
Z4M Coupe -
Weekend fun and a boot when you need it. Maybe not 38mpg though
However someone's just bought the Z4 ( quicker than we thought it might sell) and we have no idea what to get to replace it.
Cooper S, TTS, Focus ST, RS Clio/Megane, or back to a 3 series Coupe.
I like the look of the S4 I have to say but the 272 diesel seems to offer similar performance (albeit in a different manner) and significantly better economy.S4 -perhaps the avant for your dog - we have mini dachshunds, so they're in a cage on the back seat - with their own separately controllable air vent (set to max of course)
Can get 38 mpg or 6.2l/100km if you have been looking at EU dashboards for 20 years.
Z4M Coupe -
Weekend fun and a boot when you need it. Maybe not 38mpg though
However someone's just bought the Z4 ( quicker than we thought it might sell) and we have no idea what to get to replace it.
Cooper S, TTS, Focus ST, RS Clio/Megane, or back to a 3 series Coupe.
Of your choices, before the Golf R we had a TTRS (old shape) for three years - seriously quick car - and really liked it.
CapScarlet said:
bearman68 said:
Not quite the same as we have kids, but similar in some other regards.
1) Volvo V50 D5 with very good spec.
2) Saab 9-3 aero.
About 3.5k total investment,and ticks most boxes (And a MR2 Mk3 for sunny times)
1) Volvo V50 D5 with very good spec.
2) Saab 9-3 aero.
About 3.5k total investment,and ticks most boxes (And a MR2 Mk3 for sunny times)
CapScarlet said:
I like the look of the S4 I have to say but the 272 diesel seems to offer similar performance (albeit in a different manner) and significantly better economy.
But it smells. 
However I can't disagree with your points as I've never experienced the engine.
Can you get "significantly better" than 37mpg on a run? Isuppose it depends on where you're living in the UK now.
CapScarlet said:
Of your choices, before the Golf R we had a TTRS (old shape) for three years - seriously quick car - and really liked it.
We can't stretch to an RS as we're halving the budget of the second car as I work from home half the time.We have looked at the TFSI though, but practicality is becoming more important for the second car, rather than fun/power as the priority. I fully admit it is still one of the priorities though
Edited by talksthetorque on Sunday 19th November 19:22
CapScarlet said:
What's yours? How would you combine?
Funnily enough I've just recently changed two cars, and I've gone for a GLC350d as the family practical wagon, and a F56 Mini Cooper S as the fun run around. So got one car that's comfortable and quick enough and a bit of a laid back cruiser, and the other one is small/light/just about quick enough, yet it does have a lousy ride but is good fun to throw around and puts a smile on your face.
cerb4.5lee said:
Funnily enough I've just recently changed two cars, and I've gone for a GLC350d as the family practical wagon, and a F56 Mini Cooper S as the fun run around.
So got one car that's comfortable and quick enough and a bit of a laid back cruiser, and the other one is small/light/just about quick enough, yet it does have a lousy ride but is good fun to throw around and puts a smile on your face.
How do you like the GLC?So got one car that's comfortable and quick enough and a bit of a laid back cruiser, and the other one is small/light/just about quick enough, yet it does have a lousy ride but is good fun to throw around and puts a smile on your face.
CapScarlet said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Funnily enough I've just recently changed two cars, and I've gone for a GLC350d as the family practical wagon, and a F56 Mini Cooper S as the fun run around.
So got one car that's comfortable and quick enough and a bit of a laid back cruiser, and the other one is small/light/just about quick enough, yet it does have a lousy ride but is good fun to throw around and puts a smile on your face.
How do you like the GLC?So got one car that's comfortable and quick enough and a bit of a laid back cruiser, and the other one is small/light/just about quick enough, yet it does have a lousy ride but is good fun to throw around and puts a smile on your face.
I've got the Mercedes bug for sure, and it's made a lovely change after a few years in Bmw's.
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