another "which car" thread

[stut4]

okay, posting here for the first time.
have been struggling on this decision for the past couple of years.

we're a family of 5 with a dog. Need an estate/MPV/SUV as main family car (camping/driving holidays etc) Currently have a Skoda superb 190 dsg for that purpose.

2nd car is one of the latest Volvo S60 phase 2 2.4 T5s made in 2008. I absolutely love this engine and have had 6 T5's over the past 15 years. i also love volvos and if i could get a 5 seat C30 in T5 i'd take that. i now work from home and the wife finds the manouverability of this around town, especially with wide 18" rubber on to be problematic. Therefore, the T5 has to go and i need a replacement.

needs to be a 3 or 5 door hatch. golf size. seats 5. bit of power to put a smile on face when needed - not for 0-60, but mid range overtakes etc. MPG not a problem. less than 10/11 years old. i'm handy with a spanner so can take care of maintenance/reliability so thats not a major issue. Prefer to low torque of the T5 engine rather than a VTEC type R which needs to be thrashed to get the best.


Mazda 3 MPS - bit pricy.
Impreza hatch WRX - bit pricy.
Focus ST - bit too young for me (i'm approaching 40).
Audi 2.0T - possible.
Audi 3.2 - too old model.
Golf GTI - too common.
Volvo C30 - only 4 seats.
Civic Type R - only 4 seats and too high reving
Civic Type S GT diesel....with remap......????
S40/V50 T5 - saloon & too big.

i like the look of the Civic Type S GT diesel with the 5 seats and reckon a remap/clutch/anti roll it might be good, but don't know if i could go diesel..

any other thoughts or suggestions please. i've contemplated getting a divorce or getting rid of the dog so i could get away with 4 seats/saloon but that won't work.

on a seperate note, i'll soon have a 2008 Volvo S60 T5 SE Sport manual 260 with 145k miles for sale in the swindon area. turquiose colour with newly refurbished antracite BBS split rims.

cheers.

[Krikkit]

For me it'd be the Impreza or the Golf GTI. You've pretty much listed every car that sprung to mind!

[stut4]

Krikkit said:

For me it'd be the Impreza or the Golf GTI. You've pretty much listed every car that sprung to mind!

any view on Alfa 5 seats hatches? GT/Mito/Gulietta? i know they tend to be diesels for the more powerful versions.

[ZX10R NIN]

Hi Stu the first thing people will want to know is your budget.

Alfa Giulietta Sportiva

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

TBI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

A smart option (dependent on budget) lots of spec & warranty.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Three door

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Eddie Twadds]

Put 17s on with narrower rubber? That way you get to keep a car you know and like with minimal expense. Not sure what it would do to the aesthetics though?

[stut4]

thanks all. budget c.£3000-4000.
good point on the narrower rubber. the car currently has 235/40/18, but my last t5 had 225 wide rubber on 17's. might need to see if i can get a match for 225 wide rubber on the 18's and keep the rolling ratio the same.
i've fitted spacers to prevent arch rubbing, and that helped, but it still feels like a barge and a reverse park into a space takes 2-3 shunts at a 90' angle rather than straight in, so i can see why the misses isn't keen.
i love driving it myself as since i fitted poly bushes all around its a much more raspier feel to it than before and it moves like s**t of a shovel mid range when needed.
i always wanted to keep it long term and have a remap/downpipe/zorst stage 2 as i've heard that they can easily make 300+ bhp so gutted to sell but unless i can offload the wife and dog, the car will need to go.