Perfect car for a one car family. Does it exist?

[Cambs_Stuart]

Hello All. I'm at the stage of starting to shop for a new car. and I need a few suggestions. I'd like a decent size estate, with a few mod cons (Bluetooth stereo, leather, air con). I'd also like something reliable and entertaining to drive when the occasion arises. Preferably manual and not diesel (I only do 7-8 thousand miles per year). Fuel consumption is not so important.
Previously I've had:

1. Mondeo ST220, which came close a a perfect all rounder, despite not being that quick and very, very thirsty. And the big end bearing failed at sub-60,000 miles.

2. Impreza WRX wagon. Very, very good to drive: No matter how badly I drove, it just gripped and turned and went. Loads of character, noise and fun to tinker with. Always made me smile. But no leg room in the back, uncomfortable for my wife and not the best luggage capacity. Tiresome for long journeys with family. Plus getting old and could throw up some bills. Didn't use as much fuel as the mondeo!

3. Legacy GTB (twinscroll turbo). Current car. Bigger and more refined than the impreza, consequently not as much character. Huge load area and goes/handles very well for such a big car.

I'm temped by some more JDM imports, such as the Nissan stagea 2.5 turbo models, and the Mitsubishi Legnum VR4. But they are getting old, and as it's the only car in my family I really need something bulletproof.
So what do people suggest. Skoda VRS? Fast Volvo? Touring BMW? Some other VAG wagon? Newer Legacy? Top end of budget is around £12k, and I'd need to keep it for a few years.
Alternatively, I could by a nice sensible reliable volvo for the commute/family/drum kit and bike carting duties and get something more fun on the side?

[kiethton]

My vote would go for:

BMW 340i touring

+320 bhp
Pretty relaible
Decent boot and passenger space
40mpg on a run

Can't beat it really

[coldel]

I had a Nissan R33 for a while, me the wife and baby fit in perfectly and reasonable sized boot !

Was pretty fast as well...and looked great.

[Cambs_Stuart]

Thanks. I'm leaning that way too. We've got a diesel 3-series touring as a pool car and despite the horrific abuse it gets it's a decent drive.

[Ryan-nunm9]

Borrowed my brothers 2008/2009 ish (private plate) Audi A6 Avante 3.0 TDI Quattro S-Line LeMans edition the other weekend. Loads of room, fair bit of go and lots of toys. Really liked it, I think he paid about £10k/£11k a couple ears ago.

You can get the A4 with the same engine as well I think if the 6 is to big.

[coldel]

kiethton said:

My vote would go for:

BMW 340i touring

+320 bhp
Pretty relaible
Decent boot and passenger space
40mpg on a run

Can't beat it really

For £12k? I thought these were knocking out at £20k+ ? Or am I missing something?

[ST Ford]

I think the ST220 is the closest you will get to a perfect all rounder unless your spending silly money on M3 and 5’s or RS Audi’s or Amg Mercs etc.
I’m on my second ST220 now I missed the first one so much. I had a budget of 8-9k ish and seen a mint low mileage ST220 come up not far for 2.7k and the more I looked I thought what am I getting extra for my 8-9k money that I don’t already get on the 220 for a third of the price so I’ve been running this for 18 months. Been the most reliable car I have ever had.
The newer Mk4 Mondeo Titanium X Sport with the 2.5T or 2.0 ecoboost comes close aswell.
T5 Volvo estate is also a good shout

[Fastdruid]

ST Ford said:

The newer Mk4 Mondeo Titanium X Sport with the 2.5T or 2.0 ecoboost comes close aswell.

The 2.5T is marginally quicker than the 220, better handling and monstrously quicker if you remap it. It is also even rarer than the ST220 and the newest ones are now 8 years old.

The 2.0T is meh, It's technically got more power but it's all top end so slower most of the time in the really real world where bhp top trumps don't actually win. Oh and auto only.

ST Ford said:

T5 Volvo estate is also a good shout

As long as you aren't wanting to go round corners...

On the others, 3 Series is a fair chunk smaller than the Mondeo so as long as it's big enough (and I managed to *fill* the Mondeo Estate for a camping trip so I'm not sure it would be for us) it's worth looking at. Going to cost more to buy and run though.

As you may have guessed, I have a Mondeo 2.5T Titanium X Estate. It is *awesome*, it is far from perfect and there are undoubtedly better cars at any one thing but as an all rounder I can't think of anything to replace it with.

[Cambs_Stuart]

Thanks for all the advice. Used to be a real ford fan. My grandad worked at Dagenham (window winders for the anglia), my uncle too.
However, back when I had one small child I had an ST170 that was nothing but EML based trouble. The followed by catastrophic engine failure on the ST220 which replaced it really put me off Ford.

[kieranblenk]

I know you're not so keen on Ford but the new Focus ST Estates are in budget....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

Insignia VXR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

Audi S4
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

I'd go for the VRS myself though
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

[Fastdruid]

kieranblenk said:

I know you're not so keen on Ford but the new Focus ST Estates are in budget....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

Bear in mind that you can't tow with the ST. Which may or may not be an issue but you mentioned bikes... so depending on if those are motor or push bikes means no towbar carriers or trailers.

[kiethton]

coldel said:

kiethton said:

My vote would go for:

BMW 340i touring

+320 bhp
Pretty relaible
Decent boot and passenger space
40mpg on a run

Can't beat it really

For £12k? I thought these were knocking out at £20k+ ? Or am I missing something?

Sorry yes, missed the £12k bit - 335i will do the same job 👍🏼

[Aluxo]

Skoda Superb estate 3.6? You can put your house in the boot and it can be had with 4x4 too.
Otherwise a 5-series GT. They did not hold value too well and are decent cars.
Or the Renault Vel Satis and Citroën C5. You risk your Wife leaving you and your kids not talking to you but they were great cars, only that they were designed by Ray Charles

[Cambs_Stuart]

You now what? I do have a soft spot for the vel satis. There is a 3.5 v6 near me that is just going decrepid on the driveway

[Cambs_Stuart]

kieranblenk said:

I know you're not so keen on Ford but the new Focus ST Estates are in budget....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

Insignia VXR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

Audi S4
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

I'd go for the VRS myself though
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

I'd forgotten about the st estate. They all look good. If I'm being picky, I'm slightly worried about big bills on the S4

[jeremyh1]

Land Rover Defender

[ST Ford]

Fastdruid said:

As long as you aren't wanting to go round corners...
As you may have guessed, I have a Mondeo 2.5T Titanium X Estate. It is *awesome*, it is far from perfect and there are undoubtedly better cars at any one thing but as an all rounder I can't think of anything to replace it with.

I think the ST220 when rolling and driven hard is as quick as the Focus ST225 that i had which had a supposed 0-60 of 6.5 seconds. So I don’t think the slightly de tuned 2.5 or the 2.0 ecoboost in the heavier mk4 Mondeo is quicker than the 220 imo. I also think the 220 has one of the greatest chassis Ford ever made. It goes around corners better than most smaller lighter hot hatches.
I agree though the 2.5 Titanium X sport is just as good an all rounder and very hard to replace

[Cambs_Stuart]

My mental block is that while I can get a nice low mileage mondeo titanium x sport for 8k, the same buys a low mileage 280 bhp 4wd stagea with leather,
Sunroof and lots of JDM electronics. Some of which I may be able to operate.

[whoami]

jeremyh1 said:

Land Rover Defender

Obviously.

[Ryan-nunm9]

jeremyh1 said:

Land Rover Defender

😳. I have one, a G4 110 and I love it. Would I recommend one for a 1 car family....only to someone whose had one before.