What Car? Estate + Auto + Sub 5k

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Morning all.

Toying with the idea of swapping our Golf GTI in the new year for something a touch bigger (kids are growing at an alarming rate and we've now added a dog into the equation). I love the Golf but to be honest, needs some TLC cosmetically so toying with the idea of changing it and using the money to get something a touch larger.

Must be an estate (for dog + holidays etc) but doesn't need to be too massive (also got a T5 camper van for longer trips etc) and must have an auto box for the wife. Oh and reasonably economical - certainly same/better as the Golf. Oh and roughly 5k budget but might go more for the right car... And probably don't need diesel - lots of short journeys running kids around and limited (sub 10k a year) mileage.

So far I've been thinking of:
- BMW E91 - had a 330I M-Sport a few years back which I loved to pieces so although I wouldn't be getting into another straight 6, I know the build quality and space inside the E91 would suit us perfectly. 320i M-Sport??
- push the budget out a touch for an Octavia vRS? Maybe even a hatchback? Trouble is we had one of these too (albeit a manual) and the build quality going from that to the BMW was a revelation. But ticks a load of boxes.
- a Fabia vRS estate? 1.4TSI engines I've read have issues and I'm not sure its that much bigger than the Golf, if at all. And looks a bit special (not in a good way)? Something about them I quite like though...
- Audi A4 - are the boxes on the B8 shape all decent? I know theres the Multitronic and S-Tronic (?) boxes - whats the difference? And are the older B6 shaped autos still needing to be avoided like the plague?

Other options I've not thought about??

Cheers, DBW

[ninjag]

What about a Volvo V50 D5 and a cheeky remap?

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


Or a SAAB 9-3 2.0 with a remap?

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

Edited by ninjag on Friday 14th December 11:54

[Kingdom35]

Following with interest

[ZX10R NIN]

3.2 Audi A4

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

Saab 9-3 Vector Sport

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

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

Aero

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

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

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Must admit, a Saab is a possible. Really like the 9-3 Aero...

[wjb]

I needed a car under £5k for small family of 3 and extra large dog and went for a Cayenne V6.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

That's part of the problem - some cracking stuff around for that money but really don't need anything either huge and/or with a huge engine! Otherwise I'd be straight out there and getting an A8

[bakerstreet]

ninjag said:

What about a Volvo V50 D5 and a cheeky remap?

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


Or a SAAB 9-3 2.0 with a remap?

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

Edited by ninjag on Friday 14th December 11:54

Wouldn't get a Saab if you want to carry kids. Rear leg room is very poor even when compared to something like a Focus.