"Fun" Family Barge

[t4thomas]

Is this a thing?

I have a few fun cars, but never get to drive them (106 Rallye and Clio V6).

I am therefore considering replacing our family Volvo XC60 with something more interesting.

The reality is that this is the car that we will spend most time in as a family. It will need to have enough space for a pushchair, and it will permanently fully of crumbs and pet hair etc.

I don't really fancy an SUV.

Budget isn't really so much of an issue.

[NiceCupOfTea]

For me the solution was an e46 BMW 330 Touring with a manual box. Ticks all the boxes. Sadly it's a bit leggy and a bit tatty and the newer BMWs don't really appeal (and finding a petrol manual is tough).

[defblade]

JDM Subaru Legacy Spec B 2.0l twinscroll turbo wagon (or UK Spec B 3.0l H6, if you're a little more risk adverse).

Pros: plenty of room (but not too big), AWD, decently quick, spec B = Bilstein suspension so corners well too. No-one knows what they are; good-looking too in my opinion (and SWMBO's!).
Cons: like a slurp at the pump (and small fuel tank due to AWD and boot so 200-250 miles normally, over 300 on a motorway run), JDM needs 99RON. Brakes can be a bit sticky but easy to refurb (ie, I did it myself ).

Not that I am biased

[t4thomas]

Thanks.

We have been looking at BMW, so that’s an option. I hadn’t considered a Legacy, but always liked them. JDM stuff in general could be worth a bit more research.

What about if budget was hiked up a bit more?

ATM, wife wants a Velar for example. There has to be something 1-2 years old and a whole load more interesting than a Velar.

Thomas

[FWIW]

Macan. Much nicer to drive than the Velar.

[PomBstard]

Similar to defblade, having previously had a 2.0T Gen4, I went for a later, 2013, Gen5 Legacy/Liberty wagon. 2.5T, 6-sp manual, not as good looking as the Gen4, but a bit quicker. Fits a family of 5 and, as recently re-proven, is good fun cross-country. Its Japanese but I don't think there are many in the UK - even over here, a place where Subaru has the same market share as VW, they're not commonplace. Thread in Readers Cars if you want more info.

[mini me]

FWIW said:

Macan. Much nicer to drive than the Velar.

Still an SUV though no?

When I was in a similar predicament my choices were something AMG or BMW M somethingorother. C63 or M3 ish perhaps?

[Pistonheader101]

Or a sports saloon?

[ZX10R NIN]

Jeep Trackhawk

[FWIW]

mini me said:

Still an SUV though no?

When I was in a similar predicament my choices were something AMG or BMW M somethingorother. C63 or M3 ish perhaps?

Well yes, but the OP mentioned Velar and the Macan drives very much like a, car so everyone’s a winner!

[mini me]

True true. But I got the impression it was along the lines of wife wants one but he’s not keen.

[interstellar]

640i BMW

Barge tick
Large tick
Comfy tick
Quick tick
Fun tick

I have a 640i and it’s more fun than I thought it would be being a barge and I came from an M4.

[Croutons]

Maserati quattroporte,

Alfa Guilia Quadriwhatsit,

Aston Rapide S.

All have sufficient boot space for a pushchair etc.

Saying budget isn't an issue isn't helpful, as otherwise we're just talking you out of the time you'll spend with a JLR dealer failing to fix all the problems. Velar is also oddly proportioned. The only reasons for wanting one are keeping up with the Joneses, which is a shame when you can have real class instead.

ETA: If you want to rub the neighbours noses in it, a Maybach can be had from 50k.

Edited by Croutons on Wednesday 2nd January 22:47

[steve-5snwi]

I'd take an Audi S6 Avant as an everyday car,

[t4thomas]

Thanks for suggestions so far.

ATM, I really like the look of an F90 M5.

I am going to give a Macan a go though.

[Shiv_P]

Rs6 or E63S estate