Fun family estate -3k (ish)

[Walshenham]

Hi Guys,

Anyone have any recommendation for a largeish, practice but fun family car for around 3k?

I need to transport me, mrs, one (on the way) child, and two idiot dogs. I’d also prefer not to die of boredom when I’m not transporting family.

Shortlist so far;

Subaru Legacy spec b wagon - Manual if I can find one!
Audi A4 advant 3.2
Mazda CX-7 2.3t

Am I missing a trick? Or does anyone have any experience of the above/ things I should be looking out for?

Thanks.

[was8v]

BMW with a 6? Usually the default response.

What do you mean by fun? Handling or straight line speed?

[ilikejam]

C Class estate?

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

[KomodoWagon]

I was warned off CX-7 petrols once; apparently the turbo can be expensively troublesome unless the servicing has been absolutely on-point.

I went for a Nissan Murano instead (although I spent a bit more than 3k). Shame, as otherwise the Mazda is a terrific car. The Murano's alright; a proper luxury squash-mobile actually, but it's also huge, wallowy and thirsty and nosy strangers keep asking me what it is at petrol stations.

Subaru seems like a good shout. Many of the dog people I know drive them.

Not sure what the 2.5/3.0 V6 Mondeos are like at that level. I do see the occasional ST-220 estate on AT for under 4k but I do wonder if they're a bit past their best. Your pregnant Mrs wouldn't thank you for the hard suspension either, and neither would the resulting baby.

Saab 9-5? Good seat support action.

[Walshenham]

A bmw with a 6 is the obvious choice, and I have had three previously. Problem is a 3 isn’t quite big enough, and finding a 5 in petrol estate flavour is not the easiest. Plus, I quite fancy something else.

The Merc isn’t a bad shout, it’s and auto and diesel which I’m not over keen on ( I work from home, so no need for a diesel). It’s a nice looking car though.

St220, I had a 4dr last year, briefly. Nice cars, but quite a lot of them are past their best now.

The big Nissan doesn’t do much for me to be honest, something about the way they look.

[Walshenham]

was8v said:

BMW with a 6? Usually the default response.

What do you mean by fun? Handling or straight line speed?

Oh, and ideally both. But I would accept slightly Lardy handling provide I didn’t find it frustrating to pedal along.
I currently have a 318i e46 shed, and it’s genuinly too slow. To the point it irritates me.

Worryingly I think the CX-7 is leading the charge at the moment, just looks so much car for the money. Supposed to drive quite well too.

[anonymous-user]

Saab 9-5 Aero would get my vote

[Thats What She Said]

Volvo V50 D5 R Design

1 year into ownership and it's been nothing short of excellent. Takes everything I throw at it. Hauls the dogs around, handles runs to the tips with ease (nice not having to pay anyone to take away old dishwashers and washing machines).

2.4 diesel with an inline 5. Doesnt set the world on fire, but doesnt hang about if you want to press on a bit.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[ninjag]

Walshenham said:

Mazda CX-7 2.3t

I had an MPS6 which was the same engine and whilst reasonably good fun it did feel like it lacked a little torque, my mates newer 2.0d Astra gave it a run for its money which was worrying. It's also restricted by the turbo inlet pipe which narrows although a straight 3" upgrade is available. If you want to remap then you need to upgrade the fuel pump internals first.

[Walshenham]

ninjag said:

I had an MPS6 which was the same engine and whilst reasonably good fun it did feel like it lacked a little torque, my mates newer 2.0d Astra gave it a run for its money which was worrying. It's also restricted by the turbo inlet pipe which narrows although a straight 3" upgrade is available. If you want to remap then you need to upgrade the fuel pump internals first.

Odd, I thought one of their defining characteristics was shed loads of mid range?

I have driven a mps3 ( a few years ago) and I don’t remember it being short on grunt. In fact I seem to remember it really struggling to put the power down!

9-5 is interesting, I’m having a look now.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mondeo ST220

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Ford-Mondeo-3-0-ST...

2.0T Insignia

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

2.0T Laguna GT

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

2.5 Mazda 6 Sport

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

[ninjag]

Walshenham said:

Odd, I thought one of their defining characteristics was shed loads of mid range?

I have driven a mps3 ( a few years ago) and I don’t remember it being short on grunt. In fact I seem to remember it really struggling to put the power down!

9-5 is interesting, I’m having a look now.

I think the 3 was a fair bit lighter which may have helped. The AWD system on the 6 was nice though.