Medium/large Estate Car that rides and handles well?

[MC Bodge]

Last year I bought a used Mk3 Octavia TSI 150 Estate to replace an excellent long term owned Mk4 Mondeo Estate.

It does many things very well (the engine is great and interior good) but, as someone who enjoys driving, I have never gelled with it. Sadly, it is a torsion beam car, which is fine in a hatchback, but less so in the estate (although it does carry loads reasonably well).

I like the big boot and wouldn't really want a smaller one (camping trips), so a bigger car may be required as other similar sized cars have less lugge space.

Ideally, I need a car with good, compliant suspension that rides well, but steers nicely and with some feel (if that is a thing nowadays).

I would prefer a fairly economical turbo petrol and 0-60 in 8-9.5 ish secs would be adequate.

Budget around £12-15K

PS. I would prefer a manual.
PPS. I've broadened the performance range a bit.

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 30th January 22:52

[ZX10R NIN]

Firstly as you've acknowledged steering feel is more dialed back but for me the pick of the (I had pretty much tried them all) FWD cars was the Mondeo the pick of the spec's is Vignale followed by Titanium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Titanium with the XPack

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

My next pick may be seen as leftfield but having spent a considerable amount of time in these I'd say these are a good pick if driver enjoyment/engagement then these are well worth a test drive, the manual box also adds to the involvement but I'd recommend a remap.

The bonus is that due to their badge they're very reasonably priced & for me their on par with the S4:

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Leftfield is the V60 T6 not as good a steer as the two above but you may find you enjoy it but you may find the boot space to small:

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

528i M Sport obviously (I went for the 5 over the 3 due to boot space) these are a jump up in size & weight so may not have the engagement you're looking for:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

S4 not known for being for being feelsome but it'll come down to what you want from your car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

2.0T Black Edition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Passat R36 an older vehicle but worth a test drive:

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

[MC Bodge]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm going to try a MkV Mondeo. Reviews are not as good as for the Mk4, but if it is comfortable whilst still handling reasonably well, I'll be happy.

The Insignias I have driven were actually better than I expected. 150-200bhp will be more than fine, though.

What are the newer Insignia Sport Tourers like to drive?

PS. I'd prefer a manual, for heel n' toe reasons.

Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 29th January 21:11

[ZX10R NIN]

MC Bodge said:

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm going to try a MkV Mondeo. Reviews are not as good as for the Mk4, but if it is comfortable whilst still handling reasonably well, I'll be happy.

The Insignias I have driven were actually better than I expected. 150-200bhp will be more than fine, though.

What are the newer Insignia Sport Tourers like to drive?

PS. I'd prefer a manual, for heel n' toe reasons.

Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 29th January 21:11

They're a good drive & you can get a 1.5T 160 in Elite spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

SRI

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[MC Bodge]

ZX10R NIN said:

They're a good drive & you can get a 1.5T 160 in Elite spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

SRI

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Good stuff. I'll try one of those too.

[stevemcs]

I wouldn't dismiss the 3 series, a 328i would make a nice car although the steering still isn't the best, the mk5 mondeo is more comfortable than the mk4 but the steering is worse.

Wild cards ....

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by stevemcs on Wednesday 29th January 21:59

[MC Bodge]

stevemcs said:

I wouldn't dismiss the 3 series, a 328i would make a nice car although the steering still isn't the best, the mk5 mondeo is more comfortable than the mk4 but the steering is worse.

Wild cards ....

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I'd like a boot that is at least as big as the Octavia estate, but the Mk4 Mondeo estate was very handy.

It would probably need to be a 5 series.

[ED209]

stevemcs said:

I wouldn't dismiss the 3 series, a 328i would make a nice car although the steering still isn't the best, the mk5 mondeo is more comfortable than the mk4 but the steering is worse.

Wild cards ....

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by stevemcs on Wednesday 29th January 21:59

Urrggh that poverty spec bmw

[MC Bodge]

Is the current Superb estate significantly better than the torsion bar Octavia estate?

[budgie smuggler]

stevemcs said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

They handle well but the ride is a little jarring.

[alock]

The Seat Leon estates got the fully independent suspension when you moved up to the more powerful engines. Maybe the Octavia's are the same?

My Leon ST 184 bhp has the fully independent rear suspension, whereas the same model with the 150 bhp engine got the torsion bar.

[Glasgowrob]

dont touch a mk5 mondeo with a long st covered stick,

the mk4 is a far superior car in every way shape and form.

ride quality comfort NVH the mk4.5 wins hands down


something like a E class or jag XF estate might be what your looking for.

Currently running an XF estate as a daily air on the rear and as long as you stick at 19s rather than the 20s its a fantastic riding car got 20s on mine on the summer tyres and its just a smidge too big the 19s are a perfect size.

handling wise its not mx5 chuckable but it will quite happily go where you point it and is fantastically controllable on the throttle if you get a bit enthusiastic

[AJB88]

alock said:

The Seat Leon estates got the fully independent suspension when you moved up to the more powerful engines. Maybe the Octavia's are the same?

My Leon ST 184 bhp has the fully independent rear suspension, whereas the same model with the 150 bhp engine got the torsion bar.

Yeh the VRS should be the same.

Can get a Leon Cupra ST for about 17k

[MC Bodge]

budgie smuggler said:

stevemcs said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

They handle well but the ride is a little jarring.

Definitely not what I'm after. I need a road car, for roads.

[MC Bodge]

Glasgowrob said:

dont touch a mk5 mondeo with a long st covered stick,

the mk4 is a far superior car in every way shape and form.

ride quality comfort NVH the mk4.5 wins hands down


something like a E class or jag XF estate might be what your looking for.

Currently running an XF estate as a daily air on the rear and as long as you stick at 19s rather than the 20s its a fantastic riding car got 20s on mine on the summer tyres and its just a smidge too big the 19s are a perfect size.

handling wise its not mx5 chuckable but it will quite happily go where you point it and is fantastically controllable on the throttle if you get a bit enthusiastic

I've seen you comment on the Mk5 (v. MK4, which were excellent cars) before. I've not driven one yet, but will, and will bear in mind your comments. It seems a shame that some cars are now inferior to their predecessors.

XF are all automatic. I normally keep cars for a long time, so wouldn't want an expensive auto box failure to pay for.

I want a petrol too, so they are well out of budget. I have done the diesel thing in the past.

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 30th January 10:10

[MC Bodge]

Any more suggestions would be welcomed

[stevemcs]

It lacks the performance ... unless the BBR turbo kit from the MX5 fits

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[ElectricSoup]

My Honda Civic Tourer 1.8 VTEC rides and handles very nicely, and has a far, far bigger boot than you might imagine. Only 140bhp though, but it is still great fun in the twisties.

[stevemcs]

Or ....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-65-MERCEDES-BENZ-C...

[anonymous-user]

Not a Turbo but you could do a lot worse than a Mazda 6 with the skyactive petrol