is there anything better than an insignia VXR for the price?

[Hudson1984]

Hi all,

bit of a "what if" type query - lockdown looks likely to be going on for a while, and as such I can't see a car purchase being too high on the agenda, meaning I can probably save more and get something that'll last.

I think my last thread, £3k means the ST220 or Saab 9-3 is the route to take.

But whoever suggested an insignia VXR has got me thinking.

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

£12k, 52k on the clock, fast, look cool, digital dash - so a really well equipped estate car.

Is there anything that can really compete there? I mean sure the Audi stock is faster, but for that money the interior is bloody dated, i'm sure BMW have something to compete, but I like the 4x4 aspect of the VXR....suppose could go X-drive, but again, be older than the Vauxhall and potentially less equipped?

more of a conversation thread than anything. I think if things continue the way they are, won't be buying anything till september ish so the above or something similar won't be out of the question, but for now, i'm just interested in the other options that can compare

[Darkslider]

VXR8 would get my vote

[Hudson1984]

Darkslider said:

VXR8 would get my vote

yeah that's damned awesome - sorry should've specified - must be an estate.

I mean I've always thought these are cool

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Chrysler-300C-6-1-...P0AAOSwxH1eR6TK

and a 6.1 hemi! beast! but is a bit older than the VXR

Edited by Hudson1984 on Monday 13th April 20:53

[Evanivitch]

I'd be looking at a second gen 2017+ for that money. Okay it won't be a VXR, but I think the Insignia is a competent motorway muncher without ruining it by making it "sporty". IMHO.

[Hudson1984]

ah the sporty part is what attracts me.

I don't need a motorway muncher really, working from home is looking likely to be a permanent fixture for me so it's just got to perfrom family duties and be a fun drive outside of that.

The only reason I want an estate is I cycle and want to be able to bung the bike in the boot, and I have a dog that needs to be chucked in there when the wife has the XC60 (which is the main dog carrier as it has the better dog cage)

i've had an insignia estate before, just the SRI diesel and it was great, did everything I wanted it to - other than make me smile when I put my foot down.

I had a 3.0Tdi A5 - that made me smile when I put my foot down but trips to B&Q for project stuff was out of the question.

So a mix of the two is the aim, something fast, but also able to be useful

[Joe5y]

Hhmmm that VXR actually looks quite good for that money.

[Hudson1984]

Joe5y said:

Hhmmm that VXR actually looks quite good for that money.

exactly what I'm thinking. It's a bugger there's all this going on (of course in addition to the not being able to buy a car!)

[Heaveho]

I've seen 100k mile Lexus IS-Fs for 12k....... never heard a sniff about mileage being an issue on them, and they're a great car, miss the one we had very much.

Edited, forget it, missed the estate bit, sorry.

[SWoll]

If you want a quick estate car I'd keep saving for a little longer.

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



Same age, similar miles, still does 60 in 6.5 seconds and so much more car for not much more money.

£12k for a 7 year old Vauxhall Insignia? No chance.

[ninepoint2]

Skoda Octavia or Superb Estate, both far better than the Vauxhall

[omniflow]

I test drove an Insignia VXR a couple of years ago and I was massively underwhelmed. I really wanted to like it, as on paper it was perfect and extremely good value for money. Driving it was a huge let down - there was something very unsatisfying about the power delivery - as soon as it got to the point where it felt like it was shifting it was time to change gear. It was like the power band was about 200rpm wide, just before the red line.

The bloke selling it could tell I didn't like it, and I got the feeling I wasn't the first person come to that conclusion about that car.

[Hudson1984]

omniflow said:

I test drove an Insignia VXR a couple of years ago and I was massively underwhelmed. I really wanted to like it, as on paper it was perfect and extremely good value for money. Driving it was a huge let down - there was something very unsatisfying about the power delivery - as soon as it got to the point where it felt like it was shifting it was time to change gear. It was like the power band was about 200rpm wide, just before the red line.

The bloke selling it could tell I didn't like it, and I got the feeling I wasn't the first person come to that conclusion about that car.

that's a shame!

I really want to like it too haha, I don't want to feel that niggle that I should've got something else - like saving another £1,000 and getting the well mentioned merc.

I do like the 350.

Also, BMW with X drive would be a possibility, I'd really like to keep the AWD/4WD as after the audi, I love the grip it affords.

Did look at the Range Rovers but being as no one EVER seems to suggest these on these threads I'm assuming there's a reason behind it

[sociopath]

12k for a 7 yr old vauxhall.

Don't think that would make me open my wallet.

Knock 10k off and perhaps I might be interested.

[Hudson1984]

sociopath said:

12k for a 7 yr old vauxhall.

Don't think that would make me open my wallet.

Knock 10k off and perhaps I might be interested.

seems to be a common concensus haha.

so what about this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Range-Rover-...

less money, V8 - granted it'll drink fuel for fun, but still quick, and massive comfort factor.

[SWoll]

Horrendous money pit. Avoid like the plague.

ETA - I'll see your cheap RRS SC and raise you a cheap Porsche Cayenne Turbo S..

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

Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 14th April 08:55

[Shifter1]

SWoll said:

If you want a quick estate car I'd keep saving for a little longer.

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



Same age, similar miles, still does 60 in 6.5 seconds and so much more car for not much more money.

£12k for a 7 year old Vauxhall Insignia? No chance.

Fully agree here.

If you are settling for FWD, I would go with the CLS. The Insignia would only be interesting at half the price.

[Hudson1984]

SWoll said:

Horrendous money pit. Avoid like the plague.

ETA - I'll see your RRS SC and raise you a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S..

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

Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 14th April 08:48

love the outside
would probably love the engine
HATE the interior. That's the trouble really at this price bracket - it's in between i.e. you can't quite get a modern prestige car, but equally the modern other brands aren't as good as the older prestige brands

[Shifter1]

Hudson1984 said:

seems to be a common concensus haha.

so what about this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Range-Rover-...

less money, V8 - granted it'll drink fuel for fun, but still quick, and massive comfort factor.

If you are going to open it up to SUVs and Crossovers, there are so many better options than this.

[Shifter1]

SWoll said:

Horrendous money pit. Avoid like the plague.

ETA - I'll see your cheap RRS SC and raise you a cheap Porsche Cayenne Turbo S..

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

Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 14th April 08:55

Where the LR is a horrendous hole in your wallet that is a horrendous hole in your eyes. Horrible looking, that and the Panamera. Then you pay out a fortune to maintain that ugly thing, because it says Porsche on the tin.

[Hudson1984]

Shifter1 said:

If you are going to open it up to SUVs and Crossovers, there are so many better options than this.

Open to anything in all reality.

I was looking last night at whether it's best to just get a decent 2 seater then couple it with a Van! but I end up coming back to the estate option.

What i'm really after is BAs van from the A team

But yes, an SUV/Crossover is fine, I had looked at an XC90 (the wife has the 60 and it's a little small in the back for what i'm after) or something like that but I don't think they have the thrill factor offered by other brands....bloody comfy though!