Ultimate family car (under £35k)!
Discussion
Hi all
I am looking for a definitive help on my family car acquisition expected for summer, COVID permitting.
I would like a car that has:
a big enough boot, say 450l and above
4 doors
Can fit 2 child seats/boosters and still manage a squished adult in the middle for small /emergency rides
Fun and fast to drive - below 5.5 secs to 62mph, involving, able to handle corners
Awd or Rwd
6 or more cylinders, 2.5k cc and above, turbo/sc or NA
Makes a sweet sounds from engine and exhaust. Not a hooligan car though.
Petrol
Sub £35k with sub 35k miles
Reliable as I hate dealing with dealers
No SUVs
Not massive as I will to park in London
So this is my shortlist at the moment:
Alfa giulia quadrifoglio - not sub £35k but I’m pretty sure We will be there soon. My fear here is the horror stories I hear with regards to dealership experience and electronics. Also the boot seems less practical given its shape than some of the below. Too much to handle In the wet Uk with those 500bhp in RWD only?
Audi S4 estate or an older RS4 - being an Audi I feel I might miss some of the driving fun and they tend to be relatively dull to drive (I am coming from a Porsche Cayman) Plus they understeer quite a bit. If I get the S4 I fear I might regret not getting the RS4 and the RS4 I can afford is starting to look dated. I like the estate idea though
BMW 340i estate or 440i gran coupe (4 door version). I drove a 340i the other day and it was quite nice though I think I might miss a bit of drama that a more aggressive car might have (more bhp, better noise etc). I find the m3 a bit too much though. The 540i estate is a similarly priced car but a touch too big.
Mercedes c63 AMG estate- like the Alfa slightly above budget but I’m confident it will be in budget soon. Not crazy for the looks but its an amazing sounding kit with that V8. Too much to handle in the wet UK with those almost 500bhp in RWD only? Don't like the c43 interior
Others: Jag XE V6 looks just like a 2.0 diesel to me, the Volvo v60 3.0 polestar looks dated, not keen on Asian styling, not keen pm Skoda/Kia/etc either as I want something that feels more special.
Many thanks in advance. Looking fwd to all your thoughts!
I am looking for a definitive help on my family car acquisition expected for summer, COVID permitting.
I would like a car that has:
a big enough boot, say 450l and above
4 doors
Can fit 2 child seats/boosters and still manage a squished adult in the middle for small /emergency rides
Fun and fast to drive - below 5.5 secs to 62mph, involving, able to handle corners
Awd or Rwd
6 or more cylinders, 2.5k cc and above, turbo/sc or NA
Makes a sweet sounds from engine and exhaust. Not a hooligan car though.
Petrol
Sub £35k with sub 35k miles
Reliable as I hate dealing with dealers
No SUVs
Not massive as I will to park in London
So this is my shortlist at the moment:
Alfa giulia quadrifoglio - not sub £35k but I’m pretty sure We will be there soon. My fear here is the horror stories I hear with regards to dealership experience and electronics. Also the boot seems less practical given its shape than some of the below. Too much to handle In the wet Uk with those 500bhp in RWD only?
Audi S4 estate or an older RS4 - being an Audi I feel I might miss some of the driving fun and they tend to be relatively dull to drive (I am coming from a Porsche Cayman) Plus they understeer quite a bit. If I get the S4 I fear I might regret not getting the RS4 and the RS4 I can afford is starting to look dated. I like the estate idea though
BMW 340i estate or 440i gran coupe (4 door version). I drove a 340i the other day and it was quite nice though I think I might miss a bit of drama that a more aggressive car might have (more bhp, better noise etc). I find the m3 a bit too much though. The 540i estate is a similarly priced car but a touch too big.
Mercedes c63 AMG estate- like the Alfa slightly above budget but I’m confident it will be in budget soon. Not crazy for the looks but its an amazing sounding kit with that V8. Too much to handle in the wet UK with those almost 500bhp in RWD only? Don't like the c43 interior
Others: Jag XE V6 looks just like a 2.0 diesel to me, the Volvo v60 3.0 polestar looks dated, not keen on Asian styling, not keen pm Skoda/Kia/etc either as I want something that feels more special.
Many thanks in advance. Looking fwd to all your thoughts!
Got to be an m3 hasn't it? Had one on and off for the last 10 years for all the reasons you list. With everything turned down its not too bad. I admit the the most rapid gear change is too violent to be useful. Also in a dull colour, mine is grey, it goes by unnoticed.
Edited by NeilC4S on Monday 4th May 18:50
NeilC4S said:
Got to be an m3 hasn't it? Had one on and off for the last 10 years for all the reasons you list. With everything turned down its not too bad. I admit the the most rapid gear change is too violent to be useful. Also in a dull colour, mine is grey, it goes by unnoticed.
I see what you mean and I have looked at a manual one dearly but I just find it a bit too shouty for me. And shame they dont make one in estate style!Edited by NeilC4S on Monday 4th May 18:50
Forget the Alfa. With 2 kiddy seat aged kids you'd be thankful for an estate shaped boot - not for overall space per se, but for the convenience of just chucking the crap in, and not having to fold everything up like a Chinese wood puzzle on the side of the road in the pouring rain.
I looked at an A4 and 3 series when mine were that age and eventually I went for the much larger S Max. Not that these aren't great cars listed, but once the kids grow a bit more you rapidly need a lot more rear space than these cars give you. i would rather the next size up - a 540i or E43 Wagon or similar and then you are future proofed for many years.
I was all man mathed up to go for a used RS6 or E63, but really I was glad to go for something less flash. Firstly because when you have young kids on board you drive a bit more sedately, and I didn't want to fret about footprints and spilt milk in an expensive car. Are you really going to use the potential of an S4 on the drive to the nursery? If you really will make use of it, I'd suggest the biggest car you can reasonably live with.
If you aren't wedded to the badge, then a Mondeo Titatanium X (don't laugh) with the Ecoboost petrol 240bhp is huge and handles really rather well.
I looked at an A4 and 3 series when mine were that age and eventually I went for the much larger S Max. Not that these aren't great cars listed, but once the kids grow a bit more you rapidly need a lot more rear space than these cars give you. i would rather the next size up - a 540i or E43 Wagon or similar and then you are future proofed for many years.
I was all man mathed up to go for a used RS6 or E63, but really I was glad to go for something less flash. Firstly because when you have young kids on board you drive a bit more sedately, and I didn't want to fret about footprints and spilt milk in an expensive car. Are you really going to use the potential of an S4 on the drive to the nursery? If you really will make use of it, I'd suggest the biggest car you can reasonably live with.
If you aren't wedded to the badge, then a Mondeo Titatanium X (don't laugh) with the Ecoboost petrol 240bhp is huge and handles really rather well.
An m3 answers your list of requirements but edited this response as you already mentioned it might be a bit much. It doesn't have to be as wild as some. I have seen several black cars with no carbon add ons and black interior which are reasonably subtle for under £35k
BMW Approved used has several m3 with under 30k miles for under 35k. Some actually very nice spec.
BMW Approved used has several m3 with under 30k miles for under 35k. Some actually very nice spec.
Edited by Liamst on Monday 4th May 19:18
I’ve got an Audi A7 that’s a very nice solid place to sit and it doesn’t look too terrible - you could get a decent S7 4 litre turbo V8 in budget but if the handling is as stodgy as the A7 it’s probably not a good idea.
Old shape C63 wagon with the m156 6.2 would be my choice - you’d get a stonker at that budget and they’re a real event in every way. Bit old though, and they don’t really do economy.
My other idea would also be the Stinger as already suggested. Rear wheel drive, fully fully loaded as standard, proper engine and ace warranty. Get a 68 plate onwards for a better exhaust note. Try the Kia - you might be surprised.
Old shape C63 wagon with the m156 6.2 would be my choice - you’d get a stonker at that budget and they’re a real event in every way. Bit old though, and they don’t really do economy.
My other idea would also be the Stinger as already suggested. Rear wheel drive, fully fully loaded as standard, proper engine and ace warranty. Get a 68 plate onwards for a better exhaust note. Try the Kia - you might be surprised.
David-ioy24 said:
Reffro said:
Nobody else builds a car that meets your exacting requirement, except what's on the list already, so you're going to have to go for one of those.
I think so too. Which one would you pick?Off your list, and going with the heart, I'd look at a Mercedes CLS63. Though you'll think its too large, but that's the point.
A4/3 Series and C-Class are tiny inside and not wide enough for what you want.
Going with the head, ultimate practicality is the Skoda Superb 2.0 TSI 276, all the space, build quality you require, but no badge to parade.
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