10k budget, inspiration needed!

[WishiahadaGTR]

Contemplating handing back Volvo v60 T5 my19 in feb next year mid way through current pcp. This is due to a change work circs for the foreseeable and my car is being used only once a week to pootle about in and for a bigger 200- 400 mile journey once every two months. Just cant justify the expense.

Ideally want to spend 10k could push to 12k for the right car. Intend to keep it for 2-4 years. Previously had a succession of golfs an audis as company cars, previous pcp was diesel vrs octavia estate which I loved for grip and the torque.

Car needs to be automatic, petrol, ideally an estate. Love heated seats and high tech spec if it's achievable in budget. Sub 7 seconds 0-62 time and would love something stealthily quick to surprise boy racers with. Needs to be reliable and a pleasure to drive for long journeys. Would love to consider something left of field. Other car in the household is my17 GTI.

Please help out with some unusual suggestions!

[ZX10R NIN]

There's not really going to be any leftfield suggestions with this budget.

Mondeo Titanium X Sport by far the best FWD (so if you liked the Octavia then the Mondeo will impress) steer but they're very hard to find:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

Insignia VXR underrated but they're a very enjoyable steer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007091...

S4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009013...

E55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010054...

[Mr Tidy]

Not in any way unusual but an E91 BMW 335i might fit the bill.

[Scootersp]

Left field for me would be Ebay - Nissan stagea the 2001 marmite colour one is top spec good importer and good MOT history 2001 but should be fresh underneath as only been here 5 years.

There is a nice looking fresh import, not an ARX so a lower/normal estate (the ARX is like the Audi allroad or Outback rather than Avant/Legacy.

[Scootersp]

Plus you wish you had a GTR, and this has the (old) GTR 4wd system!

[WishiahadaGTR]

ZX10R NIN said:

There's not really going to be any leftfield suggestions with this budget.

Mondeo Titanium X Sport by far the best FWD (so if you liked the Octavia then the Mondeo will impress) steer but they're very hard to find:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

Insignia VXR underrated but they're a very enjoyable steer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007091...

S4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009013...

E55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010054...

Interesting suggestions thank you!, not a lover of Vauxhall's a rule, can't realky put my finger on why. I hadn't considered the Mondeo at all previously, exactly why I came to pistonheads. Off to do some research!

[WishiahadaGTR]

Mr Tidy said:

Not in any way unusual but an E91 BMW 335i might fit the bill.

Thanks for the suggestion, I would definitely consider a BMW if could find one in something other than rep mobile grey. Am I being a plonker, can't seem to locate an estate/touring variant, all that's coming up is coupes and saloons s from quick search?

[ZX10R NIN]

WishiahadaGTR said:

Interesting suggestions thank you!, not a lover of Vauxhall's a rule, can't realky put my finger on why. I hadn't considered the Mondeo at all previously, exactly why I came to pistonheads. Off to do some research!

I'd say at least test drive the VXR you may well decide you can live with one once you see how well they go.

[WishiahadaGTR]

Scootersp said:

Plus you wish you had a GTR, and this has the (old) GTR 4wd system!

Had never heard of a Stagea, and definitely have never seen one!

Absolutely meets all the requirements, including leftfield. Love the pedigree/historical gtr connection, speaks to my inner fast and the furious loving 18yr old.

Definitely more research required, never considered a grey import. Would this need specialist servicing and maintenance? Local independent garage I use for maintenance is great, with the owners having a personal love of performance estates but not sure if this would need more specialist knowledge to be kept in optimum condition?

[Scootersp]

I think the only issues you'll have is if something goes wrong rather than servicing itself. Parts could be next week rather than next day etc, but a competent garage will find all the fluid drains and filters etc, a cars a car to that extent. It's complex compared to most cars so something more serious obviously brings a risk, but it's bargain barge/close to shed money for a powerful car.

[Ash_]

How about
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008212...

OK, it's not exactly stealthy, but it would be pretty nice.

[Mr Tidy]

WishiahadaGTR said:

Thanks for the suggestion, I would definitely consider a BMW if could find one in something other than rep mobile grey. Am I being a plonker, can't seem to locate an estate/touring variant, all that's coming up is coupes and saloons s from quick search?

No, you are probably right! Tourings do seem to be hard to find.

In early 2018 I was looking for a manual 330i Touring but ended up with a 325i. I tried again in early 2019 and ended up with a 330i Saloon. (Both in Sparkling Graphite, or rep mobile grey)!

There is only one 335i Touring on AutoTrader just now, and it's black. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=relev...

But if you aren't in a hurry you could set up an alert then if one does appear get on it quick!