What sporty big hatch or SUV for family duties? - Page 1 - Car Buying

Original Poster

3,370 posts

209 months

Tuesday 24th November 2020

Hi guys. Will be upgrading the missus car early next year, and I had my heart set on a Mini Countryman JCW - With a budget of around £15k.

However, after some discussion she's told me she doesn't mind taking a cheaper car if it means we can do more to the house (it's a big list as we only moved in last month)

Therefore, with a smaller budget of around £4k what are my options?

I need something relatively sporty because otherwise she's not allowed on my insurance unfortunately (and we occasionally need to swap cars) around 200bhp should do it. She'll be wanting a big boot (350L at least) and 5 doors I guess. I would prefer petrol and manual, but could be open to diesel and auto if required.

For me personally, no real good SUV cars available for the smaller budget. MPV wise there is the S-Max but what a beast boxedin

Other than that no real must haves. Quick look on AutoTrader earlier gave a few possibilities:

A3 S-Line
Golf GTI
Giulietta, but not sure if these are powerful enough
Some kind of 1 series?
Meriva VXR

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Ntv

5,177 posts

151 months

Wednesday 25th November 2020

CrippsCorner said:

Maybe a Focus ST?

Original Poster

3,370 posts

209 months

Wednesday 25th November 2020

Certainly crossed my mind, ticks the performance and boot size boxes... just wondering if it's a bit thirsty?

anonymous-user

82 months

Wednesday 25th November 2020

Focus ST - I find it hard to criticise these
Golf GTi - personally I find these a bit plain
A3 3.2 - nice engine amd AWD but not involving to drive.
Mazda 3 MPS - a bit different but of typically Jap build.

ZX10R NIN

30,484 posts

153 months

Wednesday 25th November 2020

Original Poster

3,370 posts

209 months

Thursday 26th November 2020

Thanks! Some great suggestions, must admit a few of those are already on my watch list biggrin

Hadn't thought of Megane or Leon, worth looking at.

Down a wormhole or trying to find a decent A4 S-Line last night I ended up being quite attracted to 325i M Sports - Don't really know much about the bigger BMWs - Any experience on here?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011055...

That one is perfect as less than 100k, manual, and petrol (and not black or silver)

The missus even said she'd be happy with the estate version which I like maybe even more.

ZX10R NIN

30,484 posts

153 months

Friday 27th November 2020

They're decent cars that particular one looks like it's had the rear bumper resprayed at some point but if the rest of the car is good then it's worth a look.

Shuff4

222 posts

115 months

Friday 27th November 2020

I’ve ran a Leon cupra 240 for close to a year, purchased just over 100k,

Little 10% or so over your budget 12months ago,
2 owners, history and a timing belt done from the dealer,

Decat, remap, brakes and a set of front tyres sub £1000

315bhp and 360lbft

Boots a good size with a low floor, seats are supportive and it takes a family ok.

ChrisH72

3,071 posts

80 months

Friday 27th November 2020

I ran a 325i for 3 years and have only recently moved on.

It was a good car in general. Well built, solid, that does of course translate to it feeling a bit hefty to drive. Mine was SE spec and the ride was very comfortable even on runflat tyres. I never tried an m sport but heard they were a much harder ride and those with runflats would change to conventional rubber. The SE to me was a good balance of ride and handling and to be honest it never felt all that fast so having a sportier suspension set up wouldn’t particularly suit it in my opinion. My wife never drove it as she felt it was too big and heavy.

Running costs are typically BMW and parts are expensive. Beware the N53 engine does have some common issues which can lead to very big bills. The original fuel injectors often fail and cause rough running especially on cold start. If you go and view one make sure it hasn’t been warmed up first. Replacing all 6 injectors is very costly as they are around £250 each from BMW. The NOX sensors often fail and are a few hundred quid, also the high pressure fuel pump (although mine was okay). None of it is cheap and that’s really one of the main reasons I moved on. You could of course go for an earlier car with the N52 which is said to be more reliable but less efficient so it depends how much you’d be driving it. If your mileage is low I’d look for the N52.

If you want boot space go for the touring (estate). The boot in the saloon is okay but access is not as good as a hatch and very few of them have folding rear seats so actually it’s not all that practical. I had the coupe which strangely comes with folding seats as standard.

Also check with your wife that she is happy to drive it in the winter. I used mine year round and did occasionally drive it in snow. It was fine but you do need to be very careful and I wouldn’t want to do it regularly.

Original Poster

3,370 posts

209 months

Friday 27th November 2020

Great information on the BMW, thank you smile

continuing down the M Sport direction, X3 almost looks like a good shout but god damn they're ugly. Why do BMW so often fail on the front end!

Also on the Leon. As you know, everyone ends up looking at something more expensive, can get a real arse end FR in the newer shape for not much more...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-seat-Leon-Fr-full-...

Original Poster

3,370 posts

209 months

Tuesday 15th December 2020

Coming back to this after looking daily since I first posted the thread, as you do!

There seems to be a few that pop up every now and then in budget:

Focus ST (facelift)
Laguna GT (pretty ugly but nice interior)
Leon FR (new shape, mega miles)

However on a 'regular' appearance, I would say it comes down to an Audi or BMW. Any additional recommendations for the following:

3 Series M Sport - 2007ish - Saloon, or preferably estate - 325i/330i
X3 M Sport - 3ltr

A3/A4/Avant S Line - 1.8/2.0T or occasionally a 3.2ltr pops up

Any experience on auction houses like https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/carswithnoreservereadin...

Been watching some recent examples, and there's been some great prices! Wondering if there's a catch. Yesterday a high mileage S4 (2005) went for just under £3.5k and the day before a 2010 X1 for under £4k

ZX10R NIN

30,484 posts

153 months

Tuesday 15th December 2020

Don't forget the Auction house fees will be on top of the final selling price.

Original Poster

3,370 posts

209 months