Family Car with Performance - £16k

[ujio]

Hello PH'ers! I've been going in circles with this, and could do with some suggestions on a car that fits the following criteria:

£16k Budget
Max 10k miles a year (only likely to use on weekends for now)
Some performance (my 2017 X-trail felt slower than a rental 1l Arona, but loved the space of the Nissan)
Ideally Panoramic sunroof and up to date Mod-cons (parking aids and Airplay and all that).
Ideally no older than 2016

So far my shortlist seems to be SUV's and nicer looking estates:
Audi A4 272 (estate) - I just don't want a rep mobile
330d/335d (estate) - Never owned a diesel and put off by agricultural sound
Jeep Grand Cherokee - Reviews seem good on these but don't see many about
Tiguan/ Touareg - If the budget can stretch
Petrol Peugeot 3008 (if I give up on driver enjoyment) - Looks nice inside and will adequately get from A-B.

Or should I up the budget and age slightly and get something more 'special' like a Cayenne?

Is there anything else that I should consider, or any on the list that you would advise/steer against?

[Terzo123]

The words "performance" and "Jeep Grande Cherokee" aren't commonly used in the same sentence, that is unless your talking about one of the V8 versions.

However as a family car they are excellent. I had an older WK 3.0crd and it was great.

Fuel consumption wasn't that good and tax was very heavy, however the newer ones should be alot better for both.

I've also had a Tiguan back in 2008.

It was a decent enough car, averaged about 38 mpg from the 2.0 tdi engine. Performance was adequate, nothing more.

Much preferred the JGC, it was like a big tonka toy.

Edited by Terzo123 on Saturday 12th December 18:07

[Richard-D]

Focus ST?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-st3-mk3-2016...

[Wagonwheel555]

Initially I was thinking you might struggle to get a 2016 or newer 330D for £16k in a decent spec that didn’t have higher miles but seems I was wrong as there is a few about.

330D/335D would be my choice but being a BMW fan, I would consider myself biased.

We have the 330D and love it, decent on space, gets 40mpg combined and is fairly quick even in standard form.

Make sure you get M Sport and ProNav, I wouldn’t compromise on those personally.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a swift SUV then the Grand Cherokee is a good option but I think you'll struggle to get a 2016 for you budget.

For me the Infiniti QX70 S is well worth a test drive.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012076...

Now if you want a spacious swift set of family wheels then steeping up a size to those cars on your list will give you some great cars.

Jaguar XF S 300

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008032...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009103...

E350 night edition

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007191...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011256...

530d Touring

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009294...

530d

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011256...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009294...

330d Gran Turismo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010215...

Audi A7 Ultra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011116...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008262...

A6 270

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011116...

[E30 sam]

If you can stretch the budget I’d go for a BMW F15 X5, we’ve currently got a late 66 reg 40d & it’s an awesome family car.

I am very much a BMW fan though.

[nunpuncher]

Golf R estate or Leon cupra ST. I had the hatch version of both which were used for several family trips as well as regular every day mundane stuff. Civilized, reliable, cheap to service and insure, surprisingly economical, good standard spec and plenty of performance.

[ujio]

Thanks all for all your suggestions and especially thanks to ZX10 who has gone above and beyond! Much appreciated.

Never thought about the Infiniti (can't get over the looks but will consider it if it offers everything else), or the E350 or Jag. Will take a deeper dive. Just can't get over the way the 330 GT looks. I was trying to get away from the bland looking rep mobiles and old man cars, but the Audi A7 is a good shout.

@Wagonwheel, that's great feedback, I will look for those particular types.

Golf R and Cupra were on the list but thought against it if the tank gets emptied less than 300miles. X5/Q7 would be a great option if I had another £5k to spare.

[ZX10R NIN]

The QX70's do come loaded with spec: Sunroof/360 Camera's/Active Cruise/Lane Assist/Heated & Air Cooled seats/Curb Cam as well as a load more kit I haven't listed.

Now you can get that same spec in the smaller QX50:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...

[nunpuncher]

ujio said:

Golf R and Cupra were on the list but thought against it if the tank gets emptied less than 300miles. X5/Q7 would be a great option if I had another £5k to spare.

Can't remember the exact figures that mine did but I do remember the Golf was slightly better on fuel than the Seat. Which still makes no sense to me.

I think any 6 cylinder diesel is only going to be marginally better on fuel and I suspect what you save on fuel you will lose on depreciation as they are only going to get less popular as more cities and towns introduce ULEZ.

[ZX10R NIN]

nunpuncher said:

Can't remember the exact figures that mine did but I do remember the Golf was slightly better on fuel than the Seat. Which still makes no sense to me.

I think any 6 cylinder diesel is only going to be marginally better on fuel and I suspect what you save on fuel you will lose on depreciation as they are only going to get less popular as more cities and towns introduce ULEZ.

ULEZ's will have no effect on Euro6 diesels, if anything the used market are snapping the 3.0d'd up, it depends on what you want from your car personally for family duties the bigger more spacious car with a torquey 3.0d than cramped (I'm 6'7) Golf/Leon but everyone is different, so it's nice to have the choice.

[Boristhebold66]

How about avoiding a diesel seeing as how you don't do big miles....
240hp BMW 3 series estate in budget

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10866280?c...

Or 2 years newer and with 181 hp

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11074922?c...

[ujio]

Boristhebold66 said:

How about avoiding a diesel seeing as how you don't do big miles....
240hp BMW 3 series estate in budget

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10866280?c...

Or 2 years newer and with 181 hp

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11074922?c...

Good point. I live in London and realistically will be driving at the very most 10k pa. Just thought petrol engines would be a bit anaemic in big cars unless going for a super thirsty big engine. But these ones are definitely worth considering.

Re: the Inifiniti, done some reading up and apparently they aren't as big as one would have thought on the interior. Still can't get over the looks!