Suggestions - £10k family friendly & fun

[Xenoous]

Hi all,

With a little one on the way next year, I've started to think it really may be time to sell the 15 year old 3 door Focus ST, and get something that's still fun, but also a little more practical (and reliable). We currently have a 2015 X3, so masses of room isn't a huge issue. It just needs to be fairly family friendly

Requirements are:

4/5 door
Big enough boot (hatchback size is ok)
Decent enough interior
Friendly servicing costs (no more than £400 a year)
Budget of £10k
Petrol & 250ish BHP
Manual gearbox
No older than 2010

Hatchbacks, Estates, Saloons... Anything goes. I'm looking for some inspiration.

[CrippsCorner]

When I had my higher budget (around £14k) I was looking at Countryman JCW - Decent ones go for between £12k-£15k but could probably get an older/higher mileage for £10k, or the Cooper S, which still looks decent with the JCW kit on it.

[Xenoous]

CrippsCorner said:

When I had my higher budget (around £14k) I was looking at Countryman JCW - Decent ones go for between £12k-£15k but could probably get an older/higher mileage for £10k, or the Cooper S, which still looks decent with the JCW kit on it.

Thanks for the response. We had a Mini Cooper for 5 years, and while they're a nice car, I'd like to move away from the familiar, if that makes sense? For what it's worth, it was a nice car

[blearyeyedboy]

Rather small inside, but have you considered a Giulietta Cloverleaf?

[croissant]

Audi S4 would be my choice for that sort of money and criteria.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012086...

[Tyre Tread]

Lexus IS250. Comfort, reasonable power, reasonable economy, reasonable running costs, reliable and safe.

XFS Jag. Could even go for the Touring version.

[Xenoous]

Tyre Tread said:

XFS Jag. Could even go for the Touring version.

The V8 version just about sneaks under the radar for 10k too! Where's that man maths calculator?

[Tyre Tread]

Xenoous said:

Tyre Tread said:

XFS Jag. Could even go for the Touring version.

The V8 version just about sneaks under the radar for 10k too! Where's that man maths calculator?

Yeah, I mentioned the XFS as it has plenty of torque, enough power and will do reasonable MPG - into the mid 40's on a run. I had one for about 18 months and put almost 40K miles on it and never got less than 30 mpg.

Loved it to pieces but the depreciation can be high if you buy at the wrong time.

Try an XFS against a petrol version. For the love of God don't end up in a 2.0d version - Had one as a loan car and it was hideous. Didn't suit the car at all.

[Ntv]

You could get a Focus ST-3 estate 12/13 vintage for that kind of money.

Almost bought one of those but in the end thought not big enough.

[Xenoous]

Ntv said:

You could get a Focus ST-3 estate 12/13 vintage for that kind of money.

Almost bought one of those but in the end thought not big enough.

I'm really not a fan of the Mk3 ST. The 3.5 improved the looks somewhat, but the 3 really isnt something I'd consider.

I love the mk4, but I have no interest in PCP

[DoubleD]

You sometimes see M135i at that price, that would probably be a good fun practical ish car.

[ZX10R NIN]

Xenoous said:

Hi all,

With a little one on the way next year, I've started to think it really may be time to sell the 15 year old 3 door Focus ST, and get something that's still fun, but also a little more practical (and reliable). We currently have a 2015 X3, so masses of room isn't a huge issue. It just needs to be fairly family friendly

Requirements are:

4/5 door
Big enough boot (hatchback size is ok)
Decent enough interior
Friendly servicing costs (no more than £400 a year)
Budget of £10k
Petrol & 250ish BHP
Manual gearbox
No older than 2010

Hatchbacks, Estates, Saloons... Anything goes. I'm looking for some inspiration.

I think you have to be realistic & expect to spend £500 a year on maintenance, there are some good cars out there but most won't be hot hatch levels but pretty much all can be had fun with.

I'd say an Insignia VXR is a great pick at this price point, as with most cars that run Haldex rear diffs they have to be serviced as per schedule or you could run into issues.
Now you may read about timing chain issues this affected cars up to 2009 so a 60 plate onwards & you'll be clear.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010165...

Last of the line SRI 250

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

Volvo S60 T4 SE Nav 190

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

2.0T Saab 9-5 Aero 220

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009033...

PS 308 GTI 250 cracking car with a good amount of boot space too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

Giulietta Cloverleaf 235

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011206...

325i M Sport

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

328i Luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011176...

335i Luxury

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

Audi S3 Sportback

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

A5 S Line Sportback 210 not the most engaging but a good car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...

Passat CC GT pretty much the same as the above but a bit less practical boot access wise

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011186...

S4 but this won't be cheap to maintain

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012086...

Octavia VRS 220

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009264...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011095...

[SierraBravo]

Just got a TTS and so would say the ea113 CDL engine is beautiful.
Advise on getting an S3 or Scirroco R if you want to stretch it/ be abit more different.

[Xenoous]

ZX10R NIN said:

I think you have to be realistic & expect to spend £500 a year on maintenance, there are some good cars out there but most won't be hot hatch levels but pretty much all can be had fun with.

I'd say an Insignia VXR is a great pick at this price point, as with most cars that run Haldex rear diffs they have to be serviced as per schedule or you could run into issues.
Now you may read about timing chain issues this affected cars up to 2009 so a 60 plate onwards & you'll be clear.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010165...

Last of the line SRI 250

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

Volvo S60 T4 SE Nav 190

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

2.0T Saab 9-5 Aero 220

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009033...

PS 308 GTI 250 cracking car with a good amount of boot space too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

Giulietta Cloverleaf 235

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011206...

325i M Sport

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

328i Luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011176...

335i Luxury

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

Audi S3 Sportback

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

A5 S Line Sportback 210 not the most engaging but a good car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...

Passat CC GT pretty much the same as the above but a bit less practical boot access wise

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011186...

S4 but this won't be cheap to maintain

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012086...

Octavia VRS 220

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009264...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011095...

I think you're right, £500 might be more realistic for the type of car I'm after. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to be honest, I want to be conservative with the amount I spend, as there's more to think about with a child on the way, financially speaking.

Some nice cars in that list. The 335i particularly sticks out as one I'd like, but with higher end mileage it could end up being rather expensive. The 308 GTI & Alfas are an interesting shout as well.

Thanks ZX10R NIN